{"id":1116,"date":"2022-03-20T20:19:01","date_gmt":"2022-03-20T20:19:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/khetwise.com\/blog\/why-a-5-acre-homestead-is-the-perfect-size-for-a-beginner\/"},"modified":"2022-03-20T20:19:01","modified_gmt":"2022-03-20T20:19:01","slug":"why-a-5-acre-homestead-is-the-perfect-size-for-a-beginner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/khetwise.com\/blog\/why-a-5-acre-homestead-is-the-perfect-size-for-a-beginner\/","title":{"rendered":"Why a 5 Acre Homestead is the Perfect Size for a Beginner"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everyone starting out in homesteading asks how much land they need. There\u2019s something sexy about dreaming of larger acreage \u2013 believe us, we know! So, we\u2019ll break down why a 5 acre homestead is the PERFECT size for a beginner.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How many acres do you REALLY need? | Advice for the beginning homesteader | 5 acre farm or homestead\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ETgzM5TcV2g?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Bigger isn\u2019t always better<\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More and more people are waking up to the need for greater self-sufficiency in their world\u2026 and our shared world for that matter. Homesteading or farming on a small scale is a great way to lessen our footprint and reconnect to our food. This time-honored lifestyle allowed our ancestors and our planet to carry on for millennia without the catastrophic loss of health, happiness, and habitat we\u2019ve seen in the last century.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But when we hear from those considering this old-fashioned shift, we often hear, \u201cI\u2019d love to homestead, but we need at least 10 acres.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rewind to early 2020, and those very words might have come directly out of our own mouths. When it came to land, we wanted MORE. So, we focused our search on properties with 10 or more acres and really didn\u2019t give much thought to properties with lesser amounts of land.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Well, ultimately, we ended up on 5 acres. And ya know what\u2026 we couldn\u2019t have found a better fit.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/moving-cows-on-pasture.png\" alt=\"moving cows on pasture\" class=\"wp-image-754\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/moving-cows-on-pasture.png 1200w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/moving-cows-on-pasture-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/moving-cows-on-pasture-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/moving-cows-on-pasture-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/moving-cows-on-pasture-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/moving-cows-on-pasture-1170x780.png 1170w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/moving-cows-on-pasture-585x390.png 585w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/moving-cows-on-pasture-263x175.png 263w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/moving-cows-on-pasture-250x167.png 250w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/moving-cows-on-pasture-550x367.png 550w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/moving-cows-on-pasture-800x533.png 800w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/moving-cows-on-pasture-270x180.png 270w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/moving-cows-on-pasture-450x300.png 450w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/moving-cows-on-pasture-750x500.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can read more about that story of how <a href=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/buying-a-homestead-on-a-budget\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><b>purchasing a homestead on a budget<\/b><\/a> provided so much freedom and flexibility in our world. We initially might have thought that buying only 5 acres to stay out of debt and reduce our cost of living was less than ideal. However, we never would have guessed that 5 acres was actually the absolute right size for our family and our goals.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And it may just be for you too!<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>What\u2019s magic about 5 acres?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not a thing. In fact, it\u2019s more helpful to think in the 3ish \u2013 7ish acre range. Staying within that approximate range for a search will allow for a very productive homestead that you can live out most any homesteading dream on \u2013 livestock, gardens, orchards, market gardens, permaculture, and specialty crops. You can dabble in it all.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A property below 3 acres may limit what you can produce. Primarily livestock can get challenging to do well on smaller acreage or get expensive with ongoing hay cost.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ten or more acres can be a tipping point in the opposite direction. Larger equipment. Additional infrastructure. Higher maintenance costs. More land can make it challenging for someone starting out and trying to homestead on a budget to afford.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don\u2019t get me wrong. Two acres or 10 or more acres may be the perfect size for you and your family\u2019s aspirations. Our goal is to paint a realistic picture of homesteading on 5 acres and what you might run up against if you go above or below that range.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/established-three-sisters-garden.jpeg\" alt=\"established three sisters garden\" class=\"wp-image-756\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/established-three-sisters-garden.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/established-three-sisters-garden-600x450.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/established-three-sisters-garden-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/established-three-sisters-garden-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/established-three-sisters-garden-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/established-three-sisters-garden-500x375.