Local Farmer Stars in Reality Show Farmer Wants A Wife

While farmers and ranchers are considered the backbone of America, their hard-working way of life rarely falls into the category of “glamorous” or “exciting.” But that changes when a TV production crew for the FOX Network show Farmer Wants A Wife moves in and sets up shop.

Maury County farmer Allen William Foster is one of four men featured on this season’s show. He became involved after someone contacted him – out of the blue. 

“I got a message one day via Instagram,” he says, “and at first, I kind of thought it was a scam. But once we talked by phone, I realized it was, in fact, a serious deal.”

The show, hosted by country singer Jennifer Nettles, brings in farmers from across the country, introduces them to women interested in finding a husband, then allows the farmers to narrow the list to a smaller group they can get to know better. 

“I just decided this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Foster says, “and maybe a way to find the love of my life that I would never get again. So, I took the opportunity, and here we are.”

The show, currently airing new episodes, follows the farmers as they interact with each of the young ladies. Foster admits having movement or action filmed for TV took some getting used to, especially in the beginning.

“It was interesting, I’ll say that,” he says with a laugh. “This small-town kid had never seen, of course, this is an exaggeration, but 12 cameras in my face with 50 people standing around watching me on a quote-unquote 10-minute first date with a woman I’d never met before.”

What makes this reality show unique is the women not only get to know the farmers, but they also get a close-up look at the farming way of life.

“The majority of the show was filmed right here at my farm in Santa Fe,” Foster explains. “I think it was a really cool aspect that these ladies came out and lived the lifestyle. Then every weekend, we’d go to a different location for what they called a mixer which was just a way for us guys to get together and see what was happening at the other places.”

Filming for the show has wrapped up now, but with so much movement and activity during the shooting process, it was difficult to keep what was happening under wraps. 

“This is a small, southern Mayberry-type community where everybody knows everybody – good or bad,” Foster says. “So, while it’s not that we really tried to hide it, but we really didn’t announce it either. Still, it didn’t take people very long to figure out something was going on that was out of the ordinary.”

With episodes of the show still left to air, Foster can’t confirm whether or not he met his soulmate. However, he will say the experience has made him a better communicator.

“You’ve got five young ladies all wanting to know how I feel, wanting to know what emotions I’m going through,” he says. “And as a man, especially as cowboys, that’s not something we’re very good at. I really had to learn to express what I was feeling, and that was tough in the beginning, but as the show progressed, it became easier, so I think I grew in that way as a person.”

And again, while not revealing how it all turned out, he’s grateful for the experience, and so appreciative of the support he received in doing it. 

“My family and friends and people here in the community are excited and thrilled I’ve had this opportunity, and they’ve been very, very supportive.”

It’s not too late to tune in and catch Foster on the show. Farmer Wants a Wife airs Wednesday nights at 8pm CST on FOX.