Don't the people who sign up for workshops early on (and pay full price) get mad when other people get such a discounted rate? I guess her "expertise" isn't worth as much as the mortgage payment nears?
What makes you think anyone pays full price? She wants you to think others are willing to pay and do pay 'full price'. it inflates the workshops value and gives greater leverage for...you guessed it, wheeling and dealing. discounts, special offers, sales and more!
Her cyclic price dropping is precisely why I hate black friday. don't insult me by slashing sale prices and still profiting. Makes paying retail feel like you've been robbed.
Anyone that pays attention, and most that would be likely to actually desire a workshop from her, do, would have sense to wait till like the very end because then they will be dirt cheap and you don't have to pay so much money for a day with someone that barely knows what they are doing, anyway. You'd be surprised at how many excellent teachers are right in your backyard and would love to share and teach, most likely for a very very reasonable rate and for people who are talented at their arts, not just some sort of celebrity who wrote a few books. Just my two cents...
Not to mention that she has a habit of canceling them with no refund, so if you wait until the day before to go.. maybe she will have canceled by then so you are not out the money.
If I were going to pay someone $150 bucks to learn any of the subjects offered in those workshops, I'd give the money to some 80 year-old person who had been doing them for a half-century or so. THAT would be some knowledge worth paying for, I'll bet. But to learn about keeping chickens, raising sheep or shooting a bow and arrow from someone who has been doing all that for less than 10 years (and dabbling in them at best) seems kind of silly. Just my opinion though. And as Barnum used to say, "there's a sucker born every minute," so some will, sadly, take full advantage of that fact.
Hi, all. I stumbled on this blog when I googled Cold Antler Farm, and realized that Meredith was probably the individual that Jenna eventually banned from her comments section. Reading what all of you have to say has been very interesting for a variety of reasons. I live in Colorado and don't know Jenna, although I have enjoyed reading her blog. The comments you've made about her animal husbandry skills seem to have some merit, although I'm not able to see the animals or her property and can't be certain. However, if you have concerns, why don't you e-mail her, or alert government authorities in Washington County? That course of action is more likely to help her animals than venting on a totally unrelated blog. Even if, as you claim, animals in her care are being harmed, there may be nothing you can do about it. The world is full of wrongs, and although I'm quite idealistic, I've had to face the fact that most of them won't be righted. As far as I can tell, none of you except kelpie and collie live in Washington County. Perhaps she could visit Jenna and raise her concerns in person. Perhaps she could offer some wisdom on animal care. Or perhaps SHE could call animal control. If none of that is possible, and if none of you can take action, perhaps you will have to do as caring people do: cry for the cruelty in the world and try to do what you can to alleviate it. I would love to save every stray and abused animal and I would love to rewrite public policy to cut CO2 emissions worldwide so that all of us could have a future. Since I can't do those things alone, I join with others who care. I give money to environmental organizations and animal welfare organizations, I got a cat from my local humane society, I minimize my own CO2 emissions and I write often to my elected representatives. I'll have to continue in another comment due to the word limit here.
