15 Profitable Homestead Side Hustles You Can Start This Year

Homesteading is a lot of work, and sometimes it feels like the bills just keep coming. We know the struggle—trying to make the most of what we have while still wanting to bring in a little extra cash. That’s where homestead side hustles come in handy. Over the years, we’ve tried plenty of these ourselves, and it’s surprising how even small projects can add up. Whether you’ve got a big backyard or just a few chickens, there’s probably a way to turn your homestead skills into some extra income. Here are 15 profitable homestead side hustles you can start this year, even if you’re just getting your feet wet.

Key Takeaways

• Homestead side hustles can help cover costs and bring in extra income, no matter your property size.
• Many of these ideas use what you already have—like eggs from your hens or extra produce from your garden.
• Some side hustles, like soap making or baking, need a bit of research about local laws and permits before starting.
• Trying out a few different hustles can help you find what works best for your skills and local market.
• Starting small is okay—sometimes the simplest projects turn into the most reliable money makers.

Selling Farm Fresh Eggs

If we’re looking for a simple, steady way to bring in a bit of income from our homestead, selling farm fresh eggs is right at the top of the list. People love buying eggs straight from the farm, especially when they know the chickens are free-range and well cared for. The difference in taste and freshness compared to store-bought eggs is hard to beat, and once new customers try them, they’ll be back for more.

Why Eggs Work as a Side Hustle

• Chickens are beginner-friendly and don’t need a huge investment to get started.
• Eggs are always in demand—local buyers, health-conscious eaters, and families all want good, fresh eggs.
• It’s a great way for us to build a customer base for other future homestead products (like jams or produce).

Pricing and Volume

Here’s what we’ve noticed about typical egg sales:

We often price our eggs at $5 per dozen, but some folks in our area charge more. It depends on the breed and how the chickens are raised. Sometimes, heritage or rare breed eggs in interesting colors can fetch higher prices.

Getting Started Checklist

1. Make sure we’re following local rules and labeling requirements for egg sales.
2. Set up a simple, eye-catching stand or cool box at the end of the driveway, or make arrangements to sell at the local farmers market.
3. Let friends, neighbors, and social media folks know that we’ve got eggs for sale. Word-of-mouth brings regular customers!

The best part is, starting with egg sales can open doors to other profitable projects—raising chicks, selling poultry, or even teaching classes on keeping chickens.

If we want to get the most from our egg flock, it helps to plan ahead—from securing a strong coop to managing feed costs and staying on top of flock health. Check out these quick homestead ideas for more ways to make your small farm pay for itself while keeping things simple and fun.

Homemade Jams and Preserves

Turning our harvest into homemade jams and preserves has honestly become one of our favorite ways to both cut down on food waste and stack up some extra income. If we have lots of extras from our berry bushes or fruit trees, we grab the canning supplies and whip up a big batch of spreads. Farmers’ markets, local fairs, and even a small stand at the end of the driveway—these are great places for selling what we make.

What really sets us apart is getting creative with flavors that no one else has. People definitely notice things like apple-maple, strawberry-basil, or that wild spicy pepper jelly you’d never find on the grocery shelf. Customers love something unique, which is why focusing on small-batch, local ingredients and uncommon combinations works so well. If you’re looking for new ideas, we found inspiration in lists of gourmet jam flavor combos that really catch attention.

Before getting started, it’s good to check your state and county rules for selling homemade food products—sometimes you need permits or inspections, even for just jams and jellies.

A typical process we use for making and selling jams:

• Gather ripe fruit from the garden or wild edges of the property.
• Prep fruit and mix with sugar, lemon juice, and pectin (if needed).
• Cook in small batches, taste testing as we go for the perfect balance.
• Pour hot jam into sterilized jars and seal.
• Design a fun label and price them for sale at local markets.

If you missed out on growing enough fruit this year, check with neighbors or local farms—you can often get boxes of seconds for a good price and turn them into your own signature preserves. Let’s be honest, some of our best-selling batches have actually come from these creative, last-minute finds.

Here’s a quick look at small-batch jam pricing we’ve used locally:

With just a few dozen jars, the profit adds up fast—especially when word-of-mouth brings repeat customers. Plus, once you get a rhythm going, making jam feels a lot more like a fun kitchen project than a chore. Who knew that a pile of fruit could turn into such a sweet side business?

