🌾 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting a Homestead (And Why I’d Still Do It Again)

Hey y’all, Samantha here – your resident real estate girl with chicken feathers on her boots and flour on her apron. Between showings, sourdough, and Silkies, I’ve learned a thing or two about living the homestead life. Spoiler alert: it’s not always the dreamy Instagram aesthetic of chickens in sun hats and sunflowers in mason jars… but honey, it’s worth every muddy bootprint and crow-at-4-a.m. wake-up call.

Let me take you on a little front porch chat and share the real talk: the things I wish I knew before starting this journey – and why I’d do it all again in a heartbeat. 💛

1. Homesteading is Not a Hobby, It’s a Lifestyle

I thought I was starting a cute backyard chicken project. Next thing I knew, I was outside in pajamas trying to stop Pickles from laying an egg on top of a tomato plant while Bluey staged a prison break.

Homesteading doesn’t clock out at 5 p.m. It’s early mornings, late-night animal checks, and learning to pivot fast when plans go sideways (and they will). You don’t just have a homestead – you become a homesteader.

🧡 But here’s the magic: It roots you. In family. In the land. In simplicity. In God’s goodness. And that’s a rhythm I’d never trade.

2. You Will Fail. Often.

Your first garden? Might be more of a buffet for bugs than a bounty of blessings. You’ll overwater, underwater, or forget the dang hose is still on (ask me how I know 🙃). You’ll cry over animals. You’ll mess up your first batch of fermented pickles. And that’s okay.

🐓 Reba, my Rhode Island Red, once ate an entire seedling tray I left unattended. Was I mad? Yes. Did I also laugh until I cried? Absolutely.

Homesteading humbles you. Then it teaches you. Then it lets you try again.

3. It’s Not Cheap (At First)

Building raised beds, fencing, buying feed, vet care, tools… it adds up faster than a toddler spotting a snack 3 seconds after lunch. If you think you’re gonna save money the first year, bless your heart. 😅

But over time? You will start seeing the return – in homegrown eggs, in preserved food, in lowered grocery bills, in self-sufficiency. And the joy of picking dinner from your backyard? Priceless.

4. You Will Become “That” Person

You’ll start talking to your chickens like they’re co-workers. You’ll give a full garden tour to anyone who visits. You’ll find joy in composting. You’ll start saying things like, “These eggs taste happier.”

👩‍🌾 Welcome to the club. We meet at sunrise. Bring jam.

5. Kids Learn So Much

Watching my son gather eggs, water the garden, and say, “Mama, the bees are busy today,” makes all the chaos worth it. Homesteading has given him more than science lessons – it’s given him responsibility, wonder, and a deep connection to creation.

6. Community Matters More Than Ever

At first, I tried to do it all alone. Then I discovered the magic of swapping sourdough starters, trading seedlings, and learning from the seasoned folks down the road.

And that’s why I started @Chickens.Cookies.Closings – to blend my real estate world with the heart of homesteading and baking, and build community around faith, food, and family.

7. You’ll Never Be “Ready” – Start Anyway

If you’re waiting for the perfect time, budget, or weather forecast – stop. Start with what you have. One plant, one chicken, one step toward slower living. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being present.

🪴 Plant the dream. Water it with grit. Watch God grow it.

Would I Do It Again?

Absolutely. A thousand times yes. With all the mess, heartache, and hard lessons – I’ve never felt more alive, more grounded, or more connected to my Creator.

Homesteading isn’t a step back in time – it’s a step forward in intention. It’s about choosing meaning over convenience. And that’s a legacy I want for my son. For my family. For my community.

So if you’re dreaming of chickens and chard and homemade everything? Go for it, friend. You’re not crazy. You’re called.

And I’ll be here – cheering you on, cookie in one hand, chicken feed in the other. 💛

Blessings & Biscuit Crumbs,
Samantha
🏡 Chickens. Cookies. Closings.
(And now, compost too.)