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/established-three-sisters-garden-1170x878.jpeg 1170w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/established-three-sisters-garden-585x439.jpeg 585w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/established-three-sisters-garden-250x188.jpeg 250w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/established-three-sisters-garden-550x413.jpeg 550w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/established-three-sisters-garden-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/established-three-sisters-garden-240x180.jpeg 240w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/established-three-sisters-garden-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/established-three-sisters-garden-667x500.jpeg 667w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>The practicality of a 5-acre homestead<\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We have found 5 acres to be a very manageable size of land. We can walk to all areas of our property rather quickly. Project costs and infrastructure needs can be kept minimal. Less land just means less you have to spend on \u2013 in both money and time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For instance, if you need some sort of ATV or work vehicle to bring you efficiently around your larger property, that carries a lot of costs. More acres means more fencing, and then more fencing repairs, which is an always recurring theme on every farm. And being able to operate without a tractor or skid steer will save you a whole lot of cost.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In our opinion, 5 acres is about as high as you can go and still operate efficiently on a human scale. We have a 2-wheel, walk-behind, BCS tractor and a riding mower. Beyond that, everything else can easily be accomplished around the farm with hand tools and good old-fashioned elbow grease.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/freshely-tilled-garden-beds.jpg\" alt=\"freshely tilled garden beds\" class=\"wp-image-758\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/freshely-tilled-garden-beds.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/freshely-tilled-garden-beds-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/freshely-tilled-garden-beds-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/freshely-tilled-garden-beds-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/freshely-tilled-garden-beds-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/freshely-tilled-garden-beds-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/freshely-tilled-garden-beds-1170x878.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/freshely-tilled-garden-beds-585x439.jpg 585w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/freshely-tilled-garden-beds-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/freshely-tilled-garden-beds-550x413.jpg 550w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/freshely-tilled-garden-beds-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/freshely-tilled-garden-beds-240x180.jpg 240w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/freshely-tilled-garden-beds-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/freshely-tilled-garden-beds-667x500.jpg 667w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>What CAN you do on a 5-acre homestead?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Five acres can fit almost any homesteading hobby or enterprise. This is not by any means exhaustive, but here\u2019s a glimpse of what we have been able to establish on our property in our first two years of homesteading:<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Family Milk Cow<\/b> \u2013 We have a Jersey milk cow that we rotationally graze in a regenerative system on roughly 3.5 acres. Her calves are raised for meat. We break down the <a href=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/owning-a-family-milk-cow-basics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>basics of owning a family milk cow<\/b><\/a> in another post. Managing this system is a significant investment of both time and land, but it provides so much daily food and nourishment, both for our family and for our land. I should mention that we do not produce our own hay and need to bring hay in from another farm each winter.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/family-milk-cow-being-milked-by-hand.jpg\" alt=\"family milk cow being milked by hand\" class=\"wp-image-615\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/family-milk-cow-being-milked-by-hand.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/family-milk-cow-being-milked-by-hand-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/family-milk-cow-being-milked-by-hand-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/family-milk-cow-being-milked-by-hand-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/family-milk-cow-being-milked-by-hand-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/family-milk-cow-being-milked-by-hand-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/family-milk-cow-being-milked-by-hand-1170x878.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/family-milk-cow-being-milked-by-hand-585x439.jpg 585w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/family-milk-cow-being-milked-by-hand-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/family-milk-cow-being-milked-by-hand-550x413.jpg 550w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/family-milk-cow-being-milked-by-hand-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/family-milk-cow-being-milked-by-hand-240x180.jpg 240w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/family-milk-cow-being-milked-by-hand-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/family-milk-cow-being-milked-by-hand-667x500.jpg 667w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Chickens<\/b> \u2013 Our flock of layers is around 20 hens with capacity to grow. We also raise around 50 broiler meat chickens for our family each year. Learn more about our <a href=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/cornish-cross-vs-freedom-ranger-chickens\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><b>meat chicken experiences and recommendations<\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Pigs<\/b> \u2013 Pigs are a great option for raising on smaller acreage. We installed a pig pen this past year and plan to add pigs to the mix as capacity allows.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Gardens<\/b> \u2013 We have a large vegetable garden where we grow fresh veggies in season for our family. Last year we also started a larger three sisters garden where we grew corn, beans, squash and potatoes. These storage crops have allowed our family to <a href=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/beginners-guide-to-self-sufficient-homesteading\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><b>live off what we\u2019ve grown on our farmstead year round<\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Orchard<\/b> \u2013 Our first year we planted 26 fruit trees and plan for an additional 10 this year. We also hope to plant some nut trees in our pasture long-term.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/homestead-meat-chickens-in-chicken-tractor.jpeg\" alt=\"homestead meat chickens in chicken tractor\" class=\"wp-image-659\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/homestead-meat-chickens-in-chicken-tractor.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/homestead-meat-chickens-in-chicken-tractor-600x450.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/homestead-meat-chickens-in-chicken-tractor-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/homestead-meat-chickens-in-chicken-tractor-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/homestead-meat-chickens-in-chicken-tractor-500x375.