Farm Life Spotlight: Homestead Hafsa

Hafsa Saleem, the passionate homesteader behind homesteadhafsa, is an embodiment of determination, dreams, and resilience. Through her social media platforms, she inspires thousands with her backyard farm life and imparts valuable knowledge to aspiring homesteaders and farmers.

In a world driven by technology and fast-paced lifestyles, there are still individuals like Hafsa Saleem, known as Homestead Hafsa in the online community, who have managed to preserve their childhood dreams of living closer to nature. With her passion for farming and homesteading, Hafsa has captured the hearts of over 93K followers on social media. Let's delve into her inspiring journey and learn more about the life she has created through backyard homesteading.

Hafsa's journey into farming began during her childhood. Despite growing up just outside Manhattan, New York, in a suburban area, she was fortunate to have a vast yard and adjacent forest. It was there that her grandmother and mother imparted their wisdom of gardening, canning, fermenting, bread making, and cooking from scratch. Though they didn't keep farm animals, Hafsa knew from a young age that she would one day relocate to a rural area and establish her own backyard homestead.

Her passion for homesteading and farming has been a constant throughout her life. Hafsa's love for nature, her curiosity about the origins of our food and her fascination with animals drove her to pursue these interests further. During her time in college, she had the incredible opportunity to work on a large animal farm where she cared for horses, cows, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks and more. This hands-on experience solidified her desire to weave farming into her future.

As life progressed, Hafsa ventured into the realm of online business. Alongside her husband, she built a successful marketing company which demanded their time and commitment. While their business grew, Hafsa's dreams of homesteading and farming continued to simmer in the background.

Tragedy struck Hafsa's life when her mother passed away from cancer in 2018, on Mother's Day. This heartbreaking event served as a wake-up call, reminding her of life's brevity and the importance of pursuing one's passions. In response, Hafsa and her husband made the decision to leave the busy city life behind and settled in rural Virginia. They first lived off the grid in the mountains before moving to their current homestead.

With several hundred chickens on their homestead, Hafsa's day begins at around 6:30 a.m. Although their pens have automatic doors and large feeders, she still makes the rounds to ensure her feathered friends are well taken care of. Mid-day she collects eggs and checks on all the chickens, then after dark she performs one final round of replenishing waterers and feeders.

One of the backyard farm's unique aspects is the wide variety of breeds present, including rare breeds such as Ayam Cemani and various types of Bantam chickens. Hafsa maintains a mix of chickens as her personal pets, choosing them for their beauty and playful personalities. Among them, the Bantam Silkies hold a special place in her heart, as they never fail to bring a smile to her face with their amusing antics.

 Amidst the joy and laughter, there are times of heartbreak on the homestead. One particular incident that touched Hafsa deeply was the loss of Patricia, one of their cherished hens. Sharing the journey of her illness and eventual passing, Hafsa's emotional reel resonated with many who understood the realities of raising animals. It reminded us all of the bond between farmers and their livestock, and the strength required to navigate loss.

Hafsa admits that dealing with animal illnesses and loss is one of the most challenging aspects of farm life. With a large number of animals, catching and treating issues can be difficult. Culling animals when their chances of survival are slim proves difficult for Hafsa, who develops deep attachments. In the midst of the challenges inherent to farm life, Hafsa draws strength from the therapeutic nature of tending to her chickens and garden. Disconnecting from the world and immersing herself in these tasks brings a sense of satisfaction.

Reflecting on her own journey, Hafsa offers valuable advice and words of inspiration to aspiring backyard farmers and homesteaders. She encourages them to start with what they have, even if it means beginning small, and emphasizes the importance of learning from seasoned homesteaders and farmers. Investing in targeted resources such as ebooks and courses can provide focused knowledge, and consulting with experts can provide valuable guidance.  To help people get started, Hafsa authored an ebook “Eggcited for Chickens” and created an online course with the option of live coaching. 

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Hafsa also emphasizes the significance of using social media to grow a farm business, reach more people, generate revenue, and build a sustainable future. She herself has experienced the transformative power of leveraging platforms like Instagram, creating an income within her first six months with less than 10K followers. Now, she shares her expertise and helps fellow homesteaders create online income through coaching and her Instagram course on her second page. The hardest parts of homesteading or farming is having the time and capital for land, supplies, animals, time to build and tend to it. With her online course you can uncover how to source consistent income even when you are not working so you can build your dream homestead or farm!

Over the years, Hafsa has witnessed an increasing number of individuals leveraging the online space to learn homesteading and farming skills. More people than ever seek self-sustainability, high-quality food for their families and a deeper understanding of the origin of their meals.

As for the future of backyard farming, Hafsa believes this is only the beginning of the homesteading movement. With global changes unfolding, the desire for self-sustainability will continue to grow. Hafsa envisions her role in the community expanding, allowing her to serve and educate even more individuals. Additionally, Hafsa plans to further her education by becoming a veterinarian, which will undoubtedly enhance her ability to serve and support her online community.

Hafsa's journey reminds us of the transformative power of nature and the fulfillment found in pursuing our true passions. As she continues to nurture her dreams and empower others, the future of farming looks brighter with each passing day!

For more insights into Hafsa's homesteading adventures and to join her online community, visit her social media pages: @HomesteadHafsa on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. You can also find her website at www.homesteadhafsa.com. 

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