You also complain that she takes money for products that she doesn't deliver (wool). That is a pretty serious breach of ethics, and I think you're right to be angry and concerned about it. However, have you attempted to address these concerns with her? Comments are back on her blog and she has provided her e-mail address. Why don't you approach her? You all seem to believe that she is unqualified to teach the classes she offers. That might be true - I have no way of knowing. However, maybe some of the participants get value from it. If they don't, she'll eventually have to stop teaching. Maybe she's getting better at the things she does. How do you know? I agree that she is making a mistake by asking for donations, and by posting entries in which she indicates that she is about to suffer foreclosure, lose her truck, etc. One of you posted here an excellent blog entry by Jon Katz on this topic, and I agree with him. I do consider her behavior in this respect unethical. However, I don't think you have to attack her for it here. Her readers will make their own decisions. What I see on this blog is the equivalent of a lot of mean high school girls attacking. I've looked at your blog, HotFlashHomestead, and I think that you're a better person than that. The negative impact of gossip is really much greater than most of you probably imagine, and it often hurts the participants as much as the targets. My husband and I were the object of some truly cruel behavior from our next door neighbor about 12 years ago. When he verbally attacked our two your children while they were playing in our backyard (this was AFTER he came to our front door and screamed at us in a drunken rage because our cat had gone into his yard), we took him and his wife to mediation. One of the provisions in the agreement we signed was that we would not divulge the results of the mediation to non-parties. After we got home from the meeting, we watched our neighbor go from house to house and tell all of the other neighbors his version of events. As Shakespeare wrote, "The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones." We became instant pariahs. Although our offensive neighbor has moved away, we have watched as the two families who were his friends have said who knows what about us to all the new people who move onto our suburban street. (It can't have been good, because new people won't talk to us, either!) I've raised my two sons, now 18 and 21, in this environment. It's been an interesting experience and has taught me a lot. I used to be a bit of a people pleaser, but I've now learned to be "independent of the good opinion of others". However, I was quite hurt by the treatment we received. I suggest that ALL of you who post here think a bit more carefully about what you say and do. You're not doing "a public service" by criticizing Jenna Wogenrich in this forum. If you want to do that, call Animal Control. You ARE engaging in very hurtful and potentially injurious behavior. Guys, whatever your spiritual beliefs, it's the holiday season. Rather than bashing someone you don't even know, why don't you volunteer at an animal shelter in your community? Why don't you give money to an organization you care about and try to make the world a bit better? Why don't you ask if there's a friend, neighbor or family member in your life who needs some extra care at this time of year? Or - why don't you look within and see how you could become a better person? This world could use every bit of positive energy and action you can spare. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Solstice, Happy Eid, etc.
Unfortunately, many of us have taken these approaches and been unsuccessful.
I have spoken with her directly regarding my unfulfilled CSA wool subscription. I was given the option to wait until she has funds available, or receive a refund over the course of the next ten months in installments. Since I paid my CSA $200, she has bought a second horse, many board games, Dunkin Donuts coffee, and falconry accessories. And so on.
She mediates all comments on her blog. Dissenting opinions or inquiries are not publicly displayed.
There is a woman who posts here who spent time with Jenna, giving herding lessons. Another poster attended a workshop and was genuinely concerned about animal welfare.
This is not not immature teenage gossip. Many posters here run homesteads, small farms, or other independent lifestyles of their choosing. She lives life in the public arena, as we all do. Again - to an extent of our choosing.
Susan, I appreciate your opinion, and your viewpoint is reasonable. I must say, though, that I NEVER saw this as being "Mean Girls" situation at all, but instead commiserating with fellow bloggers over a very frustrating situation. Most of us have tried, many, many times to give Jenna helpful advice about things, and she turns it down flat, claiming she knows what she is doing when clearly she does not. If people read THIS blog and it makes them think twice about sending donations, signing up for workshops, or falling for the "help, I'm being foreclosed," semi-regular panic posts on the CAF blog, then isn't that a good thing? I don't post anonymously, because I am not embarrassed about my opinions on this; I truly believe people who google "Cold Antler Farm" should know some of the things that go on with their often-requested donations. If she was not constantly asking for money or trying to run workshops on things she is still a relative newbie at, it would not bother me. But I hate to see good people getting fleeced.
But I see your point too. Maybe I just need to stop following her blog and let the gullible folks pay their money and take their chances. Yet that feels unethical too, you know? To know something is wrong and not say anything about it. So I'm torn on this.
People have contacted the local animal welfare authorities, which you would have known if you did read all of the entries on this blog. Also, there are those who tried to get their money back or product or workshop that they bought and were met with a snarky retort from Jenna or a promise to pay them back in small installments or to come to another workshop, which may or may not occur.
In my area nothing is done for animals until there is a huge amount of death, for example, there are many horse farms that have starving horses and neighbors complaining constantly to the authorities about their welfare. Only when there are dead livestock rotting in plain view something is done about it. Call it the governmental red tape or lack of funds, but it is just cruel what some people overlook, or do to animals that they have in their care. It is horrible.
What your drunkard neighbor did to you wasn't right, but neither is coming down on people who have been burned so badly by a woman professing to be self sufficient farmer, who allows her livestock to lay in its own mess for two weeks dying slowly without using any of her money to get a vet over to check it out. I am referring to the lamb that recently died. And yes, Jenna did say that she wasn't able to afford a vet and did call the vet, but she didn't do the lamb any good by letting it lay there and slowly die while she went looking for a hawk to trap.
