A homestead, or a smallholding, differs from simply growing food for consumption in a kitchen garden (or similar)because the goal should be to achieve as high a level of self-sufficiency as possible. It often includes livestock and the growing of surplus food that can be sold for profit, with the idea that this can be used to cover costs such as electricity, equipment and buying new stock. However, in practice it is very hard to achieve complete self sufficiency. If you are new to smallholding, then it is not a good idea to rely fully on your smallholding to support your household, especially when your smallholding is just starting out. Instead, aim to build up gradually to a place where as much as possible of your income is being generated by your efforts, without committing completely in the beginning. Wherever possible, at least one member of the household should maintain a paid job outside of the smallholding, until it has become extremely well-established.