MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Homesteading has a vast spectrum from small backyard gardens all the way to living off the grid. A growing online community is helping people find their version of connecting with the earth.

"I feel like some people don't even realize they're homesteading just by having a chicken coop in their backyard or having a large garden, to an extent you're being self-sufficient," said Jenna Bonacci, a moderator for the Facebook Group Homesteaders of Middle Tennessee. "Now, a true homestead is where you know, you've dug your own septic."

Bonacci is no stranger to connecting with nature. Her years living on and off the grid earned her a lot of experience with prepping and surviving off the land.

"I actually lived in the Ocala National Forest," she recalled. "The people that I hung around with just literally wanted to be away from people. And it was just this huge, loving, supportive community."

Their Facebook group now has 24,000 members ranging from people who've lived this lifestyle for years all the way to newcomers.

"I think more people got interested during COVID, just because everyone was sitting at home and the freedom was there, you know, and I just think that COVID opened a lot of people's eyes to the value of being self sustainable, and what happens when we do lose those creature comforts?"

For people wanting to lose the majority of those comforts and live off the grid — the website Home Gnome lists Tennessee's neighbor to the north as one of the best states for that lifestyle with Kentucky at number three. The list ranks Tennessee at number 16 when looking at feasibility, infrastructure, affordability, safety and climate.

"We've already got a great agricultural setup. And then if you can find a place that's not yet overdeveloped, like what they've done to Sango, then you know you've got your wide-open spaces and your wildlife. I think a lot of it is the fact that we're surrounded by so much, so many bodies of water," said Bonacci. "So much of our natural wildlife is consumable, but you don't want to obviously say, Oh, look, there's a mushroom. Let me eat it. Research."

That's Bonacci's biggest piece of advice for people with dreams of owning a homestead.

"Know what you're getting yourself into," she said. "Do not romanticize the idea. Talk to people who are currently running active and running farms like let them, you know, maybe go shadow them, ask. And many people are very open."

She said homesteading also grows community in person and online with their Facebook group being a prime example of the support that's available. Bonacci noted one surprise new homesteaders is often the cost.

"Eggs are so expensive. Well honey, chickens are too, you know. So I think definitely cost is a factor."

But she says it's priceless to see so many people embracing what's been her passion for years.

"The end of the day to be able to look and see that and go hey I did that. You know? I did that. So there's that feeling of accomplishment," she said. "And again its going back to your roots and realizing life might be more difficult as far as the day to day structure but it's so much simpler."

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/special-reports/thousands-join-online-homesteading-group-in-middle-tennessee/