Finding Your Path to Homesteading: Lessons from Ryan Mitchell's Journey

“This is what I describe simple living as, it’s figuring out what you want to focus on and doing more of that while figuring out what you want to focus less on or there’s a distraction and eliminating those things.”  Creating a life that aligns with your values is important. That's why I was thrilled to chat with Ryan Mitchell on the Farming on Purpose podcast. Ryan's journey from city living to homesteading offers valuable insights for anyone dreaming of a simpler, more fulfilling life on the land.  The Wake-Up Call  Ryan's story began in 2009 when he lost his job during the Great Recession. This setback made him question the traditional path of success he'd been taught to follow. Instead of getting discouraged, Ryan saw an opportunity to reshape his life around what truly mattered to him.  The Tiny House Solution  To reduce his living costs and gain more freedom, Ryan decided to build a tiny house. This bold move allowed him to:  Cut his housing expenses in half  Focus on his own projects and travel  Save money for his ultimate goal: owning land for a homestead  The Long Game: Saving for Land  Ryan's journey to land ownership wasn't quick or easy. It took years of careful planning and saving. Here are some key strategies he used:  Living below his means in the tiny house  Using solar power to eliminate electricity bills  Growing his own food to reduce grocery costs  Starting a website (thetinylife.com) to share his journey and create additional income  Finding the Right Property  After 15 months of active searching, Ryan finally found his perfect piece of land. His advice for other aspiring homesteaders:  Get crystal clear on your needs and wants for the property  Be realistic about how much land you actually need  Network and spread the word about your search – you never know where the right lead might come from  Do your due diligence – in Ryan's case, a survey revealed an opportunity to negotiate a significant price reduction   I know firsthand how challenging it can be to find the right piece of land to start or expand your operation. That's why I'm excited to share a valuable resource I've helped create with thetinylife.com. We've put together a comprehensive guide full of innovative ideas for finding land, no matter where you are in your farming journey. Whether you're just starting out, looking to expand, or hoping to carve out your own space on an existing family farm, this guide has something for you. You'll discover new avenues to explore and strategies you might not have considered before. As a bonus, thetinylife.com offers a wealth of information on minimalism, gardening, and property planning – all great tools for any farmer. To access this land-finding guide, just visit thetinylife.com/fop.   Overcoming Societal Pressure  One of the biggest challenges Ryan faced was resisting the urge to conform to society's definition of success. He encourages others to:  Take a step back and objectively evaluate your current life  Write out what your perfect day looks like, from morning to night  Focus your time, money, and energy on activities that bring you closer to your goals  Eliminate distractions and things that don't align with your vision  Practical Tips for Getting Started  If you're feeling inspired to start your own homesteading journey, Ryan recommends:  Get your finances in order – pay off debt and build savings  Start small – you don't need a huge property to begin homesteading  Learn new skills gradually – whether it's gardening, animal care, or building  Connect with like-minded people for support and advice  The Rewards of Perseverance  While Ryan's path wasn't always easy, the rewards have been immense:  Freedom from financial stress  More control over his time and daily life  The ability to travel and pursue passion projects  A deep sense of accomplishment in building the life he truly wants  I find Ryan's story incredibly inspiring. It reminds me that with patience, hard work, and a clear vision, we can create a life that nurtures both our families and our entrepreneurial spirits.  To connect with Ryan, check out his website or his YouTube.    More from Farming on Purpose  If you are interested in signing up for the Marketing Routine class, do so here!  If you would like to support the podcast or be a part of the conversation join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page. Check out our favorite software tool for clients and our website!  Thrivecart is a software tool you can use to design online checkouts with every option you can dream up. You can sell physical and digital products, connect to loads of other softwares you use for your website, accepting payments, email marketing, and more. This is the most powerful tool I use and the lowest cost one. I recommend it for anyone who accepts online payments who wants to increase their revenue or average order value.  Visit ThriveCart I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.   Other Episodes You May Enjoy! #16 Building a Homestead with Terra Larsen of Everest Acres #59 Start Homesteading in Your Kitchen with Meghan Gates #65 The Power of Small Farms and Slow Growth with Lane’s End Farm Creamery   About the Host of Farming On Purpose, Lexi Wright:  I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture.  I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.   Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.