Can you make money on a small homestead? Our one year income/expenses breakdown.

Is it worth it to homestead part time- on weekends and evenings after work? In addition providing healthy food for your family, can you make money?
I'm about to tell you all the details of our homesteading ventures, showing you all the numbers for each, and what our overall farm income and expenses were for one year. PLUS our meat and produce harvest totals for the year.
Welcome to our Plan Bee! After 20 years of successful careers in the Los Angeles area we moved to rural Missouri and are taking steps to become more self-sustaining on our homestead. I break down all the farmy things into small manageable steps so you can start homesteading wherever you are.
We homestead on 2.5 acres in the Missouri Ozarks, and our garden hardiness zone is 6B.
Our weekly videos break down farming and gardening into small manageable steps so you can make the transition towards self sufficiency and food sustainability without being overwhelmed!
I garden in the Missouri Ozarks and am in hardiness zone 6B.
-How to contact us and other info:
Email: [e-mail]
Mailing address:
Lorella Crews
HC 71 Box 300
Ava, MO 65608
-Amazon Wishlist: a.co/avpWYQM
-Facebook: / planbeeorchardandfarm
-Instagram: @lorella_planbeeorchardandfarm

[@malanaweese3860]

Thank you for giving a super realistic view on what running a small farm really does cost. Oh and I absolutely love your hair it's adorable!!!

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Thank you so much! I'm still getting used to the blue!

[@travmccullough6300]

I really appreciate your sharing all this and your transparency. We are planning on doing some of this and the information is helpful. But I think it's going to be about more than just dollars and cents for us. We will have the advantage of a retirement income so for us the fulfillment that comes from doing for self and the process will be a huge part of it. Hard to put a price tag on that aspect but your smile and attitude says a lot about that part too.. Thanks again for sharing.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Glad it was helpful! Yes, I didn't calculate in the value of raising our own food, the satisfaction of a job well done, the benefits of becoming more self-sufficient and all of that kind of stuff. I probably should have talked about that, but didn't even think to do it.

[@faithbuller4086]

Thanks for being real with your information

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Always!

[@suzie2080]

When we had hogs we had a small bulk bin and the elevator came and filled it with their truck and the feed was much cheaper. Great video.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Right on. We have a place we can get bulk feed, and neighbor who would get it on his trailer for us, but it would mean we would have to store it somewhere. Right now we don't have a space for that.

[@tjdickerman7812]

Thank you! We just got our first 20 chicks on Monday and we're going to be building their enclosures this upcoming week. You're always here to give me a good idea of what I have coming up to look forward to. We have 2.26 acres and it's not with our home (about 10 minutes up the road) so we'll be adding some costs of having to get over there and whatnot but I get a very good idea of a lot due to you! Keep up the great work.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

I’m glad this information was helpful to you. You can do a lot on 2 acres if you plan it right. :)

[@mamyjulien3214]

Very clear very honest very informative. THANK YOU

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

You’re welcome!

[@Eskimokisses5411]

I love watching your journey! Thanks for sharing friend :)

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Thanks for watching! Miss you! How's your family?

[@paquetteag]

Thank you for sharing the details and being so honest. This helps others who are considering starting a farm/homestead.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

I'm glad it was helpful!

[@nomadicwmn6073]

Hi! Wonderful breakdown on costs and realities of homesteading. This would be the first time Ive seen it here on KZbin in this depth. Very helpful! Thank you.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it and that’s it was helpful. ☺️

[@MegaKg9]

I love these type of break down videos, just ran into your channel, have subscribed.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Thank you so much and Welcome aboard!

[@andyk8993]

This was such a useful video. I like how you just got right to the info.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

I’m so glad you found it helpful!

[@HomesteadIncome]

I love this breakdown! Great info for people needing real numbers.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Glad it was helpful!

[@EarthTrembling]

Very informative! Thank you for sharing. Value of self-sustenance? Priceless.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

So true! We didn't start this journey for the income. We started it for food security, less reliance on "the man", etc. In that way we are definitely in the black.

[@stupidloopinfinite4768]

I love your videos!

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Thank you

[@melissadean7471]

Really great video! Don’t forget to factor in joy and healthy living!! 😀

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Yes, I didn't even talk about the benefit and pleasure of raising your own food and becoming more self sufficient. I should have !

