Self-reliance does not come with a checklist. It does not require acres of land, a barn full of tools, or years of experience. For many women in North Idaho, it starts with curiosity and a willingness to learn. That mindset is driving a growing movement that values practical skills, shared knowledge, and support at every stage of life.

A local group is helping women drop the pressure and focus on what matters. The Bonner County Ladies Homestead Gathering brings together teens, mothers, retirees, and everyone in between. The goal stays simple. Use what you have, learn at your own pace, and do not go it alone.

Redefining What Self-Reliance Looks Like

RDNE / Pexels / Social media loves extremes. Perfect gardens, endless canning jars, and flocks of chickens fill the feed. That picture can scare people off before they even start.

The women behind this group say real life looks different, and that is fine. Self-reliance can mean baking bread, fixing a torn jacket, or learning how to plan for emergencies.

The group focuses on skills that fit real homes and real schedules. Apartment dwellers sit next to rural landowners. Beginners learn alongside women who have done this for decades. Nobody expects perfection. The point is progress, and the comfort of learning in a room full of people who get it.

Learning to Plan for Every Season of Life

The first gathering of the year takes on a topic that often gets ignored. Aging and physical limits matter when building a self-reliant life. The meeting takes place Saturday, Jan. 17, at 1 p.m. at Cedar Hills Church in Sandpoint. The speaker, Lindy Bryant, brings a practical lens to the conversation.

Planning ahead does not mean giving things up. It means adapting. Bryant will talk about pacing, safety, and smart choices that help women stay capable for years. These lessons allso apply to younger women. Injuries, stress, and burnout can hit anyone, and foresight makes all the difference.

Built on Community, Not Competition

Bonner County / Leadership for the group comes from women who live this life every day. President Theresa Bettale says the strength of the gathering comes from connection, not comparison.

Topics range from kitchen skills to safety, based on what members ask for. The energy stays practical and grounded.

The group welcomes women 16 and older, with no experience required. Monthly meetings are free. Nursing babies under a year old are welcome too. For those who want deeper involvement, about 100 women join as VIP members, known as Very Invested Partners. They help guide future topics and receive early access to events, all for $35 a year.

Bonner County LHG is part of a bigger picture. It is a local chapter of National Homestead Gathering, an organization that supports women through skill-building and shared learning. The group holds no religious or political ties. The focus stays on empowerment through action.

Founded in 2017 by Lorinda Barnes, the Bonner County chapter was the first of its kind in Idaho. Early meetings drew about a dozen women, starting with hands-on workshops like butchering and sausage making. Today, monthly attendance often reaches 30 to 50 women, with four more chapters now active across North Idaho.

Self-reliance grows best when people stop pretending they have it all figured out. This gathering proves that learning together beats learning alone.