Preserving a Way of Life with Rory Groves — Homesteading Family

I had the privilege of sitting down with my friend Rory Groves from The Grovestead to talk about his family’s journey from tech careers in the city to raising six kids on a homestead in Minnesota.

Rory is also the author of Durable Trades and The Family Economy, two books that have deeply impacted a lot of folks in this community.

This conversation isn’t just about gardening or livestock; it’s about preserving a way of life that we want to pass on to our kids and grandkids.

From Software to Soil

Rory’s story is very similar to Carolyn’s and mine, from an apartment in the city to 40 acres in North Idaho. Like us, Rory and his wife, Becca, didn’t start out as farmers. Their journey began in the city, living in an apartment with a balcony and working long hours in the tech industry. But one small tomato plant (yes, a tomato plant gifted by a friend) opened Rory’s eyes.

He realized that tending to something real, alive, and nourishing felt far more satisfying than all the hours he spent behind a screen.

From that moment, the Groves family began a steady, intentional move toward self-sufficiency. Starting with raised beds, then fruit trees, livestock, and eventually ten acres of their own.

Building Slowly, Living Intentionally

One thing I really admire about Rory is the discipline and patience he and Becca have shown. Instead of rushing into everything at once, they took a “ratchet forward” approach: each new step was only added when they knew they could sustain it for the long haul.

This meant pacing themselves with livestock, orchards, and garden expansion, making sure that nothing became overwhelming or threatened the joy of the journey.

As Rory put it, they wanted to make sure their children loved life on the farm, not felt burdened by it.

That’s such a key takeaway for any of us homesteading with children: the work is hard, but the joy of it is contagious when our kids see us loving the process.

Recovering the Family Economy

Rory shared that one of the driving questions behind his writing was this: Is it possible to build a livelihood that includes the whole family?

After years in tech, he was tired of watching his work go obsolete and spending his “real” job hours isolated from his wife and kids. He began to research professions that had stood the test of time and discovered something profound: for most of human history, families worked together.

That research became his book Durable Trades, a survey of 61 historic professions that have survived centuries of change. These trades aren’t just jobs, they’re ways of life that strengthen family bonds, build resilience, and provide meaning.

Technology, AI, and the Need to Preserve

Given Rory’s background in software, I had to ask him about artificial intelligence (AI) and the rapid changes we’re seeing in our culture. His perspective was sobering: AI can bring convenience, but it’s also likely to replace countless jobs and become a gatekeeper of information.

Rather than despair, Rory encouraged us to lean harder into what lasts: raising our own food, learning durable skills, and investing in family and community. As he put it, “We need to grow more carrots.”

That really sums it up. No matter how fast the world spins, we can anchor ourselves in the simple, life-giving practices that have carried families for generations.

Preservation, Not Escape

Toward the end of our talk, Rory said something I’ll be chewing on for a long time:

“This life isn’t about escaping the world, it’s about preserving something worth passing on.”

That’s it, friends. Homesteading isn’t a retreat. It’s a preservative. It’s culture, family, and faith woven into the daily rhythms of planting, harvesting, milking, and raising kids side by side.

So wherever you are on your journey, whether it’s growing a tomato plant on the balcony or a full-fledged farm, remember that the work you’re doing is worth preserving.

Connect with Rory

If you’d like to learn more about Rory’s books, the Gather & Grow events he and Becca host on their farm, or sign up for The Grovestead Newsletter, head over to his website, The Grovestead.

Be sure to also follow The Grovestead on Instagram, where they share stories and encouragement for building a family economy.