Essential Tools for Homesteaders & Small Farm Setups

There was a time, back when I was first getting my feet under me as an entrepreneur, when I’d walk through hardware stores just to get product ideas. Not for the farm. For business. I wasn’t shopping. I was studying. Every bolt bin, tool rack, and display wall was a chance to learn what real people used to build real things.

Years later, those same aisles feel different. Now I’m looking for what will last through a Midwest freeze or hold up against wet clay and tangled roots. The goal isn’t a new product line anymore. It’s a working farm.

Before Mission Farmstead ever had fencing or animals, homesteading started right in my backyard at home. While the barndo was still under construction, I was building raised beds and composting kitchen scraps with my kids. That taught me what tools I actually needed for farmsteading and which ones were just marketing fluff.

Homesteading is where farmsteading begins. Same mindset, smaller scale. If you’re wondering what a homestead really looks like, it starts with working with what you have, making decisions by hand and eye, and figuring out what matters most when things break, bend, or don’t go to plan. Starting a homestead on a small scale is how most small scale farms get their start, and that’s exactly how I began.

Whether you’re on a couple acres or just getting started in the backyard, these are the essential tools that helped me then and still serve me now.

Tools Every Homesteader Needs

Garden Tools

The first real test of my tool setup came from a tomato plant. I’d promised the kids we’d grow a few in a raised bed behind the house. Simple enough. But the soil was rough, the weeds were stubborn, and I found out real quick which hand tools were up for the job.

A sturdy digging fork, a hoe that didn’t wobble, and pruning shears that didn’t stick—those made all the difference. I started keeping a short list in my head of what I reached for every time I walked out the back door. That list still holds up.

These are the garden tools I’d recommend to any homesteader getting started with garden basics.

• Heavy-duty spade for turning soil
  
• Broadfork for loosening beds without tilling
  
• Sharp bypass pruners for harvesting and cleanup
  
• DeWALT battery-powered cultivator for mixing compost in
  
• Sturdy garden gloves that actually last through a season
  

I don’t chase every trend, but I do believe in buying tools that won’t quit on you mid-project. Whether you’re planting your first crop or rebuilding the soil for long-term use, the right tools save time and sanity.

Livestock Care Equipment

I don’t have animals on the farm just yet. But I’ve spent plenty of time getting ready for when that day comes. I’ve walked through enough setups, talked to farmers who’ve done it right, and made my share of notes on what I’ll need to keep things running smooth when the chickens arrive.

It’s not about high-tech gadgets or overbuilt gear. The tools I’m planning to keep on hand are the kind that get used every single day. Water, feed, shelter. It’s basic care, but it has to be reliable. The right farm tools for animal care should feel like second nature. They need to handle daily jobs on small-scale farms without getting in the way.

Here’s what’s on my list when the livestock move in:

• Heated water buckets for winter
  
• Covered feeders that keep grain dry
  
• A solid post driver for fencing
  
• Lockable latches and hardware cloth for predator-proof coops
  
• Headlamps for early or late chores
  
• A belt clip utility knife (DeWALT makes a great one)
  

I’ll start small—probably with a few laying hens once the fencing is in and the coop’s ready. But the goal is to scale up slowly, building systems that don’t break down when the weather turns or the schedule shifts. I’ve learned that if something’s hard to use, it won’t get used. And on a farm, small oversights can turn into big problems fast.

This list is simple for now, but it’s ready to grow when the time’s right.

Small Farm Machinery

Even on a small piece of land, your back can only do so much. For me, stepping up from hand tools to machines was a game-changer. I didn’t go straight to a full-size tractor. I eased in with a walk-behind tiller, then added a zero-turn mower, and eventually a compact utility tractor with a front-end loader.

That last one? I use it almost every day. Moving soil, cleaning out the chicken run, hauling fencing supplies—it earns its keep.

Whether you're starting a homestead or scaling up, this kind of small farm equipment can take the load off your back and give you time back.

• Compact tractor with quick attach implements
  
• Walk-behind tiller for bed prep
  
• Push spreader for compost or seed
  
• Chainsaw for clearing storm damage
  
• DeWALT impact driver for quick repairs
  

If you’re just starting out, don’t worry about owning it all. Rent what you can first. Test things out. You’ll know when it’s time to make an investment, and you’ll be glad you waited until you really needed it.

Tools for Starting a Farmstead

I’m not waiting for the full farm to be ready before I start figuring things out. While the barndo was going up and the pasture was still a cornfield, I was already testing setups at home. These are the tools I leaned on then and the ones I’m planning to scale up with as Mission Farmstead grows.

Greenhouse Setup

Our backyard greenhouse was small enough to build over a weekend but big enough to teach me how much can go wrong when temperatures swing in spring. I used a simple walk-in model with a roll-up front, secured it with cinder blocks, and learned quickly that even the cheap plastic panels matter.