Jenna's public Facebook post, "Don't be a dick" recently during this holiday season about says it all.
And yes, I DO volunteer for the animal shelter; and I do often sign pettions for change in laws, and write my representatives; and I do spend time with my elderly mother, helping her and keeping her company. Just because some of us are (justifiably) angry at JW, does not mean we are "dicks".
Susan I do not live in Washington County. Not sure where that idea came from. You are not suggesting anything that has not been done already- by everyone. Each and everyone here has approached Jenna to ask for money back, give advice on the myriad sick animals and we have all been called "dicks". So, take it for what you will. And, Susan? I have seen her place, up close and personal.
Anonymous: the time and date stamps on the post to which you refer show that it was posted two and a half hours after mine. My entries were made on 12/18/13 at 9:02 PM and 9:05 PM. Yours was made on 12/18 at 11:38 PM. Obviously, it was not possible for me to have read it before writing. Jenna has put her character at issue by discussing her life on the internet. If you have been personally affected by any of her behavior, you clearly have a right to seek delivery of purchased goods or the return of your funds. I would do the same, and she should act in good faith and fulfill her obligations. I don't use Facebook, and from what you say, it sounds as if she is rather rude in that forum. I think that these represent poor business and ethical decisions on her part. If, indeed, some of you have seen her property and animals, you have a basis for your opinions regarding her animal care. However, I find it interesting that you think that you will affect her behavior by writing on this blog, although you may deter people from subscribing to her farm or attending her workshops. Apparently, you all believe that you have a duty to attempt the latter. I suppose that you will know you have succeeded when she loses her house and truck and/or has to get a job. Each of you will have to be guided by your own conscience in taking these actions, and will have to accept responsibility for intended and unintended consequences. I would not underestimate the potential magnitude of those effects. I choose to act differently in the world. If I am directly affected by someone's behavior, I take action. If I am capable of stopping a wrong such as animal abuse, I do so directly or by alerting public authorities. In the broader public arena, I engage in political action and give my support to causes that I believe have merit. Rather than attack an individual, I choose to spend my limited time and energy on issues that I believe are more significant for the well being of all, such as environmental degradation, climate change and species extinction. However, I recognize that the world is full of wrongs I cannot right. In fact, it seems likely that we will fail to avert catastrophic climate change, which will, in the end, be our only legacy. In view of that possibility, I must admit that Jenna's behavior, offensive and perhaps larcenous as it may be, seems quite insignificant. My suggestion to all of you is that you forget about her, widen your vision and take meaningful action in the broader world around you. THAT would make this blog worth reading!
Susan, with all due respect, you need to take your pulpit elsewhere. There is nothing here that has been said that is not the truth. Nothing. I may be wrong, but I don't think Meredith honestly gives one hoot about you reading her blog.. There are myriad other blogs out there where you can read all about homesteading and fantasy land. Jenna has one :) It's all perfect there, from what I hear. As to her insignificant behavior, I suggest you query the animals she neglects to death on a routine basis, if they agree.
I will say this...Meredith's posts make me bust out laughing when otherwise I'd be pulling my hair out and telling me husband whatever the latest boondoggle on the CAF blog is. He was tired of hearing it, even though he was as mortified as I over some of what went on there. I am grateful THIS blog is here. Plus, Meredith lives on a great farm and is truly walkin' the walk.
"However, I find it interesting that you think that you will affect her behavior by writing on this blog, although you may deter people from subscribing to her farm or attending her workshops. Apparently, you all believe that you have a duty to attempt the latter. I suppose that you will know you have succeeded when she loses her house and truck and/or has to get a job."
