Why More Women Are Choosing the Homestead Life After 50

There’s something quietly powerful happening in kitchens, gardens, and backyards across the country: women over 50 are stepping into a simpler, slower, and more self-sufficient lifestyle. They’re planting herbs, raising chickens, baking bread, and finding deep joy in the everyday rhythm of homesteading.

And no — it’s not just about going “off grid” or living in the middle of nowhere. For many women, homesteading is about reclaiming control over their food, time, and peace of mind.

I know, because I’m one of them.

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The Homestead Life Isn’t Just for the Young

In fact, I think it’s better when you start it later in life.

You’re more grounded. You’re less worried about what other people think. You know what matters — and what doesn’t. And you’re finally in a place where you can choose how to spend your days.

For women like us, homesteading after 50 isn’t just a hobby. It’s a lifestyle shift. A return to something deeper. Something we might not have even known we were missing.

Let’s talk about why this shift is happening — and how you can join in.

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1. We’re Craving Simplicity — and Meaning

After raising kids, working full-time, or running households for decades, a lot of us feel burned out by the pace of modern life. The noise, the deadlines, the constant screens — it gets old.

The homestead lifestyle invites us back into something real. It’s about homemade meals, clothesline-dried laundry, garden dirt under your nails, and watching the seasons change from your front porch. There’s peace in the doing — even the small things.

You might have five acres or five potted tomato plants on the patio, you can live more simply and more fully no matter where you live.

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2. We Finally Have Time to Focus on What Matters

Turning 50 often brings a major shift. The kids are grown, or at least more independent. You’re no longer tied to the rigid schedules of your 30s and 40s. Some women retire, others cut back on work, and many just want more life in their days.

Homesteading fills that space beautifully.

There’s something deeply satisfying about learning how to grow food, preserve it, and make your home feel warm and purposeful. It slows you down in the best way.

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3. It’s Never Too Late to Learn Something New

Homesteading is full of small, doable skills that add up over time. You don’t have to know everything when you start. I sure didn’t — and there are still things I’m just now learning.

Take canning, for example.

I still remember watching my mom can green beans when I was little. I was nervous just being in the kitchen with that pressure canner rattling away. It always felt a little scary — like it might blow at any moment!

Now that I’m older, I’ve inherited my grandma’s canner… and I’m determined to finally learn how to use it. It’s one of those “next step” homesteading skills I’ve been meaning to try. I want to line my pantry with jars just like they did back then — simple food, preserved with care.

You might start with a windowsill herb garden or a loaf of bread in a bread machine. I’m starting with the canner. We’re all learning together, one step at a time.

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4. It Helps Us Feel Prepared and Empowered

There’s a special kind of peace that comes with being self-reliant. Knowing how to grow, store, and cook real food isn’t just useful — it’s empowering. And these days, many of us want to feel more prepared, not less.

You don’t have to be a hardcore prepper to stock a pantry, learn to dehydrate herbs, or collect rainwater. It’s all about doing what you can, with what you have, right where you are.

And don’t worry if you mess up, that’s what the chickens are for, they’ve eaten many of my bread mishaps. It’s all part of the process so when you do make ediable bread, you can rejoice!

Want to see how I do it? I wrote a post here on How To Prepare For the Upcoming Food Shortage that outlines my personal system.

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5. It’s a Beautiful Way to Age Gracefully

I don’t know about you, but I have no interest in sitting still just because I turned 60. On the homestead, I stay active — without even realizing it. Hauling a bucket of feed, hanging laundry, digging up carrots, or chopping herbs… it all adds up.

Even better? Homesteading keeps your mind just as active. You’re always learning, adapting, experimenting. And let’s be honest — it’s a lot more fun than scrolling through social media all day.

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👩‍🌾 My Own Story: From Crickets to Chickens

A little background if you’re new here: I ran a successful cricket farming business for over 20 years, while homeschooling and raising a family. Now in my 60s, I’ve shifted into a quieter (but still purposeful) life — and I love it.

These days I spend my mornings with the chickens, my afternoons writing for this blog, and my evenings enjoying simple meals with my husband. We sell vintage goods on eBay, grow herbs, and experiment with baking bread using my favorite bread machine.

I recently added a wheat grinder to my kitchen tools — it was an investment, but I can’t imagine going back. There’s just something magical about baking a loaf of bread from wheat you ground yourself. (I’ll be sharing more about that soon!)

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🥁 Getting Started: What You Actually Need

If this all sounds appealing but overwhelming, here’s the good news — you don’t need to “go full pioneer woman” on day one.

Here’s how to start slow:

🔸 Start With One Habit

Choose something small. Bake your own bread once a week. Plant a tomato or a pot of mint. Try a homemade cleaning recipe. One step at a time.

🔸 Learn From Others

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Blogs like this one are full of beginner tips, mistakes I’ve made (so you don’t have to), and tools I actually use.

Start here:

• 13 Easy Steps to Start Your Own Backyard Homestead
• Herbs to Plant in the Fall (Beginner Series)
• Best Egg Incubator for Backyard Chickens

🔸 Invest in What Makes Sense

You don’t need every tool or gadget, but a few well-chosen ones can really help. I love my bread maker, my wheat grinder, and my old Ball canning jars. Choose things you’ll actually use — and learn them well.

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📦 Coming Soon: Homestead Kitchen Tools Roundup

I’m working on a full post comparing my favorite kitchen tools — like my Cuisinart bread maker, my grain mill, and how I store flour and wheat. These aren’t just gadgets. They save time, reduce waste, and help you feel more capable in the kitchen.

If you’re not already subscribed to my newsletter, you can join here and get a free Farmhouse Kitchen Pantry Labels. I’ll send you a heads-up when the post goes live!

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💬 FAQ – Curious About Homesteading After 50?

Q: Do I need to move to the country to homestead?
Nope! You can homestead from a city apartment, a suburban backyard, or a full-on farm. It’s about mindset, not land size.

Q: Is it too late to start if I’m 60+?
Absolutely not. Many women begin their homestead journey later in life and love it. Start with what excites you.

Q: What’s the easiest place to begin?
Grow something. Even a pot of herbs on your porch. Once you feel the satisfaction of harvesting something you grew, you’ll be hooked.

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🌼 You’re Not Too Old — You’re Just Getting Started

There’s something deeply healing about growing food, baking bread, and learning to live with the seasons. And if your soul is craving something different, something more real, homesteading might be calling you too.

I hope this blog reminds you that it’s never too late to start — and that simple living doesn’t mean giving up joy. It means finding more of it.

Want help getting started? Grab my free Farmhouse Kitchen Pantry Lables, and let’s walk this path together.

You’ve still got plenty of chapters left to write. Let’s make them beautiful.