- San Jose State University BA in English 1970
- Attending births on The Farm since 1972
- Columbia State Community College RN 1989
- Pediatrics, Labor & Delivery Nurse
- Certified Professional Midwife 1996
- First Vice-President of the Tennessee Midwives Association
- Treasurer of the Tennessee Midwives Association
- Member of MANA (Midwives Alliance of North America)
- Quality Evaluator for NARM (North America Registry of Midwives)
- Author of “Noche del Nacimiento — Night of the Birth,” which is a collection of poetry about births, family and the wonders of nature.
Joanne moved to Tennessee with the original members of The Farm Community in 1971. She currently lives just outside The Farm in the nearby town of Hampshire, where she has a birthing house; Joanne’s Crossroads Cottage.
Joanne Santana’s first homebirth was such an empowering departure from her earlier hospital delivery that it changed the direction of her life. Using a small Mexican Midwives’ manual, she successfully birthed her son, Anthony, with the encouragement of her husband, young daughter and a fledgling midwife. His arrival was heralded by a rare lightning storm and 4th of July fireworks that lit up the San Francisco sky. From that moment on, Joanne wanted to devote her life to bringing birth back to the family.
Joanne began apprenticing with the Farm Midwives by preparing birth kits, working in the pharmacy, and training as a primary assistant. She managed a birth room in her home for eleven years before becoming a primary midwife in 1983. During this time, she also taught at the Farm School and gave birth to three more of her children. Additionally, Joanne was a Watsu class instructor. Watsu is a relaxation technique done in warm water pools to help mothers bond with their unborn child.
Currently, Joanne teaches midwifery and midwifery assistant courses through the College of Traditional Midwifery https://collegeoftraditionalmidwifery.org
Joanne envisions a world in which women and their families have a choice of safe compassionate birthing options, whether it be at the hospital, birth center, or in their very own home. This can only happen with sensitive cooperation between all midwives and their fellow medical professionals.
Her advice to upcoming midwives is to “Adore the babies, love the mamas, and be kind to one another.”
Joanne instructs a class outside at The Farm Midwifery Center.