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Planted: A Story of Creation, Calling, and Community
Planted is not a "how to" book, but a "how so" book in which the reader is invited to travel with Leah Kostamo on the wild ride of salmon saving, stranger welcoming, and God worshiping as she and her husband help establish the first Christian environmental center in Canada. Avoiding simplistic prescriptions or clichd platitudes, Leah wrestles with issues of poverty, justice, and the environment through the narrative of her own life experience. The lived-theology and humility of voice conveyed in these pages draws readers to new and creative ways to honor the Creator as they are inspired to care for creation.
156 pages, Paperback
First published August 2, 2013
3 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
About the author
Leah Kostamo
3 books7 followersLeah Kostamo is an earthkeeper and storyteller. For the past twelve years she has worked alongside her husband Markku to establish the work of A Rocha in Canada. A Rocha is transforming people and places by showing God's love to all creation. She can be found online at leahkostamo.com.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 16, 2023
I just loved this story of a couple who started the first Christian environmental center in Canada. I really want to visit them! Reading about their lives at A Rocha reminded me a lot of the sweet community I have here at the ranch and the fellowship we enjoy over sharing living spaces, work and meals together.
As someone who deeply appreciates God’s creation, this book challenged me to extend that appreciation into better stewardship of what God has gifted us with here as we bring heaven down to Earth.
Some lovely thoughts:
“ it is our unique position as image-bearers pf God that qualifies us to steward God’s creation.”
“ for those of us who believe God is the source from which all arose, we are the first creatures to say so out loud. God may well prefer the sound of spring peepers, but I have to believe there was joy in heaven when the first human being looked at the sky and said: “ thank you for all this!”
“ while creation care as a vocation is a specific calling, as a way of life it is everyone’s calling. just as every Christian is called to witness God’s love and promote justice for those without a voice, so too are all Christians called to steward creation.”
As someone who deeply appreciates God’s creation, this book challenged me to extend that appreciation into better stewardship of what God has gifted us with here as we bring heaven down to Earth.
Some lovely thoughts:
“ it is our unique position as image-bearers pf God that qualifies us to steward God’s creation.”
“ for those of us who believe God is the source from which all arose, we are the first creatures to say so out loud. God may well prefer the sound of spring peepers, but I have to believe there was joy in heaven when the first human being looked at the sky and said: “ thank you for all this!”
“ while creation care as a vocation is a specific calling, as a way of life it is everyone’s calling. just as every Christian is called to witness God’s love and promote justice for those without a voice, so too are all Christians called to steward creation.”
November 30, 2024
I'm so glad this book exists. While its basic principles may not be new, the way that Leah Kostamo wove such a beautiful tapestry with her words and painted a picture of hope moved me to tears by the final chapter. In the face of impending biological collapse on every continent, most Christians I know resort to eschatology ("God will fix everything"), humanism ("we can fix it if we find the right technology"), avoidance ("that's someone else's problem"), or even abuse ("the earth is there for us to use up"). A small few know and care enough about our planetary crisis to despair. An even smaller number know enough of God's goodness to hope, love, and put their faith into action. The A Rocha tribe seems to be part of that tiny subset. Although parts of this book confirmed what I already believe, I was also deeply convicted of my own pride ("I know more than others"), cynicism, and lack of trust in God. As Leah puts it, our job is not to fix everything. We only need to do what we can and care for what we have. That is all that is asked of us. And that seems like a more manageable goal, especially with a loving and incarnated Saviour working alongside us.
June 17, 2024
This was a lovely and moving story. As someone who also works in the Christian nonprofit world I resonate with the stories of God's eleventh-hour and greater-than-you-imagined provision, the challenges and joys of life in community, and the passion that drives Leah and Markku forward despite the odds. I agree deeply with their insistence on the interconnectedness of all life and the following idea that as we care for creation we grow closer in community and vice versa. I appreciate that they leave the reader with practices and ideas that transform rather than to-do lists to check. And I'm very grateful for the nuance and clarity that Kostamo brings to the ideas that she shares, avoiding the pitfalls of extremism, of oversimplification, and of preachiness.