Handmade Herbal Products

When we talk about homestead side hustles that actually turn a profit, handmade herbal products always shoot to the top of our list. There’s just something about taking fresh lavender, rosemary, or calendula straight from our gardens and transforming it into something folks love—like salves, infused oils, or even soothing lip balms. People are hungry for simple, natural remedies and skincare that they can trust, especially ones made by real people and not churned out of a factory.

Here are some popular herbal products we can whip up and offer at markets or online:

• Herbal salves for dry skin or small wounds
• Hand-poured infused oils (think calendula or arnica)
• Dried herbal teas, often with blends unique to our garden
• Bath soaks with dried herbs and salts
• Lip balms and simple lotions

It might surprise you how many ways there are to sell herbal goods, but these really fly off the table at craft fairs, farmers’ markets, or in small online shops. If you’re already growing herbs, you’re halfway there. All you need is some basic equipment, space to work, and a knack for packaging things up to look special. For those of us looking for reliable tools to process and package our creations, there are plenty of highly recommended homesteading supplies on the market—see some of our favorites in these practical recommendations for homestead gear quality homesteading tools.

Sometimes we barely keep up with demand for our most-loved salves and teas, especially around the holidays when people want homemade gifts—so keeping our shelves stocked is both a challenge and a joy.

If you’re thinking about selling food-based herbal products (like tinctures or edible teas), just make sure to peek at your state’s cottage food laws. Local regulations vary, but it’s easy enough to find out what’s needed. All in all, this hustle offers a creative outlet and real income potential—the more personal your blends, the more loyal your customers become.

Cottage Bakery Business

Turning our kitchens into a cottage bakery business has been one of the most rewarding moves we’ve made. If you love baking and want to turn your passion into profit, this is where you start. A lot of states (check yours for sure) have cottage food laws that let us sell homemade bread, cookies, pies, and other sweets from right at home. No pricey commercial kitchen needed—just good old-fashioned baking and a love of sharing treats with our community.

Fresh, local baked goods are always in demand, especially when folks can actually taste the difference. There’s just something about a loaf straight out of the oven or a pie that smells like grandma’s kitchen. We’ve found great success using famers’ markets, local pop-up events, even Instagram and Facebook for pre-orders. Some people go the extra mile and set up roadside stands, which is pretty fun on a sunny weekend.

We’ve noticed artisan bread is a big draw—think sourdough, focaccia, even organic whole wheat loaves. There’s a place for folks interested in doing something similar, using traditional methods and maybe local grains for extra flavor. If you want inspiration for unique breads, check out this look at high-quality organic artisanal breads artisan bread bakery.

Before getting started, here are some basics to keep you organized:

1. Find out exactly what’s allowed under your area’s cottage food laws (they can be super particular).
2. Work out a small menu (keep it manageable).
3. Get a system for taking and fulfilling orders—social media works wonders.
4. Keep records for expenses, sales, and ingredients.

Sometimes it’s not just about what we bake, but how we connect with our neighbors. Sharing a warm batch of cinnamon rolls brings folks together—and you might be surprised who becomes a regular!

If you enjoy baking and a little bit of entrepreneurial challenge, launching a homestead bakery is a satisfying way to bring in extra income—and a lot of smiles.

Hatch and Sell Day-Old Poultry

If we’ve got a flock with a rooster or drake, hatching and selling day-old chicks or ducklings is one of the fastest ways to bring in extra cash from the homestead. There’s always someone searching for healthy, day-old chicks to start their own backyard flock. We’re talking not just chickens, but sometimes ducks, geese, turkeys, or even quail, depending on what we raise.

Here’s how it usually goes for us:

• Gather fertile eggs (make sure we have the right male-to-female bird ratio).
• Set up an incubator or use a broody hen for hatching.
• Keep hatchlings warm and safe until pickup or delivery.

Every breed is a bit different when it comes to demand and price. Here’s a quick look at what day-old poultry can fetch locally:

Most buyers don’t mind straight-run (unsexed) chicks, but pullets—female chicks—often command a little more if we can figure that out. Rare or heritage lines can sell out fast and pull in higher prices.

