“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one”
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Do you have a flock of farmgirl friends to call your own? The kind of friends who “get “ why you LOVE the things you do SO MUCH. I know many of you do, but just in case you find yourself in a new town, city or neighborhood yearning to connect with new farmgirl friends or expand your circle of golden old ones, I’ll share with you how I recently gathered a “flock of farmgirl friends” for my Home Town Farmgirl Chapter!
I owe it all to the Queen Bee, Sister # 1, MaryJane. She thinks of everything!
Women have been gathering together since the beginning of time for sewing circles, church groups and bible study, book clubs, Garden clubs, knitting groups, crafting parties, food co-ops, investment groups, mommy and me play times, homeschooling groups, church groups, Red Hat Club and old fashioned Tea Parties too. Homesteading groups are on the rise and so are Farmgirl Chapters.
What we are really doing when we gather together is planting the seeds of friendship in hopes they’ll take root!
After discovering all things MaryJanesFarm two years ago I dove right in and joined the farmgirl forum, and then I became a sister too. I found myself carrying around some extra sunshine with me everywhere I went. I felt like I was keeping the most wonderful secret. Sure enough, like so many others, it appeared that I too had contracted a whallopin’ case of FARMGIRL FEVER!
I happily succumbed as I continued to explore more of MaryJanesFarm through my magazine subscription and her “Life Book” for the farmgirl in all of us. I finally signed up as the leader for the Home Town Farmgirl Chapter and I couldn’t wait for my packet to arrive! When it did, I promptly adhered my “certified FARMGIRL bumper sticker” to the back of my Red Ford Explorer. The first bumper sticker to go on ANY vehicle of mine since I started driving.
I tucked the packet away and continued to “think” about how I would gather some farmgirls someday. It was through reading about different merit badge requirements that I learned I could host a “Catch the Farmgirl Fever “gathering to introduce my friends and family to MaryJanesFarm and earn a merit badge to boot! With new inspiration I began brainstorming about my gathering. I composed an email invite and sent it out to family and friends.
Here’s what it said:
Dear friends,
You knew the day would come when I would have to start a farmgirl chapter of my own, didn’t you? Well, I’ve gone and done it! I’ve dubbed it the Home Town Farmgirls Chapter and you’re invited to join me in any and all farmgirl fun from here on out!
The first catch the farmgirl fever meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 18th from 6:30 – we poop out P.M.
I’ll introduce you to all things MaryJane’sFarm and we’ll have fun, eat things then share ideas for future meetings.
So… what is a farmgirl anyway?
A farmgirl believes in the strong arms of friendship, community and the just plain fun of being together. A farmgirl takes joy in the quiet satisfaction of making things with her own hands. She exudes kindness, grace, humility, gentleness, patience and generosity, and loves the simple pleasures in life. A farmgirl is loyal and caring, especially when it comes to her family, friends and community. She gives generously of her time and talents. Farmgirls love to get together to share their ideas. She can be with or without fields and stock.
Farmgirl is a condition of the heart. ~ MaryJaneButters
Click on the link below to meet MaryJane and I look forward to seeing you soon!
If an old barn smells just as good to you as your husband’s cologne, you might be a farmgirl at heart!
Bring one organic snack or dessert to share, along with a recipe. And bring a friend! The more the merrier!
Deb Bosworth ~ sister #1199 and Chapter Leader of the Home Town Farmgirls
On the day of the gathering, I dusted and fluffed around the house and got ready for the girls. I made MaryJane’s organic layered Bean Dip. Sooo yummy! I got out my chapter leader materials and decided I would create a fun gift bag for each “girl” filled with farmgirl goodies.
To decorate the bags I created frames out of scrap book paper for the Farmgirl Connections cards that come with each Chapter Leader Packet.
Tucked inside each bag was a chapter member sheet, farmgirl connection cards, fun farmgirlish notecards, a journal and coupon holder. I found them at Michael’s craft store for 50 cents each in the bargain bins!
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I decked out my buffet with my MJF recipe book, sisterhood info, and a few copies of “The Cluck ”.
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I couldn’t resist putting out a basket of some of MaryJane’s farmgirl products.
I laid out enough MJF magazines for all to enjoy!
Our first meeting was so much fun! Here are the “girls” getting to know each other.
Raymie and my sweet FARMGIRL mom Joy.
We snacked on organic goodies and chatted about planting veggies in raised beds, raising baby goats, homemade yogurt, and of course baby chicks and children too!
Amy, Pat
and Heidi!
We’re all busy moms with families but making time for gathering together to share some good old fashioned farmgirl fun has been booted to the top of our ” to do ” lists! After reading this post I hope it rises to the top of yours too! It’s just the sort of farmgirl soul food to keep you smiling and looking forward to fun times ahead!
The Home Town Farmgirls are Jammin’ in an old-fashioned farmgirl jam kitchen this month.
