Self Sufficiency
Best Loans And Grants For Preppers Or Homesteaders | Homesteading

Get started with sustainable living by getting the best loans and grants. If money is the only thing holding you back, these options will get you started or give you the money you need to improve your homestead.
Loans and Grants for the Self-Reliant
You know you want to start or enhance a sustainable homestead or farm on a prepper retreat, maybe you have even found the perfect land at the right price – but you just don’t have enough money on hand to move forward with a loan or expand your existing farm.

Luckily for all of us who want to get back to basics and lead a self-reliant lifestyle, a plethora of grants and low money down agriculture loans exist. Even better, once you actually get your land, additional grants and program participation payments exist for many practices which you will be employing on your homestead anyway – more on those money-making opportunities in a future article.
Agriculture grants are available to not only buy acreage for use as a homestead or prepper retreat, but to develop an agriculture business on the property, build necessary structures, improve the quality of the land, build fencing, and purchase livestock. You just have to know where to look and take the time to apply to help get your self-reliant dream off the ground and closer to becoming a reality.


The United States Department of Agriculture is one of the main sources for very low or no money down residential loans for farmland and agriculture businesses. The federal government has a very vague definition for what exactly qualifies as a valid farm business, basically anything which is grown, raised, harvested from the wild, or made from natural materials found on the land qualifies. Unlike just several years ago, the agriculture business created when applying for a small business commercial grant or loan does not have to show a profit, only the presentation of goods for sale and an attempt to make money from the endeavor. Basically, setting up an “Eggs for sale” or “Horse Boarding” sign at the end of the road, or online, advertising a service or goods qualifies.


Some land grants are specific to state or county. Other funding aide is geared to help female farmers, beginning farmers (less than 10 years of agriculture experience) or minority or organic farmers. Some of the grants and loans have acreage minimums and maximums, so read the full eligibility requirements carefully before printing and filling out the applications downloaded from the internet.
Finding the right grant or loan, or a combination of funding source right for you might take a little digging – but self-reliant folks are used to shoveling and doing the heavy lifting required to get things done!
Top 10 Best Grants and Zero or Low Money Down Loans for Homesteading
1. Beginning Farms USDA Loan


The federal low money down with down payment assistance loan does not have any income restrictions. Beginning farmers and ranchers from anywhere in the country can apply for the annually allocated funds – in the tens of millions of dollars range. The property cannot be more than a specified percentage of the average farm in your county and the property not cost more than about $500,000. You must not have owned or worked for pay on a farm for more than 10 verifiable years to qualify for this program.
2. USDA Rural Development
The Rural Development loans are a no or extremely low money down program offered around the country for agriculture land purchase. There are no income maximums but the land being purchased cannot total more than 20 acres – the acreage limits can and have changed during the funding cycles.
3. Fannie Mae Home Ready
This loan does not have an acreage limit and allows the borrower to have a more than 45 percent DTI – debt to income ration. The HomeReady loan requires just a three percent down payment, very low-interest rates, and permits the down payment money to come from another government or non-profit program, a tax refund, or as a gift from someone not on the loan. Non-borrower household members, adults who are related or unrelated to the borrower but live in the home or are a tenant on the property, regardless of their credit score, can be considered as an income-boosting factor during the loan approval process.
4. Farm Service Agency Operating Loan Program
The FSA low or no money down loan program offers up to $35,000 to farmers for necessary startup expenses such as the purchase of livestock, fertilizer, seeds, crop plants, fencing, and agricultural machinery.
5. National Sustainable Agriculture Commission
The organization offers down payment assistance to beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The government program defines socially disadvantaged loan applicants as: Native Americans, women, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asian Americans, African Americans, Native Hawaiians or any other Pacific Islander. A minimum of three years of farming or comparable experience is one of the requirements for the down payment assistance which can be used to cover the five percent down mandated by most government farm loans.
6. Minority and Women Farmers and Ranchers


