A quiet but growing movement is taking root across the greater Rochester area. Homesteaders—locals committed to cultivating their own food sources and raising livestock—are redefining what it means to live deliberately in the 21st century. Once seen as a fringe lifestyle relegated to rural areas, homesteading concepts have come to be embraced by city dwellers and suburbanites alike.
At its core, homesteading is about self-reliance: tending vegetable gardens, raising animals, canning seasonal bounty, and mastering practical skills that reduce dependence on store-bought goods. These practices exist along a broad spectrum, from fully self-sustaining rural farms to small backyard plots or rooftop gardens in urban neighborhoods. Homesteaders are just as diverse, motivated by reasons ranging from environmental sustainability and food security to a desire for a closer, more ethical relationship with the land and animals in their care.
City Life, Country Birds
Kristina Bosworth once thought she would have to move to the country to fulfill her dream of raising egg-laying birds. Then Bosworth, who lives in Rochester’s Maplewood Historic District, discovered that all she needed was the right kind of bird.
Coturnix quail, she learned, can thrive in small backyard environments with proper care. After securing a permit from the city, Bosworth built a pair of coops and took in two quail in need of homes.
“They’re hearty birds who can do well in extreme cold and heat,” says Bosworth. The species is also known for being quieter than other birds—a must for dense city living.
“I now have 30 or 40 quail,” Bosworth estimates, “and a few chickens.” While the birds produce plenty of eggs, Bosworth says their value goes far beyond productivity. “I find them so calming,” she says. “They all have different personalities and make these adorable noises.”
Bosworth credits the birds with encouraging her to spend more time outdoors, even during the winter months. “No matter what, every morning I have to get out there, check their water, make sure they have what they need.”
While she hopes to eventually have more space to expand her homesteading pursuits, Bosworth is content with her backyard operation for now.
“I’m gaining good experience, so if I ever do want to move out of the city someday, I’ll be prepared.”
Homesteading for a Healthier Life
If Bosworth represents a niche approach to urban homesteading, Laura Ann Chamberlain reflects the other end of the spectrum. Chamberlain purchased a farm property in Ontario County five years ago, where she explores any homesteading practices that pique her interest—from canning fruit to making homemade soaps.
“Sewing, dehydrating, yogurt-making . . . . You name it, I’ve tried it,” Chamberlain says.
Although Chamberlain has been around farms her entire life, she fully embraced the homesteading lifestyle following a breast cancer diagnosis in 2016. “I had chemotherapy, radiation, and lymph node removal,” she recalls.
After surviving the ordeal, Chamberlain decided to take her health into her own hands. Part of that focus includes creating salves using ingredients she grows herself or sources from nature. Along with homemade soaps and personal care products, she also raises miniature donkeys. “Having a miniature donkey is a lot like having a dog. They follow you around and have the funniest personalities!" she says.
Chamberlain’s enthusiasm for homesteading inspired her to launch the region’s first trade show-style event geared toward the community. The Genesee Valley Homesteading Expo is scheduled for June 5-6 at the Hemlock Fairgrounds. According to Chamberlain, the primary goal of the event is to “foster connection” within the homesteading community. “I want to open avenues for people to meet, connect, and share resources with each other.”
Building the Dream Homestead
Three years ago, Jenn Farnand purchased a property in West Sparta, about an hour south of Rochester, with a vision of creating her dream homestead. The property required extensive work, but its setting made a lasting impression. “It’s on a high hill, with the most gorgeous sunset and sunrise views,” she says. “That helped me see past all the work that needed to be done and focus on the potential.”
Since buying the property, Farnand and her fiancé, who grew up on a farm, have taken on the painstaking task of renovating the farmhouse entirely on their own. Today, Farnand grows much of her own produce, selling surplus at a summer farm stand. She also raises chickens and goats, all while working remotely. Farnand currently has six goats, though two hold a special place in her heart: Mable and Thelma, a pair she received as a gift in 2023.
For Farnand, the long hours of labor are more than worth it as her hillside homestead steadily becomes the life, and landscape, she once imagined. She puts it simply: “It gives me peace.”
“I’m gaining good experience, so if I ever do want to move out of the city someday, I’ll be prepared.”