If she loses her house or truck, it's nobody's fault but her own. What is said here, even if it deters people from attending her workshops or bailing her out of financial crisis after financial crisis, should have no bearing if whether or not she loses her house or truck. Jenna alone is responsible for those debts, and it's nobody's job but her own to pay for her bills. And yes, she may have to get a job. That's part of life. She can poo-poo those of us who are responsible and work full time in order to support having our dreams (animals, gardens, etc) all she wants, but we'll be the ones laughing when she does fail because of her own refusal to grow up and take responsibility for herself. And she will eventually fail. She talks about sustainability all the time, yet refuses to see the reality of her situation. What she is doing (begging) is not sustainable. She'll eventually run out of fans, run out of book ideas, and run out of people willing to support her. The "poor me, help me" cry may have been acceptable for someone in her 20's just starting out, but it gets old fast once people realize she's a grown adult and has the ability to support herself, yet refuses to.
It's like the 30 yo college kid who moves back in to his mom's and dad's house and expects to be supported. That kid is perfectly able to go out and work to support himself, but feels entitled and thinks he should be able to sit on his ass while everyone around him busts their hump to support him.
Susan, maybe you're ok with her conning people out of their money, conning people into thinking she's an expert on homesteading, and conning people into supporting her so she can sit back and laze about all day. I'm not ok with that. I'm not ok with unsuspecting people being parted from their own hard earned money. I'm not ok with people thinking it's normal for that many animals to die. The excuse "it's a farm" doesn't fly. I'm not ok with people thinking it's normal for sheep to be hurting themselves trying to get out of their pastures routinely. It's NOT normal. It's clearly neglect...neglect in providing safe and proper fences for her animals, and neglecting to feed them enough so that they don't have to hurt themselves in order to find more food. If that fence won't hold a sheep, it won't hold anything. She are THE easiest thing to fence in, besides maybe cattle. And if her fence won't hold sheep, it won't hold out predators either.
Jenna cons people into believing she works so hard, yet anyone with animals knows her chores could easily be completed in 1/2 hour in the mornings, and maybe an hour in the evenings. Oh, but that's if you work smarter, not harder. Jenna obviously chooses to do things the hard way just so she can have more stuff to complain about.
I've decided to respond to some of the things that were said to me here. 1) I've worked for my entire adult life, and have been employed for all but four of those years in a full time, professional occupation. During college and graduate school I worked in a variety of part time and full time jobs. 2) I intend to continue working in my present capacity until at least age 72, and will likely be employed on a part time basis thereafter. My husband and I support ourselves and our children. I am putting them through college without assistance. 3) I think that able bodied, mentally competent people should support themselves financially in an occupation of their choosing. I don't believe in donating money to individuals to support personal lifestyle choices, though I enjoy seeing people succeed outside the "box" of the corporate world. 4) For those of you who didn't recognize my reference to George Harrison's song, "The Devil's Radio", I suggest that you google or youtube it. Then think about it.
HotFlashHomestead - I think your post on Dec. 18th really sums up how I feel, and you said it so much better than I could.
I think most of us here have been Jenna fans at one time. I was. Before I found this blog I was starting to have my doubts. There were too many pleas for money, and too many bodies piling up.
Like HotFlashHomestead, I am torn too. But I think of that commercial, "if you see something, say something".
Thank you. I think what Susan does not understand is that this is NOT a gleeful tearing down of someone, and it's really a dilemma whether or not its ethical to raise a call of alarm concerning someone else's business. Country folk are extremely careful of others' privacy, whether in person or on the internet. But sometimes you have to raise a call of alarm, or at least be in touch with others and say, "is it just me, or are there some really strange things going on over there?"
Great poem... spot on. ;)
ReplyDeleteDon't the people who sign up for workshops early on (and pay full price) get mad when other people get such a discounted rate? I guess her "expertise" isn't worth as much as the mortgage payment nears?
What makes you think anyone pays full price? She wants you to think others are willing to pay and do pay 'full price'. it inflates the workshops value and gives greater leverage for...you guessed it, wheeling and dealing. discounts, special offers, sales and more!
ReplyDeleteHer cyclic price dropping is precisely why I hate black friday. don't insult me by slashing sale prices and still profiting. Makes paying retail feel like you've been robbed.
ReplyDeleteAnyone that pays attention, and most that would be likely to actually desire a workshop from her, do, would have sense to wait till like the very end because then they will be dirt cheap and you don't have to pay so much money for a day with someone that barely knows what they are doing, anyway. You'd be surprised at how many excellent teachers are right in your backyard and would love to share and teach, most likely for a very very reasonable rate and for people who are talented at their arts, not just some sort of celebrity who wrote a few books. Just my two cents...
