In today’s uncertain world, more people are searching for a way to live with greater independence, sustainability, and connection to the land. Whether it’s producing your own food, creating resilient systems, or raising a family in nature, a homesteading community offers a powerful path toward freedom.
Homesteading communities are intentional places where neighbors work together to grow food, live off-grid, and build local economies. These communities offer everything from regenerative farming and permaculture design to homeschooling, cottage industries, and shared land stewardship. Some are deeply rooted in faith traditions, while others are ecologically focused or driven by a desire to reclaim self-sufficiency.
If you’ve dreamed of leaving the rat race and planting roots in a place where freedom and food sovereignty are more than buzzwords, this guide is for you.
And if you want to connect in person with others walking this path…
You’re invited to the Exit and Build Land Summit 5, May 23–25, 2025 at Joel Salatin’s legendary Polyface Farm.
Walk the land with Joel himself and hear from pioneers like Daniel Salatin, Nicole Sauce, River Richardson, Imani Mamalution, Rebecca, and yours truly. This event is packed with real-world strategies—from profitable homesteading and regenerative food systems to creating a lasting legacy on your land.
What set a homesteading community apart from other types of intentional community?
Unlike other types of intentional communities, homesteading communities have a strong focus on self-sufficiency. Common features include:
- Land acreage ranging in the hundreds to even thousands of acres, with more spacious plots for individuals or families
- Food production, either as individual homesteads or as a collective in the form of community gardens and shared animals
- Rural location often further from cities and towns
- Focus on water security, especially in arid climates
- Reserve land for wildlife sanctuaries
Joining a homesteading community isn’t just about securing a piece of land; it’s about investing in a way of life that values connection—to the earth, to your food, and to your neighbors.
Below are some of our favorite homesteading communities in the United States.
Homesteading Community Locations by Category:
Off-Grid Homesteading Community Locations
La’akea Community — Pahoa, Hawaii
An intentional homesteading community in the lush rainforest of Hawaii’s Big Island. La’akea is completely off-grid and sustains itself with solar energy, water catchment, gardens, orchards, and a shared kitchen. They offer educational programs and welcome guests who want to learn communal, land-based living. Plus you can visit them on the Hawaii Ecovillage Tour!
permaculture-hawaii.com
Veterans Off Grid — Carson, New Mexico
A nonprofit homesteading community designed to support veterans transitioning to off-grid, sustainable lifestyles. They provide tiny home cabins, solar power, permaculture gardens, and vocational training.
veteransoffgrid.org
Riverbed Ranch — Riverbed Ranch, Utah
This nonprofit land cooperative provides 2-acre homesteads to individuals and families who want to live off-grid and increase their self-sufficiency. It’s part of the Utah OSR Land Co-op network.
riverbed-ranch.com
Common Place Land Trust — Ithaca, New York
An off-grid land trust for homesteaders seeking to live lightly on the land. It blends cooperative ownership, farming, and neighborhood-scale self-sufficiency.
commonplacelandtrust.wordpress.com
Permaculture-Focused Homesteading Community
Rooted Northwest — Arlington, Washington
Rooted Northwest is a cooperative land project in Arlington, Washington, dedicated to regenerative agriculture, permaculture design, and intentional community living. Members collaborate on farming, educational programs, and sustainable living practices, fostering a resilient and connected community.
Visit their website
Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage — Rutledge, Missouri
A renowned ecovillage with a focus on radical sustainability, low-impact housing, and permaculture systems. Members grow food, use renewable energy, and actively experiment with green technology and social models.
dancingrabbit.org
Dancing Waters Permaculture Coop — Gays Mills, Wisconsin
On 130 acres of rolling hills, members of this cooperative share tools, livestock, and projects centered around permaculture and community resilience.
ic.org listing
Homestead Heirloom Gardens & Ecovillage — Florida
An emerging homesteading community and WWOOF host site offering a blend of off-grid gardening, homeschooling, spiritual connection, and eco-building in the subtropical climate of Florida.
WWOOF listing
Christian Homesteading Community
ArkHaven Homesteading Community — Springdale, Arkansas
This Christian homesteading community is focused on self-sufficiency, land-based living, and patriotic values. With opportunities for investors and families, ArkHaven emphasizes food, water, and land security.
arkhaven.org
Ave Maria Farm — Texas
An Orthodox Christian farm community building a spiritual and agricultural refuge for families. Members homestead, raise livestock, and share religious life on the land.
