Homesteading can be really rewarding. But it can also feel pretty lonely, especially when you're just starting and don't have anyone around who gets it.

Back in 2018, I didn't even realize I was a homesteader. My husband and I were raising our son, and I was trying to do things differently from how I had been raised. My parents grew up on a farm but chose a more modern lifestyle for our family. As an adult, I wanted to relearn the skills they had left behind.

And I was figuring it out on my own.

Most people in my life weren't into the same things. When I talked about gardening or baking from scratch, I got a lot of blank stares. It was lonely being the weirdo.

Then one day, I got invited to an Interest Meeting for a group starting in our area—National Ladies Homestead Gathering. A few local women were working to bring this nonprofit to our county. The idea was simple: share knowledge, build community, and connect women who wanted to live more self-reliant lives.

I almost didn't go. I liked the idea, but I wasn't sure I'd fit in. My husband convinced me to give it a shot. He said, "You need to get out and meet some people." So I went. And I'm so glad I did.

From the very beginning, I felt at home. It was a room full of women talking about the same things I had been trying to learn on my own. They were swapping tips and sharing advice like it was second nature. I couldn't believe I had found a group of women who truly understood. I left that meeting knowing I wanted to be part of it. A local Chapter started soon after.

This is why NLHG exists.

We're a national nonprofit that supports local Chapters so they can focus on building real community. We handle the behind-the-scenes work—like tech tools, reports, taxes, and making sure our nonprofit status stays active. We also run a private online space where women can connect, even if they don't have a Chapter nearby.

This group is about women helping women. It’s about learning as we go and sharing what we know—no acreage, no experience required.

If you’ve ever felt alone in your homestead journey, welcome. We might be the community you’ve been looking for!