Whether you are freshly starting your homesteading journey or just looking to relocate, this post has you covered with the 10 best states for homesteading in the U.S. Homesteading is such a rewarding experience and while you may be able to successfully homestead in any state, choosing the right location for is an important step. In this post we will consider factors like climate, land affordability, regulations, and overall quality of life to provide you with valuable insights to help you find the perfect place to call home.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Land for Your Homestead
Cost of Living & Land Affordability: Sticking within budget can be quite a challenge with the rising cost of living in today’s world. When choosing a new place to call home, it is important to research the average cost of housing, land, and just general cost of living for the area to make sure it aligns with your budget.
Climate: Gardening is a huge part of homesteading so finding the right climate and growing conditions for your gardening practices is going to be another important thing to consider. Climate can also affect the care required for your livestock so make sure if you are moving to an area with a different climate, that you are adapting your practices to fit your new conditions.
State Regulations: Some states have regulations related to homesteading such as zoning laws, building codes, water rights, and hunting and fishing licenses. Understanding these rules is vital in avoiding any potential legal issues down the road so do your research prior to making the jump.
Schooling: If you have children or plan to in the future, schooling is an important thing to take into consideration. Do you plant to homeschool or will your children go to a public or private school? Investigate the availability and quality of local schools as well as homeschooling regulations and resources.
Safety: Assessing the overall safety of the area or state you plan to move is an important consideration as well. Crime rates and natural disaster risks are both things you will want to know about to provide your family with peace of mind and a successful homesteading experience.
10 Best States for Homesteading: Alaska
Alaska, the largest state in the US, is a haven for homesteaders who are looking for wide-open spaces, abundant natural resources, and a strong sense of community. No matter what kind of landscape you are in search of, Alaska offers it all, from towering mountains, large green forests, to beautiful coastlines.
Let’s talk about some things that make Alaska a great option. Firstly, Alaska has a State Land Sales Program which makes it easy for individuals to obtain land at affordable rates. We will dive into that program more later. Alaska is one of the few states in the US that does not have income tax or sales tax which can significantly cut back on the cost of living. Alaskan residents who have lived in Alaska for the entire previous calendar year and intent to remain residents indefinitely can qualify for an annual dividend from the Alaska Permanent Fund. There is some criteria that most be met in order to be eligible for this fund and the amount varies from year to year but generally ranges between $1k-$2k per person. Because Alaska is such a huge state, it has a broad range of USDA hardiness zones that range from 1b to 7b.
The Alaska State Land Sales Program
Alaska offers what is known as The Alaska State Land Sales Program. It is administered by the Department of Natural Resources and offers several different opportunities for individuals to purchase land at affordable prices.
Auctions
Throughout the year, the state of Alaska holds auctions allowing residents to bid on pieces of land and purchase it at the auction price. Obviously, every auction will be different depending on the level of interest but if you are willing to stick it out and attend an auction or two, you are bound to score a deal. Just keep in mind that this is only available to Alaskan residents so you will need to become a resident of Alaska prior to attending one of these auctions.
Over-the-Counter Sales
The over-the-counter sales program allows both Alaskan residents and non-residents to purchase land at a set price. This program operates on a first come, first served basis so if you are interested you will want to check the list of available OTC parcels on the DNR website frequently. You can visit their website by clicking here.
If you choose to purchase land this route, after selecting your parcel, you will need to complete the “Over the Counter Land Sale Application” form and submit it to the Trust Land Office which can be done by mail or email. Or if you plan to pay via credit card, complete the “Over the Counter Credit Card Payment” form. Once you have submitted your application, you should receive a response from the Trust Land Office letting you know that they have accepted your offer. After your offer is accepted, you will receive a letter via certified mail within 30 days containing an Intent to Award and Declaration of Intent form. Complete these forms and respond to the Trust Land Office by the specified timeframe with your payment. Once these steps have been completed, the purchaser will become the new owner of the land.
Staking Program
The staking program is another one that is only available to Alaskan residents. This program allows an individual to stake a parcel of land in the Remote Recreational Cabin Site area. After staking, individuals can then lease the land from the state while the DNR completes the survey and appraisal. This allows buyers to use the land while the process is ongoing. Once surverying is complete, the individual will have the option to purchase the land at it’s appraised value. If you choose to go this route, you will be responsible for the surveying and appraising costs.
10 Best States for Homesteading: Wyoming
Wyoming AKA (The “Cowboy State”), is an excellent choice for those looking to start a homestead. With it’s affordable land prices and low population. Wyoming has no state income tax and relatively low property taxes in comparison to other states. Similarly to Alaska, you can also purchase land in Wyoming through government auctions meaning you could score some land at a great rate.
Wyoming is actually one of the less popular choices for homesteading and this is due to their harsh winters. However, with a well build green house this can easily be worked around.
Wyoming has the lowest population density in the contiguous United States. This means there is no overcrowding and less competition for resources making it a great choice for individuals who are seeking solitude.
Wyoming is abundant in wildlife including elk, deer, antelope, and more making it an appealing choice for avid hunters or wildlife enthusiasts.
10 Best States for Homesteading: Texas
Texas AKA (“The Lone Start State”) offers an array of opportunities for those seeking a homesteading lifestyle.
Again, land prices and the overall cost of living here are generally slightly lower than the national average but what makes Texas standout is its favorable climate and growing conditions. Texas has a variety of climate zones and receives ample rainfall making it great for a wide range of crops and livestock. You should however be aware that Texas does occasionally receive extreme weather such as hurricanes and tornados as well as the occasional drought.
