Let’s Set Homesteading Goals for 2025!
As some of you already know, I love talking about homesteading and all the amazing topics that come with it! For us, this year looks very different because we traded our 2-acre homestead for a motorhome and relocated back to Louisiana. Interestingly, we’re now in the same area where we lived in 2018, right before the pandemic hit.
Although we’re currently in an RV park, my homesteading dreams are still alive and well. There’s a community garden here, and we’re excited to contribute and grow what we can. While we can’t have livestock like rabbits here (and certainly can’t process them), I plan to explore indoor gardening with herbs, small flowers, and air plants. We’re also considering 4-H for our kids, provided we can find a place to house their rabbits nearby.
In the long term, I’ve been researching farming loan programs to help us establish a small-scale homestead where we can sell produce, livestock, and cottage products—not at a commercial scale, but enough to support a self-sufficient lifestyle. Ideally, we’d love a property with flexible zoning, the ability to live in our motorhome indefinitely, and enough space for our kids to potentially settle in the future.
Until we find the right place, I’m focusing on what I can do where we are. Homesteading is all about adapting, and this post is dedicated to planning for your own homestead in 2025. Whether you’re starting from scratch or continuing to build your dream, here’s how to set meaningful goals and get started on the right foot!
Planning Your Homestead: A 2025 Checklist
1. Map Out Your Property
Start by sketching a layout of your land. If you have a survey or map, even better! Take time to walk the property at different times of the day to observe sunlight patterns, natural shading, slopes, and drainage areas. Use this information to decide:
- The best location for your garden (maximize sunlight).
- Where to house livestock (consider shade and water runoff).
- Where long-term projects, like orchards or storage structures, should go.
A permaculture mindset will help you design a self-sufficient, sustainable homestead that works with nature, not against it.
2. Clear and Prepare the Land
Depending on your property, you may need to clear brush, remove debris, or prepare areas for gardening, livestock, or other uses. Winter months might limit outdoor work in colder climates, but that’s the perfect time to plan, dream, and strategize.
3. Know Your Gardening Zone
Understanding your gardening zone is critical for planting success. Use tools like the Old Farmer’s Almanac or the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to identify your zone by ZIP code. This will help you select crops, trees, and plants suited to your climate and growing season.
4. Plant Long-Term Crops First
Fruit trees, nut trees, and perennials like blueberries or asparagus take years to mature, so plant them as soon as possible. Research ideal spots on your property based on your permaculture plan, and make sure they have the right soil and light conditions. Future you will be so grateful!
5. Test Your Soil
Healthy soil is the foundation of any successful homestead. Test your soil to determine its pH and nutrient levels, then amend it accordingly to support your chosen crops. Many county agricultural extensions offer soil testing services, or you can purchase a DIY kit online.
6. Get Organized
Moving to a new homestead can feel overwhelming, but taking 30 minutes a day to unpack and organize will make a big difference. Focus on creating designated spaces for tools, seeds, and other essentials to make daily tasks easier.
7. Start (or Plan) Your Seeds
Whether you’re planting this season or preparing for the next, organize your seeds now. Store them in a labeled, accessible space, and plan your planting schedule based on your gardening zone and goals.
8. Set Short- and Long-Term Goals
A successful homestead requires a mix of immediate tasks and big-picture planning. Break your goals into manageable steps. For example:
- Short-term: Build raised garden beds, start a compost pile, or set up a rainwater collection system.
- Long-term: Establish an orchard, breed livestock, or build infrastructure like fencing or barns.
9. Learn and Connect
Homesteading is a journey of continuous learning. Join local gardening or homesteading groups, either in person or online, to share knowledge and resources. Research your region’s specific challenges and opportunities, from pest control to optimal planting times.
10. Be Patient and Flexible
Homesteading isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Some projects will take longer than expected, and that’s okay. Celebrate small victories, and remember that every step you take brings you closer to self-sufficiency.
My Homesteading Goals for 2025
For our family, 2025 will be a year of transition and growth. While we’re still in our RV, I’m focusing on small, achievable goals like contributing to the community garden, growing indoor plants, and continuing to learn about farming and homesteading opportunities in Louisiana.
My long-term dream is to find a property where we can create a self-sufficient homestead, provide for our family, and eventually pass on a legacy to our kids. Until then, I’ll keep planning, adapting, and doing what I can with what I have—and I encourage you to do the same.
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What are your homesteading goals for 2025? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear about your plans and help you brainstorm ideas for achieving them!
Thank you so much for stopping by and reading my blog, I hope you have found knowledge or inspiration from this or any of my articles.
Wishing you are well ~ Lion Soul Homestead ~
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