[@kimr4005]

This was awesome.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@nataliyak5586]

Thank you very much for all that info! Finally I found some one who talks about expenses. My husband and I, in the process of buying 10 acres in Missouri. It's my dream to start homestead.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Yeah, it’s good to have an idea what you’re getting into. Of course these are my numbers, everyone will have different experiences, but at least it gives you an idea.

[@thedirtyhoehomestead]

Thanks for sharing! I just found your channel and subscribed.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Welcome and thanks!!

[@Countrygirlgirt]

Country Girl Grit watching from Myrtle Beach SC. Thank you for sharing

[@olddaddie5645]

I did the math on egg selling a few years ago and it came out the same, break even. But I did discover that you can actually make good money selling pullets at point of lay. Most people who want a few backyard hens for eggs are disappointed to discover they have to wait so long to get eggs.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Did you hatch out your own chicks? I have found I have a disproportionate number of roos when I do that, and since we can’t eat chicken (husband’s medical issue) it was hard to get rid of those roosters.

[@sylviabradley7355]

Love the hair color💥 Very interesting info on costs.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Thank you!

[@MelissaCoup]

Love this video with real numbers. Thank you. An orchard let us get the old pears off of the ground for our compost.. Worms LOVE pears, so it reduced our chicken feed costs

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

I’m definitely needing to reduce feed costs. Can’t afford to sell eggs anymore.

[@kreid5330]

I love the way you have shared your costs and expenses. What was your most profitable garden crop? What would you grow/not grow again?

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

I sold my veg by the bag, sort of like a CSA model, so whatever was ripe that week, and a bag sold for either $5 or $10 depending how much was in it. I didn't price per item, except for melon and squash which were $5 each. But based on that, I think probably melon and squash were the most profitable.

[@DreamweaversHomestead]

Neat video! We are Missouri also

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Very cool!

[@kindolgentleman3109]

Very interesting! I listened to 8:27. I want to go back later and finish. Thanks for sharing. Having a homestead has always been a dream, but it never worked out. But that’s ok. I’m still very interested. Thanks, Marsha & Mark

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Thank you Marsha, I'm glad it was interesting for you. I wish I would have started while I was still in the city. I'd have so many more skills now.

[@kindolgentleman3109]

@@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm you’re welcome

[@AHomesteadingHustle]

The breakdown is so interesting! We have lost money each year in set up costs but came out ahead for the first time In 2022. We don't have exact number for egg sales but we average $200/month in egg sales during heavy laying season (april-sept) and we made about $1500 profit in cornish cross chickens after all costs. That's a decent year for us!! We plan to focus more on those chickens this year. Our next step, probably next year is to raise lamb for meat. Our current sheep have names..... I can't eat them 🫣😆

[@AHomesteadingHustle]

Also love the blue in your hair! I also would not have guessed the beef was most profitable but absolutely good to know!! Keeping that knowledge in my back pocket!

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

I loved my blue hair, but I did it myself and it was a little rough. I need to get it professionally done. If we had to buy hay the beef would not be as profitable.

[@pamwagner5225]

Thank you for the farm profit break down. My daughter has takin on meat rabbits for food not profit. I will be watching your older videos on rabbits. ~Pam ~

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

That is awesome! I hope you find the videos helpful. I'm going to try to sell more live rabbits this year to offset feed cost. We figure if we butcher half of each litter and sell the other half, that will be enough food for us and help offset costs.

[@jackfrosty4674]

be sure to know if eat rabbit and nothing else will get tulermia as rabbits low fat. Need to mix with others fowl, like chicken.

[@theredshed1971]

Love your hair !

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Thanks! I was going for a dark blue and I got teal. Oh well, I'm learning to love it.

[@theredshed1971]

@@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm it looks great on you !

[@jackfrosty4674]

sell at farmers market once a month. one delivery. they come to you.

[@mrs.9315]

Whoa. Rabbits were only $8 EACH? I pay $12.99/lb in my area!

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

We live in a very rural area with a lot of people raising their own rabbits, and not a high demand.

