The Heart of the Homestead: Homestead Living Stories, Recipes, and Practical Wisdom for Simple, Intentional Living

by RuthAnn Zimmerman

Through simple stories, recipes, and reflections, RuthAnn Zimmerman shares timeless wisdom, celebrates traditional values, and gives readers a peek behind the fence at what homestead life is really like. 

Drawing from their Mennonite upbringings, RuthAnn Zimmerman and her husband, Elvin, chose early on in their marriage to build a life focused on family, hard work, and serving others. RuthAnn invites you to slow down, focus quietly, and listen closely to the heartbeat of the homestead as she offers insights on. . .

•    working together as a family
•    enjoying good food and fellowship
•    growing and preserving food                    
•    appreciating what you have
•    finding contentment by doing more with less

Along the way, you’ll enjoy some great recipes and heartwarming glimpses into RuthAnn’s everyday life as a homesteading mother of seven children. Spend some time on the farm with the Zimmermans.   
              
 

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 9, 2025

Reviews

[Isabella R]

This book was amazing. Although it has an incredible amount of practically applicable information, it's enjoyable to read. Ruth Ann does an amazing job of encouraging, inspiring, and in some ways even entertaining her readers.
Whether you are looking for recipes to try, considering learning a new skill, or just want to read something interesting, I highly recommend this book to you!

[Grace Kesting]

I enjoyed this book a ridiculous amount for someone who owns zero animals and whose “garden” consists of a handful of potted veggies and herbs on my deck.

I picked it up because I heard the author on a podcast and was so encouraged by what she had to say about motherhood and worship in the mundane. I was surprised by how much of this book was relevant and helpful to me as someone who will likely never have a homestead, especially one to the extent hers is! But the tips on preserving, thrifting, cooking, gardening, and mothering were wonderful! And even the sections that are totally irrelevant to me (like raising pigs) were incredibly interesting.

Everything tied back to worship and partnering with our Creator to make beautiful things and love our family well. I thoroughly enjoyed every page and saved every recipe!

[Bethany Nelson]

RuthAnn is a delight to watch on YouTube, and this book is a treasure trove of her wisdom, knowledge, and her heart. You will find many gold nuggets contained in these pages.

[Becky Carney]

A fun read with a lot of practical homesteading tips

[Megan DeMass]

Inspired by RuthAnns approach to homesteading and how homesteading can be about so much more than the physical fruit grown but the fruit of character it can produce

[Rosalynne]

Reminded me if a book version of a wholesome homesteading tv show (but it’s her real life). The author is very humble and down to earth, but also inspiring with both her work ethic and tenacity.

A great overview for anyone curious to get to know the basics of many common homesteading things.

Listened on audio and sad I don’t have the book cause the recipes sounded delicious and attainable.

[Laila]

I think the reason I am giving this five stars is because I was pleasantly surprised!!!

I had never heard of this book or author until someone posted in my buy nothing group the book and I was immediately intrigued. Picked the book up, couldn’t put it down (and will be keeping it, not passing it along bc I want to reference it often)

I now love this author/farmstead blogger!

I especially loved how she intertwined scripture, faith and child rearing in homesteading.

I think it’s a really great introduction to homesteading. Had some great tips and shared beautiful family memories but isn’t a “how to homestead” book.

Will definitely reference back her chapter on gardening in the future!

[Rachel Nolt]

I couldn’t put this book down! Read the whole book from cover to cover on a Sunday Afternoon! I am not a homesteader by any means—nor do I have plans to become one. But the heart behind this book is what I feel in love with while reading the book. Raising kids who love God, have a great work ethic, and are kind to people—including their siblings—count me in on learning how to be a better parent to help raise them well.

The pictures are beautiful. The recipes look delicious. And her story on getting a pig in a trailer has proven that I am not cut out for the farm life.

Just a great read and a beautiful book!

