First-Time Homesteader: A complete beginner's guide to starting and loving your new homestead

by Jessica Sowards

Are you striving for improved self-reliance and self-sufficiency for yourself and your family? Author Jessica Sowards of YouTube’s Roots & Refuge Farm is the warm and welcoming guide you’ve been waiting for.

Homesteading is a mindset and a lifestyle aimed at living lightly on the land , being more resourceful, appreciating the value of hard work, and understanding the diverse and amazing connections between humans and the planet we live on. Homesteaders constantly strive for a more sustainable life and a greater connection to the cycles of nature and the foods and goods we consume . Starting your very first homestead is a journey of discovery and passion that’s also likely filled with questions and what-ifs. In The First-Time Homesteader , Jessica fills in all the blanks with honesty, humor, and charm.

Now you can take those first and most valuable steps toward establishing your own homestead with a seasoned homesteader at your side. Jessica warmly guides you through the process of setting up your property (no matter how small or large), establishing a garden , welcoming animals into the fold, living more resourcefully , and expanding your homestead kitchen tools and skills with grace and confidence.

Start your first homestead with lessons
 
You don’t have to live off-grid or give up contemporary conveniences to homestead. You just have to have the desire to live a more thoughtful and fulfilling life . Take your very first step today, hand in hand with an experienced and enthusiastic guide in The First-Time Homesteader .

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Reference, Food

192 pages, Paperback

Published September 20, 2022

Reviews

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent beginner guide to homesteading for those who are brand new to the idea. I really appreciated the fact that Sowards filled the book with wonderful photos of her own homesteads and her journey instead of using unrealistic, generic stock photos.

This book could not possibly cover even a fraction of what you need to know for any of the topics like keeping meat and dairy animals, finding land or gardening. Instead, it gives you a real been-there-done-that account of the good and the bad and what to expect. Sowards is an enthusiastic homesteader and that comes through, but so does the extraordinary amount of work and dedication involved.

Note that this book will not teach you how to butcher a chicken, can tomato sauce, or even make butter. Look to specialty books and blogs and mentors for that. If you are new to the idea of homesteading and really want inspiration and encouragement, this will be great.

I read a temporary digital arc of this book via NetGalley.

[Tanya R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect book to read if you are thinking of buying some land to work and live on! It provided me with so much information to seriously think about and great ideas of what to prepare for if I ever decided to take action on this dream of mine.

For those that have already started, this has so many great suggestions and ideas from land purchase, gardening both food and flowers, cooking/canning, beekeeping, animal husbandry, chickens, goats and cows to use for supporting family needs. Great ideas to take care of your family or for preparing items to sell to bring in extra income.

Such a wonderful book!

[B.S.H. Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good overview. Easy to follow/read with great photos. It helped me decide when and how to take the appropriate steps, should we look into homesteading in the future.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect introduction to homesteading. Is it ground breaking? No. It's mostly stuff I've read in other books but the title is perfect for what you get. The pictures are gorgeous!! This is all basic beginner stuff. The book isn't big enough to really go into details or long practical advice on how to but if you've never read a homesteader book this will do the trick. I'm hoping for a longer version that goes into details. I didn't realize she's got a whole website and humongous Instagram following! If you're already a fan you're sure to love this book!

[Sayde Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really informative , I plan on buying this for myself when I’m older!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Breadth, not depth" would be a good subtitle for this book. Sowards touches briefly on a broad range of topics, painting an eye-opening picture of what homesteading truly encompasses (hello up-before-dawn unskippable day-long chores; goodbye globetrotting vacations) - but her soul-deep love of it shines through on each page (especially when she talks about her dairy cow Hope). If you are looking for an in-depth manual on the details of each task, this isn't the book for you. But if you are thinking about dipping your toes into this lifestyle and want a realistic look at what it truly takes, Sowards' photo-filled tale of how she did it is a good peek behind the curtain.

[Alissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I randomly found this book while restocking the shelves at my library. I really enjoyed this book, and how everything is broken down for you. I had my husband read the first chapter about the five year plan and it really hit home with both of us. He will be retiring in two years and I will be graduating with my Masters at that same time. The goal is to find a good piece of land to move to and start our homesteading adventures. This book is one I will be going back for again and again.

[Marita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a faithful follower of Jessica Sowards' YouTube channel "Roots and Refuge Farms." I've learned a lot about gardening from her, and it's been fun to watch her and her family establish their South Carolina homestead from raw land. She also has fantastic screen presence, which puts her above a lot of homesteaders trying to establish themselves as content creators. Sowards is smart and she (mostly) knows her stuff. She's also not pushy or dogmatic. She freely acknowledges that there are a lot of ways of doing things and that she's still learning.

