Urban Homesteading: Returning to the Lost Art of Sustainable Living

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about home-steading? Do you think about canning tomatoes with your grandmother? Often times, sustainable living comes to mind. Sustainable living is not just for rural people: Even with limited or no space, you can take steps to become more self-reliant! In light of turbulent economic times, many Americans are turning to the lost art of self-sufficiency.

The mission of University of Missouri’s Urban Homesteading Program is simple: To empower urban and rural individuals to take steps to become more self-sufficient by providing tools and education on basic home-steading practices. Class topics include container gardening, food preser-vation information, stretching your food dollars, and tips to help you live on less. No, we’re not going to ask you what kind of vehicle you drive or whether you use paper, plastic or reusable bags. This program will help you determine what’s important to YOU, and provide tools and information to help you incorporate those sustainable behaviors into your everyday life.

Urban Homesteading is a six-week program and will be held on Monday evenings beginning April 11th through May 16th at the Jefferson County Extension Center in Hillsboro from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Registration is $50 and includes an 18 hour workshop, the Urban Homesteading Resource Workbook, Resource CD and refreshments. Class size is limited, so enroll today by calling the Jefferson County Extension Office at (636) 797-5391 or emailing. Please make checks payable to the Jefferson County Extension and mail to PO Box 497, Hillsboro, MO 63050.
(By Lynn Heins, Agriculture Business Specialist, Washington County Extension)