ReplyDeleteNot to mention that she has a habit of canceling them with no refund, so if you wait until the day before to go.. maybe she will have canceled by then so you are not out the money.
ReplyDeleteIf I were going to pay someone $150 bucks to learn any of the subjects offered in those workshops, I'd give the money to some 80 year-old person who had been doing them for a half-century or so. THAT would be some knowledge worth paying for, I'll bet. But to learn about keeping chickens, raising sheep or shooting a bow and arrow from someone who has been doing all that for less than 10 years (and dabbling in them at best) seems kind of silly. Just my opinion though. And as Barnum used to say, "there's a sucker born every minute," so some will, sadly, take full advantage of that fact.
ReplyDeleteHi, all. I stumbled on this blog when I googled Cold Antler Farm, and realized that Meredith was probably the individual that Jenna eventually banned from her comments section. Reading what all of you have to say has been very interesting for a variety of reasons. I live in Colorado and don't know Jenna, although I have enjoyed reading her blog. The comments you've made about her animal husbandry skills seem to have some merit, although I'm not able to see the animals or her property and can't be certain. However, if you have concerns, why don't you e-mail her, or alert government authorities in Washington County? That course of action is more likely to help her animals than venting on a totally unrelated blog.
ReplyDeleteEven if, as you claim, animals in her care are being harmed, there may be nothing you can do about it. The world is full of wrongs, and although I'm quite idealistic, I've had to face the fact that most of them won't be righted. As far as I can tell, none of you except kelpie and collie live in Washington County. Perhaps she could visit Jenna and raise her concerns in person. Perhaps she could offer some wisdom on animal care. Or perhaps SHE could call animal control.
If none of that is possible, and if none of you can take action, perhaps you will have to do as caring people do: cry for the cruelty in the world and try to do what you can to alleviate it. I would love to save every stray and abused animal and I would love to rewrite public policy to cut CO2 emissions worldwide so that all of us could have a future. Since I can't do those things alone, I join with others who care. I give money to environmental organizations and animal welfare organizations, I got a cat from my local humane society, I minimize my own CO2 emissions and I write often to my elected representatives. I'll have to continue in another comment due to the word limit here.
You also complain that she takes money for products that she doesn't deliver (wool). That is a pretty serious breach of ethics, and I think you're right to be angry and concerned about it. However, have you attempted to address these concerns with her? Comments are back on her blog and she has provided her e-mail address. Why don't you approach her?
ReplyDeleteYou all seem to believe that she is unqualified to teach the classes she offers. That might be true - I have no way of knowing. However, maybe some of the participants get value from it. If they don't, she'll eventually have to stop teaching. Maybe she's getting better at the things she does. How do you know?
I agree that she is making a mistake by asking for donations, and by posting entries in which she indicates that she is about to suffer foreclosure, lose her truck, etc. One of you posted here an excellent blog entry by Jon Katz on this topic, and I agree with him. I do consider her behavior in this respect unethical. However, I don't think you have to attack her for it here. Her readers will make their own decisions.
What I see on this blog is the equivalent of a lot of mean high school girls attacking. I've looked at your blog, HotFlashHomestead, and I think that you're a better person than that. The negative impact of gossip is really much greater than most of you probably imagine, and it often hurts the participants as much as the targets. My husband and I were the object of some truly cruel behavior from our next door neighbor about 12 years ago. When he verbally attacked our two your children while they were playing in our backyard (this was AFTER he came to our front door and screamed at us in a drunken rage because our cat had gone into his yard), we took him and his wife to mediation. One of the provisions in the agreement we signed was that we would not divulge the results of the mediation to non-parties. After we got home from the meeting, we watched our neighbor go from house to house and tell all of the other neighbors his version of events. As Shakespeare wrote, "The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones." We became instant pariahs. Although our offensive neighbor has moved away, we have watched as the two families who were his friends have said who knows what about us to all the new people who move onto our suburban street. (It can't have been good, because new people won't talk to us, either!) I've raised my two sons, now 18 and 21, in this environment. It's been an interesting experience and has taught me a lot. I used to be a bit of a people pleaser, but I've now learned to be "independent of the good opinion of others". However, I was quite hurt by the treatment we received. I suggest that ALL of you who post here think a bit more carefully about what you say and do. You're not doing "a public service" by criticizing Jenna Wogenrich in this forum. If you want to do that, call Animal Control. You ARE engaging in very hurtful and potentially injurious behavior. Guys, whatever your spiritual beliefs, it's the holiday season. Rather than bashing someone you don't even know, why don't you volunteer at an animal shelter in your community? Why don't you give money to an organization you care about and try to make the world a bit better? Why don't you ask if there's a friend, neighbor or family member in your life who needs some extra care at this time of year? Or - why don't you look within and see how you could become a better person? This world could use every bit of positive energy and action you can spare.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Solstice, Happy Eid, etc.