I enjoyed her book. It's not meant to be the last word on homesteading and she doesn't claim it is. She gives introductory information in a lot of areas - from raising chickens to starting beehives to cooking from scratch to starting a garden - and the expectation is that the reader will explore further on their own. While I do not intend to raise animals for meat, I did appreciate her discussion of the process, and agree that the animals raised by a compassionate homesteader will have a better life than those who end up in industrial feedlots. That I couldn't kill an animal I've raised is my thing; it's not a moral commentary on those who can.

I hope anyone who reads Sowards' book will follow her YouTube channel because that's where the rubber really meets the road. I learned how to make cheese, elderberry syrup, and basil tea by following her. Her book is an excellent and romantic introduction to homesteading, and the photographs are excellent. But her YouTube channel is where it's at.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have followed Roots and Refuge farm on YouTube for a while now, and I’ve even read her first book “The First Time Gardener.” So I was excited to get my hands on this book because my family is hoping to build a homestead in the next couple years.

This books covers topics, including: plans, chickens, gardening, dairy, beekeeping, kitchen skills and natural remedies. But prepare yourself…this isn’t just straight up information. This is poetry. Jessica has always had a flowery (no pun intended) way of writing and her enthusiasm for the garden has been addicting over the years. And the pictures in this book are incredible. She’s encouraging and honest about the hard work that is needed for a lifestyle like this.

If you’re going to learn gardening or homesteading, Jessica is a fantastic place to start. Her books are beginner level, so if you’ve read a lot of gardening books before, you might not get much new information. But they are beautiful to look at. Definitely a great resource for people looking to enrich their lives and grow their own food.

Thank you to NetGalley and Cool Springs Press for the advanced copy. This review is my honest opinion.

[Melanie Pearce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica Sowards gives up her tips and tricks for the First-Time Homesteader; something I'd happily pay for!

As a wanna-be homesteader on a small lifestyle property in New Zealand I was particularly drawn to this book. I found all the layout to be easy to consume and the stunning images really do seal the deal.

I was particularly interested in the Dairy section and it did not disappoint. I was firmly in team milking cow before I read this book but seeing Jessica's love for her goat's I'm now on the fence!
I may have to buy the neighbours paddocks to expand.

This is a wonderful introduction into homesteading that lays out all the tips and tricks in one convenient book.
Jessica and her family appear to be thriving and I hope to one day follow in their footsteps.

I was gifted a digital copy of "The First-Time Homesteader" in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Thanks Quarto Publishing and Netgalley!

[Susan Bewley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I thought this was a very down to Earth homesteading book. It is straightforward to read, has great pictures, and goes into a little bit of detail about everything you need to know about Homesteading. It is also reasonably practical, telling people where to start so they don’t become too overwhelmed. While it may not give you everything you need for jumping it, it gives you a realistic idea about getting started and what you need to raise your own poultry, grow a garden, beekeeping, and more. While it is a bit basic for anyone who has already started, it is perfect for people like my husband and me who are unsure if we even want to have our hobby farm or just a small property. Overall, I think The First-Time Homesteader: A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Starting and Loving Your New Homestead is an excellent book for anyone considering homesteading.

[Laura Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really well written book about getting started as a homesteader. There is not enough space in the book to go into depth about different techniques, but it is an excellent overview for a beginner who is thinking about food security and wants to know what is involved.

Jessica Sowards gives her own account of her experiences and lessons she has learned during her journey. Her passion for her way of life comes through clearly but her writing is true to life and doesn’t romanticise how she lives. She readily points out how hard it can be and is truthful, down to earth yet encouraging.

This a good book to read if you are just getting set up as a homesteader, want to know what is involved and need to start planning. Highly recommended.

With thanks to Netgalley and Cool Springs Press for providing an advance review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Willow Rankin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have an interest in creating a garden which could help feed my family and I; I don't necessarily think I will be able to produce all of my food - but certain aspects of homesteading appeal to me.
The issue with this book is that it is not a complete guide. Numerous times throughout the text the author highlights a topic that won't be covered in this book. This lack of detail is frustrating. Further, over the third of the book is related to keeping animals, which is just not practical for city living.
I also found the planning section to be woefully inadequate. The author makes mention of a five year plan, but nothing on size of land; planting or even suggestions of things you can do in the short term.
Overall, for a beginners book this was woefully inadequate and needed more detail to be of any assistance.

