Urban homesteaders are people who use their urban yards and homes to create mini farms. They grow as much of their own food as their space allows. Fruits and vegetables are grown. Chickens are raised for eggs and meat, and chicken manure is used as fertilizer. Urban homesteaders trade and share their produce with other urban homesteaders. Some belong to food co-ops and offer their produce at farmer's markets.

These mini farms are usually organic( free of chemical  pesticides,  fertilizers, and herbicides). Natural alternatives are used and rain water is collected for garden useage. Garden and yard waste goes into compost bins, to be reused later as mulch.Some urban homesteaders have solar and wind power to supplement or replace public utilities. Bio-diesel can be home brewed for powering cars and home generators.

The physical labor involved in farming, and the organic food that urban homesteaders grow, is very good for their health. This reduces their food and doctor bills.It is cheaper to grow their own food than to buy it. Using solar, wind, and biodiesel energy is cheaper and more satisfying (after the initial investment in equipment).

Sharing, trading, or selling excess produce, energy, and fuel is part of the simpler, self sufficient, and low impact lifestyle of the urban homesteader.