Homesteading is more than just a lifestyle; it can also be a way for you and your family to earn extra income. Whether you have plenty of country acreage or you’re managing an urban homestead, there are plenty of ways to start a thriving business. Here are 17 ways to monetize your passion.
Always check your local regulations as to what you can sell and where.
17 Ways To Make Money On Your Homestead
1. Selling Homegrown Produce
Fresh and locally grown produce is always in demand. Farmer’s markets, community supported agriculture (CSA) programs, and roadside stands are all ways you can sell your homegrown produce. Specialty crops like garlic, microgreens and heirloom tomatoes are especially profitable at the moment.
2. Raising and Selling Chickens & Eggs
Chickens are perfect for any homestead because they offer fresh meat and eggs that you can utilize for profit. Selling free-range or organic eggs can fetch a nice price. With egg supply disruptions, they’re in demand now more than ever. You could also raise and sell baby chicks or fertilized eggs if you have a rooster.
Check out my post on how to get started with chickens here: What You Need To Know Before Getting Backyard Chickens
3. Beekeeping for Honey and Beeswax
Raw honey is highly valuable and in demand. Beeswax can be used to make candles, lip balms and lotions. People seem to be more drawn to a natural and local product – one that you can provide on your homestead. Beekeeping does require some initial investment, but after that it’s a steady stream of income.
Check out my post on how to get started with beekeeping here: Beekeeping For Beginner’s
4. Goat Products
Goats are a great option for those with a smaller homestead. They still need their required space to move around and have fun, but you can opt for smaller goat breeds if necessary. You can sell their milk, fibre and goat’s milk products.
Check out my post on the best goats for smaller homesteads: Small Goat Breeds
5. Handmade Soaps and Skincare Products
Natural and chemical-free beauty products are in high demand. You can utilize your goat’s milk, homemade honey products and essential oils to make soaps and lotions. You can sell these pretty much anywhere like a roadside stand, farmers markets and online.
6. Selling Herbs and Medicinal Plants
Dried herbs, fresh herbs, and herbal remedies (like tinctures and salves) are sought after by health-conscious consumers. Growing medicinal plants like chamomile, lavender, and echinacea can be a niche business.
7. Fermented and Preserved Goods
Pickles, jams, fermented vegetables, and home-canned goods are popular among people looking for homemade, high-quality alternatives to store-bought products.
8. Seed Saving and Selling Heirloom Seeds
Selling organic, heirloom, or rare seeds can be a great way to support sustainability while making money. Online marketplaces like Etsy and eBay are great platforms to reach customers.
9. Homemade Bread and Baked Goods
People love homemade bread (especially sourdough). You can even get into selling your sourdough starter to those who want to bake themselves. Farmers’ markets and local bakeries may be interested in carrying your products.
10. Raising and Selling Meat Rabbits
Rabbits are an efficient source of protein, requiring little space and food. They reproduce quickly, making them a profitable livestock option for homesteaders.
11. Selling Firewood and Kindling
If you have access to wooded land, selling firewood or kindling is a great seasonal business (especially in colder climates).
12. Homestead Education and Workshops
Gardening, food preservation, beekeeping and soap/candle making are all important skills for homesteaders that you can teach. You could offer the classes right on your property or go online for more reach.
13. Woodworking and Furniture
If you have carpentry skills you could make furniture and other essentials. This could include wooden furnishing or refurbs, cutting boards, chicken coops, beehives and more. Handcrafted goods have a strong market.
14. Homestead Blogging and Content Creation
Share your life and knowledge on a blog (like me!) or go to other platforms like YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. These all can start to generate income once you get enough views. People love to learn from real experiences! I’ll eventually make a post on how to start a blog, when I do I’ll link it here.
15. Selling Fiber and Handspun Yarn
Sheep, some goat breeds, alpacas and angora rabbits all produce wool/fiber. You could sell raw fiber, spun yarn or even handmade wool products like clothing.
17. Growing and Selling Mushrooms
Growing mushrooms has really picked up popularity in the homesteading/permaculture circles and rightfully so! If you have a property with the right environment (or can create it with a greenhouse) you could grow and sell your mushrooms. They like dense wooded areas, but again you could create the right environment even without mature trees. I’ll eventually create a blog post and have a link here, but until then here’s another great blog post.
18. Flowers and Bouquets
Being a flower farmer myself I feel like I needed to include this. You could grow your own flowers and sell them as fresh bouquets. People love fresh, local flowers. Eventually, you could branch out and start selling bulbs and tubers as well.
With the right approach, homesteading can be both a lifestyle and a business. There are endless ways to turn your passion into a profit. Which one interests you the most? Let me know in the comments!
