We’re building a community that connects individuals practicing a self-sufficient, homesteading lifestyle in suburban settings within a specific ecological region
It integrates the principles of both “suburban homesteading” and “bioregionalism” to foster sustainability and resilience at a local level.
Suburban homesteading
This modern homesteading practice adapts self-sufficiency to the suburban environment, often on properties of two acres or less. It involves:
- Growing your own food in backyard or container gardens.
- Raising small livestock, such as chickens, where local ordinances permit.
- Preserving and processing food through canning, freezing, and other methods.
- Implementing sustainable practices, such as rainwater harvesting and composting.
- Utilizing permaculture design principles to create productive and sustainable systems in small spaces.
Bioregionalism
This is a philosophy centered on the idea that political and cultural boundaries should be defined by natural ecological boundaries rather than by human-made ones, such as watersheds or specific ecosystems. A bioregional network, therefore, focuses on:
- Local resource management and protection of natural systems.
- Creating resilient local economies rooted in the resources of a specific environment.
- Educational programs to foster a deeper understanding and connection to the local ecosystem.
How the concepts combine
A Suburban Homesteaders Bioregional Network combines these two approaches to address challenges and promote sustainability:
- Scaling beyond the backyard: While suburban homesteading focuses on the individual household, the network creates a community for sharing resources and knowledge. This shifts the focus from individual self-sufficiency to collective community resilience.
- Fostering ecological stewardship: The network encourages members to view their individual properties as part of a larger ecosystem. For instance, collective efforts might include restoring local watersheds, increasing biodiversity, and establishing local seed banks.
- Building a localized food system: The network strengthens the local food economy by connecting gardeners, farmers, and consumers within the same region, reducing dependence on global supply chains.
- Sharing knowledge and skills: Members share successes and failures, offering mutual support and education on skills like gardening, food preservation, and regenerative practices that are adapted for their specific climate and local conditions.