Are you wanting to learn to survive off your homestead? Here are nine ways to make money homesteading and doing what you love!
Everyone wants to make money doing what they love. For many of us, that love is homesteading. But, it gets expensive. Those feed bills rack up every week and it often seems like you’re getting nothing in return. Here are a few ways to make money homesteading.
1. Eggs
Eggs. Eggs. Eggs. Everyone seems to sell eggs these days. This is a great source of income and something every homesteader should be doing. People love farm fresh, free range, pastured eggs. Wondering how to price your eggs? They range anywhere from $2 to $5 per dozen around here. You can check out your local grocery store to see how much brown eggs are selling for.
2. Rabbits
Now, we haven’t had much success with rabbits breeding around our farm (I know, I know). But rabbits are a great way to add some income. You’ll want to consider two avenues here – meat rabbits, such as New Zealand Whites and Californians, or pet rabbits, such as Holland Lops or Flemish Giants. Meat vs. Pet vary in prices. While a New Zealand White might only sell for $5 to $10 at weaning age, a Flemish Giant could sell for $20 to $30. We have some of both. Rabbits don’t take a ton of room, making them a good addition to the homestead.
3. Fruits & Veggies
People love to see where their food is coming from. Selling fruits and veggies off the farm seems to always be in high demand. Plus, growing fruits & veggies is like growing your own money!
4. Farmers’ Markets
If there are farmers’ markets around you and you can take the few hours every week to sell at them, I urge you to do so! You can easily sell things from your table such as handmade items, foods (fruits and veggies, for example) and so much more. The sky is the limit. We sell breads, milks, scarves, salves, wash cloths and a ton more at our local farmers’ markets.
5. Teach Classes
Now, this definitely isn’t for everyone. But, it’s a good way to add some money to the homestead. Is there a certain area you love to talk about? Maybe how to raise chickens or how to trim goat hoofs? Consider teaching a class on one of these topics to add some money to your income!
6. Tours
Another thing that won’t be for everyone. But, if you feel comfortable with it, tours are an excellent way to bring in some money, while sharing your passion of homesteading with others. We love giving tours and focus on homeschooling families. The joy in the children’s eyes when they see the animals makes it all worth it!
7. Incubate Eggs
Have more eggs than you can sell? Try your hand at incubating eggs and raising chicks to sell. You can get an incubator for a reasonable price and chicks can sell for $2 to $5 each (average around here) at a day old, depending on breed. You can usually incubate around 50 chicken eggs at a time. Remember, you only have to buy the incubator once!
8. Make Soap
Do you already make soap for yourself? Try making some extra next time you make a batch and sell it! We sell bars of soap for $2 to $3.
9. Breed & Raise Animals
This is another must have for homesteaders. And really one of the largest means of income. Whatever you may have, be it pigs, goats, sheep, chickens or whatever – you can sell the babies for some added income. As an example, registered Nubian does at a week old sell for a good $300 around here.
I’m sure there are a lot of other ways to make money homesteading. Hopefully these nine get you thinking about what you can do!
~This article was written by Alex of One Ash Farm and Dairy Homestead