Orthodox West blog
Homestead Heritage — Waco, Texas
A well-established, Christian agrarian community with over 500 acres, numerous craft businesses, a working farm, and a deep focus on traditional skills and values.
homesteadheritage.com
Family-Friendly Homesteading Community
Stowe Farm Community — Colrain, Massachusetts
A rural cohousing homesteading community with animals, shared gardens, and communal facilities. Members raise livestock, ferment foods, and enjoy vibrant collective living.
stowefarm.org
Celo Community — Celo, North Carolina
A long-standing intentional community welcoming families and children. With a collective land trust, gardens, shared tools, and homeschooled kids, this is a supportive place for raising the next generation off-grid.
Our State feature
Community Homestead — Osceola, Wisconsin
A neurodiverse community modeled partly on Camphill, where families live and work together on an organic dairy farm, bakery, gardens, and craft workshops.
communityhomestead.org
Birdsfoot Farm — Canton, New York
An intergenerational homesteading community raising food for their own needs and the local food pantry. Known for its deep community culture and welcoming family atmosphere.
ic.org listing
Joy Woods — Occidental, California
A multi-family village and retreat space in the redwoods of Northern California, Joy Woods is focused on regenerative agriculture, community wellness, and living in joy.
joywoods.farm
Wilderness Homesteading Community
Ionia — Kasilof, Alaska
Off the grid in the wilds of Alaska, Ionia is a remote intentional community focused on natural living, simple diets, and connection to nature. It supports families and long-term intentionality.
ionia.org
Caballos de las Estrellas — AZ/NM Border
This equestrian-friendly wilderness homesteading community spans over 1,000 acres across Arizona and New Mexico. It includes space for RV living, a community garden, and solar-powered off-grid life.
caballosdelasestrellas.com
Coslor Cove — Snowflake, Arizona
An off-grid, self-reliant land cooperative created by the Arizona OSR Land Co-op. Residents receive a 2-acre parcel and commit to building passive solar homes and sustainable infrastructure.
coslorcove.com
Bear Creek Community Land Trust — La Plata, Missouri
A highly self-sufficient community and land trust on 184 acres, focused on ethical food cultivation, sustainable building, and shared stewardship of wild spaces.
bearcreekcommunitylandtrust.org
Ready to Find Your Homesteading Community?
Whether you’re looking for a Christian homesteading community, an off-grid wilderness lifestyle, or a cooperative land trust focused on permaculture, there’s a place for you out there.
These 20 communities are just a fraction of what’s out there and they offer more than just land—they offer belonging, purpose, and the tools to build a life rooted in freedom. If you’re feeling called to take the next step but aren’t sure where to start, I can help.
Book a community matchmaking session to receive personalized recommendations, guidance on joining a homesteading community, and ongoing support as you find your new home.
Got a homesteading community you’d like to see added to this list? Drop a comment or email me—I’m always looking to grow this resource!
Live free, grow your own, and find your people.
Hi Cynthia. We’re building a homesteading community outside of Chattanooga, TN. Tiny house sites for rent and work exchanges are available for those without the cash to purchase.
Hi Paul, that sounds amazing! Do you all have a website I can direct interested people to?
Hey Cynthia, me and my partner were looking to homestead. We are literally starting from scratch, no experience whatsoever. We’re basically city people but felt like we never belonged. We would like to find a place that we can start a family in the future with hopes of a clean environment. We have been researching a bunch of land and where we can possibly settle. Every time we look into a place its usually bad air quality, high risk for tornados or hurricanes. It may be too much to ask for but we wanted a perfect spot that fits us. We want to give our future family a different upbringing where they can enjoy nature away from the noise of the world and technology, a strong community. Preferably a warmer place that’s not too far from an airport since we are still required to work but would be flying out of state for the first couple years. A guided direction of where we can look instead would be greatly appreciated 🙂
Absolutely! Han, I’m happy to help. The best way for me to help you identify that perfect fit is through my community matchmaking service. https://programs.communityfinders.com/matchmaking
I’m looking forward to working with you and your partner. Let me know if you have any questions by writing to me at cynthia@communityfinders.com
Warmly, Cynthia
My husband and I are older. We are interested in being part of a ‘homesteading community’ but very concerned about receiving specialized healthcare. Is there a place for older couples where specialized medical care is available? We aren’t strong physically but we have a lot of business/financial/IT skills and knowledge.
Is it even possible for an older couple?
