It’s no secret and it sure isn’t a quiet competition. @theycallmedan’s contest for a 20k delegation for one year, has livened up this blockchain and has communities pulling together like never before. If you haven’t cast your Dpoll vote here or haven’t made up your mind on who to root for I would like to encourage you to support @homesteaderscoop with your vote! Why you ask? Well let me tell you...

I have learned quite a bit about homesteading over the last two years here on Steemit. The many definitions and styles I came across helped me to realize I am a homesteader at heart. I used to think you had to have farmland or acres of land off grid in order to be considered a homesteader. We may not have the land or livestock we want yet but our lifestyle reflects that of a homesteader. Our natural way of living from the foods we eat, what we use for medicine (mostly foods and essential oils), learning how to sew to upcycle and provide for my family, using my crochet skills to make sustainable garments, my interests in canning to make my own preserves etc. I consider our family urban homesteaders.

I have considered for years selling my handmade crocheted items on Etsy but have never took the step. It’s not easy starting up a business let alone learning about all of the fees that are involved with doing so.

The Homesteaders Co-op online marketplace is set up for people like me that want the opportunity to sell their handmade and sustainable goods and vise versa buy and trade from others. One of the best parts about this marketplace is that you can buy these goods using STEEM and SBD! Isn’t this one of our main goals and desires, to find places that accept our hard earned and/or purchased STEEM and SBD? It’s a brilliant idea and the website is set up so beautifully. You can also pay using USD with vendors that accept it.

On top of that, since there is no need of credit cards/banks there are zero transaction fees. You literally get to keep every STEEM you earn!

I love that they are committed to cooperation and not corporation. They are setting the atmosphere and paving the way for us to be entrepreneurs. We are able to share a part of our sustainable lifestyle with others, inspiring them so that they may do the same.

I have yet to purchase an item from the marketplace but I have read quite a few great reviews already! The one review that really got me interested was @allyinspirit’s from this post. Her experience with buying a skein of hand dyed wool from The Gentle Soul was really good. If you follow me you already know about my love for yarn and needles! 😄

A recent review by @squishysquid in this post from her seed purchase from @sagescrub was also a good one!

I hope to one day set up my own shop with my handmade items! This is definitely a goal I will be shooting for! I would also love to see interested members from the @needleworkmonday community getting involved as well!

image created by @riverflows

I am so glad that @naturalmedicine, a community I am proud to be apart of, has teamed up with @homesteaderscoop to help them win this competition. With both communities being on the same page (natural living, sustainability etc.) it was a no brainer to unite!

I know there are other communities in the running that have worked hard and have pulled their members together but I am looking more at who needs this. @homesteaderscoop is new and trying to get their name out here to make people aware of these amazing opportunities. This initiative is one that everyone in the Steemitverse can benefit from and not just a particular group. This marketplace can help shape an ethical future in cryptocurrency and by starting a trend even outside of Steemit. Why not put our efforts and support into a project that encourages crypto exchange? Now that’s a no brainer! 😉