Growing up in the farming and ranching community of Decatur, Texas, agriculture was simply a way of life for Corinna Warner. She spent years in 4-H, and her family maintained a large garden, preserving the harvest through canning each season. Back then, she didn’t fully appreciate the work that went into it – something her mom now finds quite amusing, given where life has taken her. It wasn’t until years after leaving home that she rediscovered gardening and began to embrace it in a meaningful and consistent way.
Corinna’s journey took a different path before circling back to agriculture. She served in the U.S. Air Force from 1989 to 1992, stationed at NORAD as a computer maintenance technician. During her time in service, she met her husband, who went on to serve 20 years in Security Forces. While the Air Force provided incredible opportunities and experiences, balancing a dual-military marriage while raising a family proved to be challenging. That reality led her to transition out of the military and pursue a career in nursing. For more than 30 years now, she has worked as an operating room nurse – a profession that has been both demanding and deeply rewarding for her.
The idea of farming returned to Corinna from a simple desire, to know where her food comes from and what goes into it. In 2019, she took the first step by purchasing two acres of land. What began as a small garden and a handful of chickens quickly evolved into much more. She soon realized that homesteading, while fulfilling, can also be an expensive endeavor – so they decided to begin selling some of what they produced.
Today, that small start has grown into a thriving ¾-acre market garden, called Tanglefoot Farm & Market, a woman and veteran-owned business that is also Homegrown By Heroes-certified.
Tanglefoot Farm’s mission is to grow nutritious, healthy produce for themselves and their community, while restoring the fertility of the land through regenerative agricultural practices.
They’ve since added a high tunnel, three caterpillar tunnels, outdoor growing spaces, and an ever-expanding flower garden. Not only do they produce food for their own pantry, but they also create value-added products like pickles, salsas, jams, and jellies for market.
Their farm now includes a diverse range of offerings. They grow vegetables and flowers – both of which play an important role, with flowers contributing significantly to their income. Three years ago, they introduced dairy goats, and their herd has grown to eight, which is just right for their space.
They also maintain around 40 chickens, raising heritage breeds such as Light Brahmas, Orpingtons, Dominiques, and Rhode Island Reds. From these, they sell both eggs and chicks.
What Corinna loves most about farming is the rhythm of it all.
“The planning, the growth, the harvest; each season brings something new,” said Corinna. “Our goats are full of personality and provide constant entertainment, while watching chickens go about their day is oddly peaceful, almost meditative.”
And when the flowers are in full bloom, the beauty of it all is simply breathtaking.
“Perhaps most importantly, the farm has given my husband and me exactly what we were hoping for as we look toward retirement in the next few years, a life that keeps us active, engaged, and fulfilled,” said Corinna.
There is always something to do – whether it’s a project, a harvest, or caring for the animals.
“The work is never truly finished, but that’s part of the joy. It’s incredibly satisfying to see how far we’ve come and what we’ve built together,” said Corinna.
Looking ahead, they are especially excited about their next big step, which is launching a farm hub. This has been a long-time goal, and this year, they plan on making it happen. By partnering with six other local producers, they are expanding what they can offer and plan to create a true community market experience. Their grand opening is set for June 6th.
“This next chapter is one we’re incredibly proud of, and we can’t wait to share it with our community. It’s more than just a market – it’s the culmination of years of hard work, growth, and a deep-rooted passion for agriculture and connection,” said Corinna.
To learn more about Tanglefoot Farm, visit their website at https://www.tanglefootfarm.com/ and follow them on Facebook HERE.