• Minimal space required, since we’re only caring for chicks for a day or so
• Relatively low startup costs (an incubator isn’t too pricey)
• New demand pops up each spring, with smaller spikes throughout the year

We love the simple satisfaction of hearing peeping chicks in the brooder, knowing we’re helping folks start their flocks and making a little money for our own feed bill at the same time.

If we want to ramp up, we can even hatch for schools or local farm supply stores. Every season is a fresh chance to try new breeds and boost our bottom line.

Soap Making Business

Starting a soap making business is a fun and practical way for us to boost our homestead income. It’s honestly surprising how little it costs to get going—we just need some basic supplies like oils, lye, molds, and a few mixing tools. Once we’ve got the hang of the process, soap making quickly becomes second nature. People always seem interested in homemade soap, especially if we add ingredients from our own garden, like dried lavender or goat milk.

Here’s how we usually tackle a batch of handmade soap:

1. Gather all the ingredients (oils, lye, water, and any herbs or scents).
2. Mix lye and water safely—outside or in a well-ventilated space.
3. Combine the oils with the lye mixture at just the right temperature.
4. Pour into molds and let it set for a full day.
5. Cure the bars for a few weeks so they’re safe and last longer.

We like to sell our soaps at farmers markets, local festivals, and sometimes online through Etsy or Facebook groups. Having unique scents or beautiful packaging helps them stand out from mass-produced options. There’s a bit of trial and error at the start, but before long, we can develop our own signature recipes.

With every batch, we end up with something truly one-of-a-kind, and it’s a great feeling watching repeat customers come back for more. Soap making isn’t just about profit—it feels good to create something useful from scratch.

Grow and Sell Flowers

Growing flowers on the homestead isn’t just a nice way to make our place feel cheerful—it’s actually a real money-maker if we stick with it. Flowers are always in demand, whether people want them for weddings, birthdays, or just to brighten up their kitchen table. We don’t need acres of land, either. A small patch can yield buckets of blooms, especially if we focus on popular varieties like sunflowers, dahlias, and heirloom roses.

We can sell our flowers at the farmers market, build relationships with nearby florists, or try out subscription bouquets, where local folks get a fresh bunch every week. There’s even a growing trend of "flower CSA" subscriptions (just like veggie boxes), giving us consistent weekly orders all season long.

Setting ourselves apart takes more than just growing the basics. Here are some tips for getting started and running a smooth operation:

• Pick varieties that grow well in our local climate (less stress, more blooms)
• Plant in waves, so we always have something coming into bloom (succession planting is key)
• Pay attention to what people want: classic romantic flowers in spring, sunflowers in late summer, or wildflower mixes for rustic charm
• Take good care with harvest and storage—flowers sell best when they’re fresh as possible

Here’s a quick look at the earning potential for common flower types:

Working with flowers lets us connect with the land in a special way. It brings joy, a little chaos, and yes, a fair profit—sometimes all at once. There’s something rewarding about seeing our bouquets add color to someone’s home.

If you’re looking for motivation, some inspiring quotes about homesteading remind us of just how much this lifestyle can enrich both our wallets and our well-being.

Start a Small Scale Nursery

If we’re working with a limited amount of land but still want to see some real profit from our homestead, starting a small-scale nursery is a terrific option. It’s honestly amazing how many trees, shrubs, or perennials we can grow in just a small backyard or even on a patio. Even with less than an acre, we’ve seen folks nurture thousands of young plants—baby fruit trees, berry bushes, ornamental grasses, and more—without needing a lot of fancy equipment or big greenhouses.

Here’s how we can get started:

• Begin with easy-to-grow varieties—things like berry bushes, native trees, or popular garden perennials usually sell well.
• Source your starter plants from trusted nurseries or local growers, or even propagate from your own existing plants.
• Invest in soil, pots, and a reliable water source. Even a basic setup can work great in the beginning.
• Use local resources and online forums to build our gardening know-how. Websites about growing food share handy tips for beginners on starting small and expanding as we gain confidence.

We don’t need a lot of space or money to get going. Once we’ve got a collection of healthy, pest-free young plants, we can sell directly to neighbors, set up at farmers markets, or use online platforms for wider reach. If selling locally, hosting a spring or early summer plant sale brings in folks who need garden starts, and word of mouth spreads faster than you’d think!

