Where Self-Reliance Begins
No Matter Where You're Starting From
At the Sustainable Homestead Institute, we believe homesteading isn’t just for those with acres of land and years of experience.
It’s for anyone with the desire to live more intentionally, grow their own food, raise animals responsibly, and become self-reliant whether you live in the country, the suburbs, or a small-town backyard.
Located in Ridgeway, Virginia, on a vibrant, working homestead at
190 Eastridge Rd, our institute offers a unique blend of hands-on experiences, online courses, and community-driven support.
From garden plots to mobile chicken coops, composting systems to sustainable animal care we teach you how to homestead at any scale, and more importantly: how to do it better, faster, and cheaper than you thought possible.
A Message From Our Founder
Hey, I'm Scott!
You don’t need a fortune to build freedom, you just need the right foundation.
Years ago, I set out to live more independently. But like most people starting from scratch, I was overwhelmed, under-informed, and wasting time and money on trial and error.
That’s why I built this institute, to become the resource I wish I had when I started.
We’ve created a space where you can come learn how to grow, raise, and build a life of sustainability without feeling like you need 50 acres, $50,000, or 5 generations of farming experience.
Here in Ridgeway, VA we open our land, our lessons, and our mistakes to help people like YOU skip the fluff and get straight to what works. Whether you’re looking to start a backyard garden, raise chickens the right way, manage livestock, build out soil health, or simply reconnect with the land, we’ll guide you every step of the way.
Homesteading changed my life. My goal is to help it change yours, too.
— Scott Vernon
Founder, Sustainable Homestead Institute
What Makes Us Different?
Real Education for Real People
(No overcomplicated jargon or unrealistic expectations.)
Doable DIY Projects (Learn how to build mobile coops, set up composting, and more.)
In-Person & Online Learning
(Come learn on the land or access tools from home.)
Animals, Gardens, & More
(Practice hands-on with chickens, rabbits, cows, and full-scale gardens.)
Focused on Affordability
(Everything we teach is designed to be scalable and cost-effective.)
READY TO GIVE US A TRY?
📍Visit Us!
Sustainable Homestead Institute
190 Eastridge Rd
Ridgeway, VA 24148