[@HoneyHollowHomestead]

This was a great video! I know I did not make a profit this year, even though I made money. My goats brought me just under $500 and live bird sales brought me approximately $150. I am still building my place up, so I am hoping we go up from here. I need to sit down and figure out my expenses. One good thing is that a lot of if not all of our expenses are tax deductible. Since my husband took money out of his 401k at the beginning of the year, we are hoping to get a significant amount of the taxes he paid on it back. So far, the investment in my bottle calf has been $85 for purchase price, he nursed off my dairy goat so feeding cost was $0, I paid a vet to disbud him which cost me $5, and I banded him with my goat bander so I guess that cost me $0.01. Not planning on feeding him anything but grass and hay. Grass is free, hay price has not been bad for me. I don't know how much the butcher price will be yet.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

I didn't know a goat could nurse a calf. It seems like the calf would outgrow the goat so quickly. Yes, schedule F is a nice benefit of having a farm.

[@HoneyHollowHomestead]

@@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm It helps to have the right size goat. My dairy goat is a Sanaan, a large breed goat.

[@user-iv2vy7ri6i]

Where in mo. I love in mo also

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

South Central, Near Ava.

[@LifeatSycamoreRidge]

i love videos like this. im jealous that you can sell butchered rabbits. no go here in iowa. i offer to sell them a live rabbit and "help" them butcher it.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Right. It does vary from state to state, but I've actually only sold live rabbits, I get more $ for them without the work of butchering.

[@daddy-ohaas4654]

OMG!!! You look gorgeous lorella.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

It's been a while! Hey Haas.

[@unlimitedglobal]

any vet bills injections preventive care?

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

We didn’t have any vet bill that year, but we did vaccinate calves for black leg and lepto. The costs were minimal, but I should have included them. Good call.

[@christinahowerton5014]

Did you say we can sale chicken we process our self in Missouri??

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Yes, the last time I checked the regulations, you could sell up to 1,000 processed birds from your farm direct to consumers without having a USDA inspected facility. You might want to do your own research to make sure nothing has changed, though. :)

[@repurposedart9897]

How much did you make from the homestead minus the youtube profit? If you did not have a youtube channel, would you still homestead and making a living doing it?

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Hello! I do not make a living off my homestead. I still work an off farm job. My youtube income is a very small percentage of my total homestead income, but hopefully all of my farm ventures will keep increasing so I can work fewer off farm hours.

[@sam-co1oo]

i wouldn't mind having a farm with alpacas some day

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Fantastic!

[@kennethlocklin9271]

What did do to hair?

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

haha, I grew it out, have been learning how to take care of it with my natural waves, and put a temporary color in it.

[@lyndeemcgloin2278]

Hi, Lorella Crews! My name is Lyndee McGloin, I am deaf woman. My goal to have a small farm in somewhere but i don't know where or which start. So can you share with me? i have been seek for what would I do.Thank you for your time to respond me back if you get this.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Hi Lyndee! I suggest you start learn now, maybe small garden or few chickens in back yard (if city allow). Watch many KZbin videos different people homestead and different places to see which feel like match you. Let me know if you have more question.

[@lyndeemcgloin2278]

@@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm Thank you for reply me back. I already have my own vegetable and fruit plants but am not sure about animals. I am scared that I am not good at that haha.

[@andyk8993]

How many hives do you have?

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

We have five hives. 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝

[@bradleymiller437]

Look into compost feeding for laying chickens. Not saying do it. Just research it.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

I’ve seen videos where they put grain seeds in huge compost piles and the chickens work the piles while scratching for seeds. I would love to have a set up like that at some point!

[@bradleymiller437]

@@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm I haven't seen that but I've seen the videos that they eat the scraps, insects, fungi, grubs/worms. They say it's a complete food source. I would think sprouts would get expensive.

[@bradleymiller437]

@@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4immXtvgq2efsk

[@unlimitedglobal]

if u eat eggs say 2 eggs a day thats roughly 730 eggs a year and if u had to buy in the store at 3.00 a dozen so 730 eggs divided by 12 in a dozen = nearly 61 dozen at $3 a dozen is roughly $182.50 thats money saved which is money earned remember to add these numbers in your figures also remember that if youtube is paying you for example if u provide 6 videos a year relating to eggs you are making money for that content again making money

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

True! I did include KZbin income in our total income, but I did not break it down Video by video.