Here’s a quick table highlighting potential earnings for a small batch nursery:

Growing a nursery doesn’t take massive space or big startup costs, just some patience and a willingness to learn. We can shape our own schedule and meet a lot of other garden enthusiasts along the way.

Small-scale nursery work is hands-on, rewarding, and gives us a good excuse to spend more time outside. Plus, plants make people happy, and helping others get their gardens started is something we can really feel good about.

Selling Seeds and Seedlings

We all end up with extra seeds or way too many tomato starts in the spring, right? Instead of letting them go to waste, selling seeds and seedlings gives us a simple, steady way to bring in some cash almost every season. Local gardeners love getting strong starts and unique seeds from nearby homesteads—often more than buying the usual stuff from chain stores. Plus, shipping seeds is cheap, so opening up online sales isn’t as wild as it sounds!

Here’s how we can get started making money with seeds and young plants:

• Start your own seed-saving routine with heirlooms and favorites each fall.
• Grow extra vegetable, herb, or even flower starts early in the year.
• Set up a mini plant sale in your yard, spread the word online, or reserve a spot at a farmers market to sell your surplus.
• Offer rarer or specialty plants (like unusual tomatoes or perennial herbs) to make your stall stand out.
• Label everything clearly—folks want to know what they’re planting and if the seeds are organic or locally adapted.

If we want to see what’s possible, just look at how backyard growers have started with a few trays of tomatoes or dahlias and ended up supplying most of the neighborhood. Saving seed isn’t hard, and once you get the hang of it, there’s a real satisfaction in helping others grow their own food. Meg Austin has some good insights on keeping the cycle going with continuous planting and planning for year-round harvests. This can really boost seed and seedling sales.

Quick Price Overview

We’ve found that selling seeds and starts builds real connections with neighbors and local gardeners—plus, it’s a fun excuse to talk about what grows best in our area. Even if it’s just a few trays on a table at the end of the driveway, a little effort can turn extras into extra money.

If you enjoy starting plants and keeping things organized, this is an easy homestead side hustle that keeps us in the garden—which is exactly where we want to be.

Teaching Homesteading Skills

Sharing what we’ve learned while living on the homestead can be a surprising source of extra cash—and honestly, it’s a lot of fun, too. There are so many folks out there eager to try their hand at growing veggies, raising hens, or even just baking decent bread at home. Hosting workshops or classes lets us connect with our community and gives people a helping hand to start their homesteading journey. Teaching what we know can turn skills we’ve picked up over the years into real income right from our backyard.

There are tons of ways we can structure these skills-based side hustles:

• Offer small, hands-on classes in our garden for things like seed starting, composting, or even building raised beds.
• Lead afternoon workshops where people practice pruning fruit trees or grafting.
• Run craft sessions for things like basket making, soap making, or basic canning.
• Do short courses online for folks further afield who want to learn about gardening basics, from crop rotations to year-round vegetable growing. (There’s plenty you could cover, like in this overview on essential homesteading skills.)

And, there’s no rule that says everything has to be formal. Sometimes, the best classes are just a group of neighbors getting together to try something new. People love learning these old skills, especially when they’ve only seen them in books or on YouTube.

Here’s a quick look at the sorts of topics we could cover, along with average class lengths and what folks are happy to pay:

We’ve found there’s something pretty special about showing others that homesteading is possible—no matter where they live or how much experience they have.

A little confidence and a small upfront investment for materials, and we can get rolling. Plus, all that prep we put in stays right here on our property, making our own setup better for years to come.

Fiber Arts and Wool Products

For those of us who keep sheep, alpacas, or even angora rabbits, wool and fiber can turn into a side gig that actually pays. There’s a growing market for all sorts of handmade fiber goods and raw materials. Sometimes it feels like people will always want cozy, natural yarn over something manufactured. We can raise and shear animals ourselves, process the fleece, and either sell it raw or go further by spinning, dyeing, and knitting it into hats, scarves, or unique wool crafts.

