Have you decided to start a homestead? Or maybe you live in the suburbs and have a big property? Homesteading is a lifestyle of living off the land and being as self-sufficient as possible. But can it earn you some extra income?
If you’re looking for actionable cashflow ideas to turn your farm into a money garden, you have come to the right place. Whether you want to have a full-time income or a side hustle, here are five ways to make money from homesteading.
Photo by Thomas Iversen on Unsplash
1. Keep Chickens
Raising chickens, depending on your city’s zoning rules, is a wonderful way to make some extra cash because the overhead isn’t too high. You only need a rudimentary understanding of chickens, a simple chicken coop, and chicken feed to get started.
Over time, you will have more than enough fresh farm eggs to sell to friends, neighbors, and family. As the number of your customers grows, you might even decide to sell your eggs at the farmer’s market.
How much you will make depends on your local poultry economy. In urban areas, fresh, organic eggs sell at $1 per egg without a problem. If you are permitted to sell meat, you can earn from $3 to $5 per pound, or between $15 and $25 whole.
2. Raise Bees
Interested in becoming a beekeeper? If so, you’re in luck because, as it turns out, beekeeping requires low investment and minimum knowledge of bees. You will need beehives (well, best to start with a single one – costs about $300), bees, a bee suit, and some basic tools. Getting familiar with the basics of beekeeping is quite easy but don’t forget to check if there are any rules and restrictions from your local authorities.
Once you’re all set up, you can make a profit in several different ways from your bees. For instance, you can sell honey, make beeswax, candles, lip balm, etc.
3. Sell Flowers and Plants
You can sell flowers and plants grown on your homestead by advertising them online, taking them to the farmer’s market, or simply placing a sign up in front of your property. Another option is to rely on the honor system and simply put your flowers or plants on a bench or table along with a price list and a container where people will be able to leave their money.
You can also sell seeds and seedlings for money. The majority of gardeners and homesteaders already save seeds every year. If you have a lot of seeds that you won’t use in their lifetime, selling them is an excellent option.
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
4. Grow and Sell Produce
Why not plant more than you need and sell the surplus produce? Not only will you save tons of money by growing your own food, but you can make extra cash by selling the rest. Advertise around your neighborhood and sell from the comfort of your own porch or get a spot at a local farmer’s market. People are prepared to pay a premium price for organic seasonal produce, especially for rare varieties that are difficult to find in stores.
How much money you can make will depend on several factors, including the fruits and vegetables you grow, the area you live in, and the cost of the farmer’s market booth rent.
5. Sell Herbs
People love fresh herbs. They use medicinal herbs for many common ailments by brewing them as tea, applying to the skin in the form of lotions and creams, or adding them to bathwater. You can also dry part or all of your herbs to make seasonings.
The best part is that, unlike fruits and vegetables, a herb garden doesn’t require a big space. Plant a few extra herbs, market them, and you will have another easy source of extra income.
Final Thoughts
Making money homesteading is possible! You just need to get creative and focus on whatever interests you most. If you enjoy gardening and farming, it would be wisest to sell your surplus produce. If, on the other hand, you enjoy looking after livestock, try to find a way to earn from that. Once you see how simple it is to earn money from your homestead, you can learn new methods and create multiple sources of income!