July 9, 2018
Beautiful memoir-ish book recounting the founding and first decade or so of A Rocha Canada.
I really enjoyed this book. I've read a lot of books on the topic, and many of the "points" were familiar, but the format was not one laying out arguments, but recounting stories and hopes and dreams.
I really like Leah and her family, and I think we could be friends. :-)
I really enjoyed this book. I've read a lot of books on the topic, and many of the "points" were familiar, but the format was not one laying out arguments, but recounting stories and hopes and dreams.
I really like Leah and her family, and I think we could be friends. :-)
April 17, 2023
Interesting book that took me a bit to get into. Leah is a good writer and I enjoyed many of her stories of the people they came in contact with (and animals) thru A Rocha. She challenges her readers to care more for the environment.
November 26, 2020
this is an amazing, courageous story.
May 18, 2014
Planted is a lovely little book about the beginnings of the first Christian environmental center in Canada. As Christians we have long neglected God's call to care for the earth. This despite the words of the prophet Hosea written several thousand years ago. These words proclaim how our relationship with God is inextricably connected to our relationship with other people and with creation itself:
Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites,
because the Lord has a charge to bring
against you who live in the land:
"There is no faithfulness, no love,
no acknowledgment of God in the land.
There is only cursing, lying and murder,
stealing and adultery;
they break all bounds,
and bloodshed follows bloodshed.
Because of this the land mourns,
and all who live in it waste away;
the beasts of the field and the birds of the air
and the fish of the sea are dying." Hosea 4:1-3
Planted is a story of a faith journey of a young couple who left well-paying employment and a luxurious home and planted themselves on Kingfisher Farm in south Surrey. It is an adventurous read full of God's plentiful surprises.
One story among many stories of God's unique provision occurred when a summer intern woke up one day with a sense that God was telling her "I have a surprise for you today". Later in the day as she was bending over to pull a fish trap out of the Little Campbell River, she felt God saying "Here's your surprise". It turned out to be a Salish Sucker - a member of an endangered species that had been considered extinct in the Little Campbell River system. Needless to say, this was a boon for the government support needed to affirm A Rocha Canada as a viable and recognized conservation organization.
Leah offers a gentle and grace-filled invitation to not only value Christian environmental organizations such as this, but to also embrace the truth of Micah 6:8 through a simple and more just lifestyle.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
I formed a number of connections to this A Rocha community in BC before even receiving this book. My first introduction came through my Soulstream roommate and friend Brent Unrau, who early in our friendship introduced me to his dream of purchasing a share in a Christian community with an environmental emphasis. During one of our Soulstream retreats, this involved a trip out to Kingfisher Farm and a tour of their temporary home on the top floor of the old farmhouse. A couple of years later, I spent the night with Brent and Denise in this old house.
Some years ago, we were staying overnight with my favorite university professor and academic advisor Harold Faw and his wife Fern. We learned that their eldest son Rick had joined this environmental community as education director - working alongside schools, churches, and community groups to coordinate adult environmental education. We have since joined Rick as one of his supporters.
One day when I was visiting Kingfisher Farm with Brent, I had the opportunity to meet another member of this Kingfisher Farm community - she turned out to be the daughter of my spiritual director, Roland Balzer.
Last year, I had the privilege of touring Brent and Denise's new home in a lovely 4plex that had been constructed on Kingfisher Farm property overlooking the community garden. It was then that Brent introduced me to Leah, his next door neighbour on the top floor. This was my opportunity to purchase her book, freshly autographed by Leah.
I thank God for all of my environmentally informed friends and companions. Together they have provided me with a necessary education, encouraging me to consider my part in exercising environmental justice, knowing that my daily choices inevitably effect other peoples and societies across the world.
Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites,
because the Lord has a charge to bring
against you who live in the land:
"There is no faithfulness, no love,
no acknowledgment of God in the land.
