Homesteading: Do You Know What It Really Means Today
The various Homestead acts, yes there were more than one, essentially gave an individual, called an applicant, ownership of land, with stipulations attached, without paying cash for it in the United States. The first act was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862. A person was given a grant for 160 acres or 65 hectares, which was considered a one quarter section.
People from all walks of life applied for the grants, and this included farmers from the eastern States that had moved west, single women and former slaves came to meet the challenge of "proving up" as well.
The requirements were that a homesteader had to live on the land, build a home, and make improvements and farm the land for 5 years before they were eligible to "prove up". It cost 18 dollars for the filing fee and this was the total amount ever required.
The act was intended to encourage individual farm …show more content…
When someone homesteads they typically want to give up social and governmental support systems if favor of self-reliance. With the right mindset, and this includes the mindset of every member of the family, you can break free.
The degree of independence is determined by you, and sometimes by other family members. Medical needs, the need for social interaction, and the need for certain goods and services you cannot provide for yourself will require homesteaders to have a financial game plan. You need cash flow in other words, and this means you cannot sever the connection completely.
Some homesteaders have a leg up, so to speak, because they come to the lifestyle after or during successful careers. This means often times, they have the financial resources for farm equipment, solar panels, generators, windmills, and more importantly they can afford to buy the land they choose to live on. Keep in mind there will always be taxes, maintenance on equipment and housing upkeep that will require
The various Homestead acts, yes there were more than one, essentially gave an individual, called an applicant, ownership of land, with stipulations attached, without paying cash for it in the United States. The first act was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862. A person was given a grant for 160 acres or 65 hectares, which was considered a one quarter section.
People from all walks of life applied for the grants, and this included farmers from the eastern States that had moved west, single women and former slaves came to meet the challenge of "proving up" as well.
The requirements were that a homesteader had to live on the land, build a home, and make improvements and farm the land for 5 years before they were eligible to "prove up". It cost 18 dollars for the filing fee and this was the total amount ever required.
The act was intended to encourage individual farm …show more content…
When someone homesteads they typically want to give up social and governmental support systems if favor of self-reliance. With the right mindset, and this includes the mindset of every member of the family, you can break free.
The degree of independence is determined by you, and sometimes by other family members. Medical needs, the need for social interaction, and the need for certain goods and services you cannot provide for yourself will require homesteaders to have a financial game plan. You need cash flow in other words, and this means you cannot sever the connection completely.
Some homesteaders have a leg up, so to speak, because they come to the lifestyle after or during successful careers. This means often times, they have the financial resources for farm equipment, solar panels, generators, windmills, and more importantly they can afford to buy the land they choose to live on. Keep in mind there will always be taxes, maintenance on equipment and housing upkeep that will require