What’s the Farmgirl Sisterhood?

You can make “being a farmgirl” official by joining our ongoing, ever-growing list of Farmgirl Sisterhood members. (“Sister” is an endearing term for adult women that MaryJane grew up hearing every day. If you’ve read her book, you’ll know what the sister thing is all about.)

When you add your name to the Farmgirl Sisterhood list, you will receive a consecutive number according to when you signed up (for example, Farmgirl Sisterhood Member #1). Once you’re officially signed up (see below), we’ll mail your official Farmgirl Sisterhood Badge depicting an adorable aproned hen, our official logo, ready to wear or embroider, and an official Farmgirl Sisterhood Certificate signed by the Queen Bee herself. Over on the Farmgirl Connection chatroom, you’ll get a special hexagonal Farmgirl Sisterhood designation by your name. Also, you’ll receive a monthly e-mail newsletter and “Members Only” special discounts on MaryJanesFarm products. You will have the option of starting a “virtual” online chapter called a “Henhouse.” You can start earning Farmgirl Sisterhood Merit Badges right away (more below). Members are the only ones permitted to mentor farmerettes (farmgirls-in-training under the age of 18) and work with them to earn Farmgirl Sisterhood Merit Badges.

In other words, you’ll be strutting your sisterhood stuff for all the world to see!

The Farmgirl Sisterhood’s official logo is a “badge” in the shape of a hexagon, showing a hen wearing an apron — “Henrietta.”

Now, mind you, Henrietta takes her noble position seriously, so she’s decided she wants some rules about how she will be seen in the world. She wants to make sure her sacred position representing the nobility of the true-blue, dyed-in-the-wool, birds-of-a-feather MaryJanesFarm Farmgirl Sisterhood™ member won’t be muddied through misuse by those who have a lesser “understanding” or command of honorable farmgirl traits. Henrietta wants to make sure that when farmgirl sisters are out-and-about in the world and they see someone with a “Henrietta” logo on her jacket or bag, that she’s the real McCoy … not a copy-catter.

In order to join the Farmgirl Sisterhood, you must first register as a farmgirl on our Farmgirl Connection chatroom. It’s free to register. Just follow the links. Once you’re registered, you can then purchase for $20 your annual Sisterhood membership.

Members will be notified by e-mail or postcard when their year’s membership is about to expire. (If their membership lapses, they’ll lose “their” unique number!) To renew, click here.

And now for the (unfortunately) necessary legalese:
The MaryJanesFarm Farmgirl Sisterhood™ and Farmgirl Sisterhood logo depicting our “Henrietta” hen in an apron is a trademark that is owned and copyrighted by MaryJanesFarm. Unauthorized usage of this logo by any person or group will be subject to the full extent of prosecution under the law. Please read: Rules for Farmgirl Sisterhood Membership and Using the Farmgirl Sisterhood Henrietta Logo.

Become an Official Farmgirl Sisterhood member today!

Renew your Farmgirl Sisterhood membership!

Questions and Answers:

What’s the difference between the Farmgirl Chapter groups and the Farmgirl Sisterhood?
There is no charge to start or join a Farmgirl Chapter, to swap it up on our Farmgirl Barter, or to chat online with other farmgirls. However, to wear the official Henrietta logo, to participate in the merit badge program, to have a “Henhouse”, and to access other benefits, there is an annual $20 membership fee to belong to the Farmgirl Sisterhood.

Why a hexagon?
The hexagon, a shape that speaks the zen of the busy beehive or the wired manors of chickens (the oldest domesticated animal on earth), symbolizes the unity and structure of the farmgirl life — a framework for the proper order of things, a pattern for life. In unwritten feminine language, it is a standard for farmgirls, or for that matter, the ordinary honeybee or the hen, rank and file workers that move the work along. It says that all things are to be done decently and in order, and that small things add up.

Why a hen?
We call our hen “Henrietta.” She symbolizes the “can do” attitude of being a farmgirl. What are the noble farmgirl traits? Farmgirls are multi-talented, resourceful, creative, strong, down-to-earth, and generous by nature. We enjoy creating things, whether it is in the kitchen, our studios, or the wood shop. We may not live in the country, but friendship, fun, community, and creativity bloom wherever we happen to be “planted.” In other words, farmgirls can do anything they set their minds to, sorta’ like the Little Red Hen in the famous children’s story. We enjoy the fun of getting together to create, to help others in our communities, or to share ideas. We believe in the power of the Farmgirl Sisterhood to change the world for the better!

Why an apron?
Since MaryJane has been “aproned” her entire life, it’s only fitting that our Henrietta hen put on an apron. MaryJane’s mother, a woman of many aprons, taught her that an apron is the universal symbol for a grown-up girl’s 4-H program (home, hearth, handiwork and hogs). So, a woman who means business (and has work to do) is never without one!

What are the “Henhouses,” and how do they work?
Members of the Farmgirl Sisterhood will gain access to set up “henkeeping” in our online “Henhouses.” Anyone can read Henhouse posts, but the only ones who can “join” and post in the Henhouses are other Farmgirl Sisterhood members. Henhouses give Farmgirl Sisterhood members a place of their own to meet online; chat; post photos; and share instructions, tutorials, and more.

You may start your own online Henhouse, and join as many other Sisters’ Henhouses as you please. Likewise, other Sisters from near and far may join your Henhouse, but you, as the “Hen Hencho,” would be the one who defines what you’d like the focus of your Henhouse flock to be. You could start by posting about that on the Bulletin Board. Then, as the one in charge of the “henkeeping,” you would post a short little Bio so others will know a little about you and what your interests are, and new members who join will do the same. Your flock will grow as other Sisters want to join in on the conversations. As leader, you would keep the ideas, friendships, and conversations rolling with new notices on the Bulletin Board, Book Discussions, and Project Discussions (including photos, if you’d like!). It’s like an online Farmgirl Sisterhood sorority house! (Even if we don’t know Latin, who can resist PIE?)

What are Farmgirl Merit Badges, and how do I earn them?
Another benefit of becoming a Sisterhood Member is the ability to earn Merit Badges. The seven sections in my “Ideabook, Cookbook, Lifebook” cover, I think, most aspects of a farmgirl’s life: Each Other, Farm Kitchen, Garden Gate, Stitching Room, Make It Easy, Outpost, and Cleaning Up. Our Merit Badge structure grew from those seven sections. You earn Merit Badges in any of those sections by doing tasks in categories like crocheting, community service, going green, etc. You name it, a farmgirl can do it! Everything from engine overhaul to doilie construction! The badges to be earned will evolve as new members join and add their interests to the mix. Each category has three different levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Expert. See a detailed list of categories for each section. To find out how to apply for your badges, read more about them here.

Once you’ve earned a badge, all the glorious details will be posted on the Farmgirl Connection. Everyone has to start from “scratch;” no hens get their previous accomplishments “grandmothered in.”

What’s a farmerette?
Farmerettes are young farmgirls-in-training under the age of 18. They can also earn Merit Badges, as long as there is a Farmgirl Sisterhood member nearby to work with them.

Will we ever have get-togethers in different parts of the country to meet each other in person?
Absolutely! You can bet on the Farmgirl Sisterhood and Chapter get-togethers and lots of badge-showing and story-sharing, farmgirl style, to happen in the future (if not in the pasture)! Farmgirls and little farmerettes LOVE to get-together, hen and cackle style.

What's the Farmgirl Sisterhood? | Logo Rules | Earning Merit Badges