Suburban Homesteading Business Ideas: Make Money from Your Mini Homestead
Whether you want to turn your sourdough hobby into a side hustle, sell homegrown produce, or teach others your skills, there are so many ways to make money as a suburban homesteader. Excellent suburban homesteading business ideas include starting a farmstand, starting a micro-bakery, teaching skills, selling canned goods, garden consulting, and selling herbal products at home!
Homesteading isn’t just for rural farms with acres of land—suburban homesteaders are proving that you can grow, make, and sell right from a backyard, front porch, or even a community space!
If you’re already growing herbs, don’t miss my Herb Business Ideas post for even more ways to turn your passion into profit!
Suburban Homesteading Business Ideas
1. Sell Homegrown Produce at a City Farmstand
A mini farmstand is a great way to sell your homegrown goods right from your front yard or at a local market.
What to Sell:
- Fresh vegetables, microgreens, or mushrooms
- Cut flower bouquets
- Herbal bundles (lavender, rosemary, sage)
- Home-canned goods (check local cottage food laws!)
- Herbal-infused vinegar, oils, or spice blends
Pros & Cons:
Tip: Make your stand inviting with rustic signage and an honor-system payment setup.
2. Sell Baked Goods or Run a Micro-Bakery
Turn your sourdough hobby into a profitable business by selling fresh-baked loaves, rolls, and pastries.
Ideas to Sell:
- Sourdough bread & cinnamon rolls
- Sourdough starter kits with instructions
- Specialty baked goods (gluten-free, heritage grains, or keto options)
Pros & Cons:
Tip: Partner with a local coffee shop or farmers market to reach more customers.
3. Teach Homesteading & DIY Skills
You don’t need a huge homestead to teach valuable skills! Offer in-person workshops or online classes.
Class Ideas:
- Sourdough baking & fermentation
- Canning & food preservation
- Herbal remedies (tinctures, teas, salves)
- Gardening in small spaces
- Backyard composting & soil health
Pros & Cons:
Tip: Host classes at a library, brewery, or coffee shop to attract a built-in audience.
4. Sell Canned & Fermented Goods
Canned and fermented foods are in high demand, but always check cottage food laws before selling.
What to Sell:
- Jams, jellies, and fruit preserves
- Pickles, fermented veggies, and kimchi
- Herbal-infused honey or syrup
- Homemade broth or bone broth
Pros & Cons:
Tip: Beautiful, rustic packaging makes a big difference in sales!
5. Offer Homestead Consulting & Garden Coaching
Not everyone has time to research the best way to start a backyard garden or compost bin. Help them with one-on-one coaching!
Services You Can Offer:
- Backyard gardening plans
- Chicken coop setup consulting (if allowed in your area)
- Beekeeping or mushroom-growing tips
- Urban composting setup
Pros & Cons:
Tip: Promote yourself on local Facebook groups or your city’s Nextdoor app to find clients.
6. Sell Herbal Products & Remedies
Even in a small space, herbs are easy to grow and sell as teas, salves, and herbal wellness products.
What to Sell:
- Loose-leaf herbal tea blends
- Fire cider, tinctures, and elderberry syrup
- Herbal skin salves, lip balms, or lotions
- Dried herb bundles for cooking or medicinal use
Pros & Cons:
Looking for More?
Read my Herb Business Ideas post for more herbal income ideas!
How to Get Started With Your Suburban Homestead Business
Starting small is the key!
- Choose what excites you. If you love baking, focus on sourdough. If you love plants, sell herbs.
- Check local regulations. Some food products require licensing, while others fall under cottage laws. Check out Cottage Food Laws by State to get started.
- Test demand. Sell at a small-scale market, online, or to friends before investing in a full-fledged business.
- Brand yourself. Create a simple website or Instagram page to promote your products.
- Scale as you go. Once you know what works, expand to new products or bigger markets.
Final Thoughts
A suburban homesteading business can start as a small side hustle and grow into a full-fledged income stream. Whether you’re selling herbs, baked goods, or teaching others homesteading skills, there’s a way to make money with your homestead—no matter how small!
Are you going to start a new business?
Which idea excites you the most? Let me know in the comments! ⬇️
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About the Author
Brittany Gibson is a modern suburban homesteader and the founder of The Homestead Challenge. She empowers women to adopt a simpler, more self-sufficient lifestyle, feeling confident to grow, create, and thrive on their own terms with joy and balance.
Read more about my transformation and join me in building our lives from scratch.
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