Fearless Female Farmer

Fearless Female Farmer My name is Katherine Harrison. I love goats, good parties, and inspiring stories about agriculture.

Mentorship is a gift. It is a blessing to have a mentor, and a privilege to be one. I take very seriously the gift I h...
02/18/2026

Mentorship is a gift. It is a blessing to have a mentor, and a privilege to be one. I take very seriously the gift I have received of getting to mentor so many young people. Recently, I wrote on my Fearless Female Farmer Substack how love has shaped me as a farmer, as a mentor, and as a leader (link in comments). I was not blessed with biological children, but I was gifted with a maternal heart. I am incredibly fortunate that I get to pour that love into the young people who are a part of Harrison Farm. This is all a result of my own mentor, my remarkable chosen mum Kathy.

Years ago, as the Harrison Farm intern program was just getting going, I had the opportunity to work part-time at Quarter Horse Congress for a couple from Nebraska. Kathy & Carl sold jewelry at livestock and equestrian shows. They quickly went from being my bosses, to my mentors, to my chosen family. My admiration for Kathy rapidly became emulation as I strived to reflect her grace, her professionalism, her kindness, and her courage. Kathy could have just treated me as an employee. Instead, she vested herself in helping me to grow as a human, as a businessperson, and as a woman of faith.

Today is Kathy’s birthday, and I am abundantly grateful for her presence in my life. She is my role model, and the love she has so generously given me has changed my life. Her love has also helped shape me into a better woman. Every Harrison Farm intern and every young person I have mentored has benefitted from this. Mentors truly change lives, and I am profoundly thankful for my own.

Maternal love is a powerful thing. ❤️🐑The Empress Mathilda is my very favourite animal. She is the resilient lamb who ...
12/21/2025

Maternal love is a powerful thing. ❤️🐑

The Empress Mathilda is my very favourite animal. She is the resilient lamb who survived frostbite on Christmas Eve 2022, when abandoned by her birth mother at 8 degrees below zero. She has persevered through many challenges, including the loss of her first babies due to illness. Mathilda is strong and resilient, though. I am excited to share this photo of Mathilda and her new twins. She adores her babies, and they are thriving. Mathilda is proof that life is sweeter after difficulty.

I always wanted to be a mother, but that was not a blessing on my journey. It took a lot of life lessons to realize that the maternal love in my heart was placed there for a purpose: to be given. I feel incredibly blessed that I get to share my maternal heart with so many remarkable young people. On Friday, I was joined Harrison Farm by Austin (6 years on the team), Elsa (3.5 years), Maddie XC (1.5 years), and Allysia (4 years). It has been a privilege to mentor each one of these young farmers. I have had the joy of seeing them grow as humans, as farmers, and as leaders. I have watched them mature through the sorrow of losing beloved animals, the failure of forgetting to turn the water off and flooding a pen, the struggle of getting ducks to go home at night despite mud, and the lessons of being a responsible member of a team. I never lose my sense of awe that my former interns continue to help at the farm, even years after their original internship. I am blessed to call them chosen family. ❤️

After chores on Friday, we sat down together to work on our goal lists, and shared them so we can support each other. These young farmers are impressive, and I am excited for their futures. My own goal list focuses on prioritization. I have hit the harsh reality that I will likely never be the same as I was before the car accident in September. I am choosing to view this as a gift from the universe that I will never have to be the same as I was before the accident. Mentorship is a focus for me as I move forward. I am able to do this thanks to those who support our nonprofit and I am abundantly grateful!

“Harrison Farm has been a sanctuary from the troubles of life. It gives me a place to exercise my mind & body, and conn...
12/02/2025

“Harrison Farm has been a sanctuary from the troubles of life. It gives me a place to exercise my mind & body, and connect with the animals and the beautiful life there is to see around us. My time here has shaped me into the person I am by teaching me so much about agriculture, animals, relationships, and the way the world works.”

For Giving Tuesday, I asked one of my interns to write what Harrison Farm means to her, so I could share with our community why our internship program matters. I loved what she wrote, and I am asking your support to make this opportunity possible for more young people!

What is the Harrison Farm internship program?

