Living the homestead lifestyle is all about self-sufficiency and working with what you’ve got. But being self-reliant doesn’t mean you have to struggle financially. In fact, if you’re smart about it, your homestead can be a steady source of income. Over the years, I’ve tried (and sometimes failed) with different ventures, but I’ve also learned a thing or two about what works. Here are 15 tried-and-true ways to make money from your land, your skills, and your hard work. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of turning your homestead into a profit center.
1. Sell Fresh Eggs
If you’ve got chickens, you’ve got money sitting in your backyard. Selling fresh eggs is one of the easiest and most reliable ways to bring in extra cash. People will pay more for farm-fresh eggs because they know they’re getting something better than those bland, pale grocery store eggs. Depending on your location and whether your hens are free-range, you could easily charge $5 per dozen—sometimes more. Bonus: If you end up with extra, barter with neighbors for things you need, like produce or meat.
2. Grow and Sell Produce
I’ve seen first-hand how a well-maintained garden can bring in hundreds, even thousands, of dollars during a good growing season. If you grow what people want—heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, berries—you can set up at your local farmers market or sell to local restaurants. The key is to grow what thrives in your area and what you know you can sell. Start small, get the hang of it, and you’ll be surprised how fast those $20 sales here and there add up.
3. Start Beekeeping for Honey
Beekeeping might sound intimidating at first, but it’s one of the most rewarding ways to make money while also helping your homestead thrive. A single healthy hive can produce up to 60 pounds of honey in a good year. Not only can you sell that honey for $8 to $10 per pound, but you can also make products like beeswax candles, lip balms, and even offer bee pollination services to other farmers. You’ll have to invest in gear and bees upfront, but after a couple of years, the bees pretty much pay for themselves.
4. Sell Handmade Soaps and Lotions
Making handmade soaps and lotions is a great way to use what you’re already growing on your homestead. I’ve had good luck selling goat’s milk soap using milk from my own goats, infused with herbs like lavender and rosemary from the garden. People love knowing where their personal care products come from, and all-natural sells like crazy. You can get started with a small investment in molds and essential oils, then sell at farmers markets, craft fairs, or online through platforms like Etsy. A good bar of soap can fetch $5 to $7, and they’re always in demand.
5. Raise and Sell Livestock
I’ve raised everything from chickens to goats, and I can tell you that selling livestock can be incredibly profitable if done right. Whether it’s chickens for eggs and meat, goats for milk, or pigs for pork, people are willing to pay a premium for high-quality, pasture-raised animals. I once sold a heritage breed pig for $600—and that’s before you count in selling off the cuts of meat. If you go organic or focus on heritage breeds, you can charge even more. Just be prepared for the work that comes with raising animals—it’s no joke, but the payoff is worth it.
6. Offer Homestead Workshops or Tours
People love to learn how to live off the land, and they’ll pay you for your knowledge. Offering workshops on things like canning, cheese-making, or gardening is a great way to make money, especially if you’re passionate about teaching. I’ve hosted workshops where people happily paid $50 to spend a Saturday learning how to start their own garden or raise chickens. If you’ve got a well-run homestead, you can also offer farm tours—charge a small admission fee, and you’ll be surprised how many people are curious about the homesteading life.
7. Rent Out Land for Camping or Glamping
If you’ve got a nice patch of land, renting it out to campers can bring in a steady stream of income. Platforms like Hipcamp make it easy to list your property, and people are always looking for unique outdoor experiences. Depending on your location and how rustic or glamorous you want to make it, you can charge anywhere from $25 to $200 per night. If you’ve got the space and are willing to deal with a few visitors, it’s a pretty low-maintenance way to generate income while keeping your land in use.
8. Sell Firewood
If you’ve got wooded property, you’re sitting on a valuable resource. I’ve sold firewood for years, especially during the colder months when people are stocking up. It’s physical work, no doubt about it, but if you’re already clearing your land, you might as well profit from the trees. A cord of firewood can sell for $200 to $400, depending on your area, and people are always looking for reliable sources of seasoned wood. Even selling smaller bundles at $5 a pop for campfires can add up fast.
9. Make and Sell Preserved Foods
If you’ve got a knack for canning, fermenting, or making jams, there’s money to be made in selling preserved foods. People love homemade jams, jellies, pickles, and sauces—especially if you’re using ingredients straight from your garden. At markets, jars of homemade preserves often go for $8 to $15 each. I’ve found that unique flavors, like jalapeno strawberry jam or garlic dill pickles, can really set you apart and bring in repeat customers. Just be sure to follow local regulations for selling food products.
10. Rent Out Equipment
Got a tractor, tiller, or log splitter? Rent it out! People who are just starting out with their own small farms or homesteads don’t always have the capital to buy expensive equipment, but they’re willing to rent. You can charge by the hour or day, depending on the equipment and your area. I’ve rented out my tractor for $50 an hour, and it’s a win-win—your neighbors get what they need, and your equipment isn’t just sitting around collecting rust.
11. Start a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)
A CSA is a fantastic way to secure income before you’ve even planted your crops. Customers pay upfront for a share of your harvest, and you deliver fresh produce to them each week throughout the growing season. I’ve run a small CSA for a couple of years, and it’s one of the best ways to guarantee sales without worrying about farmers markets every weekend. Plus, people love the idea of supporting a local farmer. A full-season share can range from $400 to $700, depending on what you include.
12. Sell Seeds or Seedlings
If you’ve got a green thumb and enjoy growing from seed, this is a low-cost way to make extra money, especially in the spring. I’ve had success selling seedlings like tomatoes, peppers, and herbs at local markets and plant swaps. Heirloom and hard-to-find varieties tend to sell the best. You can start seeds indoors during the winter, and by the time spring rolls around, you’ll have hundreds of plants ready to go. I’ve sold seedlings for anywhere from $2 to $10 each, and it’s a great way to make use of extra seeds or cuttings.
13. Offer Petting Zoo or Farm Experiences
If you’ve got friendly animals and a knack for hospitality, people love the chance to interact with farm life. I’ve had great success offering petting zoo experiences for local families and schools. You can charge admission and sell feed cups for the animals—kids love it! I’ve seen farms charge anywhere from $5 to $15 per person for these experiences, and they’re a fun way to share your homestead with others while making some extra cash.
14. Make and Sell Compost
If you’re already composting on your homestead (and you should be), you can bag it up and sell it to local gardeners. It’s an easy way to turn waste into profit. I’ve sold compost by the bag for $5 to $10, and there’s always a market for it, especially in the spring. If you have enough space, you can sell in bulk and charge more—local garden centers or organic farms are often happy to buy in larger quantities.
15. Grow and Sell Flowers
Cut flowers are a surprisingly profitable crop, especially if you focus on in-demand varieties like sunflowers, dahlias, and peonies. I’ve found that growing flowers is a great way to supplement my vegetable sales at markets. You can sell bouquets for $10 to $20, or more if you cater to weddings or special events. Flowers are a great way to attract customers to your stand, and they often pair well with other products like soaps or homemade goods.
