noun an original settler on public land under government regulation with the opportunity to acquire title to the land after meeting certain criteria
In the context of American history, homesteaders were settlers who were granted land by the government under the Homestead Act of 1862 to encourage westward expansion.
A homesteader is someone who owns and operates a homestead, typically a small farm or rural property where they grow their own food and raise livestock.
Homesteaders often prioritize sustainable living practices such as permaculture, organic gardening, and off-grid living.
Homesteaders may be involved in building and participating in intentional communities focused on self-sufficiency and mutual support.
A writer may use the term 'homesteader' to refer to a character in a novel or story who settles on and develops land in a rural area.
A real estate agent may use the term 'homesteader' to describe a person who has purchased and is developing a property in a rural or undeveloped area.
A historian may use the term 'homesteader' to refer to individuals or families who participated in the Homestead Act of 1862 and claimed land in the American West for agricultural purposes.