Homesteading has become significantly more popular since 2020, driven by a desire for self-sufficiency, food security, and a slower lifestyle.

While surging during the pandemic, it has evolved into a mainstream trend, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z who often use social media to blend modern technology with traditional agrarian skills.

“I’m always looking for programming that directly benefits the Florissant community,” Jennie Tesch, Florissant/Divide Branch Manager, Rampart Library District said. “Through many conversations with local residents — about their lifestyles, goals, and what they’d like to see from the library — a common theme emerged around self-sufficiency.”

She said that patrons, through everyday interactions, such as requests for books on high-altitude gardening, high-altitude baking and practical topics like protecting chickens from predators. And expressing interest in living off-grid, homesteading, or simply becoming more independent.

Homesteading is a lifestyle focused on self-sufficiency and sustainability, characterized by growing food, preserving resources, and reducing reliance on modern supply chains. It involves skills like gardening, food preservation, and raising livestock, ranging from small-scale urban setups to rural, off-grid farms.

“The Homesteading Series was something I originally brainstormed about three years ago in response to those ongoing conversations and needs. Attendance was outstanding the first 2 years. This year attendance has been okay. I would like to see about double,” expressed Tesch.

There have been two sessions each Saturday in April. The final session will be April 25, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Bees with Nancy Adams and Martha Jacobson returns with local medicinal tinctures and salves from Noon to 1 p.m.

All sessions are free and open to the public, reservations are not necessary.

“Just show up,” Tesch said.

“Programs like this tend to attract a slightly different audience than some of our traditional offerings, which is valuable as we continue trying to reach a broader cross-section of the community,” she said.