Mary Murray
describes herself as a goat charmer, chicken whisperer, bee maven, and farmers’ market baker renovating an 1864 farmhouse on an Ohio farm. With a degree in Design, Mary says small-town auctions and country road barn sales "always make my heart skip a beat thinking about what I could create or design out of what I’ve seen.”
Rooted in the countryside, she likes simple things and old ways … gardening, preserving the harvest, cooking, baking, and all things home. While you might find her selling baked goods from the farm’s milkhouse, teaching herself to play the fiddle, or sprucing up a vintage camper named Maizy, you will always find her in an apron!
Mary says, “I’m happiest with the simple country pleasures … an old farmhouse, too many animals, a crackling fire, books to read, and the sound of laughter … these make life just perfect.”
Column contents © Mary Murray. All rights reserved.
Farmgirl
is a condition
of the heart.
Alexandra Wilson
is a budding rural farmgirl living in Palmer, the agricultural seat of Alaska. Alex is a graduate student at Alaska Pacific University pursuing an M.S. in Outdoor and Environmental Education. She lives and works on the university’s 700 acre environmental education center, Spring Creek Farm. When Alex has time outside of school, she loves to rock climb, repurpose found objects, cross-country ski on the hay fields, travel, practice yoga, and cook with new-fangled ingredients.
Alex grew up near the Twin Cities and went to college in Madison, Wisconsin—both places where perfectly painted barns and rolling green farmland are just a short drive away. After college, she taught at a rural middle school in South Korea where she biked past verdant rice paddies and old women selling home-grown produce from sidewalk stoops. She was introduced to MaryJanesFarm after returning, and found in it what she’d been searching for—a group of incredible women living their lives in ways that benefit their families, their communities, and the greater environment. What an amazing group of farmgirls to be a part of!
Column contents © Alexandra Wilson. All rights reserved.
Libbie Zenger
Previous Rural Farmgirl,
June 2010 – Jan 2012
Libbie’s a small town farmgirl who lives in the high-desert Sevier Valley of Central Utah on a 140-year-old farm with her husband and two darling little farmboys—as well as 30 ewes; 60 new little lambs; a handful of rams; a lovely milk cow, Evelynn; an old horse, Doc; two dogs; a bunch o’ chickens; and two kitties.
René Groom
Previous Rural Farmgirl,
April 2009 – May 2010
René lives in Washington state’s wine country. She grew up in the dry-land wheat fields of E. Washington, where learning to drive the family truck and tractors, and “snipe hunting,” were rites of passage. She has dirt under her nails and in her veins. In true farmgirl fashion, there is no place on Earth she would rather be than on the farm.
Oh girl! In two years, I have had 4 surgeries on my left foot and one on my right. I have been 8 weeks non-weight bearing many times and I have to say that it is not fun. You were better prepared than I think I was the first time, but after that it just seemed to be a burden. I don’t like to sit either.
Carol,
Oh my word… that is A LOT!!!!!!! Were the surgeries successful??? I feel like mine has been very successful. I will not ever be able to bend my big toe again so I’m wondering if that will be hard to figure out how to run properly again. However, that toe wasn’t really working well the last few years so hopefully it’ll actually be easier since I won’t have pain. I hope your surgeries were successful.
And yeah.. that non weight bearing is HARD!!!!!!
Hugs to you!
~ Dori ~
You’re a true Trouper! Hang in there.here’s to a better 2026🤗
Molly,
I’ve had my moments!!! Just a few tears though!
~ Dori ~
You are in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery!
Judy,
Thank you so, so much!!! Happy Thanksgiving!
~ Dori ~
Praying that your recovery goes smoothly!!! Happy Thanksgiving!
Debbie,
Thank you!!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family as well!
~ Dori ~
Oh Dori you Rock you really do!!
Speedy recovery and no more falls please🤗
My favorite pie is Pecan. I am not much of a pie girl as I do not like the crust. But for
Pecan Pie I will suffer!
Happy Thanksgiving yo you and yours.
Farmgirl Hugs,
Debbie
Debbie,
So just out of curiosity…. have you a good home made butter pie crust?? Because OH MY WORD, they are so good!!! Hahaha!!!
~ Dori ~
I am glad you are on the mend and doing well. Prayers. My good friend is about to undergo foot surgery in the beginning of the new year and I keep telling her she has to prepare! Thanks so much for sharing.
Cathi,
Share my blog post with your friend!!! Maybe it’ll help her prepare!! 🙂
Hugs,
~ Dori ~
Dori,
I hope that your foot continues to heal and you are up to your fun and exciting things soon.
Enjoy your time with your family this holiday season.
Sincerely,
Linda
Linda,
Thank you so much!!! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season as well.
~ Dori ~