By Marion Bosch, Contributing Writer
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Murphy – If you have not attended one of these gatherings yet, you really should.
The Cherokee County N.C. Chapter of the National Ladies Homestead Gathering now boasts 92 members and is expected to top 100 by the end of February. This is the largest and the fastest growing chapter in the United States.
Why? If you ask any number of the ladies attending, they will resonate with the same message.
Holly Cole says, “LHG is the highlight of my month. I have made so many friends and learned so much from them.”
Kim Dossett shares that, “It’s an amazing group of friends waiting to happen. I have learned so much and made so many connections. An amazing group.”
The chapter’s calendar is a full one for 2024. Fulfilling many of the ladies’ wishes, the board approved 11 gatherings, 11 workshops, 11 breakfast meetups, and started small community groups that meet once a month outside of the main gathering. Each small community group is comprised of ladies in the same geographical area within the county.
“It’s another way to connect in your immediate area should you need to lean on each other someday,” said Tammi Smith, chapter president. “If you need help rounding up your cows, or need someone to farm-sit for you, or you just need a friend nearby, the small community group will fulfill that need.”
Jan. 11 was the first gathering of the year and the 68 ladies that attended learned about winter sowing (seed starting) and then made their own milk-jug greenhouses to take home. Another lady shared how you should prepare your car for western Carolina’s roads and cold temperatures, and yet another shared how to prepare a medicinal herb garden.
The first sewing workshop was sold out by the night’s end and the February workshop for “Planting Your Medicinal Apothecary” had oversold before the gathering began.
National Ladies Homestead Gathering’s purpose is empowering women through homesteading. The mission is share knowledge. Build community. Grow friendships.
Gatherings are always free to any woman, ages 16 or older, who wants to learn to be more self-reliant, and no reservations are needed.
Local chapter gatherings are on the second Thursday of each month at the First Baptist Church of Murphy, 517 Hiwassee St.
The next gathering will be from 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, and the ladies will learn about “OTC vs. Herbal Medicines.”
More excitement will follow when Cyndi Ball, the National Founder and chief executive officer of the organization, shares her vision for NLHG and the Cherokee Chapter.
To learn about upcoming events, visit nlhg.org to sign up for the N.C. Cherokee free monthly newsletter. Select “NC Cherokee” as the local chapter. All questions can be directed via email to cherokee.nc@nlhg.org.
The writer is communications coordinator of the Cherokee Chapter of the National Ladies Homestead Gathering.