There is only cursing, lying and murder,
stealing and adultery;
they break all bounds,
and bloodshed follows bloodshed.
Because of this the land mourns,
and all who live in it waste away;
the beasts of the field and the birds of the air
and the fish of the sea are dying." Hosea 4:1-3
Planted is a story of a faith journey of a young couple who left well-paying employment and a luxurious home and planted themselves on Kingfisher Farm in south Surrey. It is an adventurous read full of God's plentiful surprises.
One story among many stories of God's unique provision occurred when a summer intern woke up one day with a sense that God was telling her "I have a surprise for you today". Later in the day as she was bending over to pull a fish trap out of the Little Campbell River, she felt God saying "Here's your surprise". It turned out to be a Salish Sucker - a member of an endangered species that had been considered extinct in the Little Campbell River system. Needless to say, this was a boon for the government support needed to affirm A Rocha Canada as a viable and recognized conservation organization.
Leah offers a gentle and grace-filled invitation to not only value Christian environmental organizations such as this, but to also embrace the truth of Micah 6:8 through a simple and more just lifestyle.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
I formed a number of connections to this A Rocha community in BC before even receiving this book. My first introduction came through my Soulstream roommate and friend Brent Unrau, who early in our friendship introduced me to his dream of purchasing a share in a Christian community with an environmental emphasis. During one of our Soulstream retreats, this involved a trip out to Kingfisher Farm and a tour of their temporary home on the top floor of the old farmhouse. A couple of years later, I spent the night with Brent and Denise in this old house.
Some years ago, we were staying overnight with my favorite university professor and academic advisor Harold Faw and his wife Fern. We learned that their eldest son Rick had joined this environmental community as education director - working alongside schools, churches, and community groups to coordinate adult environmental education. We have since joined Rick as one of his supporters.
One day when I was visiting Kingfisher Farm with Brent, I had the opportunity to meet another member of this Kingfisher Farm community - she turned out to be the daughter of my spiritual director, Roland Balzer.
Last year, I had the privilege of touring Brent and Denise's new home in a lovely 4plex that had been constructed on Kingfisher Farm property overlooking the community garden. It was then that Brent introduced me to Leah, his next door neighbour on the top floor. This was my opportunity to purchase her book, freshly autographed by Leah.
I thank God for all of my environmentally informed friends and companions. Together they have provided me with a necessary education, encouraging me to consider my part in exercising environmental justice, knowing that my daily choices inevitably effect other peoples and societies across the world.
May 1, 2014
“In theological terms naming is the first step in moving from an ‘I-It’ relationship with something or someone to an ‘I-Thou’ relationship, a relationship where a person or creature or even an object becomes known not just for its usefulness, but for its innate worth. It’s the first step in the kind of understanding that leads to caring.”
I marked this and many other passages in my copy of Planted by Leah Kostamo with a green pen, and when I was done with the book, I had run into a common problem when reading a book as meaningful, memorable, and thought-provoking as this one. I had underlined so many passages that my green markings did very little to help me sift through them all.
Such is the nature of this delightful and quick read by the cofounder of the first dedicated Christian environmental center in Canada. Kostamo dedicates a good portion of the book to anecdotes about the sometimes wacky, sometimes dirty, always sacred life at the A Rocha center in British Columbia. These stories of interns, guests, and workers ground the tale in real life and experience. But the balance of the book is where the true depth lies. Kostamo integrates into the anecdotal narrative honest and thoughtful theological reflection on creation care, stewardship, and vocation.
