The Times Tries To Bash Ballerina Farm But Hannah And Daniel Neeleman Are Living Their American Dream

Under the guise of an interview, Times writer Megan Agnew spent an afternoon judging Hannah Neeleman and her family.

After a dozen paragraphs detailing the Neelemans' busy life (which is to be expected with eight children on a farm, although Agnew seems consistently baffled that a woman would have so much work to do and actually enjoy it), Agnew ultimately concluded that poor Hannah is suffering.

"I can’t, it seems, get an answer out of Neeleman without her being corrected, interrupted, or answered for by either her husband or a child," she complains. "Usually, I am doing battle with steely Hollywood publicists; today I am up against an army of toddlers who all want their mum and a husband who thinks he knows better."

This is an odd and rude remark to make, especially since Hannah and Daniel seemingly spoke kindly and candidly about their shared beliefs and goals throughout the interview, but it makes sense if Agnew's goal is to cast a shadow on the allure of their traditional lifestyle—a lifestyle modern women are increasingly drawn to.

That does seem to be Agnew's goal because she ends the interview with a somber image of poor Hannah storing her beautiful pageant gowns in the garage because of her meanie, "know-it-all" husband.

"And the sequined gowns?" wrote Agnew. "Well, they used to be in her bedroom cupboard, but with all of her stuff —and Daniel’s and Henry’s and Charles’s and George’s and Frances’s and Lois’s and Martha’s and Mabel’s and Flora’s—the cupboard got so full that there wasn’t any more room. So Daniel put them in the garage."

Horrific. And I bet he didn't even put them in those plastic thingies to protect them from dust because he clearly hates his wife. The patriarchy strikes again.

"Hannah let this woman into her home and the journalist complains that she can’t get her attention because of her husband and kids around," observed Brittany Martinez on X. "She has 8 kids total including a baby that “never left her side" (I mean, yeah m’am the baby is like 6 months old?). There is also one sentence saying that Hannah couldn’t get out of bed for a week because she was exhausted, which is concerning, but it doesn’t tell the context."

Other readers responded that Hannah was exhausted because she had mastitis, which is a common infection that requires additional rest—an important detail that Agnew chose to leave out.

While it's obvious that Hannah's happy life as a "trad wife" debunks feminist narratives, why attack her for that? Wouldn't it be more helpful to examine those narratives and ask why they don't hold space for a woman who chooses a shared vision with her family rather than pursuing her own independent ambitions?

Both approaches to life have costs and rewards, but Hannah's choices will likely bring her greater long-term fulfillment.

Anyway, for normal people, the Neelemans continue to be a source of inspiration and entertainment as they share their unique transition from wealthy city folk to parents and ranchers, opting for a life all their own and not one that someone like Agnew would choose for them.

For those unfamiliar with the Ballerina Farm backstory, Hannah’s account captures the interest of millions worldwide, showcasing her life with Daniel on a farm with their eight children. . Their journey from New York City and Utah to becoming successful pork farmers is both unexpected and inspiring.

A former Julliard ballerina and a recent Mrs. American pageant winner, Hannah’s story is anything but ordinary.

Hannah was once a ballet student at the prestigious Juilliard, while Daniel was pursuing a history degree at Brigham Young University. Their paths crossed at a BYU basketball game, and despite initial setbacks, they eventually married and welcomed their first child while Hannah was still at Juilliard.

The Neelemans’ transition to farming began with visits to small farms and a growing interest in agriculture. Despite their inexperience, they bought their first farm in Utah. Their venture, Ballerina Farm, was born out of necessity and a shared dream. A devastating fire that burned their farm down could have ended their journey, but instead, it became a turning point.

Hannah documented their struggles, and the resulting increase in social media followers helped them rebuild and grow their business.

Hannah and Daniel's approach to business, social media, and family life is deeply intertwined with their faith. They see each other as "Co-CEOs" and make decisions together while always seeking guidance from God. Both have shared that their faith is central to their success and happiness, providing a strong foundation for their family and business.

The Times article misses the mark by bemoaning the mutual sacrifices Hannah and Daniel have chosen to make and simultaneously ignoring Daniel's support of her individual aspirations.

Those who have followed the Neelemans' story with curiosity rather than defensiveness and judgment recognize that family and sacrifice are the very elements that have brought them so much fulfillment and success.

In reality, Hannah and Daniel have found joy and fulfillment through their commitment to family, faith, and hard work, and many women want the same things. Their story is a testament to the idea that true happiness comes not from an easy, comfortable, predictable life, but from building a dream with someone you love.

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