The Homestead Has Roots Here

Elizabeth Toenyes · Billings, Montana

A long line of farmers, ranchers, and people who knew how to work.

I am a fifth- and sixth-generation Montanan, raised on a homestead and shaped by a long line of hardworking farmers and ranchers. Growing up, my hands were always in the dirt, but as a young woman, I felt a strong call to serve my country. I chose to leave high school early to join the Army, dedicating ten years of my life to military service. During that time, I pushed myself to grow, eventually earning a master's degree.

While I am deeply proud of those years, the relentless pace and heavy demands of the work eventually left me burned out. I realized I needed a profound change to protect my well-being. I made the choice to return home to my roots in Billings. I came back to be close to my family, to start a family of my own, and to find genuine peace and healing.

That return to the soil became the foundation for The Beartooth Homestead. Today, my life is grounded in land stewardship and meaningful work. The animals are at the heart of everything we do. I raise sheep for wool and dairy, and keep chickens and horses. I also craft handmade goods: spinning yarn by hand from our own fleece, and making candles, lotions, and chapsticks from simple, clean ingredients without any synthetic fillers.

Everything here either comes from this land or returns to it. While I still work as a writer and strategist to help fund this dream, the homestead is where my spirit rests. Returning to my roots brought me the healing I needed, and I now spend my time focused entirely on the people, animals, and work I love.