TV-RADIO

Wisconsin's Grace Girard made her 'Farmer Wants a Wife' debut. Here's how the premiere episode went down for her.

Hannah Kirby
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Grace, a 25-year-old communications associate from Caledonia, Wisconsin, is vying for the heart of farmer Brandon Rogers on Season 2 of "Farmer Wants a Wife."

Warning: Spoilers from the premiere episode of Fox's "Farmer Wants a Wife" Season 2 ahead.

Alexa, play "Jump Around."

Thursday was premiere night for Season 2 of Fox's "Farmer Wants a Wife." And Wisconsinite and UW-Madison grad Grace Girard will be moving on to the next episode.

This season, Girard, 25, and a handful of other singles are attempting to wrangle the heart of farmer Brandon Rogers, 29.

Hundreds of "daters" checked out the online profiles of four farmers and applied to meet the one who they felt could be "the man of their dreams," the show's host, country star Jennifer Nettles, explained during the episode.

Each farmer picked eight of the applicants to meet in person. During the first episode, the farmers had speed dates with their eight.

Then, each farmer had to choose only five to invite back to their farm with them.

There, he'll be showing the group "what it is really like on an actual working farm, from tending to the land, harvesting crops and feeding cattle, to the behind-the-scenes business operations," according to Fox. The goal: To find their future spouse.

Here's a recap of how the premiere went down for our local gal. But first, some background on Girard and her farmer:

Get to know Grace Girard

Girard was raised in Kenosha, graduating from St. Joseph Catholic Academy in 2016. She went on to study communications at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she graduated in December 2019.

Since then, Girard's lived in Milwaukee and Caledonia, and works as a communications associate.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, cheering on Wisconsin sports teams, playing tennis and being out and about in Brew City.

The dating scene in Girard's home state had just not been hitting. So, when her reality TV-loving aunt encouraged her to apply for the Fox dating show, she decided to give it a go.

Girard may not have any prior farming experience. But, before she was even officially cast, she began heavily researching the farming world so she'd be able to talk about it with her farmer. 

Grace Girard, a huge Wisconsin sports fan, at Lambeau Field for a Green Bay Packers game. The Wisconsinite will be on FOX's "Farmer Wants a Wife" Season 2, which premieres at 8 p.m. CT Feb. 1.

A bit about farmer Brandon Rogers

Rogers, 29, is a potato and barley farmer who lives in Center, Colorado, on his 1,000-acre farm, according to Fox.

"Brandon is our most remote farmer, living in a small, one-stop-light town surrounded by his farmland," a Fox news release said.

Rogers grew up on the farm, working for his dad. He later returned to work the farm full-time "to continue his family's farming legacy."

"His business is set up and doing well, and now the missing piece is that special person to share it with," the release said.

Brandon Rogers (29) from Center, Colorado is one of 4 eligible bachelors on "Farmer Wants a Wife."

Recap of the Season 2 Premiere of 'Farmer Wants a Wife'

Grace Girard got screen time almost immediately

Girard got her very own cutaway within the first couple minutes of the episode in which she got to share why she picked Rogers.

"I'm here to meet farmer Brandon," Girard said. "I picked Brandon because he just seemed really sweet, down-to-earth and romantic."

After Nettles introduced Rogers to the group, the host asked him what he thought.

Rogers, very bashfully, replied, "Awesome." Nettles — speaking for everyone — thought it was absolutely adorbs.

Farmer Brandon Roger’s "daters" from the Season 2 premiere of "Farmer Wants a Wife," which aired Feb. 1, 2024. Those pictured are Brooklyn, Tayana, Reba, Britt, Annellyse, Joy, Grace Girard of Wisconsin, and Madison.

A glimpse of Brandon Rogers and Grace Girard's initial speed date was aired

Some speed dates were shown more than others. But, we did get a glimpse of Girard's.

There was a snippet of Girard telling Rogers that she actually had just learned how to drive a tractor.

"Then you're hired, maybe," he joked with Girard as she laughed.

In a previous Journal Sentinel interview, Girard shared that, when she talked with Rogers during the first episode, he told her that part of the reason he picked her was because she was from an "agricultural-leaning state."

"I kind of was like 'Oh, wow. I am from the Dairy State," she said. "I feel like there's a lot of farms around me. But, I have actually never really been involved in farm life at all."

Did Brandon Rogers choose Grace Girard as one of the five women to go back to his farm with him?

He sure did.

"I would like to invite Grace back to the farm," he said.

She was the second invitee he announced.

"I'd love to," Girard replied with a giggle.

Each farmer then had to pick one of the five women to go to the farm with him ahead of the rest for 24 hours of uninterrupted one-on-one time.

"Valuable time getting to know one lucky lady with nobody else around," Nettles told the farmers.

Alas, Rogers chose Reba for the solo date because they "shared a lot of the same interests." Reba — who was Rogers' first pick of the five — is a bar supervisor and mom from South Dakota.

How to watch 'Farmer Wants a Wife' Season 2

"Farmer Wants a Wife" Season 2 will air at 8 p.m. CT Thursdays on Fox.

If you miss an episode but still want to see it — or you want to watch it again, no shame — it'll also be available on Hulu the day after it airs.