About the Maker
Homesteading is not just a lifestyle in Vermont — it is part of the state’s identity, woven into the rhythm of its mountains, forests, and four distinct seasons. From sugaring season in March to the harvest fairs of autumn, Vermonters have long embraced resilience, resourcefulness, and a deep connection to the land. At VTHomesteading.com, our mission is to celebrate and share that tradition with a modern audience: practical skills, timeless wisdom, and inspiration for anyone drawn to a simpler, more intentional life.
Rooted in Place
Vermont is not the easiest state for self-reliance. The winters are long, the soils rocky, and the growing season fleeting. Yet these very challenges have cultivated a culture of grit and creativity that continues to inspire homesteaders today. Here, you can learn not only how to grow your own food, but also how to store it through January, how to keep animals watered during February’s deep freeze, and how to plan your next year’s garden while March mud keeps you housebound.
VTHomesteading.com was created to highlight those rhythms and realities. We believe homesteading is not reserved for those with sprawling acres. It can be practiced on a village lot in Johnson, a converted shed on the edge of town, or a hillside farmstead passed down for generations. What matters most is not the size of your homestead, but the spirit of learning, building, and living with the land.
Our Story
Behind the site is Sarah Ouellette, a homesteader, writer, and creative entrepreneur based in Johnson, Vermont. Alongside her partner Roger, Sarah tends a working rabbitry, experiments with small-space gardens, and converts outbuildings into functional barns. Like many modern homesteaders, she blends old-fashioned practices with new tools, building a life that is both resilient and adaptable.
Sarah’s roots in Vermont run deep. Her family’s history is tied to small farming, hospitality, and the steady work of turning limited resources into abundance. Today, she carries forward those traditions with her own animals, gardens, and home projects — sharing the lessons learned along the way so others can avoid common pitfalls and embrace their own successes.
What We Share
VTHomesteading.com is designed to be both a resource and an inspiration. We cover:
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Gardening & Growing: How to make the most of Vermont’s short season, from hardy greens and root crops to greenhouse tricks that stretch your harvest.
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Animals & Livestock: Practical guides to raising rabbits, chickens, goats, and other small livestock suited to northern climates.
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DIY Projects: From shed-to-barn conversions to low-cost fencing solutions, our step-by-step builds prove that resourcefulness often matters more than budget.
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Preserving & Kitchen Arts: Canning, fermenting, maple syrup traditions, and seasonal recipes that ensure your pantry is as full in February as it was in September.
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Seasonal Living: The unique rhythms of Vermont life, from sugaring season and haying season to the muddy thaw that tests every homesteader’s patience.
Every article blends practical advice with a sense of place. This is not homesteading in the abstract — it’s homesteading shaped by Vermont’s climate, culture, and community.
Why Vermont?
Homesteading can be practiced anywhere, but Vermont offers something rare: a culture where local food, craftsmanship, and community still thrive. Farmers markets are central gathering places. Neighbors still trade labor and skills. The state’s small size fosters connection, making it possible to find mentors, resources, and encouragement almost anywhere you go.
At the same time, Vermont presents unique challenges. Heating a barn in subzero weather, hauling water during ice storms, or battling deer pressure on gardens are all part of the lived reality. By writing from within this landscape, VTHomesteading.com gives readers a candid, authentic perspective — celebrating the victories while acknowledging the struggles.
Our Philosophy
We believe that homesteading is not about perfection. It is about progress, resilience, and finding joy in the small wins: a jar of pickles sealed with a satisfying “pop,” a rabbitry cleaned and ready for show season, a pile of firewood stacked high before the first snowfall.
Our approach blends tradition with practicality:
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Start Small: A single raised bed or a trio of rabbits can be the foundation of a thriving homestead.
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Use What You Have: Salvaged wood, repurposed sheds, and secondhand tools are the backbone of resourceful living.
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Learn Constantly: Each season teaches something new — about the land, the animals, and ourselves.
We view homesteading not as a rigid checklist but as a mindset — one that welcomes experimentation, mistakes, and continuous growth.
For the Community
While VTHomesteading.com is rooted in one Vermont homestead, its audience reaches far beyond. We welcome readers from across the country who want to adapt these lessons to their own climates and conditions. Some come seeking practical how-tos; others come for inspiration, to reconnect with the values of self-reliance and simple living.
We also highlight Vermont’s broader maker culture: local crafts, traditional skills, and the artisans who keep heritage alive. From handcrafted tools to wool and maple products, Vermont continues to prove that small-scale production has enduring value.
Looking Ahead
Our vision for VTHomesteading.com is to grow alongside our readers. As we add more guides, seasonal updates, and resources, we plan to:
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Expand into video tutorials and step-by-step visual projects.
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Build downloadable planners and seasonal checklists.
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Curate product recommendations and affiliate resources that genuinely serve the homesteading lifestyle.
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Foster community through newsletters, local events, and cross-links with other Vermont-based sites.
Homesteading is always evolving, and so is this site.
A Final Word
At its heart, VTHomesteading.com is a celebration of living deliberately. It’s about finding abundance in the everyday, building resilience in uncertain times, and rediscovering the beauty of working with our hands.
Whether you are brand new to homesteading, experimenting with backyard chickens, or managing a multi-generational farm, we invite you to join us. Together, we can share knowledge, preserve traditions, and keep the spirit of Vermont homesteading alive for generations to come.