Harrison Farm is my home, and my heart. I have a passion for animals, and I aspire to honor the legacy of my family as I serve as the 5th generation of Harrisons to be caretakers of this land. My graduate work was in education, and I taught high school social studies before farming became my career. I love that the farm is now my classroom and the circle of life is the curriculum. My interns come for the baby goat snuggles, they learn a great deal about responsibility & real life skills, and they also walk away with many random history facts!

What impact has this internship program had?

* 95 current and former interns
* Middle school, High School, Undergraduate, Graduate Students, and adult learners
* Diverse faiths, heritage, experiences, and homes

Our former interns who are working full-time include Extension educators, teachers, food safety specialists, animal care researchers, human health caregivers, veterinarians, and agricultural policy leaders.

Why support the Fearless Female Farmer 501(c)3 nonprofit?

Only 3 of our interns had a farm background: the other 92 found us because they wanted to learn more about animal agriculture. We are reaching young people outside of the traditional farm community! Thus far, I have mentored them through my own resources. With your support, we can reach even more individuals, and provide greater opportunities to help them grow. Please join me in inspiring beginning farmers, cultivating inclusion, and empowering the next generation of agriculturalists!

The Fearless Female Farmer nonprofit is a 501(c)3.
Donations by check to Fearless Female Farmer
c/o Harrison Farm
5278 Berger Road
Groveport OH 43125

Donations by Venmo to , by PayPal to [email protected], or by Zelle to @614.271.0304. Please include “Fearless Female Farmer” in the subject line to receive donation recognition.

The young people in these photos are all members of our intern team. I am tremendously proud of each of them. I am always amazed by the way farming helps young people to grow as responsible, thoughtful humans. Your gift goes directly to support our educational initiatives, and makes it possible for even more young people to have life-changing experiences at Harrison Farm!

11/21/2025

Farming is always an adventure! This mama hen inspired quite the recent rescue effort. She chose a spot that was so out of the way that her nest of eggs was very safe while she sat on them. Alas, she did not anticipate that it would be a terrible spot for when her babies actually hatched . . . Thus requiring quite the rescue effort by her farmer to save their lives!

I recently shared the tale on Substack of my misadventures with this moody Mother Clucker and the chicks that fell from the sky (link in comments). As I continue to recover from the accident which I was in a couple months ago, I am finding abundant peace from spending more time on the farm. I have been reflecting a great deal on my priorities for the farm, for our educational programming, and for the Fearless Female Farmer nonprofit. I am excited for the future as I refine our focus to prioritize supporting the next generation of agriculturalists through our nonprofit. My interns seem happier having me on the farm more, I am much happier being home more, and I think the animals are happier as well. Especially since it keeps me available for unexpected livestock rescue missions!

Want to sign up to follow our Substack account, so you can receive all the stories about the unruly creatures of Harrison Farm, but you are not sure how to do so? Just send me a message, and I am happy to assist! You can find our page under FearlessFemaleFarmer on Substack, and there are lots of stories of the animal shenanigans which I endeavor to manage at Harrison Farm!

It has truly been the best of times and the worst of times. I have faced demoralizing challenges this year that have ne...
10/30/2025

It has truly been the best of times and the worst of times. I have faced demoralizing challenges this year that have nearly ended my farm. I have also had truly amazing people do remarkable things to support Harrison Farm which have kept me going even when the future seemed dark. I am embracing that these challenges will help to grow perseverance, which will build greater integrity, and thereby bring us hope. My farm and my life will be evolving as I discern a better future for us, but my focus on teaching will remain. This week we welcomed our 96th intern, and I am abundantly grateful to our community whose support makes our educational initiatives possible.

For the last month, I have been fairly quiet on social media as I navigated recovery from a car accident. Again. In September of 2021, I was in a car accident caused by another driver that totaled my vehicle and changed my world. And then in September of 2025, this happened again. If not for the accident in 2021, I would never have started the Fearless Female Farmer nonprofit. I am taking this year’s incident as another opportunity from the universe to stop and evaluate my life. As I have worked on healing my body and mind, I have spent abundant time in reflection & prayer. Through that, I have recommitted to the work of the Fearless Female Farmer to inspire beginning farmers, cultivate inclusion, and empower the next generation of agriculturalists.

After a break to recover, I have begun writing again on Substack. Please check out my rather serious piece on the impact of the car accident, as well as my more light hearted piece on Goatmobile’s last ride with a rogue chicken (link in comments). Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to the Fearless Female Farmer Substack to support my work as a mentor & farmer. I am very grateful for the remarkable generosity I have received post-accident. Thank you!

It was a beautiful evening for the Union County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting at Bokes Creek Winery, and I was delighted th...
09/06/2025

It was a beautiful evening for the Union County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting at Bokes Creek Winery, and I was delighted that my extraordinary intern Maddie joined me for the event! The county annual meeting is an opportunity to recognize the achievements of the local Farm Bureau, and it was a privilege to get to attend. I am honored to represent Central Ohio farmers on the board of Ohio Farm Bureau: I get to serve as a volunteer leader with Union, Franklin, Delaware, and Madison Counties.

Maddie first visited Harrison Farm to attend Goat Yoga several years ago, and then joined our intern team. Maddie is a student at Otterbein University in their pre-veterinary/equine program, and she has been a true blessing to my farm. We have worked together on revamping the Harrison Farm website, developing flyers to use at our Farm Stand & Oddities Shows, and curating materials to support the Fearless Female Farmer nonprofit. Maddie is brilliant & hard-working, and she will be a great asset to the veterinary medicine community!

I have been working on materials for our fundraising campaign for the Fearless Female Farmer nonprofit, and reflecting o...
08/28/2025

I have been working on materials for our fundraising campaign for the Fearless Female Farmer nonprofit, and reflecting on the 90 young people who have been a part of our internship program. Each one of them is a part of my heart, and it is exciting to look at the diversity of the Harrison Farm team.

These 90 young people represent the United States, Thailand, Wales, England, Hong Kong, South Korea, South Africa, and the US territory of Guam. Their heritage ranges from European, East Asian, Hispanic, East African, Indian, and South American. They represent a wide range of religious beliefs, including Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and African traditional. Approximately 15% self-identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Only two of them grew up on a farm. All the others found the farm while seeking a place to learn. We are reaching individuals outside of the traditional farm community, directly impacting their lives, and thereby cultivating inclusion within agriculture.

With the abundant diversity of the Harrison Farm team, what unites them all is that they have found a place at the farm. Harrison Farm is a family farm, we just all have different last names.

Our fundraising campaign will serve to expand our educational initiatives. Harrison Farm has a track record of changing lives, all while operating on a shoestring. I believe we can make a significantly bigger impact with dedicated funding. When you support Harrison Farm and the Fearless Female Farmer nonprofit, you are supporting the future of agriculture. And that future is bright!

Flashback to Harrison Farm 1983: that is my remarkable grandfather surrounded by his three daughters, his grandson, his ...
08/27/2025

Flashback to Harrison Farm 1983: that is my remarkable grandfather surrounded by his three daughters, his grandson, his granddaughter, the Oliver 1850 Tractor he adored, and our beloved farm dog Mop.

For International Dog Day, I shared on Substack the extraordinary, true story of Mop’s efforts to rescue us during the Blizzard of 1978. Every time I try to tell someone this story, I get emotional. It is still humbling to me to realize that such a little dog played such a big role at a crucial moment in my life.

I am grateful for the opportunity to share the stories of Harrison Farm with you. I love this farm with my whole heart, and I am thankful to have a community that supports the farm. Farming is not easy, and I could not do it without the amazing people who support the farm. Please join us by becoming subscriber to the Fearless Female Farmer Substack!

I have always loved these photos of Cecilia Donkey and Patrick E. Goat! The besties appear to be caught up in an epic j...
08/18/2025

I have always loved these photos of Cecilia Donkey and Patrick E. Goat! The besties appear to be caught up in an epic joke — and then suddenly realize a human is nearby, causing them to rearrange their faces as nonchalantly as possible. I am grateful to my dear friend & amazing photographer Heidi Shapiro for capturing these iconic images of two Harrison Farm legends.

After a long life at Harrison Farm, our beloved Cecilia Donkey recently passed onward, joining her best friend Pat the Goat in the great pasture beyond. I shared Cecilia’s story recently on Substack (link in comments below). Her care was a struggle, but I am grateful that she was an unexpected part of Harrison Farm.

I believe in honoring the circle of life, allowing animals to follow their true nature, and ensuring respect at all stages of their journey. Farming based on values is not an easy endeavor. I would be grateful for your support of my writing, as I work to build the Fearless Female Farmer Substack. This is one way I am working to increase funds to create a better quality of life for the animals and for me.

If you are not yet a follower, please find Fearless Female Farmer on the Substack app or at FearlessFemaleFarmer DOT Substack DOT com. If you are able, please become a paid subscriber to help support my work as a farmer and mentor. I would be grateful for our supporters to also share our social media content, as this allows us to encourage more people to be a part of our farm community. I am sincerely grateful to everyone who makes it possible for Harrison Farm to nurture unruly creatures and mentor the next generation of agriculturalists!

Happy Independence Day from Harrison Farm! And — congratulations to Garden Goat on the birth of a healthy baby boy!I lov...
07/04/2025

Happy Independence Day from Harrison Farm! And — congratulations to Garden Goat on the birth of a healthy baby boy!

I love farming, I love history, and I love sharing my passion for both. Prior to farming full-time, I taught social studies. Now that the farm is my classroom, I truly adore teaching. There are a lot of Social Studies facts that creep into my lessons about farming. Whether talking about President Abraham Lincoln’s goat or Secretariat the Racehorse, there is much to learn from the past.

One of my favorite topics is the Declaration of Independence. I often quiz my team on who can name a signer of the Declaration. My ancestor Benjamin Harrison signed this document 249 years ago, and it is important to me that my young people understand the significance of this. He risked everything he had to build a better future for America. He never could have dreamed of a future where a female Harrison would be the 13th generation of our family to farm in America, but he made my present opportunities possible.

Being a farmer is my calling. Working with young people is my joy. Raising livestock is what I do. Teaching about the Declaration of Independence is more than just a game of naming someone who signed the document; it is an opportunity to share the beauty of liberty & self-determination. And Garden Goat is more than just my beloved animal; she is a visible sign of my freedoms as a female farmer. There are places in this world where a woman cannot have a bank account — but she can have a herd of goats.

Stacking hay is hard work, but it builds a lot of character!At Harrison Farm, I often quiz my interns on agricultural fa...
07/01/2025

Stacking hay is hard work, but it builds a lot of character!

At Harrison Farm, I often quiz my interns on agricultural facts. How many teeth do goats have in the front (8)? What is the mineral that goats need for neurological development, but is toxic for sheep (copper)? What is the difference between hay & straw? After unloading bales, my interns know that hay is dried grass for the animals to eat, and straw is the chaff of wheat often used for bedding. They also know that stacking hay is hard work!

I recently shared on Substack my memories of making hay with my grandfather during my childhood summers. The Fearless Female Farmer Substack is how I share my writings about the farm and my animals. Go to FearlessFemaleFarmer DOT Substack DOT com. When you subscribe, you will receive my written pieces sent directly your email inbox. And you will expand your knowledge of fun farm facts!

“The Sheep are fed.” 🐑☔️👩🏻‍🌾Being a part of the Harrison Farm team makes you tough and capable. When Elsa & Ella perse...
05/14/2025

“The Sheep are fed.” 🐑☔️👩🏻‍🌾

Being a part of the Harrison Farm team makes you tough and capable. When Elsa & Ella persevered through the pouring rain to make sure the animals had care, I was proud of their tenacity. Farming is a perpetual exercise in resilience and resourcefulness. And you grow stronger through challenges.

Recently I asked the team what Harrison Farm taught them (link to full story in comments). The answers touched my heart.

Resilience.

That I have a place in agriculture.

That I love animals and want to work with them.

I am capable.

That I love to teach.

To take care of my own animals better.

Responsibility.

To be positive no matter the challenge.

How to communicate better.

That the farm is a place where I can always come. It is a second home.

How to lead a team.

Patience.

During a difficult time, the farm showed me there is always a light even in darkness.

The farm made me a better person.

To read more about our internship program and the amazing young people who are part of it, please go to FearlessFemaleFarmer DOT Substack DOT com. Enter your email address to subscribe, and you will receive my stories of the farm sent straight to your email inbox. If you are able to be a paid subscriber, your support makes our educational initiatives possible.

I am sincerely grateful to everyone who supports my work as a farmer & mentor. These young people are the future of agriculture and that future is bright!

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