Here’s how we might break down the process for making this side hustle work:

1. Shear and collect fleece once or twice a year. Even a handful of sheep or rabbits are enough to get started.
2. Process the fiber—this could mean washing it, carding it, and maybe dyeing it with natural dyes from plants on our homestead.
3. Spin and craft—turn raw wool into yarn, then knit, crochet, or felt that yarn into finished goods.

If we don’t want to do the crafting, we can simply sell the raw or cleaned fiber to crafters online or at markets. But adding value by turning it into something finished often brings better returns. Here’s a quick look at some options:

• Consider making and selling:
  • Hand-dyed yarn and roving
  • Knitted hats, mittens, or socks
  • Felted soap or wool ornaments

Some weeks the work is messy—bits of hay everywhere, purple hands from dye—but there’s something satisfying about turning animal hair into something warm and loved. What’s even better: people genuinely appreciate the story and skill behind each piece.

Getting started doesn’t mean we have to be master knitters; even simple, rustic goods find buyers at local markets or online shops. If there’s extra, swap with neighbors or see what the local yarn store might take on commission. It’s real, hands-on work that can bring a little extra cash and a whole lot of satisfaction.

Handcrafted Wooden Items

Working with wood is one of those rewarding hobbies we can turn into a money maker right from the homestead. There’s something special about selling a piece that started as a rough board or even an old fencepost. From practical items like garden beds and beekeeping equipment, to decorative handmade spoons, rustic bowls, or farmhouse-style shelves, there’s a constant demand for items made with care and skill. People really love unique, handmade wooden pieces—they stand out from the mass-produced stuff in big stores.

We don’t need a huge shop or lots of fancy tools to get started either. Using locally sourced or even reclaimed wood (barn beams, pallets, old trees on our own land) keeps costs low and gives each piece a bit of character. Sometimes, just picking up leftover branches and twigs can inspire crafts that sell surprisingly well to tourists and folks from the city, like natural wreaths or simple rustic decor. For more crafty ideas, try profitable crafts from natural materials.

Here are a few wooden items we regularly see selling at local markets and online:

• Raised garden beds and planters
• Chicken coops, brooders, rabbit hutches
• Serving boards, kitchen tools, and utensils
• Rustic picture frames, wall art, and seasonal decorations
• Furniture: benches, shelves, small tables

It helps to keep our prices realistic—account for both time and materials, and don’t forget to snap good photos if we want to reach online buyers. Selling at farmers’ markets, consignment shops, or through social pages can all be great starting points.

If we’re looking for a creative outlet that can also support the homestead, woodworking gives us a way to use what we have, work at our own pace, and create things that people will appreciate for years.

Beekeeping and Selling Honey

Beekeeping is one of those homestead side hustles that sounds a little wild at first, but honestly, once we got going, we saw it’s both enjoyable and profitable. Honey has earned its nickname "liquid gold" for a reason. Not only are we harvesting honey for ourselves and neighbors, but there’s also plenty of demand from folks wanting truly raw, local honey. People seem to love supporting small, sustainable bee farms, especially when they learn about all the pollination bees do for the garden and orchard.

Here’s what you can do with bee products:

• Sell raw honey in jars (plain, creamed, or even with comb)
• Make and sell beeswax candles or beeswax wraps
• Craft beeswax-based skincare like lip balms and salves
• Offer pollen or propolis (if your state allows)

Costs and income can feel all over the place in the first year, since you’ll be setting up hives and collecting your gear. In our experience, the startup is manageable if we keep it small. And after the first season, beehives tend to pay for themselves.

Honey sells just about everywhere: farmers markets, roadside stands, or even through local shops. Folks will usually pay a little more for fresh stuff, because they know it’s straight from us, not trucked halfway across the country.

If you’re comfortable around bees and willing to put in a little weekend work, beekeeping can become not only a solid income stream but a genuinely rewarding homestead project. Nothing beats the first taste of honey from your own backyard.

Growing and Selling Microgreens

If we’re looking for a side gig that doesn’t take up much space or time, we have to talk about growing microgreens. These tiny plants pack a punch both in nutrition and in the wallet. Microgreens are quick to grow, usually ready to harvest in 7 to 21 days, which means we can turn over crops and sales pretty fast. And there’s a growing market—home cooks, foodies, and chefs all want a steady source of fresh greens year-round.

