The Farmplate Blog

NAME: Jenna Woginrich

FARM: Cold Antler Farm

AGE: 29

Can you provide some brief background information about your farm? In your opinion, what makes it special or unique?

Cold Antler Farm is a small acreage farm dedicated to sheep, wool, and other livestock raised for the table such as pork, chicken, rabbit, and turkeys. There are no tractors or engines used in farm work; this is a horse-powered and hand-tool operation dedicated to a diversified and sustainable ag practices. It's also a learning center where folks from all over the country have visited to learn country living skills such as basic gardening, beekeeping, raising chickens and mountain music. It's my full-time job (I'm also an author and blogger), and I tend the operation by myself with the help of a 2-year-old Border Collie named Gibson.

Why do you believe farming is important, particularly for the younger generation, and why did you decide to become a farmer? 

I became a farmer because I realized that the only way novels are written, symphonies are composed, and wars are fought is because someone else is out there growing food. I grew tired of depending on someone else to keep me alive, so I fell for farming head over heels. The rush of independence and accomplishment the soil returns, be it lamb chop or fresh cut of kale, is the most wonderfully visceral thing I have yet to experience. Everyone has to eat, and never before has eating healthy food been more important.

Photo Courtesy Jon Katz

Note: This post is part of FarmPlate's new series about young farmers. If you want to be included, know someone we should profile or have comments/questions about our series, please contact Jeff Gangemi at jgangemi@farmplate.com.