[Traci Nelson]

Short and sweet, but anchored in lasting faith and livelihood traditions to which our culture would benefit from returning, at least on some scale. Zimmerman does everything on her Homestead with love and out of respect for the God who gave it to her. I’m sure it’s not sunshine and roses all the time, but her perspective on daily chores, looking after animals and children and trusted to her, even preserving the food she’s able to grow is refreshing and inspiring. It made my teeny tiny desire to start my own small Homestead grow even more. Even if you just read it for the recipes and the sage advice, it’s a good book that anyone could benefit by reading.

[Chelsey]

This book is a heartfelt account of a mother doing her best to live well on less and raise children of strong character. It touches on so many of my own personal values and while she uses her religious convictions to guide her and I do not - I still felt happiness and kinship in reading it. At a time when I am more worried about humanity's present and future than ever before I am really glad there is a Ruthann Zimmerman in the world.

[Christie H]

If you follow Ruth Ann online, there won't be much "new" you learn or gain from this book. However, I enjoyed reading it. I am excited to have some recipes. Mainly, I am grateful that Ruth Ann is the same online as she is in her book. Her genuine character helps to open parenting and homesteading ideas that are realistic and attainable.

I would recommend this book to any woman with like values. Borrowing it would be great, but you may want to reference it in the future.

[Jodi]

I’m late to discovering RuthAnne, but I enjoy her so much. We don’t plan on homesteading anytime soon, but the memories of helping mom process summer fruits and veggies and the kind of life my grandparents lived brings back so many great memories. Even though I’m not on her level, I was still challenged to make some changes in my perspective and approach. 🥰

[Amanda Emerson]

If you are new to homesteading this is the book for you. Having grown up on a working farm most of this was a review but I enjoyed listening to it nonetheless. (I had wanted to attend a conference where RuthAnn was speaking and the dates didn’t work out.)
I really enjoyed that the author read the audiobook.
Great encouragement as I pulled weeds this week. 😀

[Sapphire Garcia]

Ruthann’s heart and spirit were perfectly transferred from the screen to her book. While reading, I heard Ruthann, sharing all her knowledge and wisdom, her unique way of creating a homestead that is full of guidance and love. So proud to have this book on my shelf!

[Sharon Weaver]

Great read for someone looking to expand their knowledge in homesteading or even just looking for more efficient ways to run your current homestead. Look all the family relationship additions RuthAnn ties into her teaching.

[Stephanie]

I love the whole book. But my favorite chapter by far is the last one where she writes about The Art of Thriftiness. The photos in the book are wonderful. Following Ruthann for several years now it was lovely to support her by purchasing and reading her first book! Cannot wait for the next one!

[Elise Powell]

This is a beautiful, encouraging, and inspirational book. I'm still not quite sure how much money we would save by having a family milk cow, but I'd love one more than ever, and now I know that it would build our character!

[Deborah Comps]

Wonderful book for anyone considering homesteading and good sound advice for raising a family where everyone is valued. Just love Ruth Ann Zimmerman!

[Valerie Beachy]

This was such an interesting book to me, full of practical tips, recipes, inspiration, encouragement, and beautiful photos. It makes me so grateful for the life we get to live here on the farm, and inspired to try new things.

[Rebecca Herold]

While this book wasnt what I expected. I really enjoyed it. The photos are beautiful and Ruthann is so encouraging.

[Sarah Elisabeth Barker]

Queen

[Debbie Gilbert]

Excellent! Lots of great information and plenty of inspiration!

[Chaeli]

One of the best books I’ve read in a long time!

[Krista]

This makes me want to do even more gardening this summer.
Being able to grow and store food from your own backyard is such a gift.

[Lydia]

Easy to read with lovely pictures throughout - enjoyed Ruthann’s simple recipes and tips on saving money and homesteading life, even as a big city dweller :)

[Joy]

I love all things "Zimmerman" from youtube videos to this book. Such a wholesome and encouraging family.

[Theresa Thomas]

I just love Ruth Ann but I feel like this just scratched the surface and I want her to write even more and go deeper into parenting on a homestead wisdom!