Raw Land to Rural Freedom: Building a Homestead Life One Step At A Time with Brooke Whipple

Ever dreamed of escaping the grind and building a life on your own terms? Brooke Whipple has done just that—turning raw land into a thriving homestead, one smart and frugal decision at a time.

Known for her resilience and self-reliant lifestyle, Brooke is an adventurer, homesteader, and two-time contestant on Alone. She’s been building a sustainable life from the ground up, even when resources are limited. She is the master of using progress on one step to fund the next step.

At Self-Reliance Festival 2025, Brooke will share lessons, practical strategies, and no-nonsense advice for creating freedom through homesteading—without mountains of debt. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your approach, this session will inspire and equip you for the journey ahead.

What you’ll learn:

  • Smart land-buying strategies
  • Essential skills to build your homestead on a budget
  • How to maximize resources and minimize waste
  • The mindset shift needed to embrace true independence

More about Brooke

I caught up with Brooke and asked her a few off-the-wall questions:

  1. What is the weirdest thing you have ever cooked over an open fire?Weirdest thing on a campfire- Oregon hairy triton (giant predatory sea snail). Tasted like bile. Apparently has a pathogen in its salivary glands that can be fatal to humans if consumed. Good thing it tasted like crap! 
  2. What is your favorite band or piece of music?Favorite band or piece of music- that really depends on my mood, but I’m all over the place. I like country- Chris Stapleton, Brothers Osborne, Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum, good ol’ country gold (Don Williams, Dolly, etc.), to 80’s pop, to artists like Gregory Alan Isakov, Jewel, Daughtry, Shawn Colvin, Rob Thomas, Hozier, John Mayer, Miley Cyrus, and Fleetwood Mac. All. Over. The. Place.

When Brooke is not off-grid building cabins or surviving in the the wild, you’ll find her sharing her journey on YouTube (@GirlInTheWoods), inspiring thousands to take control of their own freedom. Connect with Brooke at her website.

Catch Brooke at SRF!

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Fortress Mindset: Real-World Family Defense With Joel Ryals of FortressK9

Our first speaker announcement this year is Joel Ryals, a man who knows exactly what it takes to protect his family—and yours. His session, “Fortress Mindset: Real-World Family Defense,” is straight talk about practical security. No fluff, no paranoia—just solid strategies to keep your home and loved ones safe.

Self-Reliance Festival isn’t about theory—it’s about real skills, real solutions, and people who walk the walk.

To keep things fin, I hit him with two off-the-wall questions:

🚗 If the only parking spot left was next to a Tesla Charging Station, would you take it or hike from the lot next door?

I would park my diesel truck in the charging station spot. If I can’t do that, I would probably park in the next lot and walk. 😀

🎬 What’s your all-time favorite movie?

My favorite comedy is Space Balls and my favorite Sci-Fi is Terminator with The Matrix as a close second.

What else will you learn about Joel? Stay tuned to find out! SRF 2025 is just getting started.

Connect with Joel

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