[Books With Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book isn't a tell all how to homestead guide. What it is is a brief summary to give you an idea what life would be like, and give you enough information to go do your research. Look into what it would take to raise those chickens; goats, pigs, or cows. Do you want Bees? Maybe just a small garden plot? This book asks you to ask yourself the questions of what you want, and gives you some ideas to think about.

[Emily Nicole Shell · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who feels like they're going in blind on the whole homesteading thing, this book has given me so much peace and confidence. It has foundational knowledge on pretty much anything you can think of when it comes to growing your own food, utilizing your resources, and planning to live off the land. The photos are beautiful and my 10-month old loves flipping through it and pointing at all the animals!

[Rianna Bixler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jess is a lovely woman, and if you’re new to gardening or homesteading, I totally recommend this book, and her first book, if nothing else.
I also recommend her YouTube channel as well, which covers a lot of the visual and day to day stuff covered in both of her books.
This one is a great start, if you’re wanting to dive into more husbandry, but does touch on a holistic approach to having a farm, on whatever scale that looks like for you.

[Rev · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Roots and Refuge on YouTube and I'd already read Jess' other book that focused on gardening. I knew I had to pick this one up from the library too, and I really enjoyed reading it. Some of the information was things I'd already learned elsewhere, but there was some new things as well. Also the pictures were beautiful.

[Christine Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a fun read. I've always been interested in the homestead lifestyle, and this book delivers on everything is promises. The pictures are gorgeous and informative, the information is structured and detailed. Thank you to the author for sharing her insight and creating a beginner's guide that's encouraging and lovely!

[Tessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully Written!

“Wisdom, from the heart, is where we need to operate. Hold on to why you have this homestead dream, and let wisdom guide you into it.”

Beautifully written! A great read for some one who is just starting homesteading but also for seasoned homesteaders who need to be inspired by what made them want to homestead in the first place.

[Venicia Erickson]

Amazing book

Amazing I absolutely love this book! I'd recommend this to anyone thinking or beginning to homestead. This is a book I'd read again. I will be getting the physical copy as I want to highlight and mark so much important information.

Thank you Jessica for writing such a lovely book. Love and blessings your way.

[Kaylah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I would get this book as a resource from the library to reference, but I ended up reading every page! What a delightful book filled with practical help. Jessica breaks building a homestead into simple steps and helps overly ambitious people (like me) take time to slow down and think about what is necessary to begin and what steps come first.

[Caitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

perfect read to encourage the dream

I’m so grateful to have this book because I know it will be a resource in my family’s journey to the life we deserve. Recipes sound delicious, every subject is thorough and practical. Helps me see the ideas are endless and don’t have to break the bank!

[Felicity Fields · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent overview of the homesteading life. A good mix of practically useful and also Jess's personality. I've read more in depth books about most of the topics in the book, but enjoyed reading anyway. And the pictures / graphic layout are delightful!

[Joni Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly I’m never going to be a homesteader but I found this book fascinating. There’s so much helpful information. And all the pictures of the authors family and homestead included made it even more interesting.

[Promise Laughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is light hearted and is a great place for beginners. The author does not answer all of the questions (nor does she claim to), but she gives you enough information to know what the right questions are to ask!

[Cassandra Gaskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love both books Jess has published so far. She gives such a in depth, pure devotion to her readers and always acknowledges the creator and his marvelous works. Thank you Jess for being a steward and encouraging others to build their own dreams in homesteading and self-sufficiency.

[Breanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve followed Jessica Sowards for years on various social media platforms. I read, and loved, her first book, so I had to get my hands on this book.

It was a great insight into homesteading for someone who is considering, or just starting into homesteading.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview.

Would have preferred earlier (and more extensive) emphasis on kitchen and garden aspects - think those allow for easier entry by complete beginners to homesteading.

Really enjoyed the beekeeping chapter - that might be our gateway livestock!

[Shelly Nicholson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not a homesteader but I do like the idea of relying less on consumerism. I have been listening to Roots and Refuge with Jessica Sowards for a year now. She is honest about the hardship and rewards of a homesteader. I liked the book. It was a quick and easy read for me.

[growingwithbeccalynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am biased🙈

Not gonna lie - I am biased about Jess because I absolutely love her education style whether it’s long form video on YouTube or written like here.

This book is easily digestible and worth the read!