How to Start Homesteading in Santa Cruz — Even if You’ve Never Baked Bread or Canned a Jar | Wylder Space

I’m Obsessed With Getting Back to My Roots — And Here’s Why

Since 2004, I’ve been actively working toward a lifestyle rooted in ancestral wisdom — doing things the way our grandparents did. Real food, slower living, and meaningful connection with what we grow and make. Tis' true — REAL food is a movement.

Here in Santa Cruz, CA, more and more people are seeking a return to food sovereignty, traditional skills, and sustainable living. The best part? You don’t need a farm or five acres to start homesteading. Whether you live in a bungalow by the beach or a cabin in the redwoods, this guide will walk you through how to build a self-reliant lifestyle — with REAL food at the center of it all.

This is what I’ve been sharing with our peeps at Wylder Space Inc., and I’m thrilled to share it with you.

What Is Homesteading?

Homesteading is a way of life rooted in self-sufficiency, traditional food preparation, and natural rhythms. It’s not about being off-grid or giving up modern comforts — it’s about reclaiming time-honored skills like fermenting, preserving, and cooking from scratch.

In the 1940s, American families grew food in Victory Gardens to support wartime food security. Today’s homesteaders are bringing back that spirit — growing herbs in containers, canning seasonal produce, and swapping fermented foods with neighbors.

Santa Cruz is a hotbed for this revival because of:

Its rich agricultural heritage
Year-round farmers markets
Deep environmental awareness
A growing desire to depend less on big-box grocery stores

Step 1: Start Where You Are

You don’t need land or livestock. Start with one skill at a time. These are my go-to foundational practices:

Learn Water Bath & Pressure Canning

Canning is the backbone of home food preservation. With just a few tools, you can store local tomatoes, jam, bone broth, and pickled veggies for months.

Beginner Gear Checklist:

Water bath or pressure canner
Mason jars (Ball or Weck)
Funnel, jar lifter, and tested recipes

Local tip:
Shop New Leaf Market, Staff of Life, or farmers markets such as Dirty Girl Produce, Happy Boy Farm and Live Earth Farm for produce. You’ll also find gear at Ace Hardware or online at Azure Standard (use code MollyBravo1).

Want to learn in person?
Come to one of our canning workshops at Wylder Space Inc. — or check out Cabrillo Extension and the Santa Cruz Reskilling Expo.

Start Fermenting (Sauerkraut, Kimchi, Kefir)

Santa Cruz’s temperate climate is ideal for fermentation. It’s an ancient method that turns ordinary veggies and dairy into gut-loving superfoods.

Your First Project:

Shred cabbage
Add sea salt
Pack into a jar, make sure it's completely covered in liquid to prevent molding
Wait 7–10 days. Boom. Sauerkraut!

Pro Tip:
Use local cabbage from the Downtown Farmers Market and try a class through Wylder or find pop-ups on Eventbrite (“fermentation class Santa Cruz”).

Practice Traditional Cooking from Scratch

Cooking like your grandparents isn’t complicated — it just takes intention. Here’s where to start:

Bone Broth: Get marrow bones from Markegard Grassfed Beef or El Salchichero butcher.
Soaked Oats & Sprouted Lentils: Boost nutrient absorption and digestibility.
Sourdough Baking: Try Companion Bakeshop’s classes or DIY with a starter from Cultures for Health.

Your First 30 Days of Homesteading in Santa Cruz

Week	Skill	Local Tip
Week 1	Water bath canning	U-pick apples from Gizdich Ranch
Week 2	Fermentation	Cabbage & carrots from Farmers Market
Week 3	Bone broth & sourdough	Butcher visit + bread baking
Week 4	Plan your pantry	Attend UCSC Agroecology workshop

Step 2: Stock Up on Essentials

Affiliate Tools We Love:

Azure Standard – Bulk organic pantry goods, heirloom seeds
Cultures for Health – Starters for kefir, sourdough, yogurt, kombucha

Local Favorites:

UCSC Center for Agroecology
Santa Cruz Permaculture
The Garden Company
Staff of Life Natural Foods

Step 3: Build Community

This lifestyle thrives in community. We're at a point in history where I think we're all realizing, we aren't meant to walk this path alone.

Join the Wylder Space Harvester Circle
Inside our VIP group, you'll get:

Weekly seasonal canning & cooking tips
Ancestral nutrition guides
A space to ask questions & share your progress

You’re also welcome to join classes and swaps where we trade jars, ferments, and sourdough starters — just like the old days.

FAQ: Homesteading in Santa Cruz

Can I homestead in an apartment or tiny home?
Absolutely. You can ferment, bake, and preserve food in any kitchen. Join a community garden for growing space.

Are there local classes or events?
Yes! Wylder hosts in-person workshops. Also check Cabrillo Extension, the Reskilling Expo, and UCSC.

What are the best beginner skills?
Start with:

Fermenting sauerkraut
Water bath canning
Bone broth & sourdough

Where do I find local supplies?
Shop New Leaf Market, Staff of Life, Farmers Markets or use Azure Standard and Cultures for Health (both deliver locally).

Can I do this with a full-time job?
Yes — weekend projects and small batches add up. Start slow. Stay consistent.

Your Next Step: Grow Where You’re Planted

The homesteading revival is here to reclaim wellness, food security, and rhythm in an unpredictable world.

✅ You don’t need land.
✅ You need the wisdom of our elders.
✅ You need to jump in with both feet and figure it out as you go.

👉 Take the Next Step:

We're being called to action. It's time to get back to our roots. Let's do things the old fashioned way, the way our grandparents did things. Let's gather the wisdom of our elders and share it with the next generation.