Murphy – What started out as a desire to teach 22 women some homesteading skills at Cyndi Ball’s home in 2011 has grown to 42 chapters around the country. The organization became official in 2013.
The National Ladies Homestead Gathering of Cherokee County brought 123 women and girls out on Feb. 1 to Murphy First Baptist Church to learn different skills, share ideas and make new friendships.
The evening’s topic of focus was the Herbal Medicine Cabinet, with Lesa MacGregor the guest speaker. She compared pharmaceutical medicines, which may help conditions in the short term but can also have nasty side effects, with herbal alternatives that are more natural, effective and safer to consume.
Women learned which herbs treat different illnesses and conditions, and should be a staple in every medicine cabinet. MacGregor said these herbs grow naturally and are present in many places – possibly one’s own backyard – and herbs such as lavender, garlic, cayenne pepper, elder flower, lemon balm, wild lettuce and rosemary are their friends.
The founder and CEO of the National Ladies Homestead Gathering, Ball said of the Cherokee County club’s rapid growth, “This blows my mind, that it’s this big.”
Ball has decided to leave the comfort of her home for a year and travel around the country living out of her vehicle while visiting each chapter. Despite only established in 2022, Cherokee County has the largest chapter in the United States.
VIP membership reached the 100 mark, and members were celebrated with acknowledgement and gifts. These members are vital to the organization, as they pay a $35 yearly membership to help keep the group going financially.
The atmosphere was energetic, friendly and fun as ladies laughed, exchanged information and phone numbers, as well as signed up for workshops and newsletters.
Women attend the gatherings for a variety of reasons. Those include making friendships, learning to be more self-reliant and sharing their knowledge, as well as learning how to make things so they can save money by not having to purchase items.
Theresa Austin of Ranger came to the gathering for the first time. She suffers with Lupus and came to learn how using herbs can help her manage the symptoms of the condition.
“I’m amazed, I didn’t realize there were that many women interested in doing things like this,” she said.
Austin also makes her own laundry detergent using just vinegar, water and baking soda.
Jill Dash of Ranger has attended the gatherings before and enjoys the socializing.
“I’ve learned lots of stuff like essential oils and how to make Kefir,” she said.
Kyndra West was the winner of the 52-week homestead challenge. She learned the most last year, with a total of 76 new skills under her belt. As a result, she received a $52 gift certificate to Tractor Supply.
The National Ladies Homestead Gathering exists to share knowledge, build community and grow friendships. All women ages 16 and older who have a desire to be more self-reliant are welcome.
Details: Meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month in the fellowship hall of Murphy First Baptist Church, 517 Hiwassee St. Visit nlhg.org.