Hi Carol, this is absolutely possible for an older couple. Most communities do not have healthcare within the community, so you’ll want to find one within proximity to a health center that’ll meet your needs. I have an article on the topic of aging in community you may find helpful here: https://communityfinders.com/too-old-to-join-an-intentional-community/
My family and I are have been looking into a way to homestead. It feels impossible to start alone. We have two boys aged 11 and 7, our younger son has asd level 3 and greatly enjoys outside it helps keep him calm and off electronics. How do I find a community? That we can start with and get a grasp of what all will be required and how much we can handle. Thank you
Hi Susan, I hear you about the challenges of starting homesteading alone. I recommend you check out a community called Community Homestead. They specifically welcome children with developmental challenges. Here’s the website: https://communityhomestead.org/index.html
For more custom recommendations, it’d be best for us to have a matchmaking session: https://programs.communityfinders.com/matchmaking
Hope this helps! And good luck,
Cynthia
Hi
I am 65 years old and done with all my responsibilities. Now I want to spend my time in a like minded spiritual, conscientious, creative community, a place I can grow my own food; where houses are build with ecofriendly material; where air and water is clean. I have lived through Pennsylvania’s winter last 40 years. Now I want to find a community at at least 1000ft elevation, in a warmer climate, which is around Appalachian tail in NW Georgia, NE Alabama, SE Tennessee, NW South Carolina, SE North Carolina
Great! Let’s have a community matchmaking session so I can help you identify communities that would be a fit for you: https://programs.communityfinders.com/matchmaking
Hello My name is Linda and I have been wanting to be a part of a community like this and trying to find on for me and my girls. I want them to learn to be self sufficient and to appreciate the nature. They should have the chance to li e a simple life and respectful community. I am in my 40s and with limited funds is there place for to start a better life
When my husband and I hit our 40s and we were stuck in a big city working away from home, we realized this isn’t what we want for us or our tween/teen kids.
I grew up on 25 acres with beef cattle, chickens, turkey, pigs and even a rabbit. We had fruit trees, bushes and a hobby garden. We raised our own meat and mom canned what we didn’t use up. It was hard work and we didnt get to vacation often. But friendly neighbors helped from time to time.
He grew up in a little town and his dad raised horses.
I promised my parents I’d buy our old farm one day…..but that dream is long out of our hands.
What we want though is a place where we can move right in, start adding our expertise to a community. We are techy and crafty. Love the outdoors, but aren’t big on long winters (hard to garden in the winter), and want there to be access to schools for the kids. Also can bring the knowledge of fitness and nutrition to a community for the benefit of all including potential visitors.
We wouldn’t have much capitol to bring right in, but if we had a home to start in, I’d like to pursue building in the old Japanese style (that doesn’t require nails etc) and share that with the community and locals.
Not sure what’s out there for some folks like us struggling as we are, but looking for a healthier, sustainable, right knit place where everyone helps out, but also allows space for those that need it as well.
I am 62yrs. young and having to deal with chronic pain on a minute by minute basis. My Dad was a WWII Veteran. We lived in Montana most all my life. Dad was a dry land farmer, and Mom raised a yearly garden. The garden produced enough to keep us in vegetables during late Spring to harvest time. At harvest, Dad and I would help with harvesting the produce off the garden. What wasn’t eaten, Mom canned and then stored. We never completely ran out of vegetables. When having to return to the farm: Dad had ALZHEIMER’S, and could no longer do our bookkeeping, I came back home.
Upon arriving home, I started raising chickens, both for ourselves, as well as to sell. Later I included, rabbits, ducks, two Saline milk goats, a hog, and finally, sheep. I had to give up living on the farm as it wasn’t strong enough to support my new marriage while being just too far away from the nearest hospital for my new wife’s peace of mind. Now that I am retired, we are looking for a “Homestead Community” in Virginia. Preferably in Page County, or farther northwest. I would be able to share my knowledge, and community work ethic, for whichever community would be willing to take us in. We really need to remain in Virginia as our health issues are provided for here. I am also a firm believer in the barter system, and my family would be offering the community their varied skill set.
We would love the opportunity to showcase what we can bring to the community, as well as my fixed income: meager tho it is.
Thank you for the opportunity to share.
Sincerely,
Mondale Billadeau
Hi Mondale, thanks for sharing a bit about your story and what you are looking for in community. Have you checked out Shannon Farm Community in Virginia? They may be what you’re looking for: https://www.ic.org/directory/shannon-farm-community/
Hi my name is Michelle. I am a single mother of 5. I have been looking for a way to begin our homestead journey. With so many questions and really wanting to make this a reality, I guess my biggest questions are where do I begin and what do I need to make this a reality. Thank you in advance.
Hi Michelle, glad you are starting your homestead journey! I highly recommend reading this article with 6 Steps to Get Started: https://communityfinders.com/find-intentional-community/
Best wishes!
-Cynthia