While none of the theological reflection breaks new ground, Kostamo quirky sense of humor and gracious storytelling style invites the reader to hear anew the call of God to be a faithful steward of creation. Many times while reading I found myself underlining a sentence and realizing I had had the same thought myself in the past. But unlike me, Kostamo did something with it! Her experience lends a humble authenticity to her reflection that makes me both remember things I had forgotten and long to take further steps to align my life so it resonates more fully with God’s call to stewardship of creation. For example, here Kostamo is talking about the value of being in nature:
“…North American media has turned information into entertainment, rendering it impotent when it comes to motivating change. We live in a deluge of information – awash in statistics that should have us running hell-bent through the streets to some constructive action. But we don’t. It seems that fear tactics and empirical knowledge have a short shelf life when it comes to inspiring change. What lasts is wonder.” (italics mine)
The notion that wonder, not fear or statistics, inspires change has been percolating in me since I read it and I’m excited to see how God is inviting me to use this new idea in my life.
Planted begins with more stories of the A Rocha center and less theological reflection, but about halfway through the ratio flips. If you find yourself grazing through the stories but not getting much out of the book, please stick with it. The stories help ground the reflection to come and both are important for the integrity of the book as a whole. Kostamo sows stories in the first half and reaps theological reflection in the second. And the harvest is bountiful.
My thanks to Leah Kostamo for the complimentary copy of this book, which I received for purposes of review.
May 9, 2014
In Planted, Leah Kostamo chronicles her family’s decision to create an environmental center based on conservation, education, restoration, community agriculture, and sustainable living. Their radical and risky choice to exit the superhighway heading to the American dream of more stuff was based on four core beliefs; the earth is the Lord’s; creation is good; everything is connected; and, we are to have hope. Such visionary thinking has allowed them to integrate stewardship into every component of their lives. They are committed to “caring for all of God’s creation in holistic ways—the more threatened zoological bits, but also the more threatened human bits too.” Kostamo describes A Rocha as, “Youth hostel meets Sierra Club set on an organic farm.”
I wonder if part of the reason that stewardship has taken so long to appear on Christians’ radar has been the tone that many activists employ. There’s either a shrill, dire, and predictably guilt ridden vibe or an all or nothing gauntlet that tends to alienate potential converts. Not so with Kostamo. In her world, you are free to live out your own convictions; you can consume meat (though she doesn’t), use a clothes dryer (though she doesn’t), or load your dish washer with abandon (as Leah gratefully does). I get the feeling that she exudes God's grace and mercy, even as she humbly acknowledges her limitations. “If marriage is a mirror, then intentional community living is a hours of mirrors. The trick to doing it semi-well is to keep loving and forgiving—especially oneself—in the midst of the grind of everyday life.”
This commitment to whole and holy living is rare and it can’t be pulled off without a deep well of hope. Kostamo’s writing and life exude not only hope, but also purpose and gratitude. As I turned the pages, I found my commitment to stewardship strengthened and my appreciation—for the incredible trust God shows us—deepened.
Though Kostamo is smart enough to realize that few of us will make the radical choices she and her husband have, she challenges us nonetheless:
“While creation care as a vocation is a specific calling, as a way of life, it is everyone’s calling. Just as every Christian is called to witness to God’s love and to promote justice for those without a voice, so too, all Christians are called to steward creation.”
This is a unique book and the Kostamos are a remarkable family. Perhaps as more of us embrace the whole gospel with all of who we are, Leah and Markku will see their choices joyfully replicated across the globe.
I wonder if part of the reason that stewardship has taken so long to appear on Christians’ radar has been the tone that many activists employ. There’s either a shrill, dire, and predictably guilt ridden vibe or an all or nothing gauntlet that tends to alienate potential converts. Not so with Kostamo. In her world, you are free to live out your own convictions; you can consume meat (though she doesn’t), use a clothes dryer (though she doesn’t), or load your dish washer with abandon (as Leah gratefully does). I get the feeling that she exudes God's grace and mercy, even as she humbly acknowledges her limitations. “If marriage is a mirror, then intentional community living is a hours of mirrors. The trick to doing it semi-well is to keep loving and forgiving—especially oneself—in the midst of the grind of everyday life.”
This commitment to whole and holy living is rare and it can’t be pulled off without a deep well of hope. Kostamo’s writing and life exude not only hope, but also purpose and gratitude. As I turned the pages, I found my commitment to stewardship strengthened and my appreciation—for the incredible trust God shows us—deepened.
