Homesteading:  How much land do I need and why?

Homesteading:  How much land do I need and why?

BY:  DAVE HUDSON

Modern times and society certainly seem to move at a faster pace than in the past.  Many people are becoming interested in homesteading as a lifestyle choice due to its foundational principles centered around self-sufficiency and a deep connection to the land.  One of the core tenets of homesteading involves working to produce food through gardening, raising livestock (where feasible), and preserving harvests.  This can be done on a scale starting with a small urban balcony garden to farming on a sprawling rural property.  People’s motivations to pursue homesteading are as diverse as the people themselves.  As a result, a person’s land requirements are as equally diverse as their motivations to seek the homesteading lifestyle.  However, for someone just beginning to look for that perfect location, the question often arises concerning “How much land do I need”?  We will take a look at that very question and provide some information that will hopefully be of benefit to the new and old homesteader alike.

What factors influence land requirements:

• Food Production:
  
  
  • Gardening:  Many homesteaders as well as folks living in urban areas want to grow their own food.  The space required for a vegetable garden large enough to feed a family depends on several factors including the size of the family, their dietary habits, and which gardening methods they utilize (e.g., intensive or square foot gardening can produce more in a smaller area).  A good general estimate that provides a significant portion of a family’s produce for one year can range from ¼ acre to 1 acre per person.  However, some sources state that it may be possible to use less land if highly intensive methods of gardening are practiced.  (We will discuss this in later posts).  You should take into consideration enough space to grow staple crops like potatoes, squash, and corn as well as areas for perennial crops and potentially grains.
  • Fruit and Nut Trees:  Orchards necessitate dedicated space, while the area per tree varies based upon species and rootstock (dwarf vs. standard).  A family’s needs may be met with a dozen or more trees of various types but typically require at least ½ acre or more. 
  • Raising Livestock:  The largest single factor that influences land requirements is often the type and number of animals you plan to raise.
    
    
    • Chickens:  It takes minimal space to keep a small flock for eggs, potentially even just a few square feet per bird for the coop and run.  This can be even smaller if you use mobile coops.  However, it will require more room if you desire to raise chickens for meat, especially if you use rotational grazing methods.  It’s possible to raise hundreds of birds per acre with rotation.
    • Rabbits:  Can be raised using relatively compact hutch systems that require little space. 
    • Goats and Sheep:  These grazing animals need pasture land and therefore, larger land requirements.  One to two acres of quality forage per animal is a common guideline.  However, this can vary greatly depending on the climate and richness of the pasture.
    • Cattle:  Require more extensive land to pasture, with sources often stating at least 2 or more acres of quality forage per animal.  This also is dependent upon the region and grazing management methods that are utilized.  Water access will also be key if the decision to raise cattle is part of your homesteading plan.
    • Pigs:  Don’t necessarily need large open pastures.  However, pigs do need adequate space to root and for shelter.  It is recommended to have around 100 square feet per pig if they are confined with more space required if they are pastured rotationally.
      
      
• Fuel Storage - Woodlot:  A sustainable woodlot is mandatory if you plan to heat your home with wood or use wood for building or cooking.  This has the potential to take up the largest portion of a homestead’s land requirements.  Many variables such as the type of forest, climate, and management practices (like coppicing) play into estimating how much land is necessary for a self-sustaining woodlot producing firewood for a single household.  These estimates range from 10 to 20 acres or more.
• Water Source:  Next to food production, having access to a reliable water source is vital when planning your homestead.  This is not strictly a land size requirement, although the presence of a natural spring, well, stream, or the potential for pond construction or rainwater harvesting systems should influence whether or not a property is suitable regardless of acreage.  Also, of importance is owning the underground (subsurface) water rights on your property.
• Housing, Infrastructure, and Building Sites:  It should go without saying that you must not forget to allocate space for your home, necessary outbuildings (barns, sheds, workshops), tool and equipment storage, composting areas, as well as access roads and paths as part of your land requirements.
• Privacy, Seclusion, and Security:  Privacy is a goal for many homesteaders, so you'll naturally require some additional land to create a buffer zone from neighbors.  This also serves the purpose of providing stand-off distance and the potential for early warning from a security perspective.
• Climate and Soil Quality:  Climate is directly tied to growing seasons and the type of livestock that can be efficiently raised on pasture.  Additionally, more land may be required if the soil is poor or it may require a significant investment in soil improvements to achieve good yields.

 

General Estimates for Self-Sufficiency:

We’ve discussed many of the key factors that need to be considered when looking for the type of land and how much you may need based on your individual homesteading plan or goals.  General estimates for the minimum land necessary for a reasonably self-sufficient homestead for a family often fall within the range of 5 to 20 acres based on these factors.

• A 5-10 acre homestead may allow space to have a substantial garden, a small orchard, and a few types of smaller livestock like chickens or rabbits.  It may potentially allow room for a few goats or sheep as well, especially if intensive management and rotational grazing methods are utilized.  
• A 10-20 acre homestead provides increased flexibility to have larger gardens, a more extensive orchard, a wider variety and/or larger numbers of livestock, and the potential for a small woodlot.
• 20 acres or significantly more is likely required to be largely self-sufficient in terms of growing grains or raising cattle in addition to everything else necessary to meet a family's full needs.  (Of interest, the average Amish farm is 40 to 80 acres which is sufficient to provide for the family’s needs while still being small enough to be worked by horses and the individual family members).

 

It is important to remember that the above recommendations are just estimates. There are some dedicated, highly skilled homesteaders who achieve remarkable levels of production on smaller acreages using intensive methods, smart design (like permaculture), and efficient resource cycling.  On the other hand, poor land management or unsuitable land characteristics can limit potential even on larger parcels.

In conclusion, only you can determine the "right" amount of land necessary to fulfill your homesteading vision.  That amount must necessarily align with your specific goals, resources, and willingness to invest the time and effort required to effectively develop and manage the property.  A wise approach is to start small and expand as you gain experience.