Barnheart- The Inscrutable Longing for a Farm of One's Own- A Memoir

Whether they’re about raising chickens or herding sheep, the tales of Jenna Woginrich have caught the imagination of thousands of young homesteaders. As she learns traditional farming skills by trial and error, Woginrich records her offbeat observations and poignant moments with honesty, humility, and humor. In BarnHeart, she lands at a small rented farm and struggles to find her place in a reserved rural community filled with working farmers who are scraping by and wealthy vacation-home owners with fancy barns that never house livestock. Although her barnheart — a term Woginrich coins to describe her state of longing for a farm of her own — never subsides, she makes do on her rented farmstead, caring for her sheep, chickens, geese, ducks, rabbits, a goat, and a turkey, until relationships sour and she’s abruptly forced to leave. Where will she and her animals go? Will she finally be able to afford the farm she’s always dreamed of? Even when dealing with cranky neighbors, small-town politics, and the loneliness that comes with running a farm on her own, Woginrich never loses her sense of humor. Readers will recognize themselves and find inspiration in this appealing story of longing and striving for a more authentic life Whether They're About Raising Chickens Or Herding Sheep, The Tales Of Jenna Woginrich Have Caught The Imagination Of Thousands Of Young Homesteaders. As She Learns Traditional Farming Skills By Trial And Error, Woginrich Records Her Offbeat Observations And Poignant Moments With Honesty, Humility, And Humor. How To Tell If You're Infected -- A Cabin In The Woods -- A Very Long Winter -- Sheep 101 -- The Arrival Of Rufus Wainwright And Benjamin Franklin -- Into The Garden -- Meet The Locals -- The Society Of Lamb And Wool -- The Hooves Have Landed -- Getting My Goat -- You Need A Truck, Girl -- Building Paradise Broke And Alone -- Saving Sarah -- Turkey Drama -- A Note On The Door -- The Search Begins -- Going Home. Jenna Woginrich. Includes Index. With humor and poise, Jenna Woginrich describes her adventurous self-education in homesteading. Poignant offbeat observations on learning to farm by trial and error punctuate the story of her quest to find a permanent home for herself and her livestock: chickens, geese, sheep, ducks, rabbits, a goat, and a turkey. Alone and on a shoestring budget, Woginrich takes on cranky neighbors and small-town politics without ever losing her trademark humility or comedic style.