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/homestead-meat-chickens-in-chicken-tractor-585x439.jpeg 585w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/homestead-meat-chickens-in-chicken-tractor-250x188.jpeg 250w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/homestead-meat-chickens-in-chicken-tractor-550x413.jpeg 550w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/homestead-meat-chickens-in-chicken-tractor-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/homestead-meat-chickens-in-chicken-tractor-240x180.jpeg 240w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/homestead-meat-chickens-in-chicken-tractor-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/homestead-meat-chickens-in-chicken-tractor-667x500.jpeg 667w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Other Enterprises<\/b> \u2013 The sky is really the limit! Long term we plan to add other smaller ruminants, like sheep or goats, to the mix. We also plan on adding bees this year and have experimented with other things like mushroom growing. Our friends own 5 acres with a full-scale hydroponics operation in a large pole building and a full-scale market garden. Pretty cool stuff.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>What CAN\u2019T you do on a 5-acre homestead?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can certainly produce enough food for your family to consume on 5 acres. If your ambitions are beyond that and you plan to grow food for market, you may find there are limitations.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This might not apply to vegetables. You can grow a lot of vegetables on just a couple acres and have plenty for your family and other markets like CSA\u2019s, co-ops, farmers markets, restaurants, and other wholesale opportunities. Flowers, herbs, and even fruit can fit that category as well.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But growing larger quantities of one thing might mean less space for something else.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your sights are set on livestock, you\u2019ll want to consider what is feasible. For example, to raise a cow on pasture you typically hear 1 cow per acre, which may still be a little cramped. I\u2019ve also heard 7 sheep per acre and 10 goats per acre. 5 acres can certainly provide food and forage for all these animals. But doing it well and not overstocking your land will take good management and planning.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/setting-up-electro-netting-fence.png\" alt=\"setting up electro netting fence\" class=\"wp-image-759\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/setting-up-electro-netting-fence.png 1200w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/setting-up-electro-netting-fence-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/setting-up-electro-netting-fence-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/setting-up-electro-netting-fence-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/setting-up-electro-netting-fence-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/setting-up-electro-netting-fence-1170x780.png 1170w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/setting-up-electro-netting-fence-585x390.png 585w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/setting-up-electro-netting-fence-263x175.png 263w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/setting-up-electro-netting-fence-250x167.png 250w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/setting-up-electro-netting-fence-550x367.png 550w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/setting-up-electro-netting-fence-800x533.png 800w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/setting-up-electro-netting-fence-270x180.png 270w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/setting-up-electro-netting-fence-450x300.png 450w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/setting-up-electro-netting-fence-750x500.png 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You will also want to do research on your county\u2019s particular ordinances around farm sizes. For instance, in our county you need to be at least 5 acres and zoned Ag to host on-farm events. Other size specifications apply to qualify for certain agritourism uses. These requirements will be unique for each area, so you need to do your homework based on your goals.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Maximize your search for a farm or homestead<\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You probably have a search set up on Zillow, Realtor, or other similar sites. If you\u2019re new to this whole homesteading and land purchasing thing, don\u2019t limit yourself by excluding properties below 10 acres. You might be missing out on a lot of really great opportunities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Five acres is a very common property size in rural areas. When a house gets split off from a larger tract of farmland, 5 acres often comes along with it. And when you drive down those rural roads that seem to just be homestead after homestead, many of those properties fall in the 5 acre range.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many great and affordable homestead and farm properties pop up with 5 or so acres, so make sure you\u2019re including and considering all your options.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"820\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_5534-copy.jpg\" alt=\"uhaul pulling livestock trailer\" class=\"wp-image-763\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_5534-copy.jpg 820w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_5534-copy-600x351.jpg 600w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_5534-copy-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_5534-copy-768x450.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_5534-copy-585x342.jpg 585w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_5534-copy-250x146.jpg 250w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_5534-copy-550x322.jpg 550w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_5534-copy-800x468.jpg 800w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_5534-copy-308x180.jpg 308w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_5534-copy-513x300.jpg 513w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>You can always expand your land in the future<\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Be honest with yourself \u2013 if you were handed 20 acres today, do you have a plan of how you would utilize all 20 of those acres? If you would have asked us this question while we were searching, I would NOT have had a good answer for you. Twenty acres is a lot of land! Especially for a beginner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Five acres gives you plenty of room to try new things, develop preferences, and figure out what makes the most sense for your homestead or farm in the long run. And you may very well determine that 5 acres is more than enough to feed your family and meet your needs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you do conclude the opposite, tracking down more land opportunities may not be as tricky as you think! There is a growing world of farmland access initiatives. In fact, the majority of farmland across the country is leased by a farmer who does not own the land.