Against the Grain: How Farmers Around the Globe Are Transforming Agriculture to Nourish the World and Heal the Planet

by Roger Thurow

When famine, drought, and malnutrition plagued their communities, these farmers tried something revolutionary—and managed to nourish their families and their land in the process.

Farmers in some of the world’s oldest agricultural areas—Africa’s Great Rift Valley, India’s Indo-Gangetic Plain, the Highlands of Central America, and the Great Plains of the U.S.—were toiling year after year, only to find that modern industrial agriculture was turning on itself. The very practices that they were using to grow food yesterday were making it more difficult to grow food today. Pesticides used to protect their crops were killing off beneficial biodiversity. Monocropping was depleting the soil of necessary nutrients. And deforestation was making the land hotter and drier. Industrial agriculture’s effects on our climate and environment were multiplying and worsening, until the very families growing the world’s food were starving.

But some of these farmers took a gamble and changed their practices to work with nature rather than bending nature to their will. They terraced the land to catch more rainwater and prevent soil runoff; they planted a diverse range of vegetables that would balance the nutrients in the soil; they replaced commercial fertilizers with organic matter from their own farms; they planted more trees and drought-resistant grains; and, perhaps most importantly, they taught their communities by example that these regenerative farming methods paid off—both in nourishing their families and in bringing their land back to life.

Award-winning author and journalist Roger Thurow shares their stories, highlighting the conflicts inherent in our most important human feeding the world using the methods of industrial agriculture is stripping the land of its ability to feed future generations. But, as Thurow points out, these farmers are starting a new kind of revolution, nourishing both humans and the land, and following their lead could help us solve one of the great crises of our time.

Genres: Food, Nonfiction

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 13, 2024

Reviews

[Madeline Skellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roger brings life to these stories of farmers around the world, with vivid descriptions of scenery, ecosystems, plants, and livelihoods, who are transforming agriculture. And by “transforming”, he means returning to the roots of nature, not fighting against it. You know what they say about land: they’re not making any more of it.

[Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good case studies about farmers practicing more climate and ecologically minded ag. Felt a little basic at times or maybe the writing was just a bit simplistic. Also one guy in here was just growing tomatoes, doesn’t really stand up to what the others discussed are doing. But still, good for him, we love the producers.

Big shoutouts: crop rotation, kernza, and agroforestry.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kernels of hope for the sad state of our food system! Not surprisingly, thanks to small-scale farmers facing the worst of climate change's wrath.

[Kailey Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his latest book, journalist and author Roger Thurow manages to do the impossible: provide us with hope. Even more impressively, he does so without shying away from the dismal reality of our current state of environmental peril and widespread food insecurity. “Against the Grain” highlights the stories of farmers who’ve seen firsthand the costs of our current agricultural system, and are now working to change the tides of malnutrition and environmental degradation. By uplifting and celebrating the voices and innovations of small holder and indigenous farmers, he shows us that the path to healing the planet is already laid out before us- if we’re willing to listen. It’s a damning testament against the world’s current model of industrialized monoculture and a documentation of the latest promising advancements in regenerative farming, all grounded in the first hand experience of farmers and families at the frontlines of this new agricultural revolution. This is no manifesto constructed out of wishful thinking, but a spotlight directing us to pay attention to the real world success stories taking place at this very moment, in multiple regions all around the world.

[Manish Narwade]

the book is rich in culture and diverse agriculture practice. The must read as the author tries to intrigue through various case studies. As the population is increasing in developing nations like south Asian countries and under-developed nations like African countries, there would be need to increase the crop yield to feed the growing population. This can be only done by bringing more land into agricultural practice (by clearing forest) and through increasing production by practicing sustainable methods. With climate change, unpredictable rains, flash floods and frequent droughts are the challenges human kind would be facing. It is through the sustainable agriculture methods this can be done. After the Grain book is testimonial to various sustainable agriculture practices humans can feed the growing populations without disturbing the climate and through reduced green house gas emissions. It reminds of Gandhi’s quote that “There is enough for everybody’s need and not for everybody’s greed.” Through technological advances both government and communities have to take a leap forward for intensive and inclusive farming methods. One small step for nature, one leap for mankind.

[John Coupland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reflections on the challenges between growing enough food while not damaging the environment. A strength of the book was the interviews with farmers facing specific issues in specific places. I also very much appreciated the optimistic frame.

I (being one who tends to see glasses as half empty!) would value some discussion of if this is good then why isn’t it happening? Grains are foundational for most civilizations so what are the challenges from moving from them to polycultures of fruits/veg? Transportation, preservation, nitrogen, logistics, labor, and calories seem pressing - but these questions are largely untouched. This book helped me appreciate some of the problems with the current system, but I would like to understand more of the challenges of the alternatives proposed. For example, I was interested in the challenges to continued wheat farming in Kansas including the note that yields had fallen. The perennial kernza was interesting but if it’s so good, what are the hurdles to adoption? The yield claimed (400 pounds per acre) may be one.

[Melissa Nuttall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers an insightful look into sustainable agriculture and how farmers worldwide are adopting innovative practices to restore land damaged by modern industrial farming. I absolutely loved it! The author takes us to six locations, including one in the United States, where regenerative agriculture is helping farmers reverse the harmful effects of monoculture and deforestation. These farmers are not only revitalizing their soil and changing their local climate, but they're also addressing hunger and improving their economic prospects. Sustainable agriculture is a critical issue that significantly impacts climate change. If you haven’t explored this topic before, this book is a great place to start!

[Sarah Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good that I read it twice.

Thurow has a way telling a story and presenting sound research simultaneously that’s sobering yet hopeful.

Thank you Roger for telling these farmers’ stories and raising the clamor about regenerative agriculture and food sovereignty across the globe ! 👏

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely important read. Rich with perspectives of farmers around the world, this book reignited my burnt out, hopeless world view of the last 10 months back into a deep-seeded belief in regenerative agriculture… to protect the planet and nourishment of both our bellies and spirits.

We really owe everything to farmers and to Indigenous knowledge.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as great as his other books in my opinion. But, bringing together the situations from east africa, India and the US, in what he calls the clash between growing more food and protecting the planet was nicely done.
A better read for someone who needs convincing on his premise.

[Shelby Hairr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating look into the shared issues facing our current food industry, and what farmers around the world are doing to fix a broken system. I definitely recommend to anyone interested in regenerative agriculture!

[Sara Rains · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection of stories from around the world of farmers seeking new (and old!) ways to restore soils and ensure the planet can continue to feed us for generations to come.

[Dania F · Rating 2 out of 5]

It felt simplistic, poorly written at times and repetitive. The personal stories were a nice touch, but this would have been a better read as an essay.

[Lindsey Linkous · Rating 5 out of 5]

first nonfic book I’ve read in a while! a great narrative telling of the state of the world we’re in and helped me understand the climate crisis better- I’ll say it over and over, food is medicine, food is education, food is a right!!