Unfortunately, many of us have taken these approaches and been unsuccessful.
DeleteI have spoken with her directly regarding my unfulfilled CSA wool subscription. I was given the option to wait until she has funds available, or receive a refund over the course of the next ten months in installments. Since I paid my CSA $200, she has bought a second horse, many board games, Dunkin Donuts coffee, and falconry accessories. And so on.
She mediates all comments on her blog. Dissenting opinions or inquiries are not publicly displayed.
There is a woman who posts here who spent time with Jenna, giving herding lessons. Another poster attended a workshop and was genuinely concerned about animal welfare.
This is not not immature teenage gossip. Many posters here run homesteads, small farms, or other independent lifestyles of their choosing. She lives life in the public arena, as we all do. Again - to an extent of our choosing.
Susan, I appreciate your opinion, and your viewpoint is reasonable. I must say, though, that I NEVER saw this as being "Mean Girls" situation at all, but instead commiserating with fellow bloggers over a very frustrating situation. Most of us have tried, many, many times to give Jenna helpful advice about things, and she turns it down flat, claiming she knows what she is doing when clearly she does not. If people read THIS blog and it makes them think twice about sending donations, signing up for workshops, or falling for the "help, I'm being foreclosed," semi-regular panic posts on the CAF blog, then isn't that a good thing? I don't post anonymously, because I am not embarrassed about my opinions on this; I truly believe people who google "Cold Antler Farm" should know some of the things that go on with their often-requested donations. If she was not constantly asking for money or trying to run workshops on things she is still a relative newbie at, it would not bother me. But I hate to see good people getting fleeced.
DeleteBut I see your point too. Maybe I just need to stop following her blog and let the gullible folks pay their money and take their chances. Yet that feels unethical too, you know? To know something is wrong and not say anything about it. So I'm torn on this.
People have contacted the local animal welfare authorities, which you would have known if you did read all of the entries on this blog. Also, there are those who tried to get their money back or product or workshop that they bought and were met with a snarky retort from Jenna or a promise to pay them back in small installments or to come to another workshop, which may or may not occur.
ReplyDeleteIn my area nothing is done for animals until there is a huge amount of death, for example, there are many horse farms that have starving horses and neighbors complaining constantly to the authorities about their welfare. Only when there are dead livestock rotting in plain view something is done about it. Call it the governmental red tape or lack of funds, but it is just cruel what some people overlook, or do to animals that they have in their care. It is horrible.
What your drunkard neighbor did to you wasn't right, but neither is coming down on people who have been burned so badly by a woman professing to be self sufficient farmer, who allows her livestock to lay in its own mess for two weeks dying slowly without using any of her money to get a vet over to check it out. I am referring to the lamb that recently died. And yes, Jenna did say that she wasn't able to afford a vet and did call the vet, but she didn't do the lamb any good by letting it lay there and slowly die while she went looking for a hawk to trap.
Jenna's public Facebook post, "Don't be a dick" recently during this holiday season about says it all.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I DO volunteer for the animal shelter; and I do often sign pettions for change in laws, and write my representatives; and I do spend time with my elderly mother, helping her and keeping her company. Just because some of us are (justifiably) angry at JW, does not mean we are "dicks".
Has Jenna cheated you personally? Have you actually seen her farm and animals?
ReplyDeleteIt would help if you'd actually READ the entries here (the answer to your question is only 4 posts above yours).