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The longer you live in an area the more you\u2019ll get to know neighbors and others in the community who own farmland. So, let\u2019s say you end up wanting to start a dairy operation and needing more pasture \u2013 you can probably find someone nearby with the right land and infrastructure that you can lease from. Or if you do want a couple more acres to grow a specialty crop on, there\u2019s likely a landowner near you waiting for that sort of opportunity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check your area for a <a href=\"https:\/\/farmlandinfo.org\/programs\/?program_type=414\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">farmlink<\/a> or landlink website, or a local land trust that can help you track down these sorts of opportunities.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/cow-with-pretty-sunrise.jpeg\" alt=\"cow with pretty sunrise\" class=\"wp-image-760\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/cow-with-pretty-sunrise.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/cow-with-pretty-sunrise-600x450.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/cow-with-pretty-sunrise-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/cow-with-pretty-sunrise-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/cow-with-pretty-sunrise-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/cow-with-pretty-sunrise-500x375.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/cow-with-pretty-sunrise-1170x878.jpeg 1170w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/cow-with-pretty-sunrise-585x439.jpeg 585w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/cow-with-pretty-sunrise-250x188.jpeg 250w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/cow-with-pretty-sunrise-550x413.jpeg 550w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/cow-with-pretty-sunrise-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/cow-with-pretty-sunrise-240x180.jpeg 240w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/cow-with-pretty-sunrise-400x300.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/cow-with-pretty-sunrise-667x500.jpeg 667w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Go forth and homestead!<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Regardless of land size, we fully encourage you to go after your homesteading and farming dreams with everything you\u2019ve got! We couldn\u2019t imagine a more fulfilling lifestyle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We hope this post has given you a bit more clarity on what is achievable on 5 acres, and why it\u2019s worth considering. Obviously, you need to determine what lifestyle and goals are right for your family. But if you\u2019re new to all of it and just not sure what amount of land makes sense to begin with, consider 5 acres.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It may be just the right fit.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-theme-palette-1-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-theme-palette-1-background-color has-background\"\/>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:26px\"><strong>Get more homesteading inspiration:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-size:26px\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/buying-a-homestead-on-a-budget\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Buying a Homestead on a Budget<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/farm-vs-homestead-vs-farmstead-what-they-are-and-how-to-choose\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Farm vs. Homestead vs. Farmstead | What They Are and How to Choose<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/top-10-resources-and-tips-for-finding-farmland\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Top 10 Resources and Tips for Finding Farmland<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/homestead-layout\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">10 Best Homestead Layout Tips + 5 Acre Example<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"fd-form-636019b28d1a1ae7948da256\"><\/div>\n<p><script>\n  window.fd('form', {\n    formId: '636019b28d1a1ae7948da256',\n    containerEl: '#fd-form-636019b28d1a1ae7948da256'\n  });\n<\/script><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pin it for later!<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/beginner-friendly-5-acre-homestead.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-85943\" style=\"width:650px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/beginner-friendly-5-acre-homestead.png 1000w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/beginner-friendly-5-acre-homestead-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/beginner-friendly-5-acre-homestead-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/fromscratchfarmstead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/beginner-friendly-5-acre-homestead-768x1152.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Everyone starting out in homesteading asks how much land they need. There\u2019s something sexy about dreaming of larger acreage \u2013 believe us, we know! So, we\u2019ll break down why a 5 acre homestead is the PERFECT size for a beginner. Bigger isn\u2019t always better More and more people are waking up to the need for&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1117,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[567,473,474],"tags":[138,702,513,568],"class_list":["post-1116","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buying-a-homestead","category-homestead-how-tos","category-small-scale-farming","tag-farm","tag-five-acre","tag-homestead","tag-summer-homestead"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/khetwise.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1116","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/khetwise.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/khetwise.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/khetwise.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/khetwise.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1116"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/khetwise.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1116\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/khetwise.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1117"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/khetwise.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1116"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/khetwise.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1116"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/khetwise.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1116"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}