Hey Loves,
If you’ve been following along with our journey at 1737, you already know we like to keep it simple, soulful, and sustainable. But every now and then, someone will ask me, “So… are y’all a homestead or a farm?” And listen, depending on who you ask, you’ll get a different answer every time.
So today, let’s break it down. Plain and simple. Here’s the real difference between a homestead and a farm, and why the heart behind it matters more than the label.
A Homestead: Built on Self-Sufficiency and Intention
A homestead is all about living a little closer to the land. It’s about choosing to grow what you can. Raise what you can. Make what you can. Buy less of what you don’t need.
Homesteading isn’t always acres and acres of land. It can be a backyard, a few raised beds, a chicken coop, or a front porch full of herbs. It’s more about the lifestyle than the size.
At 1737, our homestead is:
- A handful of hens who rule the yard like they pay the mortgage (you already know Sophia is a whole handful).
- A garden that feeds us through the seasons.
- Teas, tinctures, canned goods, and little homemade comforts that remind us we can do a lot with a little.
Homesteading is a slow, intentional, and personal process. It’s for the folks who want their hands in the dirt and their heart in the process.
A Farm: Focused on Production
Now, a farm, on the other hand, is built around growing enough to sell or produce at scale. Farms focus on crops or livestock as a business, and their planning, tools, and land use reflect that.
Farms usually have:
- Larger acreage
- Specific crops or livestock
- Set production goals
- Equipment built for efficiency
- An operation that revolves around feeding more than just one household
Farming is beautiful work, feeding a community is no small task, but it’s different from the day-to-day rhythm of homesteading.
So, Where Does 1737 Fit?
Honestly? We sit right in the middle. We homestead because it feeds our souls, gives us peace, and lets us live with purpose. But we also share what we grow and make because community is part of who we are.
We’re not here to keep up with the big farms, and we’re not trying to. We’re here to nurture what we have, learn as we go, and let the land guide us.
Whether you’re on a half-acre, ten acres, or an apartment balcony with one tomato plant giving you all it’s got, you can homestead. It’s a mindset before anything else.
At the End of the Day…
Farm or homestead, big or small, what matters is this:
You’re caring for the land, feeding your household, and building something real.
And that? That’s enough.
1737 Urban Homestead 