
How to Build a Homestead from Scratch | Lifestyle, Gardening & Real-Life Skills
From The Homestead Education Podcast by Kody Hanner
April 21, 2026 · 53 min · Episode 172
About this episode
Kody Hanner and Mary Lewis discuss the realities of homesteading, focusing on lifestyle, gardening, and building a self-sufficient life.
Homesteading isn’t just about land, animals, or how much you can produce. It’s about the mindset, lifestyle, and intentional choices behind how you live. And the truth is, more people than ever are craving a slower, more self-sufficient life… but many feel like they don’t have enough land, time, or experience to even begin. In this episode of The Homestead Education Podcast, Kody Hanner sits down with Mary Lewis — host of A Tiny Homestead Podcast & Grit and Graceland in the Heartland Podcast to have an honest, real-life conversation about what homesteading actually looks like day-to-day. From starting a homestead later in life to navigating gardening challenges, empty nesting, and building a life rooted in purpose, Mary shares her journey of stepping away from “city living” and into a more intentional, self-sufficient lifestyle. Together, they talk about the realities of gardening, raising food, learning new skills, and redefining what it means to “be a homesteader” — whether you have acres of land or just a small backyard. This isn’t just a conversation about homesteading.It’s about learning to live differently with purpose, creativity, and a willingness to grow. If you care…
People in this episode
Host: Kody Hanner
Guest: Mary Lewis
Topics covered
- homesteading
- self-sufficiency
- gardening
- lifestyle choices
- real-life skills
- intentional living
Keywords
- homesteading
- self-sufficient lifestyle
- gardening challenges
- intentional living
- growing food
- real-life skills
- empty nesting
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: A Tiny Homestead Podcast, Grit and Graceland in the Heartland Podcast
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