Thinking of turning your homestead into a farm business? Discover the key lessons we learned while transitioning from homesteading to farmsteading, including how to start small, avoid debt, and build a sustainable, purpose-driven farmstead life.
When we began our homesteading journey over 18 years ago, we were trying to feed our family with food we trusted. A backyard garden turned into a few chickens, and then a few chickens turned into preserving, baking everything from scratch, and filling our pantry with foods we’d grown or raised ourselves. Homesteading was about survival. Simplicity. Sustainability.
But over time, something shifted.
We realized this life we loved could become more than just a means to feed ourselves; it could become a way to fund our family’s future. That was the day we transitioned from homesteading to farmsteading, transforming our self-sufficient lifestyle into a working, income-generating farm with laying hens and Duroc gilts.
What we didn’t realize was just how different the two paths are.
In this blog post, I’m sharing the lessons we learned (some the hard way), what we’d do differently, and how you can transition from homesteader to farmsteader without burying yourself in burnout or debt.
Homesteading vs. Farmsteading: What's the Difference?
Homesteading is about producing enough to feed your family.
Farmsteading is about scaling up to feed others and getting paid for it.
At first glance, it appears to be a simple shift. You’re already growing food, raising animals, and preserving what you harvest. Why not sell the extras? However, the reality is that homesteading is about survival. Farmsteading is about strategy.
The mindset, systems, and expectations change entirely.
1. Start Small — Smaller Than You Think
It’s easy to dream big. You scroll Instagram, watch YouTube videos, and see families running successful farms with dozens of pigs, hundreds of chickens, and a bustling farmstand.
What don’t you see? The debt, the stress, the burnouts behind the scenes.
The truth: Most people start too big.
We made this mistake. We thought more animals meant more income, many years ago, when we dove in with chickens, pigs, and goats, all in the same year, as newbie homesteaders in 2008. However, it also meant more animals, which in turn required more feed, fencing, veterinary care, and significantly more work. Our infrastructure wasn’t ready, and neither were we.
Here’s what we learned:
- Start with one income-producing area (like eggs, meat chickens, or a market garden)
- Choose something that fits your current land, time, and season of life
- Master that one thing before adding more
Starting small doesn’t mean thinking small. It means building a strong foundation before adding more weight.
2. Use Cash or Don’t Start at All
I’ll be blunt: Debt can bury your farm dream before it even starts.
The biggest mistake we see is putting startup costs on credit cards or taking out loans without a clear plan to repay them.
We understand that farming requires equipment, fencing, feed, and infrastructure. But growing slowly with cash only forces you to:
- Prioritize what truly matters
- Make more thoughtful, more sustainable decisions
- Avoid the stress and panic of monthly payments
- Word your farm without equipment.
Yes, it takes longer. Yes, it might look “less impressive.” But freedom tastes a lot better than a brand new tractor bought on borrowed money.
TIP: Buy secondhand. Barter. DIY. Work with what you have until you can afford to grow.
3. Have a Simple Business Plan
Even if your farm is small, treat it like a real business.
A business plan doesn’t need to be fancy or formal, but it does need to answer these:
- What will we sell?
- Who are we selling to?
- How much will it cost us to produce?
- What’s our profit margin?
- How will we market and deliver it?
Too many farmsteaders jump in without knowing these numbers, and it’s a fast track to burnout.
A simple spreadsheet or notebook plan is enough to:
- Track expenses
- Price your products fairly
- Set income goals
Don’t skip this step. Farmsteading without a plan is just expensive homesteading.
4. Build Around Your Life, Not Against It
One of the biggest myths about farming for income is that you need to give up your lifestyle to build your farm. That’s not true.
We believe in building your farm around your family rhythms, not on top of them.
Ask yourself:
- How many hours a week can we realistically dedicate to farm production?
- Can our kids participate, or do they require more supervision at this time?
- What’s our energy level this season?
Your farm business should support your family, not steal from it. That’s the heart of sustainable growth.
5. Know Your "Why" and Keep It Front and Center
There will be days when you want to quit. When your fence breaks. Your harvest fails. A storm wipes out your hard work.
That’s why you need a clear WHY.
- Is it to pay for your mortgage with eggs and pork sales?
- To fund homeschooling?
- To leave a legacy for your kids?
Write it down. Keep it in your kitchen. Because when things get hard, and they will, it’ll remind you why you’re still showing up.
6. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here’s what we’ve learned the hard way (so you don’t have to):
❌ Mistake 1: Overproduction without a buyer
Grow what you can sell, not just what you can grow.
❌ Mistake 2: Underpricing your products
If you're not profitable, it's not sustainable. Know your costs.
If you are a for-profit farm, you aren't selling eggs for $4-5 a dozen at the farmers ' markets. You are selling them for $7-$ 9 a dozen, depending on the location and how the eggs are produced.
❌ Mistake 3: Doing everything yourself
Ask for help. Involve the family. Trade work days with other local farmers.
❌ Mistake 4: Assuming it’ll all work out without planning
Hope is good. A plan is better.
7. The Joy of Farmsteading
Despite the challenges, moving into farmsteading has been one of the most rewarding decisions we’ve made.
It’s allowed us to:
- Feed our community with real food
- Teach our kids responsibility and a work ethic
- Build something meaningful with our hands and hearts
- The farmstead is debt-free while doing what we love.
It’s not for everyone. But if you feel called to grow beyond the homestead, it can be a beautiful path.
Just go slow. Build smart. And stay rooted in what matters most.
Final Thoughts: Grow the Farm You Want
Don’t grow a farm based on someone else’s Instagram feed. Don’t chase scale or income just for the sake of more.
Grow a farm that fits your family, your values, and your long-term goals.
Start small. Use cash. Plan well. Stay grounded.
That’s the way we went from homesteading to farmsteading, with a few bumps and blessings along the way.
And we wouldn’t trade it for anything.
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