I'd like to get a homestead going in a few years time, but until then I'm stuck in an apartment. But, I have access to about 16 acres of private land that has a pond, open fields, and then hilly forested areas.

What are some activities that I can to do "practice" homestead-related skills? I've got a few growing plots already going, and I'm going to get some rain barrels started this weekend. Any other ideas?