Letters to a Young Farmer: On Food, Farming, and Our Future

(Paperback)

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An agricultural revolution is sweeping the land. Appreciation for high-quality food, often locally grown, an awareness of the fragility of our farmlands, and a new generation of young people interested in farming, animals, and respect for the earth have come together to create a new agrarian community. To this group of farmers, chefs, activists, and visionaries, Letters to a Young Farmer is addressed. Three dozen esteemed leaders of the changes that made this revolution possible speak to the highs and lows of farming life in vivid and personal letters specially written for this collaboration.

Barbara Kingsolver speaks to the tribe of farmerssome born to it, many self-selectedwith love, admiration, and regret. Bill McKibben connects the early human quest for beer to the modern challenge of farming in a rapidly changing climate. Dan Barber traces the rediscovery of lost grains and foodways. Michael Pollan bridges the chasm between agriculture and nature. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree probes the politics of being a young farmer today. Farmer Mas Masumoto passes on family secrets to his daughterand not-soon-forgotten stories to us all. Other contributors include Temple Grandin, Verlyn Klinkenborg, Wendell Berry, Rick Bayless, and Marion Nestle.

Reviews

"An extraordinary harvest of wisdom from a ragtag crew of farmers, cooks, and agitators--and a must read, not just for young farmers, but for anyone with an interest in a robust food supply in our era of climate chaos." --Tom Philpott, food and agriculture correspondent, Mother Jones
"The chance to make a difference in quality of life for all depends on the soil and those who care for and nurture the earth. New young farmers are on the front lines in the struggle for survival, the future of our children and theirs." --Neil Young, Farm Aid
"This will make you want to become a farmer." --Mark Bittman, author of How to Cook Everything
"What a wonderful gift this book is to all aspiring farmers--full of sage wisdom, passionate encouragement, and practical advice from some of the greatest food and farming heroes of our time. Their words will inspire and remind you why farming is indeed the most important work to be done." --Naomi Starkman, founder and editor-in-chief, Civil Eats
"Young people face a steep and uncertain climb on their journey to farm. Letters to a Young Farmer is fuel for the moments when they might turn back. With love, respect, and a hearty embrace, the book's authors show a new generation of farmers that their work is at the very foundation of life on Earth." --Lindsey Lusher Shute, executive director and cofounder, National Young Farmers Coalition
The 38 letters and essays in this inspiring book are a must-read for new and aspiring farmers. It is also important that consumers and those who make use of high-quality food in their restaurants and other food-related businesses read these letters. Non-farming readers will better understand the challenges faced by new farmers and appreciate that most farmers who produce high-quality food with sustainable farming practices are underpaid and sometimes undervalued for their wonderful produce and their sustainable stewardship of farmland.
- Canadian Organic Farmer
This book is a good read and has a feel-good message. It provides a nice overview of the many of the themes of the local, small, diversified farming movement.The essays are generally short, easy to read, and thought provoking. I recommend the book to its intended audience and to anyone who wants an overview of the many writers in the food movement have to say.
- Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development

This collection of letters from three dozen of the most respected figures in agriculture today-farmers, chefs, writers, philosophers, and activists including Joel Salatin, Temple Grandin, Wendell Berry, Karen Washington, and many others-draws on their collective wisdom to answer a single question: What would you say to young people just starting out to farm The answers are equal parts educational and informative and offer wise reflections on how to grow healthy food in ways that treat land, animals, and people with respect.
- Civil Eats

Author Bio

Martha Hodgkins is communications director at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture. A former editor of Nature Conservancy magazine, she is the editor of In Response to Place: Photographs from The Nature Conservancy's Last Great Places and The Field Guide to The Nature Conservancy.

Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture is on a mission to create a healthy and sustainable food system that benefits us all. A non-profit organisation, Stone Barns Center works to develop a culture of eating based on what farms need to grow to build healthy soil and a resilient ecosystem. In its quest to transform the way America eats and farms, the organisation trains farmers, educates food citizens, develops agroecological farming practices and convenes change makers. Stone Barns Center, 25 miles north of New York City, is home to the celebrated Blue Hill at Stone Barns, under the direction of chef and co-owner Dan Barber, a multiple James Beard awardwinner.