On this page, you’re going to find a mix of PDF guides, posts, and other resources you can use to start creating the homestead of your dreams wherever you are, whatever your circumstances. Whether you have two pennies and a button to your name or a hundred prime acres with dollars to spare, there’s something here for you.
Our homestead project and how it can help YOU
I originally started this website as a resource for others wishing to build a homestead just like we did! We built our own cordwood house on 16.4 acres of beautiful Kentucky hills and wanted to share the process with you, including the ups and downs and nitty-gritty information to help you do it even better than we did. We welcome you to go down the rabbit hole to see what’s possible.
Now, let’s break it down step by step:
Buying Land
Just getting started? This free PDF guide will show you where to start your search and some things to watch out for. You also get a free checklist to print out and use to compare parcels while you search.
Our premium guidebook is designed specifically for homesteaders and those interested in country living, so you can find and purchase your rural property with confidence.
Read all of our posts about Buying Land
How to Finance Your Homestead (even if you’re flat broke)
You dream of owning your own land, building a home, and growing your own food,…
Buying Land in a Complicated Housing Market
Buying a plot of land and making a go of homesteading is a tantalizing dream…
3 Hard Truths About Buying Homestead Land (and how to deal with it)
Shopping for rural land can be tough. You’re dreaming about building your perfect homestead from…
Building a House
Get started with our FREE PDF guide all about getting started with building your own home from scratch.
Ready to REALLY start building? Grab the guide that started everything and helped us go from dirt to house with our own hands!
Read all of our posts about Building a Homestead
Tiny vs. Small: Why We Chose NOT To Build A Tiny House
Trying to choose between building a tiny house or a small house? You know you…
The Two Biggest Mistakes You’ll Make When You Build a House
If you are building or are thinking about building a house – tiny, traditional, or…
Overview and Total Cost of DIY Rough Plumbing in a Slab (when you AREN’T an expert)
If you want to build your own house but worry that you aren’t knowledgable enough to…
Designing Your Gardens
Grab our FREE PDF planning sheets for your homestead garden! Keep everything nice and organized with the mini version of our full garden planner.
Grab the FULL PDF planning sheets and take your garden to the next level! Keep everything nice and organized with the full printable version of our signature garden planner.
Read all of our posts about Gardening
Awesome Online Gardening Resources for Beginners
Having a garden is a great step towards self-sufficiency. For beginners, it’s important to take…
12 Essentials for Planning Your Perfect Homestead Garden
Planning is something I am usually known for. I’ve been known to go into overdrive…
How to Make an Abundant Container Garden For Free
When we were in the middle of building our off-grid homestead, we weren’t able to…
Going Solar Powered
Grab our FREE PDF guide for getting started with solar energy. Includes checklists, resources, and even a handy script for talking to solar companies!
Read all of our posts about Solar Power
Solar Power in the Winter: Our Experience With a Small Off-Grid System
The prospect of moving off the grid and running a home on solar power is…
How Much Power Does Our Off-Grid House Use?
Part of living off the grid is designing a life that doesn’t use all that…
9 Things to Know About Off-Grid Homesteading
16.5 acres and a whole lotta chutzpah. That is what we started with when we…
Learn about Cordwood Masonry
Want to learn about cordwood building but can’t get to an in-person building workshop? Our online course is the next best thing! Features text tutorials, video masterclasses, and worksheets to help you plan your own custom cordwood building project. Always open and ready whenever you are!
Read all of our posts about Cordwood Masonry
Pros and Cons of Building With Cordwood Masonry
I once had a fat stack of Mother Earth News sitting in an ancient wooden…
How We Built Our Cordwood Shed
From 2017 through the first half of 2020 we had a modest 1.14-kilowatt off-grid solar…
Running Electrical Wiring In or On Cordwood Walls
There are many options to consider when running electrical wiring in your cordwood house. Here,…
Learn about Sustainability
My Green Mattress: Our Complete No-Nonsense Review
I hate mattress shopping. I mean, I hate shopping in general. But mattress shopping is…
37+ Low and Zero-Waste Gift Ideas For Every Budget
If you’re anything like me, you might be trying to live a more low-waste or…
BOROUX Water Filter Review 2025-26: Our Complete No BS Review
Updated October 2025 We’ve lived off-grid since the end of 2017, and since shortly after…
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