Whether it was luck or fate that I discovered MaryJanesFarm is neither here nor there, but I have a sneaking suspicion who directed me to my first copy of MaryJanesFarm tucked high on a shelf in my local Barns and Noble Book store and brought me here to this space. It’s such an honor to be able to share the “farmgirl fever” with YOU here! It’s one fever that I hope continues to be contagious!
I like to think farmgirl friends are forever friends, don’t you? Have you been yearnin’ to start a chapter of your own? If you already have, what sorts of things does ” your flock ” do for farmgirl fun?
“Lassoed ” taken by my sweet husband.
Until our next shoreline visit~
Beach Blessings farmgirl friends!
Love,
Deb
I’m so grateful to MaryJane for all she shares with us (and the world ). Her farmgirl goodness radiates in each one of us.
I miss the chapter I was with in OR. My move here has yet to produce a chapter. I so long for the kinship of farmgirls. Once I get into the routine of a new job, I am going to try to muster up some girls so we can have jam parties and eat organic bean dip!
Julia,It might take time, but it’ll happen for sure! HE will send you some farmgirl friends! I just know it! Thanks for reading 🙂 ~ Deb
What a PERFECT recipe for others to follow!! You’ve inspired me ALL OVER AGAIN and my little flock is already together :o)
It is so worth the effort to round up a herdlet of farmgirl’s! They’ve enriched my life as much as a big ole pile of aged manure. Now, if you’re a farmgirl you’ll TOTALLY get that! :o)
Hi-5 and a bum-bump to my beachy farmgirl sister. Great outline and fab photos.
Thanks Shery! Hi-5 and a bum- bump right back atcha! Yepper’s, love that aged manure, or in my case chicken poop! Can I say that here??? LOL Deb
I am like Julia, no Farmgirl Chapter here in the new area I moved too either. Pretty sure I am not the one to get it started but oh my Deb you sure make it sound like fun – it’s the commitment that has me concerned but I will pray about it and see what happens. Maybe Ms. Julia is in my area – wouldn’t that be funny.
Thanks for the great time had here on your blog.
Joan, you never know where you’ll bump into a farmgirl at heart! Keep your eyes open! Thanks for reading, Deb
Our group has been meeting together for several years. Our first few years we crafted together. We learned to knit, tat, embroider,spin wool, make raffia hats, make soap and mozzarella cheese. This year seems to be the food year. We have made Chill-overs, Bake-Overs, had a soup exchange, learned about the Nourishing Traditions food and soon we will be gathering together to share our favorite cook books.It is a pleasure to know these women and share life with them.
You are blessed for sure! Thanks for sharing all you do! Deb
I just love your ideas about creating a Farm Girl group. May I copy some of your ideas in starting a group of my own?
Absolutley! Have fun and thanks for reading~ Deb
Hi there,
I may have written before but don’t believe I ever heard back. My hubby is a pastor and I have homeschooled in Massachusetts for 23 years.
I live in a little house, love to change the decorating, with a beach theme. We love going to Rockport, Gloucester (which we go to once a month) and Seabury. I collect sea glass from Rockport, garden herbs and plants on my 3/4 acre property, am a mixed media/collage artist, tutor other students and love church activities.
Hope to hear from you. You never know if we could meet!
Hi Crystal, Your hobbies and art sound wonderful and you’re a veteran homeschooler to boot! Yay! If you’re ever near Plymouth, let me know! Thanks for reading,
Deb
Hey Debbie, Thank you for reminding me how much fun the farmgirl chapters can be. My group went on different paths, because of work and family stuff. can’t wait to get my chapter back together "The Rogue River Chicks".
I really enjoy reading your site.
Have a wonderfully blessed day.
Thanks for reading JoAnn! Hope you and your flock can find time to re-unite!
Deb
I don,t belong to a group or chapter either. but I love reading about everyone else and I am a farm girl at heart.
Hi Brenda! Thanks for reading and keep that farmgirl spirit going!
Deb
I read your blog regularly, but just HAD to comment when I saw your mother’s name…JOY…because it’s MY name, too! 😀 I love your blogs and love the inspiration you share! 🙂
I’m not a farmgirl sister, but I LOVE EVERYTHING MaryJane!! Keep doing what you’re doing 🙂
Joy, Kentucky
Joy, Thank you for your encouraging words and a big thanks for reading too! I LOVE the name Joy!
Deb
All this just melts my heart! I was a Farmgirl at heart until a few months ago when I became a Farmgirl in fact. I never would have imagine a few years ago when I first read MJ’s book that I’d be living on my own farm now and in Idaho to boot! Crazy the path life leads us on when we step out in faith.
Sadly, there is not a chapter here in my little town. I’d like to start one, but haven’t met anyone yet who seems to get it. But I’ll keep on trying.
Until then, I’ll raise my family, restore my farmhouse, milk my goat and chase my chickens. And keep an eye out for other Farmgirls…
Congratulations! I’d say you are on the right track… I have not doubt there will be some new farmgirl friends comin’ round soon! Keep the faith!
Blessings, Deb
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