What Is Homesteading? Why You Should Volunteer At One
Social media might make it seem like homesteading is a fairly new trend in Western countries like the United States. While there is some truth in that, people have been living on homesteads all over the world for centuries. It’s just experiencing a revival!
Search the keyword ‘homestead’ on Workaway’s host list and you’ll find over 800 opportunities to volunteer on a homestead. Spain, Norway, Australia, Canada, and Ecuador are a fraction of the countries offering homesteading volunteer work exchanges. It can be a fantastic opportunity with loads of benefits.
But what is homesteading? Is it just a small farm? Do you need any special skills to contribute to homesteaders’ projects as a Workawayer?
This guide covers everything you need to know about homesteading and participating in a homestead work exchange. I have no doubt you’ll be itching to stay on one as a Workawayer (or even start homesteading yourself!) when you finish reading.
So, What Is Homesteading Exactly?
Homesteading is a self-sufficient lifestyle. Most homesteaders produce some or all of their own food, energy, textiles, and other resources. Many live far outside cities and towns and own land.
It’s an appealing lifestyle to those who prefer to work with their hands rather than in front of a computer screen. You won’t need a gym membership when volunteering on a homestead, that’s for sure!
Living the homesteader life doesn’t happen overnight. Most start small while still working a full-time job. For example, they might plant a vegetable garden, keep a few chickens, and install solar panels first.
There’s no ‘one size fits all’ to homesteading. One home might have 60 acres, no neighbours, and dozens of farm animals. Another might be in a large commune with an extensive community garden.
What Is Urban Homesteading and Why Is It So Popular?
Urban homesteading or modern homesteading are terms used to define a homestead in a city or apartment. It’s a bit more accessible than traditional homesteading!
While modern homesteaders are usually not completely self-sufficient, they still participate in several elements of the homestead lifestyle. They might still grow vegetables in planters on their balcony. Preserving and canning foods, air drying clothes, and composting are examples of easy homesteading activities.
Homestead living grew in popularity during the pandemic. People became more attracted to living away from others and only relying on their own resources. There are fewer volunteer opportunities at this type of homestead, but it’s good for city lovers to know they exist.
Homestead vs Off-Grid: What Are the Differences?
Off-grid lifestyles prioritise not using public or government utilities, particularly energy sources. You can still buy food and clothes from stores and have an off-grid lifestyle.
Many homesteaders are off-grid, but not everyone off-grid is a homesteader. For example, lots of vanlifers are off-grid, but they’re definitely not living on homesteads!
Related blog post: 5 Reasons Why You Should Give Off-Grid Living A Chance
Homestead vs Farmstead: What Are the Differences?
Farmstead refers to a farm and the surrounding buildings. This term mostly describes small farms which sell animals and animal products for profit. It’s a business, not a lifestyle.
Some homesteaders might sell produce, but that’s not their primary goal. Plus, not all farmsteads generate their own energy and are self-sufficient.
Reasons To Volunteer at a Homestead
Learn Invaluable Homesteading Skills
Many homestead hosts don’t expect volunteers to have extensive homesteading skills. They’re usually seeking hard-working people with an interest in self-sufficient lifestyles. Most will be happy to share their knowledge and teach you new skills.
Here are some key examples:
- Preserving food e.g. pickling and canning
- Cooking essential food from scratch e.g. butter and bread
- Gardening, foraging, and composting
- Animal husbandry
- Hunting and fishing
- Sewing, crocheting, and knitting
- Carpentry and building
- Mechanics
Where you travel depends on the skills you can expect to pick up. Fishing is super important for homesteaders on the Norwegian coast, and foraging in woodlands is common in Italy.
General DIY and maintenance are also expected on homesteads. Homesteaders are always working on a big project!
Related blog post: The best skills to learn before you go onto your next Workaway adventure
Use Renewable Energy Sources
Everyone should be using greener, alternative energy sources wherever possible. But if volunteering somewhere that uses renewable energy is particularly important to you, homesteads are a great choice!
Most homesteads use one or a combination of solar panels, wind turbines, biofuel, and other types of renewable energy. This will help to keep your carbon footprint down and offset your travel emissions.
Learn How To Farm Crops and Animals
You can learn to knit via a YouTube tutorial. Herding cattle is a little trickier! Learning on the job is your only option. The same goes for growing crops. Getting hands-on experience is difficult if you don’t have a vegetable garden.
Most homesteads will keep some animals, even if it’s only a chicken coop. Volunteering on a homestead is a great way to gain these skills without owning land and investing in animals.
Work As Part of a Dedicated Team
There’s a misconception that homesteaders want to be isolated, that they choose the homesteading lifestyle to ‘get away from everyone’. This couldn’t be further from the truth as almost zero homesteaders live alone!
Sure, many are in rural locations. But most homesteaders demand commitment from everyone living there and from hired help.
Consider volunteering on a homestead to meet new and interesting people as a part of your travel experience. Everyone will have unique skills, backgrounds, and a story of how they began homesteading. You can be sure that they’re hard-working too. There is no time for slackers on homesteads!
Related blog post: Why You Should Choose A Homestay For Your First Workaway
Learn Niche Survival and Craft Skills
I’ve already mentioned the obvious skills you might learn volunteering on a homestead. But what about the cool, unique skills no one thinks about?!
Here are some lesser-known great skills you might learn on a homestead:
- Beekeeping
- Herbalism
- Candlemaking
- Soapmaking
- Fermentation
- Home brewing
- Winemaking
- Basket weaving
And so much more! It’s common for homesteaders to make their own cleaning and skincare products too. Most will be happy to share their skills if you show an interest.
Live in the Countryside
Most homesteaders live miles away from a train or bus station. If you need a digital detox or to stretch your legs in a wide open space, consider volunteering on a homestead. Indulge in fresh, clean air, see starry skies free from light pollution, and embrace nature’s healing energy.
Related blog post: Living the Simple Life in a Farm Community in Southern France
Realise How Many Resources You Use
When living on a homestead, you begin to recognise how many resources you use in day-to-day life. I’m not just talking about energy sources. Homesteading can help you appreciate all modern conveniences.
You can’t throw away bags of rubbish like you can in a city with a waste management system. You can’t take a 15-minute shower with a limited hot water supply. Running to the supermarket when you run out of toilet paper often isn’t possible either!
Volunteering on a homestead makes you aware of what many take for granted. It can give you the reality check you need to cut down on waste and pollution.
Related blog post: Volunteering on a farm: A city girl's learning experience
Learn How To Start Your Own Homestead
You might love to travel, but if there’s a part of you that can imagine settling down on your own homestead one day, why not try it out? Volunteering on a homestead is a risk-free way to see if you like this lifestyle.
You won’t lose anything if you decide homesteading isn’t for you. Some people may find they enjoy homesteading but don’t have the desire to buy land and take on the financial risk. In that case, there’s no reason why you can’t continue to volunteer on homesteads.
Are You Ready To Volunteer on a Homestead? Here’s How!
Hopefully, this guide has answered your questions about what homesteading is and why you should try it. All homesteads are unique. Some are very remote and basic, others are only a train ride from bustling cities and boast modern facilities.
Workaway offers a range of homesteading volunteer opportunities. Check out their homestead host list to find the ideal work exchange for you in a beautiful location.
About Rebecca
Rebecca caught the travel bug when she spent a summer as a camp counsellor in the USA during university. She quit her job in 2017 and started volunteering with Workaway as she grew her remote freelanc
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