Is the homesteading movement slowing down? | General Homesteading Discussion | Forums

This reflects my suspicion that there isn't a solid defining of WHAT 'homesteading' is. It doesn't not surprise me that home canning was a FAD. Not only is it more costly to buy all the equipment and produce, most households probably don't have a clue as to how to make use of what they would have made in the first place. Canning is a good means by which one is able to store over production of one's garden for when the garden can't produce enough to eat.

Likewise the reality of all the other areas of 'homesteading' activities - from house building to chicken raising. When one pencils out the initial outlay vs. payback TIME, returning to HID (having it DONE) wins out over DIY (do it yourself).

Back to the land has been a cyclical movement probably since industrialization appeared. I seem to remember that its around a 40 year cycle, thus 1970s (hippie), 1930s (Depression) 2010 (post 2008 bust aka Greater Depression) and yes, even 1890s where birth of 'socialism' fueled original communes (Helen and Scott Nearing of TMEN fame were children of that).

But regardless of whether 'homesteading' is popular or not, what is most important is if one truly desires a 'country' life and sincerely makes efforts to LIVE that-a-way, is chosen and honored by any ONE person. Isn't that what this forum is all about?

Gravel Road said
I have been thinking about this since it was posted.  I Don't think homesteading is really gaining in true numbers.  I do think more people want better quality and healthier food, that there is more conservation of resources, that people are doing small things in greater numbers (maybe a small garden, turning of lights not in use, supporting local farmers more, recycling...) All this is good. 

I think most people feel stuck and can't see how they will ever get back to the land and make it work for them.  Some things seem to be obstacles: 1) people have too much debt and are overwhelmed with it and can't see how to make the transition from suburbia/city or even start from scratch 2) people love the idea of homesteading, but day dream too much and don't even bother to try a small garden or even learn to build a fire, they spend more time on the internet rather than actually developing skills 3) when many people get a taste of the work involved they re-think the idea of that much work day in and day out and loose a lot of steam 4) just not having a good plan or understanding of how to do it or where to begin. 

At least that is what I have seen...people think it's great to live on the 'farm', until they realize the amount of work involved and the fear they have of giving up their middle class suburban life...It's not for everyone and better to realize that before they make the leap.

Gravel, I agree with a lot of what you said, especially the hard physical work part. Yet many of those same people will PAY to 'workout' at a gym, convince themselves that HID (having it done) is 'cheaper/quicker' than DIY and worst of all not trust or have faith in themselves to do as KVR suggests - make a PLAN towards obtaining string of goals (achievements) that do build them up to more self reliance than then have now or have even dared to dream for themselves.

Homesteading can be very empowering!