If there’s one thing homesteaders love, it’s being able to hold physical and tangible tools. And there are few better tools when learning homesteading skills than excellent books. Homesteading emphasizes self-sufficiency, sustainability, and a connection to the land, and good books are a tremendous way to learn and develop these skills. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced homesteader, reading causes us to stop and be patient. There are often stories woven into the most practical of books which make them indispensable treasures on our own journey toward health. Reading is an excellent way to learn about new techniques, gain new perspectives, and stay inspired. And it’s an excellent way to remember that we’re not alone — plenty of folks have gone out before us to blaze the path we’re looking to follow. Here are the top books that homesteaders should add to their reading list.
The 10 Best Homesteading Books
A Farmer’s Guide to the Bottom Line by Charles Walters: Charles Walters was the son of a Kansas farmer who grew up during the end of the Dust Bowl. His love of farming led to him joining and working for the National Farmer’s Organization (NFO), a group dedicated to using collective bargaining to obtain a better business deal for the ordinary family farmer. And that is the purpose of this book — how the small farmer can make a living. “This book is the culmination of Acres U.S.A. founder Charles Walters’ lifetime of experience, written in his honest, straight-ahead style, outlining how the small farmer-entrepreneur can find his way to a profitable bottom line.” This classic book is a comprehensive guide to organic farming that covers everything from soil management to crop rotation to pest control. It’s a great resource for homesteaders who are interested in growing their own food using sustainable methods. Get a copy today!
The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It by John Seymour: Originally published over 40 years ago, this classic book is a tour-de-force guide to homesteading and self-sufficient living. This book shares detailed, step-by-step instructions on all sorts of things — from chopping trees to harnessing solar power, growing fruit and vegetables, and preserving and pickling your harvest — you’ll find everything you need. Want to make bread? Brew beer? Make cheese? This book has it all. You’ll learn how to live off the land, run your own smallholding or homestead, keep chickens, and raise livestock. It may take you the rest of your life to put everything here into practice — but it will be well worth the effort. Check it out!
Everything Worth Preserving by Melissa K Norris — you don’t just get one or two preservation methods with this masterpiece — you get the nine most essential methods to preserve your food at home. Complete with easy-to-read charts and over 80 delicious recipes, this book has everything you need to take that backyard harvest and preserve it throughout the year! Popular podcaster and 5th generation homesteader Melissa K. Norris teaches you how to preserve everything from fruits, vegetables, and meats for year-round feasting. You’ll learn which methods can be used for each food, as well as crucial safety techniques. You’ll get expert tips, detailed instructions, and easy-to-use recipes to preserve your food. Buy your copy right now!
The Backyard Homestead by Carleen Madigan: This book is a great resource for homesteaders who have a small amount of land and want to maximize its potential. You don’t need 40 acres in the rural woods to start growing a huge amount of your own food — this book shows you how to produce a huge crop on only ¼ acre to land! With tons of actionable, practical information on growing and preserving food, you’ll be eating healthy in no time! You’ll learn about the sustainable harvesting of grains and vegetables; raising animals for meat, eggs, and dairy — and even keeping honey bees! With easy-to-follow instructions on canning, drying, and pickling, you’ll be able to enjoy your backyard harvest all winter long! Get your copy today!
Polyface Micro: Success with Livestock on a Homesteadby Joel Salatin: Success with domestic livestock does not require large pieces of land. Joel Salatin and his family’s Polyface Farm in Virginia lead the world in animal-friendly and ecologically authentic, commercial, pasture-based livestock production. InPolyface Micro,he adapts the ideas and protocols to small holdings (including apartments)! Homesteaders can increase production, enjoy healthy animals, and create aesthetically and aromatically pleasant livestock systems. Whether you’re a new or seasoned homesteader, you’ll find tips and inspiration as Joel coaches you toward success and abundance. Check out this fascinating book here.
Fermented Vegetables: Creative Recipes for Fermenting 64 Vegetables & Herbs in Krauts, Kimchis, Brined Pickles, Chutneys, Relishes & Pastes by Kirsten K. Shockey: Master the techniques for making sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles, and other savory, probiotic-rich foods in your own kitchen. This easy-to-follow, comprehensive guide presents more than 120 recipes for fermenting 64 different vegetables and herbs. Learn the basics, and then refine your technique as you expand your repertoire to include curried golden beets, pickled green coriander, and carrot kraut. With a variety of creative and healthy recipes, many of which can be made in batches as small as one pint, you’ll enjoy this fun and delicious way to preserve and eat your vegetables. Join in and start fermenting your own food today!
The Lean Farm by Ben Hartman: “The Lean Farm tells the story of how Clay Bottom Farm stumbled upon the lean system to turn their small farm around. It is the winner of multiple awards, including the prestigious Shingo Prize.” This practical guide to farming does what it says on the cover — you’ll learn how to “minimize waste, increase efficiency, and maximize value and profits — all with less work.” This sensational book covers everything you need when starting a vegetable garden to feed your family. You don’t want to miss out on learning the lessons that Ben developed from his time on Clay Bottom Farm. Buy your copy here!
The Independent Farmstead by Shawn & Beth Dougherty: When authors Shawn and Beth Dougherty purchased the land they would come to name the Sow’s Ear 20 years ago, the state of Ohio designated it “not suitable for agriculture.” Today, their family raises and grows 90% of their own food, and they’ll show you how they did it in this book.
The Independent Farmstead covers everything from choosing a species of ruminant and incorporating it into a grass-based system to innovative electric fencing and watering systems, to what to do with all of the milk, meat, and, yes, manure that the self-sustaining farm produce. It’s a must-have resource for both new and prospective farmers and homesteaders and those who are interested in switching to grass-based systems. Best of all, it’s the kind of rare how-to book that the authors themselves view not as a compendium of one-size-fits-all instructions but as “the beginning of a conversation,” one that is utterly informative, sincere, and inspiring. Pick up a copy here!
The First-Time Gardener: Growing Vegetables by Jessica Sowards: You may know Jessica as the warm and energetic host of YouTube’s Roots and Refuge Farm. Her direct and down-to-earth teaching style is top-notch, and this book will teach you everything you need to know as a first-time gardener about growing your own vegetables. Jess firmly believes that there are no stupid questions and that everyone has to start somewhere. A single growing season is all it takes tofall in love with growing your own healthy, organic, nutrient-dense food. With Jessica as your guide, you’ll soon discover all the satisfactions, challenges, and great joys of growing your own food garden. Get a copy today!
The Modern Pioneer Cookbook: Nourishing Recipes From a Traditional Foods Kitchen by Mary Bryant Shrader: For many of us, a big draw to homesteading is making delicious, nutritious homecooked food. If that resonates with you, but you have no idea where to start, Mary’s book is for you. You may know Mary from Mary’s Nest, her popular YouTube channel, where she shares traditional food recipes that are made at home from real food ingredients.
In this cookbook, Mary shows you how to master the basics of pioneer cooking to make over 85 delicious recipes that are all simple and incredibly nourishing. She shows you how to make cultured dairy, nourishing bone broths, fermented vegetables, sourdough starters, and sourdough bread as well as traditional home-cooked recipes. You’ll also learn how to soak and sprout grains, prep ingredients, stock your pantry, and shop for other essential ingredients. Pick up a copy today!
These are some of the most important books you should add to your homesteading reading list. Whether you’re just starting out or are an experienced homesteader, these books offer valuable insights and practical advice on how to live a self-sufficient lifestyle and grow your own food.