Though Kostamo is smart enough to realize that few of us will make the radical choices she and her husband have, she challenges us nonetheless:
“While creation care as a vocation is a specific calling, as a way of life, it is everyone’s calling. Just as every Christian is called to witness to God’s love and to promote justice for those without a voice, so too, all Christians are called to steward creation.”
This is a unique book and the Kostamos are a remarkable family. Perhaps as more of us embrace the whole gospel with all of who we are, Leah and Markku will see their choices joyfully replicated across the globe.
February 13, 2016
This book is both the story of A Rocha Canada and also a good primer on a Christian approach to creation care. Early in the book the author names four theological principles on which the work of A Rocha is based: (1) The earth is the Lord's (Psalm 24:1), (2) Creation is good (Genesis 1:31), (3) Everything is connected (Hosea 4:1-3), and (4) We are to have hope (despite the fact that 'knowing what conservationists know, it's only logical that they would be tempted to despair).
The data about the deterioration of our natural environment seems overwhelming at times, but nevertheless I came away from this book with a sense of hope and a feeling that there are things - maybe even just little things - that everyone can do. But I particularly resonated with Leah Kostano's three recommended attitudes: (1) Practice Gratitude, (2) Practice Generosity, and (3) Practice Keeping the Sabbath.
Like many people, I'm in favour of creation care in theory but often take the easy way out. This book gave me both a sense of hope and also a few things to be working on.
The data about the deterioration of our natural environment seems overwhelming at times, but nevertheless I came away from this book with a sense of hope and a feeling that there are things - maybe even just little things - that everyone can do. But I particularly resonated with Leah Kostano's three recommended attitudes: (1) Practice Gratitude, (2) Practice Generosity, and (3) Practice Keeping the Sabbath.
Like many people, I'm in favour of creation care in theory but often take the easy way out. This book gave me both a sense of hope and also a few things to be working on.
June 5, 2014
This is poignant,funny and gracious book about Christian environmentalism/Creation care. Leah Kostamo and her husband Markku launched A Rocha Canada. This is her story of her growing in care for creation and trusting in God.
Part of this story tells of how A Rocha acquired their current centre in British Columbia (Brooksdale). That in itself is an amazing story worth reading for yourself. The Brooksdale center is just over the border from where I live in Washington and I have taken my kids their for a volunteer workday. I have friends there, though I haven't met either Kostamo in the flesh.
I think what sets this book apart for me is how gracious it is. It is easy to make people feel guilty for their environmental choices. Leah Kostamo is further on the journey of creation care than most of us, but she writes as a fellow learner. We can all learn to care better for our world and our neighbors. Leah's book is a gentle prod in the right direction.
Part of this story tells of how A Rocha acquired their current centre in British Columbia (Brooksdale). That in itself is an amazing story worth reading for yourself. The Brooksdale center is just over the border from where I live in Washington and I have taken my kids their for a volunteer workday. I have friends there, though I haven't met either Kostamo in the flesh.
I think what sets this book apart for me is how gracious it is. It is easy to make people feel guilty for their environmental choices. Leah Kostamo is further on the journey of creation care than most of us, but she writes as a fellow learner. We can all learn to care better for our world and our neighbors. Leah's book is a gentle prod in the right direction.
November 19, 2013
Leah Kostamo has written a beautiful story of a remarkable community. "Planted" tells the tale of one woman's journey of faith and action in the world of environmental education and community activism. If you're nervous about picking up a book that pulls together the hot topics of Christianity and environmentalism, let me quickly assure you that Kostamo tells her story with a light touch. There isn't the slightest hint of the sort of self-righteous soapbox rhetoric often associated with faith-based or environmental activism. But make no mistake, writing with a light touch does not mean she writes without passion. Rather, Kostamo shares her story out of a beautifully grounded, earthy, humble passion—a passion that is as compelling as it is inspiring. Her writing style is personal, tender, often humorous, and strikingly honest. This is a very engaging read. I highly recommend it!