[@unlimitedglobal]

@@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm I think you've been doing really really good on your videos. I think you're practical their hands on somebody. Can actually learn something implemented and you give easy instructions for application? I think you're doing extremely well. We see some of these homesteading and off grid living videos. That only show you know the very best of everything and don't really show the decision. You have to make or the struggles in those decisions and so forth so I believe in my estimation and watching probably thousands and thousands of videos I think. You're doing really well so I hope you're encouraged and you. Continue doing what you're doing you are encouraging people you do provide a service. It is practical it is honest and so congratulations. And i'm glad you're out there thank you very much

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

@@unlimitedglobal thank you so much for your kind words!

[@sam-co1oo]

how do you survive?

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

We both have off farm jobs. As we earn more on farm and grow/raise more of our own food, we are transitioning to less off farm work hours.

[@kathym6603]

RU sure people won't spend $3.50 a dozen for your quality (and probably great tasting) eggs?

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

I'm afraid that to make it at all worth it, I'll have to go to $4 a dozen. I might be surprised, though, my customers might be willing to pay it. we'll see.

[@jackfrosty4674]

They will even 4 dollars if she delivers. Cost 3 to 4 in supermarket.

[@jstar910]

I would definitely pay 4. Our eggs are 5 and up down here lol

[@joescott3393]

+ Lorella you gave to reason that you did not make money right in the show notes, "Part time Homesteading". Also you are very very small. Say if you we to raise and sell 5 beef cattle and raise the price even 25c per lb per 1000# live animal will equal an additional $250 per animal. The reason why the beef are so profitable is you grow 95% of their feed. I realize that food costs are different in all areas. Here even CAFO eggs you cannot buy for less than $3 per dozen. Pasture raised eggs start at $5.50 per dozen and people are happy to pay that. Lamb is another meat you should try to raise. This year we have been getting $3.5 per pound live weight just in the sales barn. If we were to raise and butcher our own lamb we would charge $10.50 to $12 per pound and people would be happy to pay it because lamb imported from New Zealand costs around $25 per pound. Lamb sells best to the ethnic community for direct sales. God Bless Joe Scott

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Yes, all of that makes great sense. Can you pasture sheep behind cows or vice-versa? Our graze area is so small we can’t handle more cattle than what we’ve got right now. Unless we don’t mow for hay. We are pretty tiny, but 30 acres seemed huge compared to the small city lot we moved from.

[@austinsensenig9411]

I'm confused how you had to feed a pig 1650lbs each... Average pig from farrow to finish takes 7 or 8 months and they will eat 800lbs or so, feed should've been closer to 3200lbs

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

We had to overwinter these pigs due to unavailability of butcher dates, and we grow them out on nearly 1/4 acre pasture where they run and play, so they grow out more slowly.

[@kalynrivero5167]

You aren’t able to just feed them kitchen waste?

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Not for a flock this big. And even with a smaller flock I would have feed for them in addition to scraps to make sure they were getting full nutrition. I “free range” my chickens, (meaning they are only enclosed in the coop at night to protect from predators), and in summer they hardly touch their feed. They prefer to eat bugs, grass, worms, and whatever else they find, like birds in the wild do. In winter there’s not as much to feed them from nature, so they eat a lot more processed feed.

[@tacticalbacon8064]

its sad when hard work and homesteading is worthless. you are left with nothing more than big corporations who own markets drive prices so low that noone can compete and have no choice but to work for them then they hire basically slave labor at the cheapest possible income rates its no longer a good thing to try to become self reliant because that concept will bassiclly distroy your finances and leave you struggle while making even more work for your self sure now you have natural food you know where it came from and what it ate but you also cant pay your power bill or enjoy the aspects of life that bring joy unless you sell yourself to a corporation for cheap

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Interesting perspective. I don’t agree that it’s impossible to earn enough homestead income to leave corporate jobs, because I know people who’ve done it. Who ARE doing it. I do think it’s not easy, it’s a lot harder than people think. And I believe it’s a worthwhile endeavor, even though we are not yet profitable. The changes in our lifestyle have made us much more prepared to go through the rough times we are facing in the world right now.