Mary Jane’s Farm
I posted about this over on my personal blog this morning, so apologies for the cross posting for any keeners out there.
I found Mary Jane’s Farm, a magazine/resource/catalogue/lovely-thingy, the other night at Chapters (of all places), while killing time waiting for my fella to get off work. I’m really not quite sure how to describe it as “magazine” doesn’t really do it justice. It has no ads in it aside from order forms for goods you can buy directly from Mary Jane herself. Mary Jane does indeed have and run a farm somewhere in Idaho I think (?), which seems to be organic and bountiful. Her catalogue is kind of like a pared down Lee Valley for organic farming/crafty folks including some of her favorite pots and pans, canning accessories, apron patterns, journals, bulbs and seeds, and organic food mixes that appear to be produced on her farm. The magazine itself includes recipes, personal essays, gorgeous photos, organic living tips, sewing patterns and news and views of interest to folks who are into living lightly on the planet.
It’s a standard magazine size (about the thickness of an issue of Readymade) but when you consider that there are no ads in the issue, it is rich with info and resources. There are a number of past issues on different themes (the current issue is on the theme of aprons which is no where near as domestically precious as it might sound) and I’m darn tempted to get the whole back catalogue off the website.
The website itself includes forums, info about Mary Jane’s actual farm and all kinds of other resources. Like the magazine, it is rich, dense and I’m not totally sure how to find my way around it.
I’d love to know if any of you know anything more about Mary Jane, her farm or this publication and in the meantime I’m tempted to buy all the remaining copies from Chapters so I can share this with all the gals on my xmas list.
December 18th, 2006 at 4:18 pm
There was a very interesting article in the New Yorker in 2004 (THE SIMPLE LIFE, INC., By: Goodyear, Dana, New Yorker10/11/2004, Vol. 80, Issue 30) about MaryJane Butters. Goodyear looks at MaryJane’s Farm with an eye geared towards Butters’ marketing and promotional efforts. It’s an excellent article.
December 18th, 2006 at 9:30 pm
I’m a huge MaryJane Butters fan. Ironically, the magazine leaves me somewhat indifferent, but I read her recent book, ‘MaryJane’s Ideabook Cookbook Lifebook’ constantly and recommend it to anyone whose interest was piqued by the mag or her Web site. I’m an unaplogetic city girl, but one with hardcore farmgirl practices and tastes. MaryJane is a working farmer who irritates many new school hobbyfarmers here in Pennsylvania and New Jersey because — apparently you’re not a ‘real’ farmer if you aren’t starving, wear nail polish, and have any marketing sense. Ignore ‘em and check out the book. It’s good stuff.
December 19th, 2006 at 11:50 am
Cool thanks to you both, that’s great to know. I was interested in the book, I”ll have to see if the library has it so I can take a gander…
January 2nd, 2007 at 2:04 pm
I have been a faithful member of MJF apron society for 2 years-FarmHeartFarmCick.MaryJane is one farmer to be admired because of her decidation to land and family. She has built her business with alot of hard work and had a great idea. She has made it fun and acceptable to can your own vegatables, grow your own food and be proud of love of the land. Thank’s to MJF in making it fun to stay home and make a living off the farm!!!
Gail Willie
FarmHeartFarmChick
Mt. Airy, MD
January 16th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Hi I am a chapter leader of a Mary Jane Farm group … we are called ( And So On ) … great to hear everyone talking … Best wishes Nicci
April 22nd, 2007 at 5:04 pm
I was so happy to find this blog. I read about Maryjane’s Farm last year and lost the web site. I haven’t been able to find a source since. I want to start ordering her magazine. Thanks for your time and effort on this topic .
Brenda