All across the country, many are leaving urban life for the wide open spaces of America’s rural areas. A scroll through homesteading TikTok shows scenes of young mothers making jam, families raising their livestock, and gardens bursting in the golden sun. Although the aesthetic looks idyllic, this movement is a much deeper transformation — one motivated by distrust in modern systems and a craving for more control over food, resources, and lifestyle.
The Rise Of Homesteading
Homesteading — living off the land by growing your own food, raising your own animals, and even going off the public utility grid — has exploded in popularity since early 2020. Over the past several years, the Homesteaders of America, an organization that promotes agrarian self-sufficiency, has witnessed a surge of new members embracing this lifestyle. In a poll released in January 2023, over a quarter of respondents claimed to have been homesteading for three years or less.
Largely Millennial And Gen Z Driven
This migration is led by younger generations. Almost half of the homesteaders surveyed were under 40, demonstrating how Millennials and Gen Z are opting for the rural lifestyle over city dwellings. Increasing expenses in urban centers help explain this, but many point to an even more compelling reason: the chance to create a self-sufficient lifestyle and raise their children away from so many modern-day distractions.
Finding A Sense Of Security In A Time Of Uncertainty
The COVID-19 pandemic, political instability and fears about food safety are among the things that have made homesteading more attractive. For some young families, such as Christina Heinritz, a homesteader in California, growing their own food seems the best way to guarantee its quality. “There’s a ton of stuff that everybody thinks is healthy, and it’s not,” she told Business Insider.
Taking Control Food And Resources
For many homesteaders, raising animals and growing produce is about more than lifestyle — it’s about food security. Heinritz and her family keep chickens, alpacas, and donkeys and prioritize home-cooked, healthy meals. By growing their own, they avoid having to rely on the mass production of food from the stores, which they say is frequently processed with harmful chemicals.
Homesteaders Challenge The Status Quo
This way of life encompasses more than simply food production. Homesteaders often homeschool their children, install solar panels to lessen their dependence on power grids, and prepare themselves to be self-sufficient if society becomes upended. Some are more moderate, while others embrace a near-total withdrawal from modern conveniences.
Communities Living Off Grid And Bartering
Some homesteaders live off the grid in remote areas and depend on barter systems instead of getting jobs. Communities such as Riverbed Ranch in Utah rely on self-sufficiency, bartering goods and services instead of money. But for the most part, homesteaders retain jobs, working remotely or commuting while maintaining their agrarian lifestyle.
From City Life To Rural Peace
For Chuck and Brooke Anderson, homesteading was a lifelong dream. The couple left Raleigh, North Carolina, to build a homestead on 285 acres of untouched land in Virginia. They enjoy the isolation, with miles between them and the nearest neighbors. Their teenage daughter is learning to ride horses and hunt, and she participates in rodeo events, yet she still visits the mall from time to time.
The Pros And Cons Of Homesteading
Homesteading isn’t all peace and independence; it has its hurdles. The ease of city living is not something Brooke Anderson can pretend to recreate. “We can’t just run to the store real quick,” she said. But even with the occasional inconvenience, the Andersons maintain the pros far outweigh the cons.
A Quest For Environmental Sustainability
For some people, homesteading is about minimizing their carbon footprint. John and Tara Newby moved out of the UK to northern Portugal to live off-grid with their sons Crusoe and Sawyer. They wanted a lifestyle that allowed them to spend more time outdoors with less of an ecological footprint. “We wanted a little bit more space for our kids to run wild and free,” Tara said.
The Role Of Technology In Homesteading
Despite its back-to-basics appeal, homesteading is not about being removed from modern life. Many homesteaders have utilized social media to share their experiences, inspire others, and even generate income through content creation. Others turn to online resources to learn essential skills, from farm techniques to solar power installation.
A Growing Movement Toward Independence
Homesteading is more than a trend — it’s a movement firmly rooted in independence and resilience. Whether motivated by financial reasons, ecological concerns, or a desire for a more frugal existence, what was once a relatively niche lifestyle is gaining more traction in the mainstream. With economic and social uncertainties continuing, the migration toward homesteading is likely to continue expanding.
The Future Of Homesteading
While not everyone is embracing the homesteading movement or ready to give up their city life, this highlights a shift in values. Americans are seeking more control over their resources, food, and daily lives. If the latter, there’s a growing drive towards self-sufficiency—whether that’s through full-scale off-grid living or mini urban gardens, self-sufficiency is reshaping how we view the future.
Discover more of our trending stories and follow us to keep them appearing in your feed
California Is Breaking Apart: A Fault Line Is Forming Faster Than Anyone Predicted
California Is Splitting Apart: A Fault Line Is Forming Faster Than Anyone Predicted
The War on Cows Is Over—And Green Extremists Have Lost
Philanthropist Promises To Cover $771.23M Annually After US Exit From Climate Accords
References:
Reference 1
Reference 2
Reference 3
This article first appeared here
Stay connected with us for more stories like this! Follow us to get the latest updates or hit the Follow button at the top of this article, and let us know what you think by leaving your feedback below. We’d love to hear from you!
