When you start a homestead, it’s tempting to think the most important step is buying animals or planting your first garden. But truth be told, some of the most important work happens before that.
There are a handful of DIY projects that can save you money, make your life easier, and keep your homestead running smoothly from day one. Skip these, and you might end up spending your weekends patching fences with duct tape or hauling water in five-gallon buckets when you’d rather be planting tomatoes.
Here are five projects I believe every new homesteader should tackle early on.
1. A Sturdy, Predator-Proof Animal Shelter
Even if you are starting with just a handful of chickens, you need a safe, weatherproof home for them. Predators like raccoons, hawks, and foxes are smarter and more determined than you think.
Key points:
- Use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire (it keeps out more predators).
- Make sure doors and latches are secure.
- Provide proper ventilation to prevent illness.
GROWING TIP: Build bigger than you think you need. Extra space now means you can expand your flock later without starting from scratch.
2. A Reliable Fencing System
Good fencing is the backbone of any homestead. Without it, animals wander off, predators wander in, and you spend a lot of time chasing critters down the road.
Consider:
- Permanent fencing for boundaries (woven wire, electric, or wood).
- Temporary or movable fencing for rotating pastures.
- Reinforced gates that animals can’t nudge open.
NOTE: Goats in particular see weak fencing as a personal challenge. Build it like you mean it.
3. A Rainwater Harvesting Setup
Water is life for plants and animals, and hauling it around by hand gets old fast. Collecting rainwater saves on your water bill and gives you an emergency reserve.
Starter system:
- Gutters on your barn, coop, or shed.
- Downspouts leading into food-grade barrels or a cistern.
- A hose spigot or gravity-fed outlet for easy use.
Even a couple of 55-gallon barrels can make a big difference during dry spells.
4. Compost Bins or Piles
You are going to produce a lot of organic waste—garden trimmings, animal bedding, kitchen scraps. Turning that into compost gives you rich soil without buying expensive fertilizers.
Easy setup:
- Three-bin system (fresh, working, finished) for constant compost supply.
- Keep it aerated by turning regularly.
- Balance “greens” (food scraps) and “browns” (straw, leaves) for best results.
Bonus: Chickens love scratching through compost piles for bugs, so it doubles as entertainment.
5. A Food Preservation Station
Once your garden is in full swing, you’ll have more produce than you can eat fresh. Having a system in place to preserve it means your hard work pays off all year long.
Options to learn:
- Water bath canning for jams, pickles, and high-acid foods.
- Pressure canning for low-acid vegetables, meats, and soups.
- Dehydrating and freezing for quick storage.
Even a small setup with a few jars, a dehydrator, and freezer space can keep your pantry stocked.
You do not have to build everything at once, but starting with these five projects will save you headaches, money, and time in the long run. Each one sets the stage for the bigger dreams—gardens overflowing, healthy animals, and a homestead that feels like it runs itself (well… almost).
Start small, build smart, and you’ll be thanking yourself in a few months when the busy season hits.
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