Here’s what makes this so doable on a homestead:

• We don’t need a ton of room—a few trays in a warm spot will get us started.
• Seeds are cheap, and most varieties do well (sunflower, radish, pea shoots, and basic salad mixes tend to be favorites).
• Water, light, and a little attention are all the greens ask for.

We usually find our main buyers at farmers’ markets or even local restaurants who want high-quality garnishes. Some homesteaders go a step further and set up a weekly subscription box for regular customers. If you want practical planning advice for compact gardening, grabbing some vertical gardening tips can make all the difference in how efficiently we use space.

Starting out with microgreens requires little more than a bag of quality soil, some trays, and consistent light—it’s one of those projects where small investments can grow into steady extra income.

What’s really nice about microgreens is how fast we see results. In a couple of weeks, our trays are bursting with fresh greens and we can start taking them to market, usually with very little risk or fuss. For those of us short on space or time, microgreens tick all the right boxes for a profitable and enjoyable homestead hustle.

Raising Meat Animals

If we’re looking to add real income to our homestead, raising meat animals is one of the oldest — and still one of the most reliable — side hustles out there. Whether we start with chickens, rabbits, or more ambitious livestock like pigs, sheep, or cattle, there’s always a steady demand for homegrown meat. It’s not just about offering fresher food; it’s also about feeding local families who care about where their food comes from.

We’ve found that small or midsize meat operations fit most homesteads best. It starts with choosing animals that make sense for our land and our lifestyle. For example, chickens and rabbits require less space, while pigs or cattle need more room and stronger fencing. Dual-purpose animals are especially valuable; check out these dual-purpose farm animals to see why they’re a favorite for many homesteaders.

When it comes to getting started, here are the basic steps we usually follow:

1. Decide on the type and breed of animal.
2. Prepare adequate space, shelter, and fencing.
3. Source healthy starter stock from reputable suppliers.
4. Understand the feeding and health requirements — every animal is different.
5. Connect with local processors and research laws around on-farm sales.

Profit margins can be strong with meat animals, especially if we direct-sell to customers or at the farmers’ market. To give you a clear picture, here’s a quick table of typical timeframes and potential profit per animal:

One surprising thing we noticed: people like knowing their meat comes from animals raised with care. Building those personal relationships with customers turns first-time buyers into repeat clients.

Getting started with meat animals can seem like a big leap, but the return for our effort — both in satisfaction and profit — is tough to beat.

Wrapping Up: Making Money on the Homestead

Alright, so we’ve covered a bunch of ways to make some extra cash while living the homestead life. Honestly, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Some of us might be better at baking bread, while others have a knack for raising chickens or growing flowers. The cool thing is, you don’t need a huge farm or a ton of money to get started. We can just pick one or two ideas that fit our skills and interests, and see where it goes. Sometimes it’s trial and error—what works for one person might not work for another, and that’s totally fine. The important thing is to just start, keep learning, and not get discouraged if something flops. We’re all figuring it out as we go. Who knows? Maybe this year, one of these side hustles will turn into something bigger than we expected. Let’s get out there and give it a shot!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do we need special permits to sell food from our homestead?

Yes, depending on where we live, we might need permits or inspections to sell food like eggs, baked goods, or jams. It’s important for us to check with our local and state offices before we start selling.

How much money can we actually make with homestead side hustles?

The amount we can make depends on the side hustle, our effort, and our local market. Some people make a few hundred dollars a month, while others can earn thousands by selling things like honey, meat, or plants.

Can we start these side hustles with a small piece of land?

Absolutely! Many of these side hustles, like growing microgreens, making soap, or selling eggs, don’t need a lot of land. Even a backyard can be enough to get started.

What are the easiest side hustles to begin with?

Some of the easiest ways to start are selling farm fresh eggs, making jams, or baking bread. These don’t need a big investment, and we can use what we already have on our homestead.

How do we find customers for our products?

We can find customers by selling at local farmers’ markets, joining community groups online, or telling friends and neighbors. Social media and word of mouth are also great ways to spread the word.

Is it possible to do more than one homestead side hustle at the same time?

Yes, we can mix and match side hustles. For example, we might sell eggs and jams together at a market, or teach a class while also selling plants. Doing more than one thing can help us earn even more.