She Can Hold Her Own
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She Can Hold Her Own by Jess Kimball is a compelling blend of personal reflection, photography, and powerful interviews that illuminate the lives of female homesteaders in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Through striking images and intimate conversations, the book showcases the strength, resilience, and wisdom of the women who have shaped this rugged landscape for generations. Jess weaves together stories of self-sufficiency, community, and the deep connection these women share with the land, offering a glimpse into their daily lives of growing food, raising livestock, and preserving the traditions that sustain them. She Can Hold Her Own celebrates these women as the backbone of their families and the soul of Appalachia. This book is a tribute to the enduring spirit of those who live in harmony with the land and to the power of women who continue to thrive against the odds.
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Carley, Ashe County NCCarley’s day starts early, tending to her dairy cow, Clover, before heading to her varied jobs: nurse, doula, and holistic health advocate. With a background in both traditional and alternative medicine, she bridges these worlds, bringing insights from both to her patients and community. Carley’s homesteading journey began with an eagerness to learn, taking on a cow despite minimal experience. Her bond with Clover has deepened through shared patience and understanding, leading to a fulfilling routine. Carley’s holistic approach extends to her food, sourcing locally and sustainably, which fuels her physical and emotional well-being. She co-founded a local co-op, “Jeat Yet?”, to connect the community with wholesome food. Carley’s life is a blend of hard work, health, and caring for both people and animals, with a focus on balance and sustainability.
Laura, Ashe County NCLaura’s homesteading life in Lansing, North Carolina, reflects her deep connection to family, nature, and community. On her 60-acre property, she cares for animals, maintains a garden, and homeschools her children. A talented florist, her arrangements are a local favorite. While her husband works up north, Laura manages the homestead with growing help from her kids. She fosters community through potlucks and sharing knowledge, and gardening has been a healing practice for her. Laura values patience in the slow, rewarding process of homesteading, and her generosity extends to supporting local businesses and sharing homemade goods.
Hunter, Bradley County TNHunter's life on the farm blends hard work, sustainability, and family heritage. As a seventh-generation farmer with a background in art and education, she manages the homestead's daily tasks, including caring for livestock, gardening, and managing the farm's marketing and social media. After relocating from a suburban upbringing to pursue a more self-sufficient lifestyle, she and her husband found a property near Fall Creek Falls, where they established Gentry Homestead. Hunter renovated the farmhouse, grew the land, and integrated her children into the farming process, while balancing homeschooling and farm responsibilities. The farm, initially a small-scale operation, has grown into a viable business, selling produce, eggs, and plants through local markets. It focuses on sustainability, community, and long-term financial stability. Through careful planning and reinvestment, Hunter aims to build generational wealth while fostering a deep connection to nature and teaching her children values of hard work, sustainability, and legacy.
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Amie, Ashe County NCAmie’s homestead in Western North Carolina reflects her and her husband's shift from global careers to a simpler, self-sufficient life. Embracing the rhythm of homesteading, they grow their own food, raise animals, and repurpose materials to build a sustainable life. Amie, with her optimism and resilience, finds joy in the tasks of daily life, from tending crops to caring for animals. Despite challenges like impassable winter roads or close quarters during the pandemic, their lifestyle is grounded in intention, patience, and a deep connection to the land, where every task serves a purpose and brings fulfillment.
Tara, Watauga County NCTara’s homesteading journey started from a dissatisfaction with modern life, especially the beauty industry, leading her to seek a simpler, nature-based lifestyle for her family. She began small, with a garden in a temporary rental, and eventually committed to self-reliance, sustainability, and spiritual fulfillment. After leaving a toxic salon, Tara started her own business giving her the flexibility needed to homeschool her children and focus on homesteading. Raising animals, growing food, and teaching her children life skills became key parts of her life, while challenges fostered resilience. Tara also embraced herbal medicine and bartering for services, building a supportive community and making homesteading even more economical for her family. Her life now blends faith, family, and a deep connection to the land, as she continues to teach her children the values of simplicity and self-sufficiency.
Mandy, Cheatham County TNMandy’s homesteading journey is rooted in the belief that anyone can grow their own food, regardless of space, as long as they use available resources wisely and plan strategically. After transitioning from large-scale farming to a smaller homestead, Mandy has focused on cultivating a diverse range of crops and raising animals like chickens, pigs, and bees, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and health. She avoids chemicals, relying on natural methods like crop rotation and organic treatments. Over time, she has expanded her operations, adding greenhouses, selling products at farmers' markets, and even producing her own CBD products. Despite working full-time, Mandy dedicates a significant amount of time to her farm, balancing daily chores and larger projects, especially on weekends. Her goal is to make the farm sustainable for both food and income, with a focus on quality and community engagement.
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Lauren, Ashe County NCFor Lauren, homesteading is a communal practice that connects her family, their values, and their community. After leaving suburban New Jersey, she and her husband sought a life of self-sufficiency and a deeper connection to nature, eventually settling in Ashe County, North Carolina. Their homestead is a space where each family member, including their two teenage children, plays an essential role in raising animals and growing food. Through hands-on, flexible homeschooling, the children learn valuable life skills like animal care, cooking, and woodworking. Teamwork is central to their household, and tools like a sawmill and tractor help the family thrive. Lauren is dedicated to building strong community bonds by organizing events and offering support to neighbors. Her example shows that homesteading is not just about farming, but about creating a life rooted in connection, creativity, and shared responsibility.
Kendall, Watauga County NCKendall’s life is a blend of passion, purpose, and self-sufficiency, rooted in family, homesteading, and her dedication to women’s health. She and her husband, Matt, manage a thriving farm filled with chickens, pigs, turkeys, and cows, alongside a flourishing garden that sustains their household. Beyond farm life, Kendall is deeply committed to empowering women through fitness, nutrition, and postpartum care, drawing from her own experiences as a mother. She recently authored a prenatal exercise book and continues to advocate for maternal well-being. Balancing motherhood, business, and homesteading, she embraces both the challenges and joys of a life built on resilience, tradition, and community.
Angela, Hickman County TNAngela grew up in a homesteading family, learning self-sufficiency from her parents through skills like canning, baking, and animal care. After a brief break from farm life when she married, she and her husband reintroduced homesteading to provide their children with the same rich upbringing. Now a stay-at-home mom, she homeschools their children while managing the family’s extensive homestead, which includes dairy cows, chickens, a large garden, and home-raised meat. Her husband, a former Amish barn builder, now runs a home-building business and applies his skills to improve their farm. The family values fresh, homegrown food, cherishing seasonal produce like tomatoes and squash. Angela finds deep fulfillment in their rural life, from peaceful mornings milking cows to watching her children learn from nature. Despite the hard work, she sees homesteading as a rewarding legacy to pass down, emphasizing resilience, community, and the simple joys of living off the land.
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