ReplyDeleteSusan
ReplyDeleteI do not live in Washington County. Not sure where that idea came from. You are not suggesting anything that has not been done already- by everyone. Each and everyone here has approached Jenna to ask for money back, give advice on the myriad sick animals and we have all been called "dicks". So, take it for what you will. And, Susan? I have seen her place, up close and personal.
Anonymous: the time and date stamps on the post to which you refer show that it was posted two and a half hours after mine. My entries were made on 12/18/13 at 9:02 PM and 9:05 PM. Yours was made on 12/18 at 11:38 PM. Obviously, it was not possible for me to have read it before writing.
ReplyDeleteJenna has put her character at issue by discussing her life on the internet. If you have been personally affected by any of her behavior, you clearly have a right to seek delivery of purchased goods or the return of your funds. I would do the same, and she should act in good faith and fulfill her obligations. I don't use Facebook, and from what you say, it sounds as if she is rather rude in that forum. I think that these represent poor business and ethical decisions on her part. If, indeed, some of you have seen her property and animals, you have a basis for your opinions regarding her animal care.
However, I find it interesting that you think that you will affect her behavior by writing on this blog, although you may deter people from subscribing to her farm or attending her workshops. Apparently, you all believe that you have a duty to attempt the latter. I suppose that you will know you have succeeded when she loses her house and truck and/or has to get a job. Each of you will have to be guided by your own conscience in taking these actions, and will have to accept responsibility for intended and unintended consequences. I would not underestimate the potential magnitude of those effects.
I choose to act differently in the world. If I am directly affected by someone's behavior, I take action. If I am capable of stopping a wrong such as animal abuse, I do so directly or by alerting public authorities. In the broader public arena, I engage in political action and give my support to causes that I believe have merit. Rather than attack an individual, I choose to spend my limited time and energy on issues that I believe are more significant for the well being of all, such as environmental degradation, climate change and species extinction. However, I recognize that the world is full of wrongs I cannot right. In fact, it seems likely that we will fail to avert catastrophic climate change, which will, in the end, be our only legacy. In view of that possibility, I must admit that Jenna's behavior, offensive and perhaps larcenous as it may be, seems quite insignificant.
My suggestion to all of you is that you forget about her, widen your vision and take meaningful action in the broader world around you. THAT would make this blog worth reading!
O M G
ReplyDeleteSusan, with all due respect, you need to take your pulpit elsewhere. There is nothing here that has been said that is not the truth. Nothing. I may be wrong, but I don't think Meredith honestly gives one hoot about you reading her blog.. There are myriad other blogs out there where you can read all about homesteading and fantasy land. Jenna has one :) It's all perfect there, from what I hear. As to her insignificant behavior, I suggest you query the animals she neglects to death on a routine basis, if they agree.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more anonymous 10:05am...please take your pulpit somewhere else, and like you said Susan there are other blogs out there.
ReplyDeleteI will say this...Meredith's posts make me bust out laughing when otherwise I'd be pulling my hair out and telling me husband whatever the latest boondoggle on the CAF blog is. He was tired of hearing it, even though he was as mortified as I over some of what went on there. I am grateful THIS blog is here. Plus, Meredith lives on a great farm and is truly walkin' the walk.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy yourselves here with "the Devil's Radio"! Sayonara, guys!
ReplyDelete"However, I find it interesting that you think that you will affect her behavior by writing on this blog, although you may deter people from subscribing to her farm or attending her workshops. Apparently, you all believe that you have a duty to attempt the latter. I suppose that you will know you have succeeded when she loses her house and truck and/or has to get a job."
ReplyDeleteIf she loses her house or truck, it's nobody's fault but her own. What is said here, even if it deters people from attending her workshops or bailing her out of financial crisis after financial crisis, should have no bearing if whether or not she loses her house or truck. Jenna alone is responsible for those debts, and it's nobody's job but her own to pay for her bills. And yes, she may have to get a job. That's part of life. She can poo-poo those of us who are responsible and work full time in order to support having our dreams (animals, gardens, etc) all she wants, but we'll be the ones laughing when she does fail because of her own refusal to grow up and take responsibility for herself. And she will eventually fail. She talks about sustainability all the time, yet refuses to see the reality of her situation. What she is doing (begging) is not sustainable. She'll eventually run out of fans, run out of book ideas, and run out of people willing to support her. The "poor me, help me" cry may have been acceptable for someone in her 20's just starting out, but it gets old fast once people realize she's a grown adult and has the ability to support herself, yet refuses to.