The USDA low or no money down program offers funding for the purchase of farmland specifically to female and minority farmers. The applicants must still meet the 640 credit score required for all farm loans to qualify for the purchase and farm startup loan funds.
7. Agricultural Reinvestment Fund
North Carolina farmers can request the $8,000 grants to invest in agricultural enhancement of their existing operation on an annual basis.
8. Missouri Beef Grants
Farmers and ranchers in the state can apply for a $20,000 grant to be used for enhancements to an existing agriculture endeavor to expand their business or to modernize an operation with new equipment or related and necessary farm materials.
9. Farmers Market Promotion
The program was launched to create an affordable route for farmers to market their goods and to support local and regional agricultural production. The money can be used to enhance existing or create new, farm products sales opportunities, for training, to build a roadside farm stand, to host farm events to showcase the goods and services on the homestead, and for agri-tourism events: community event, camping, trail riding, etc.
10. Organic Farming Research Foundation Grants


Small grants to aide organic farmers to enhance their operations, land, barns, fencing, and other production-related needs are available to citizens in all 50 states regardless of the size of their homestead or their income.
If you’re curious on how poor people can buy a land with no money, then click play on this video from Becky’s Homestead:
Getting the money you need to get started or expand your homestead shouldn’t really be an issue. With the right knowledge and a bit of research, you can get the funding you need to always be self-sufficient.
Do you know other loans or grants preppers and homesteaders can take advantage of? Share it with us in the comments below!
And if you want to do a little online shopping, or looking, you can check out these Off Grid Homes For Sale!
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Self Sufficiency
How To Make Lacto-Fermented Sauerkraut In A Mason Jar
The thing about homesteading is you get to create your own ingredient right from scratch! Cheese, yogurt, butter and now sauerkraut, a delightfully sour and crunchy ingredient you can use on your meals — or consume by itself — while on a homestead, or while facing this health crisis!
This homemade sauerkraut is a great meal because it has a long shelf life. You can either make plain sauerkraut or mix it with herbs and spices. In this tutorial let us make Lacto-fermented sauerkraut that preserves all the good probiotics in a jar, good for your guts.
So how to make sauerkraut in a mason jar?
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Delicious Sauerkraut Recipe Every Homesteader Should Know
Why Make Sauerkraut?
Not only does sauerkraut spoil a long time, but it is also a meal in itself, and it is also easy to make! You don’t need to be an expert cook, all you need to do is follow these simple steps.
So let us get started. Here are the steps in making sauerkraut in a mason jar.
Ingredients:
- 1 head of cabbage or 2 1/2 lbs cabbage
- 1 tablespoon of salt
Tools Needed:
- knife
- bowl
- mason jar
- smaller jar
- rubber band
Step 1: Wash & Clean the Tools & Ingredients
Wash all the equipment and utensils you need. Wash your hands too.
You don’t want to mix your sauerkraut with bad bacteria, anything that is going to make you sick.
Next, remove the faded leaves from your cabbage. Cut off the roots and the parts that don’t seem fresh.
Step 2: Cut the Cabbage Into Quarters & Slice Into Strips
Cut your cabbage into quarters and remove the core. Then, slice it into strips.
Step 3: Place in a Bowl & Sprinkle With Salt
Put the stripped cabbage into a bowl. Sprinkle the cabbage with 1 tablespoon of salt.
TIP: Use canning salt or sea salt. Iodized salt will make it taste different and may not ferment the cabbage.
RELATED: Homemade Yogurt Recipe
Step 4: Massage the Cabbage
Massage the cabbage for five minutes or more to get the juice out.
TIP: You’ll know it’s ready when you see a bit of juice at the bottom of the bowl and will look similar to coleslaw.
Step 5: Press Cabbage Into the Mason Jar
Add the cabbage to the mason jar gradually. Press it in hard to allow the juice to come out. Do this every time you add about a handful of cabbage.
IMPORTANT: Food should be covered by the liquid to promote fermentation. Add any excess liquid from the bowl to the jar.
Step 6: Press a Smaller Jar Into the Mason Jar
You want to squeeze every ounce of that juice from the cabbage. To do this place the mason jar in a bowl and get a smaller jar.
Fill it with water or marble to make it heavy. Press it into the bigger mason jar. Allow any juices to rise to the surface.
Step 7: Cover the Jars With Cloth & Tie With Rubber Band
Leave the small jar on. To keep your jars clean from annoying insects and irritating debris, cover your jars with a clean cloth. Then, use a rubber band to tie the cloth and the jars together, putting them in place.
Step 8: Set Aside & Check Daily
Set it aside in a cool dry place, away from direct sunlight. Check the water level daily. It should always be above the cabbage.
