Mankato Kansas Free Land Program 2026 — How to Apply Step by Step If you have been dreaming of owning land and building your own home but assumed the cost of land made it impossible, Mankato, Kansas has a program that changes that calculation entirely. The City of Mankato is actively offering free residential lots…
For most of human history, people fed themselves year-round without a refrigerator. The techniques they developed — fermenting, canning, drying, salting, and cellaring — are not just historical curiosities. They are practical, proven methods that homesteaders rely on today to preserve a garden harvest, reduce food waste, and build food security. This guide covers 8…
Best Tools for Starting a Homestead: The right tools make homesteading significantly easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable. The wrong tools or worse, cheap tools that break when you need them most waste money and time you cannot afford. This guide covers the essential tools for starting a homestead in 2026, organised by priority, with…
Rainwater harvesting laws by state: Rainwater harvesting is one of the most practical and sustainable systems a homesteader can install. Collecting rain from your roof and storing it for garden irrigation, livestock watering, or household use dramatically reduces your water bills and gives you a reliable water supply independent of municipal systems or well pumps….
Best Vegetables to Grow for Self-Sufficiency — What to Plant First, best vegetables to grow for self sufficiency Not all vegetables are created equal when it comes to homesteading and self-sufficiency. Some produce a few meals per plant. Others can feed your family for months from a single harvest. When land, time, and energy are…
How to Set Up Off-Grid Solar for Beginners — Complete 2026 Guide Going off-grid with solar power is one of the most transformative steps a homesteader can take. It eliminates your electricity bill permanently, makes you immune to grid outages, and — once installed — provides free energy for decades. The challenge is knowing where…
Homesteading is one of the most rewarding lifestyles a person or family can choose. It is also one of the most misunderstood. Many people believe you need acres of land, significant savings, or years of experience before you can start. None of that is true. This complete beginner’s guide to homesteading covers everything you need…
The US Department of Agriculture offers billions of dollars in grants, loans, and assistance programs every year and a significant portion of that funding is available to homesteaders, small farmers, and rural landowners. Yet most people have no idea these programs exist. This guide covers every major USDA grant and funding program available to homesteaders…