When I build the larger version out here, I’ll be investing in polycarbonate panels, sturdy venting, and enough shelving to move trays in and out without crowding the space. A good greenhouse doesn’t just extend your growing season. It becomes one of the most important greenhouse tools for small-scale farms, giving you more control when the weather doesn’t want to cooperate.

Tools to look for:

• Handheld vent openers
  
• Poly panel cutters
  
• UV-rated zip ties and clips
  
• Seed tray shelving
  
• Temperature and humidity monitors

Seed Starting Kits

Starting from seed is either something you get hooked on, or you give up fast. For me, it stuck. At home, I set up a shelf system in the basement with grow lights and heat mats. I used boot trays to catch the runoff and labeled everything with popsicle sticks and painter’s tape.

When you’re juggling a lot of trays, the right tools keep things from turning into a mess. I’ll be keeping that same setup in the future greenhouse, just scaled out with more lights and a proper watering system.

These are the seed starting kits and tools that helped me keep things organized and consistent when learning how to start a farm the hands-on way.

• Adjustable grow lights with timers
  
• Heat mats with thermostat control
  
• Bottom-watering trays
  
• Seedling domes that don’t warp
  
• Sharp, reliable label markers

Hand Tools vs. Power Tools

There’s a place for both. I’ve broken more than one shovel trying to shortcut a job that called for a power auger. And I’ve cursed myself for dragging out the big tools when a trowel and five quiet minutes would’ve done just fine.

The key is knowing which tools you reach for again and again. For me, my DeWALT cordless drill, a quality soil knife, and a ratcheting pruner have all earned their keep. These are the hand tools for gardening that I count on, season after season. I don’t buy something unless I’m confident it will still be in regular use the following year.

In my toolbox:

• Cordless drill with extra batteries (shoutout to DeWALT!)
  
• Soil knife with depth markings
  
• Ratcheting hand pruners
  
• Power auger for fence posts and fruit trees
  
• Manual hoes and cultivators for tight rows

Choosing the Right Tools for Your Scale

Not every homestead starts with a barn full of equipment, and that’s probably a good thing. I’ve learned that when you’re working at a small scale, the tools you choose matter more than the number of tools you own. The goal isn’t to have everything. It’s to have the right tools for your stage of the journey.

Starter Kits

If I were doing it all over again from scratch, I’d start with a solid shovel, a garden fork, one good knife, and a reliable hose nozzle that doesn’t leak after the second week. Add a wheelbarrow that doesn’t wobble, and you’re in business.

There are pre-made “starter kits” out there, but most are stuffed with low-quality filler. I’ve had better luck assembling my own over time. When it comes to homesteading essentials, I’ve learned to start with quality, not quantity. The tools that get used most should be the ones that feel right in your hand.

What I started with:

• All-steel digging shovel
  
• Forged garden fork
  
• 5-gallon utility buckets
  
• Ratcheting pruners
  
• Contractor-grade hose nozzle

Where to Invest First

Some tools are worth buying new. Others you can pick up secondhand if you know what to look for. I bought my broadfork from a local farmer who was scaling back, and it’s still one of the best tools I own. On the other hand, I don’t mess around with cheap battery-powered gear. If it’s going to run all season, I stick with DeWALT and make sure I’ve got extra batteries charged and ready.

I’ve learned to spend money where failure costs time or makes a small problem worse. Cheap fencing tools will burn hours. Weak wheelbarrows dump at the worst time. You learn quick.

Places I don’t cut corners:

• Power tools and battery systems
• Fencing and gates
  
• Wheelbarrows and carts
  
• Tools with moving parts that can’t be field-fixed

Maintenance Tips

I didn’t appreciate tool maintenance until I had to rebuy something I shouldn’t have broken. Now I keep a 5-gallon bucket in the barn with linseed oil, a wire brush, and a sharpener. At the end of the week, I clean up what I used and hang it properly.

Out here, rust shows up fast. Handles crack faster in dry barns. Even good gear can fail if it’s left in the wrong spot after a rain. Keeping tools clean and sharp isn’t just about pride — it saves money and keeps your setup running.

My simple system:

• Oil wooden handles once a season
• Sharpen pruners and knives monthly
  
• Keep hoses drained and coiled
  
• Store everything off the ground
  
• Clean tools with a stiff brush before putting them away

Want to See What I Use?

I’ve collected all the tools I trust into a section of the site called Mike’s Toolbox. These are products I’ve used, abused, and still rely on across all seasons. Whether you’re starting small or scaling up, this list is for anyone who wants tools that work hard without giving up.

👉 See what’s in Mike’s Toolbox