There does seem to be a growing interest in homesteading today. People all over are looking at the need to live more simple lives, and to operate self-sufficiently.
I’ve seen several articles in magazines referring to this new trend as a “Hobby Farm”. Admittedly at first, this bothered me. The two terms, “Hobby Farm” and “Farmette”, being used across the board, gets me on the defensive when describing someone’s property and lifestyle. Many homesteaders in various levels of homesteading (and there are thousands of us) work far too hard on our land and livelihood to be as self sufficient as possible to be labeled with these terms.
If you want to know my opinion on the terms “Hobby Farm” and “Farmette” – it is as if they are terms for places where people ‘play’ and don’t really have a serious commitment to homesteading. Now, I know it may not really be that way and that many who are considered Hobby Farmers grow to become full-fledged Homesteaders, but it just seems to be a demeaning term for the amount of work to truly sustain even something considered a “Hobby Farm” or smaller farm “Farmette”. Why not just call them beginning homesteaders? The term “Hobby Farm” would work of course if they always just play at it, but my experience is that once it truly gets in your blood, you can’t go back to life as usual. So “beggining homesteader” works better.
A small menagerie of animals as pets does not a homestead make. However, it is a starting point and THAT is what should be called a beginning homesteader rather than a “Hobby Farm.” Anything under 8 acres, I would call a “Farmette.” That too depends on what is happening on those 7 acres, more than the size of it. To call all homesteaders either of those two terms is, well, selling us somewhat short.
So what if I don’t grow a crop for profit. We have 15 acres on which we are living quite self-sufficiently. We grew from what some may term as a Hobby Farm/ Farmette of 7 acres to a full-fledged homestead with vineyards, two acre sized gardens, a peach and apple orchard, beehives and soon more livestock.
It’s not a hobby. It’s a homestead. It’s a life.
Popular Questions
What is the difference between a homestead, hobby farm, and farmette?
A homestead usually emphasizes self-sufficiency, with activities such as gardening, preserving food, raising livestock, and reducing reliance on outside resources. A hobby farm is generally a small agricultural property operated primarily for enjoyment rather than income. A farmette is often a smaller rural property that may include a home, limited acreage, gardens, animals, or small-scale farm activities.
Which is better for a beginner: a homestead, hobby farm, or farmette?
A hobby farm or farmette may be easier for beginners because the property and production goals can remain modest. A homestead may require more planning, equipment, labor, and commitment if self-sufficiency is the main goal. Start by listing the time, budget, land, skills, and animals you can realistically manage, then choose the option that matches those limits.
How much land do you need for a homestead, hobby farm, or farmette?
There is no single acreage requirement for a homestead, hobby farm, or farmette. A small lot can support raised beds, fruit trees, chickens, or other limited projects, while larger acreage allows more pasture, crops, and livestock. Check local zoning, water access, soil quality, fencing needs, and animal regulations before purchasing land.
Can a homestead, hobby farm, or farmette make money?
Any of these property types can produce limited income through eggs, produce, seedlings, preserves, livestock, workshops, or other farm products. A hobby farm or farmette is often designed around personal use, while a homestead may sell extra production to offset expenses. Calculate feed, infrastructure, licensing, packaging, labor, and market costs before treating the property as a business.