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How Backyard Homesteading is Bringing Ranch Life to the Suburbs

In This Article

There's something quintessentially American about the independence and self-reliance of ranch life. The spirit of the old West - where a family could sustain themselves through their own hard work and ingenuity - never really died. It just adapted. Today, a new breed of pioneers is bringing that ranching spirit to suburban backyards across America, and they're doing it with some surprisingly innovative methods.

I recently visited Tom Henderson's quarter-acre "micro-ranch" in suburban Colorado. From the street, it looks like any other suburban home. But step through the white picket fence into his backyard, and you enter a world that would make any old-time rancher proud - albeit on a much smaller scale.

"People think you need vast acreage to be self-sufficient," Tom tells me as we tour his meticulously organized backyard homestead.

"But the truth is, with the right systems in place, you can produce an amazing amount of food in a small space."

DIY aquaponics system made from repurposed IBC
(Intermediate Bulk Container) totes.

Tom's secret weapon is something called the Pocket Farm system, developed by homesteading expert Alec Deacon. It's an innovative aquaponics setup that combines fish farming with soilless plant growing. "When I first read about the Pocket Farm in Deacon's guide, I was skeptical," Tom admits. "But now it's the cornerstone of my operation. I get fresh fish and vegetables year-round from a system that takes up less space than my kid's trampoline."

The New Frontier is in Your Backyard

The parallels between modern homesteaders and the cowboys of old run deeper than you might think. Just as early ranchers had to be resourceful and learn to work with nature rather than against it, today's suburban homesteaders are mastering the art of working with limited resources.

"High Farming" - the practice of creating balanced systems where animals and plants support each other - was actually common in the Old West, though they didn't call it that. Today, backyard homesteaders are rediscovering these principles, often with surprising results.

Take the Pocket Farm system, for example. It uses aquaponics - a combination of raising fish and growing plants in a connected water system. The fish are raised in tanks, and their waste-rich water is pumped to the plants growing above. The plants absorb these natural nutrients while simultaneously filtering the water, which is then recycled back to the fish. This creates a self-sustaining mini-ecosystem that produces both fresh vegetables and protein. It's the kind of elegant solution that would have impressed even the most hardened frontier rancher - getting double the food from the same resources, with virtually no waste.

Getting Started: The Modern Homesteader's Tool Kit

Just as every cowboy needed their trusty tools, modern homesteaders need the right equipment to get started. But instead of lassos and branding irons, today's tools might include:

  1. A well-designed aquaponics system (the Pocket Farm guide provides detailed blueprints)

  2. Basic gardening tools

  3. Small livestock housing (chicken coops, rabbit hutches)

  4. Food preservation equipment

  5. Basic carpentry tools

Basic gardening tools

"The key is starting small and building up," advises Sarah Martinez, another suburban homesteader I visited.

I started with Alec Deacon's Pocket Farm system because it was comprehensive but manageable. Once I mastered that, I gradually added chickens, a traditional garden, and now I'm looking at getting some meat rabbits.

The Art of Small-Space Ranching

One of the biggest challenges for suburban homesteaders is maximizing limited space. This is where modern innovations really shine. Tom showed me how he's integrated vertical growing spaces with his Pocket Farm system, creating what he calls his "skyscraper ranch."

"In the old days, ranchers had the luxury of spreading out," he explains. "We have to think up instead of out. The Pocket Farm system taught me how to stack production vertically, and I've applied that principle to everything else."

Vertical Growing System

Here's how a typical suburban homestead might be laid out:

The Daily Round-Up: Managing Your Micro-Ranch

Just like the cowboys of old, modern homesteaders have their daily routines. But instead of riding the range, they're checking water levels in their Pocket Farm system and collecting eggs from the chicken coop.

"People are always surprised when I tell them I only spend about 30 minutes a day maintaining my whole system," Tom says. "The Pocket Farm particularly is almost hands-off once it's established. That's what I love about Deacon's design - it's built for busy people who still want that ranching lifestyle."

A typical daily routine might include:

The New Ranch Economy

While the old-time ranchers were focused primarily on cattle, today's suburban homesteaders often have surprisingly diverse operations. Many, like Sarah, have turned their homesteads into small businesses.

"Between the constant supply of vegetables, eggs from my chickens, and preserved foods, I actually make a decent side income,"

she explains. "The initial investment in Deacon's system paid for itself within the first year."

Modern homesteaders are finding numerous ways to monetize their operations:

Dealing with Modern Challenges

Of course, today's homesteaders face challenges that would have been foreign to the cowboys of old. Local zoning laws, HOA regulations, and neighbor relations all need to be navigated carefully.