It's like the 30 yo college kid who moves back in to his mom's and dad's house and expects to be supported. That kid is perfectly able to go out and work to support himself, but feels entitled and thinks he should be able to sit on his ass while everyone around him busts their hump to support him.
Susan, maybe you're ok with her conning people out of their money, conning people into thinking she's an expert on homesteading, and conning people into supporting her so she can sit back and laze about all day. I'm not ok with that. I'm not ok with unsuspecting people being parted from their own hard earned money. I'm not ok with people thinking it's normal for that many animals to die. The excuse "it's a farm" doesn't fly. I'm not ok with people thinking it's normal for sheep to be hurting themselves trying to get out of their pastures routinely. It's NOT normal. It's clearly neglect...neglect in providing safe and proper fences for her animals, and neglecting to feed them enough so that they don't have to hurt themselves in order to find more food. If that fence won't hold a sheep, it won't hold anything. She are THE easiest thing to fence in, besides maybe cattle. And if her fence won't hold sheep, it won't hold out predators either.
Jenna cons people into believing she works so hard, yet anyone with animals knows her chores could easily be completed in 1/2 hour in the mornings, and maybe an hour in the evenings. Oh, but that's if you work smarter, not harder. Jenna obviously chooses to do things the hard way just so she can have more stuff to complain about.
-KK
Yet another country piping in here... Jenna is clearly a compelling writer. And saleswoman. But she is not a farmer by any stretch of the imagination.
ReplyDeleteI'm not particularly an animal lover. And I know it can be hard to make friends or inspiration in our everyday lives. But I can think of only two reasons people follow her. 1. A desire to associate themselves with an idea, or some social group. 2. Complete naiveté about farming.
I don't think people have to spend a fortune on vet bills, but at the same time, you can't let your animals be torn apart or leave them to slowly die. I'm not picky, but this person has lost DOZENS of chicks to predation INSIDE her home. Her excellence in farming is similar in my opinion to Bernie Madoff's in investing. Hollow, harmful, yet financially and socially beneficial.
Whatever fantasy games she plays, or hobbies she follows don't bother me in the least. I was going to say live and let live, but that sounded inappropriate when discussing Cold Antler Farm. Think what you will of us who've followed the blog and critique it. But please remember, if you will farm yourself one day, it's not normal for domestic animals to be eaten by other animals or slowly die. No matter how charmingly its written.
I've decided to respond to some of the things that were said to me here. 1) I've worked for my entire adult life, and have been employed for all but four of those years in a full time, professional occupation. During college and graduate school I worked in a variety of part time and full time jobs. 2) I intend to continue working in my present capacity until at least age 72, and will likely be employed on a part time basis thereafter. My husband and I support ourselves and our children. I am putting them through college without assistance. 3) I think that able bodied, mentally competent people should support themselves financially in an occupation of their choosing. I don't believe in donating money to individuals to support personal lifestyle choices, though I enjoy seeing people succeed outside the "box" of the corporate world. 4) For those of you who didn't recognize my reference to George Harrison's song, "The Devil's Radio", I suggest that you google or youtube it. Then think about it.
ReplyDeleteHotFlashHomestead - I think your post on Dec. 18th really sums up how I feel, and you said it so much better than I could.
ReplyDeleteI think most of us here have been Jenna fans at one time. I was. Before I found this blog I was starting to have my doubts. There were too many pleas for money, and too many bodies piling up.
Like HotFlashHomestead, I am torn too. But I think of that commercial, "if you see something, say something".
Thank you. I think what Susan does not understand is that this is NOT a gleeful tearing down of someone, and it's really a dilemma whether or not its ethical to raise a call of alarm concerning someone else's business. Country folk are extremely careful of others' privacy, whether in person or on the internet. But sometimes you have to raise a call of alarm, or at least be in touch with others and say, "is it just me, or are there some really strange things going on over there?"
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