Step 9: Taste Your Sauerkraut & Keep at Cool Temperatures
After about five days, you can taste your sauerkraut. If the taste is to your liking, tightly cover it with the lid and store in the fridge or cellar.
NOTE: If after five days it’s still not your desired taste, leave it for a few more days. This will allow the fermentation process to continue.
You can now enjoy your sauerkraut in a mason jar. Enjoy its goodness! You can use it as a side dish or mix it with your favorite sandwich.
Things to Remember in Making Sauerkraut
- Store away from direct sunlight and drafts.
- Colder weather will make the process longer. Spring is the best time to make them since the warmth helps activate the fermentation.
- Always make sure that the cabbage is below the water level during the entire fermentation process.
- If the water level decreases during the fermentation process, you can make a brine and add it.
Let us watch this video from Kristina Seleshanko on how to make delicious Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar!
So there you have it! Making Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar is as easy as slicing the cabbage into strips. Remember that as long it remains unopened, your sauerkraut can last for months. Best of all, you can partner this sauerkraut in many recipes.
What do you think of this homemade recipe? Share your best sauerkraut recipe in the comments section below!
Fellow homesteaders, do you want to help others learn from your journey by becoming one of our original contributors? Write for us!
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Self Sufficiency
9 SPRING VEGETABLES FOR YOUR GARDEN
Having plants in the house will bring peace to people. Having a little garden with vegetables is even better! You can grow these vegetables in your backyard garden easily as well!
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Growing veggies in your garden will give you an opportunity to understand what you eat and value it more. Early spring is when most vegetables are being planted. Keep reading to learn about 9 spring vegetables that anyone can grow in their garden!
Tomato
Tomato is the most popular garden vegetable in the States! There are different varieties to choose from. Tomatoes need to be planted in early spring because they won’t survive a frost.
Because tomatoes are consumed daily, try adding them to your garden! They’re not difficult to grow either.
Eggplant
Eggplants are known to have low-calorie, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Plus, they are delicious! So why not plant them in your garden?
Eggplants shouldn’t be planted too early because they won’t be able to survive a frost. So you could consult an expert in your area before you plant your eggplants.
Beets
Beets are known to be a superfood for its various health benefits. They’re easier to grow in the garden, usually around late March or early April.
If the weather is always cool, beets will keep getting bigger and bigger. Once the weather starts to warm up, you’ll need to harvest them, or they’ll go to waste.
Spinach
Spinach is a delicious early spring veggie, and it’s also very beneficial for health. And it’s not difficult to grow spinach in your garden!
Spinach needs cold weather to grow. Getting spinach to grow is easy, but keeping it growing will require some extra care.
Pea
Peas are usually planted in late April. Peas will die in freezing temperatures, but they also won’t survive the heat either. So make sure you plant your peas in early spring.
Peas are widely used in many different ways, and there are different types of peas. The soil you’ll be planting your peas should be suitable for them, so make sure you ask while buying seeds.
Carrot
There are different types of carrots, but regardless of their size and color, it’s a fact that carrots are both delicious and rich in vitamins.
They’re root vegetables, so with proper sun and watering, they can be picked up as baby carrots as well.
Radish
A radish is an excellent option for beginners because it doesn’t require too much care. Radish is easy to harvest.
Radish grows fast, so it’s better to keep an eye on it after a few weeks. Radish usually is grown pest-free, but there’s always the chance of unwanted guests, so watch out for worms. Radish can be eaten raw or can be added to garnish recipes.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower isn’t the easiest vegetable to grow at home, but it is very popular.
Cauliflower grows better in colder weather, so before you plant it, consider the climate of your garden. Cauliflower can be eaten raw or cooked, and it is known to be very beneficial for health.
Asparagus
Freshly picked, tender asparagus is very delicious!
Asparagus plants get more productive with each harvest, and mature asparagus harvest can last for months! Make sure you plant them at the correct time, or else they might go to waste.
All the vegetables listed above are great for your healthy diet, and it’s fun to watch them grow. So don’t miss out on the opportunity to grow your own veggies and eat healthy this spring!
So tell us which veggies will you be growing this spring? Tell us in the comments section!
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