July 22, 2014
It took me a while to warm up to this book...then the narrative took over and there were many gems that just popped out at me. I still am not sure exactly what A Rocha is or is supposed to be...a farm? a collective? a nature center? a research facility? All of the above?
Hopefully future editions will correct the spelling/grammar on page 87 "...exceptions were made for specials guests..."
Also, many of the cute hand drawn illustrations were on the wrong page...far too many appeared only after turning the page that they were supposed to illustrate. Maybe another printing/edition can work to make the pictures flow along with the text.
Hopefully future editions will correct the spelling/grammar on page 87 "...exceptions were made for specials guests..."
Also, many of the cute hand drawn illustrations were on the wrong page...far too many appeared only after turning the page that they were supposed to illustrate. Maybe another printing/edition can work to make the pictures flow along with the text.
August 26, 2014
By telling the story of A Rocha Canada, Kostamo shares truth and insight into how a Christian faith should be linked to environmental care. This message is not delivered through guilt or doom and gloom but through humility and grace. The stories are bizarre and fun and the accessible content make this book readable for almost any audience.
July 29, 2014
This delightful book lines out the great need for, and practical ways to, care for all of God's creation, including the Least of These. Full of funny and inspiring stories about Leah and her family starting a conservation center in Canada, the Kostamo family's faith in God is highlighted as they experience God's miraculous guidance and provision.
January 15, 2016
An interesting blend of scientific conservation autobiography and Christian witness. The author runs a wildlife research sanctury (Little Campbell Watershed) in Canada as part of A Rocha (http://www.arocha.org/en/), a Christian wildlife conservation charity. An interesting and enlightened theology, that takes the idea of ecological stewardship seriously.
January 15, 2016
An interesting blend of scientific conservation autobiography and Christian witness. The author runs a wildlife research sanctury (Little Campbell Watershed) in Canada as part of A Rocha (http://www.arocha.org/en/), a Christian wildlife conservation charity. An interesting and enlightened theology, that takes the idea of ecological stewardship seriously.
June 13, 2017
A great Sabbath-y kind of book. Playful and prayerful. Made me laugh. Made me breath deeply. Made my heart swell. Eat this book.
This probably makes it onto my top 10 all-time list, given the ways I see it having started me on a path over a year ago of re-imagining things like vocation, rest, and church.
This probably makes it onto my top 10 all-time list, given the ways I see it having started me on a path over a year ago of re-imagining things like vocation, rest, and church.
March 29, 2015
This is a delightful book. It is very readable and personal, while also universal, connecting to broad themes such as faith and ecology. I really enjoyed Leah Kostamo's "voice", and her stories were enjoyable and inspirational in a down-to-earth (literally) way.
July 23, 2016
I love this book. The writing is engaging, humorous, down-to-earth, and yet at the same time, thought-provoking and educational, written with such great love, care and candor. Leah's personal journey is a must-read.
August 20, 2014
I read this book after going to the A Rocha pig roast and tour at their Brooksdale location. It was really neat to learn about the people and process that brought that vision into a reality. Their willingness to step out into the unknown, dream big, and trust in God to provide is truly inspiring.
March 1, 2014
This beautiful book tells the story of the beginnings of A Rocha Canada. I was inspired and edified.
April 19, 2014
I am not sure why, but I just didn't care for Leah's writing style and storytelling. I expected a lot more from this book but it stayed at a superficial level. I guess I wanted her to go deeper.
May 28, 2014
This is a great book to give to someone who has limited knowledge on Christian creation care. You can read my full review at http://diningwithdonald.com/planted-l...
June 18, 2014
Excellent book on Christian environmental stewardship. Thoughtful, and full of joy.
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February 19, 2015Delightful read with deep truths, entertaining, genuine and informative.
August 30, 2016
An inspiring autobiography of how A Rocha Canada started.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews