Farm-fed Feminism

Gone are the days when the word feminist equates to "raging woman." Today, a new kind of feminist is staking her ground and claiming her values -- this time by raising her own chickens.In Peggy Orenstein's article, The Femivore’s Dilemma, published this past weekend in the New York Times Magazine, she tells us about a group of women (who she calls "Femivores") who have set up their lifestyles so that they can feed their families clean, flavorful food; reduce their carbon footprints; and produce sustainably instead of consuming rampantly.These are highly educated stay-at-home moms who left the work force to care for, as Orenstein puts it, "kith and kin."“Prior to this, I felt like my choices were either to break the glass ceiling or to accept the gilded cage,” says Shannon Hayes, a grass-fed-livestock farmer in upstate New York and author of “Radical Homemakers.”The self-sufficiency, autonomy and personal fulfillment that come from this lifestyle all sound pretty good. Also, knowing how to feed and clothe yourself and your family regardless of circumstance (think: job loss) could be an even greater safety net than a family with two incomes.Some thoughts to consider.You can find Peggy Orenstein's full article here.Tabby Biddle, M.S. Ed. is a writer and editor dedicated to amplifying the voices and messages of women. Her work has been featured by The Huffington Post, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today and other national media. She lives in Santa Monica, CA with her husband.