If you are a homeschooling family or plan to homeschool in the future, Texas is a great choice with minimal regulations in place for homeschooling.
10 Best States for Homesteading: Tennessee
Tennessee offers prime growing conditions for a variety of crops and raising livestock. From mountains, to valleys, to plains Tennessee has it all. The state of Tennessee also has less regulations than some other states making it easier to start and maintain a homestead. The state even has several exemptions and incentives for agricultural land use such as reduced property taxes and support for beginner farmers through their Tennessee Beginning Farmer Outreach Program which you can learn more about here.
Alongside the Outreach program, Tennessee has a supportive community of farmers, homesteaders, and local organizations that new homesteaders can take advantage of. As a new homesteader, it can be such a relief to have a network of guidance and resources available to aid you along your journey.
Tennessee’s climate is mild in that it offers distinct seasons without extreme temperatures making it a comfortable choice.
10 Best States for Homesteading: North Carolina
North Carolina is slowly gaining popularity among aspiring homesteaders due to it’s rich agricultural history, climate, and abundant natural resources. The North Carolina climate is mild and offers long growing seasons and fertile soil making it perfect for gardening or raising livestock. There is beautiful scenery throughout the state from the Appalachian Mountains to it’s coastal plains.
North Carolina is covered in rivers, lakes, and streams so finding a parcel of land with water access would not be difficult. Having a steady supply of water for your homestead can be such a game changer.
North Carolina also has supportive community of homesteaders and farmers that new homesteaders can benefit from for guidance, resources, as well as opportunities to sell their products at farmer’s markets and local events.
Land in North Carolina is relatively affordable in comparison to other states, especially in rural areas. Property taxes are generally fairly low in North Carolina and the state offers agricultural tax exemptions for qualifying properties.
The state is also home to several top rated colleges and universities and has a strong healthcare system ensuring access to quality medical care.
10 Best States for Homesteading: Oklahoma
Oklahoma is another great option. Land prices in Oklahoma are affordable, especially in more rural regions and housing and utilities are generally reasonably priced making it much easier to establish a homestead within your budget.
Oklahoma has a long growing season with around 190 to 215 days between the last and first frost. With fertile soil, it will be easy to establish and maintain a garden here. Though the climate is usually mild, be prepared for occasional severe weather such as tornadoes or hail.
The state of Oklahoma offers various programs including the Oklahoma Agriculture Enhancement and Diversification Program which provides funding for farm improvements and innovative agricultural projects. You can read more on this program via their website here. Oklahoma also has a “Right to Farm Act” in place which protects farmers and homesteaders from nuisance lawsuits.
10 Best States for Homesteading: Virginia
Virginia is an exceptional choice for homesteaders with it’s diverse geography, mild climate, and favorable regulations. Virginia has a strong history of farming and a well developed agricultural system meaning you will always have access to quality feed, equipment, and resources for small or commercial farming operations.
Virginia has several programs in place to assist homesteaders including the Virginia Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program and The Agricultural and Forestal Districts Program. These programs aim to provide resources, educational, and financial assistance to new farmers as well as provide property tax reductions for eligible agricultural and forest land.
Virginia has warm summers and mild winters with average temperatures from around 30°F in January to 75°F in July. The growing season averages about 190 days between the last and first frost. In some areas the growing season can even be up to 220 days or more in areas such as the coastal plain. Soil quality is generally fertile, especially in the piedmont region but can vary significantly across the state so always test your soil before planting.
10 Best States for Homesteading: Montana
Montana offers a wide open landscape with affordable land and supportive community. Montana is the fourth largest state in the US and has one of the lowest population densities making land more affordable and easier to find. The climate is quite diverse from prairies in the east and mountains in the west.
The Montana Department of Agriculture and Montana Farm Bureau Federation can provide you with useful resources and support when you are first starting out.
The average size of a farm or homestead in Montana is 2,134 acres so if you are looking to start a more commercial sized homestead this may be a great option for you. Montana is also the number one producer of wheat in the country.
10 Best States for Homesteading: Washington
Washington is a beautiful state but has a slightly higher cost of living than some of the other states on this list. However, Washington has a wide range of growing zones which range from USDA zones 5-9 which will allow you to grow a wide variety of crops. Washington is known for it’s rainy climate, particularly in the western part of the state. This means your crops will receive ample moisture without the need for irrigation thus conserving water resources and saving you money.
Washington State offers property tax breaks for agricultural land known as the Current Use Program which you can read about here. Additionally, the State offers financial support to homesteaders including the Washington State Department of Agriculture Grants, USDA Farm Service Agency Loans, and Conservation programs such as EQIP, CSP, and CRP.
10 Best States for Homesteading: Oregon
Oregon is known for it’s farm-to-table movement and it’s thriving network of farmer’s markets, CSAs, and farm-to-school programs. These programs can be very beneficial to new homesteaders allowing you a way to connect with your community, share knowledge, and sell products locally. A large portion of Oregon is very committed to sustainable living so you will see a focus on renewable energy, water conservation, and organic farming practices here.
Oregon receives ample rainfall and has fertile soil making it a perfect choice for growing a range of produce on your homestead. The state also has many policies in place that support small scale agriculture and homesteading such as lenient regulations on selling homemade foods and property tax incentives for agricultural land.
Resources
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