Common challenges and solutions:

The Future of Suburban Ranching

As more people seek independence and food security, the backyard homesteading movement continues to grow. Innovations like the Pocket Farm system are making it increasingly accessible to anyone with a bit of outdoor space and the will to learn.

"What we're seeing is really a return to our roots," explains Tom. "The American spirit of self-reliance never went away. We're just adapting it to modern circumstances."

The movement is particularly appealing to young families who want their children to understand where food comes from and develop practical skills.

Getting Started: Your Path to Modern Homesteading

If you're inspired to start your own suburban homestead, here's a suggested path forward:

  1. Start with education: Get comprehensive resources like Alec Deacon's Pocket Farm guide

  2. Plan your space carefully

  3. Begin with a manageable system like aquaponics

  4. Gradually add components as you gain confidence

  5. Connect with other homesteaders for support and advice

The only proven-to-work A to Z blueprint

The spirit of the American West is alive and well in these suburban homesteads. While the spaces may be smaller and the methods more modern, the core values remain the same: independence, self-reliance, and working in harmony with nature.

As Tom puts it, "We might not be riding horses or roping cattle, but we're carrying on the tradition of providing for ourselves and our families through our own efforts. That's what being a modern cowboy is all about."

Whether you're drawn to the romance of the Old West or simply want more control over your food supply, backyard homesteading offers a way to bring those dreams into reality. And with modern innovations like the Pocket Farm system making it more accessible than ever, there's never been a better time to stake your claim in the suburban frontier.

Remember, "The size of your ranch doesn't matter nearly as much as the size of your determination."

Frequently Asked Questions About Backyard Homesteading

Basic Concepts

Q: What exactly is homesteading? A: Homesteading is a lifestyle of self-sufficiency characterized by subsistence agriculture, home food preservation, and small-scale production of goods. Modern homesteading can be practiced anywhere from large rural properties to suburban backyards.

Q: Do I need a lot of land to homestead? A: No. While traditional homesteads were 160 acres, modern homesteading can be practiced on any size property, even in urban settings. Many successful homesteaders operate on less than 1/4 acre.

Q: Is homesteading legal in my area? A: Homesteading is legal in all 50 states, but local zoning laws and HOA regulations may restrict certain activities. Always check local regulations regarding livestock, structures, and water usage.

Aquaponics & The Pocket Farm

Q: What is aquaponics? A: Aquaponics combines aquaculture (raising fish) with hydroponics (growing plants in water). Fish waste provides nutrients for plants, while plants filter water for the fish, creating a sustainable ecosystem.

Q: How does the nitrogen cycle work in aquaponics? A: Fish produce ammonia-rich waste, which bacteria convert to nitrites and then to nitrates. Plants absorb these nitrates as nutrients, cleaning the water for the fish.

Q: What fish work best in aquaponics? A: Common choices include:

Q: What can I grow in an aquaponics system? A: Most leafy greens and herbs thrive in aquaponics, including:

Q: How much maintenance does an aquaponics system require? A: Basic daily tasks take about 15-30 minutes, including:

Q: What are the optimal water parameters? A: Key parameters include:

Q: How much water does an aquaponics system use? A: Aquaponics uses about 90% less water than traditional gardening, only requiring periodic top-offs for evaporation.

Q: What backup systems should I have? A: Consider:

Cost & Efficiency

Q: What's the initial investment for a backyard homestead? A: Costs vary widely but typically include:

Q: How long until the system is productive? A: Typical timeline:

Q: What's the return on investment? A: Most systems can pay for themselves within a few months through reduced grocery bills and/or the sale of excess produce.

Livestock & Integration

Q: What animals work well in a backyard homestead? A: Common choices include:

Q: How do I integrate different systems? A: Consider:

Food Production & Storage

Q: How much food can I produce? A: A well-managed quarter-acre can produce:

Q: What preservation methods work best? A: Common methods include:

Common Challenges

Q: What are the biggest challenges? A: Common issues include:

Q: How do I handle pests organically? A: Methods include:

Future Planning

Q: How can I expand my homestead? A: Consider:

Q: What about off-grid capabilities? A: Options include:

Richard Sutherland

 RichardSutherland@bitsnspurs.org

Richard is a western lifestyle author for Bits N' Spurs, the weekly newsletter that keeps pace with today's rodeo. His articles are featured on dozens of rodeo and Western related websites and provide a window to the world of cowboy culture.

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