The Chief Shepherdess

Lessons in Life, Love and Farming

By: Zoe Colville

Narrated by: Zoe Colville

Brought to you by Penguin.

"I grab the motionless lamb, which is frighteningly slippery, and scramble on my feet, swinging its little body around to help it breathe. I see its chest move, then it sneezes and starts breathing. It's stunned by its delivery experience. As am I. I'm high on adrenaline. Tears are streaming down my face. I pop the lamb down on the ground and start frantically rubbing its tiny body... Looking back, I can see that this was one of the first moments of questioning whether I'm truly cut out for farming and realising that the answer might be...yes"

Zoë Colville spent years in a fancy hair salon with a long list of clients, living on cigarettes, croissants, and a shoestring. It was everything she'd ever wanted. But when an unexpected and overwhelming loss caused her life to shift unexpectedly, she found herself on a different path. One where the only use for a hairdryer is warming new-born lambs; where the cycle of life on a farm gives new meaning on purpose, and where nature is both a strict teacher and a balm to soothe the pressures of everyday life.

Alongside her long-term boyfriend, Zoë is now a full-time farmer, business owner and activist. In this memoir, she speaks vivaciously, humourously, and candidly about the lessons learned along the way, from mental health, social media and identity to surviving as an entrepreneur in a shifting economy. And through those lessons - in love, loss, and lambing - discovering something even more important: that it's always the right time to take a bold step and try something new.

©2023 Zoe Colville (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"A new breed of shepherdess blazing a trail across social media, challenging outdated ideas about the job and capturing the public's imagination along the way." (Daily Mail)

"The shepherdess whose flock you definitely need to follow." (Hello!)

Finding your true self

I've followed Zoey and Kriss on Instagram for years, and listened to a few podcast interviews, so A) I'm already a big fan and B) I thought I knew the whole story - how wrong I was about that! The depth of this book was a wonderful surprise. Zoey's persona on social media paints herself as a bit flaky (she's very determined you know she doesn't take herself too seriously) but that is far from the truth. She is a deeply intelligent woman who has educated herself and honed skills in a few years that take others decades. Her descriptions of grief reveal a depth and maturity far beyond her years. Her knowledge and perspective about the modern food system and her passion for educating others about it make her a vital voice that needs to be heard.
I love how the book was laid out, moving somewhat chronologically, but with anecdotes and deeper themes woven throughout - and I marvel at when she had the time to write this! But it is so authentically her voice, both literally and figuratively - well-edited, but no ghost-writer here. I alternated between wanting to race to the next chapter, and "rationing" it so it wouldn't be over too soon! I would call this a wonderful coming-of-age story about finding your passion, and the hard work it takes to make it work - I HEARTILY recommend!

If you’re vicarious farmer, or wish farming was your life, this book is for you.

Zoe is sincere, honest, insightful and inspiring. Her story (and Chris’s) is from the heart and an adventure. If your enjoying (addicted to like I am) all the YouTube sheep farming, Zoe’s book is a lovely companion. Enjoyed it completely.

Fabulous listen

I listened to this so fast I may have to give it another go! Great story that is raw and real. I highly recommend.