The Last Farm: A novel of a farm family in the era of economic development

by J.A. Stein

Farmer Bill Fogel isn’t ready to retire. But his children have grown, his wife has passed, and his body is protesting. When a warehouse developer approaches him about buying the farm that has been in his family for generations, the offer seems too good to refuse. After all, almost all the neighboring farms have sold, leaving Bill’s farm an island in a sea of concrete.

The decision opens a floodgate of memories, including that of an old legend about gold that appears after lightning strikes. Bill challenges his adult grandchildren to investigate the legend before “it’s too late”. The treasure hunt that ensues initiates a storm of questions. The decision to sell is far from straightforward. It is interlaced with the family’s careers, their relationships, and the contents of the very ground they stand on. The Fogels will have to decide what matters financial security, the family, or the farm.

If you enjoy stories of family, legacy, and tough choices, you'll love The Last Farm, a heartwarming novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

Set in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, where the author is from.

Buy now before the price changes!

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 22, 2024

About the author

When J.A. Stein isn't dreaming up stories of centuries past, you can find her training horses like those in her stories. Or perhaps you won't find her at all, as she frequently disappears into America's stunning wilderness to chase adventure. She loves to read anything with a plot and makes it a goal to write stories that can't be put down.

Reviews are greatly appreciated!

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Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Farm was phenomenal!!! It was exciting and an emotional roller coaster! Toward the end I felt like I couldn't read fast enough because I needed to know if Bill signed papers to sell the farm or not! This book made me think so much about my childhood and helping friends milk cows, plant corn, and play in the streams in the pastures. I am so sad driving around Berks and Lehigh counties seeing all of the warehouses clogging up the landscape having known what it looked like before many of them were there. That being said, I have also directly benefited from the development as I worked as a warehouse department manager for years. All of the emotions and considerations that Bill, Jeth, and Evie had to go through until Bill’s final decision was made are things I think about on my drive to and from work each day. These characters and their lives were beautifully created and developed throughout the story. They made me think of my childhood friends and the decisions they may have to face down the road. This is a book that will definitely be on my mind for quite some time. It was a truly wonderful read!

[Ashley Corcoran · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Schuylkill County Native, I was absolutely thrilled to read this book and it did not disappoint. As someone who currently lives in Texas, where farms are being sold left and right to housing developments and warehouses, I feel for the families who had to make those tough decisions. The Last Farm encompasses the struggle of that harsh reality and gives us a look into what farmers and their families face daily. This story is laced with much more than a hard decision and the end had me clenching my toes. This is a must read! Thank you for getting me out of my reading funk and back to my home roots!

[Cheryl Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down ! The struggle for family farms is real ! This book and family will capture your heart. And get you thinking about what would you do. Is financial security worth a legacy of very hard work and memories? Do we want to be responsible for the change in the landscape and environment? Everyone should read this wonderful, thought provoking, heartwarming book.
So far my most favorite book from this author!! (And i loved the others )

[Melissa Roos · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Farm is a captivating tale of a family bound by the land, tradition, and memories, trying to hold on to what generations before them started. I rode a wave of ups and downs as they navigated the pressures of decisions thrust upon them by outside forces. I felt the pull of the land and the need to protect what was theirs until the last page turned. It's a wonderful story from start to finish!

[Denise DeTurk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hit home for me as I grew up on a farm near Hamburg, PA. It was really cool reading a book referencing my local area and knowing exactly where she was talking about.

[Lynsi Susa McKee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one— the writing, the character relationships, and that it was set so close to home. The main struggles with keeping the family farm alive vs selling to a corp for retirement 💰. Sad that these decisions are all too real for a lot of local farmers.

[Dean Conrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read about a family torn by the decision of selling the family farm or retaining it. History and romance all take a place on stage.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Farm is a well written & timely story that brings you into a farmer's family & the tough decision to sell the farm or not. You get a real sense of the conflict this farmer has about his decision & the impact on his family & community. The characters are your next door neighbors & you want them as friends. I want to visit Evie's bookshop & wander around looking for my next read. This books gives, anyone driving on major highways & seeing the big box warehouses that have popped up, an insight to the complexity of the decisions that occurred. You get a sense of the loss of a way of life that is disappearing & how hard it is for the small farms to survive. I root for the decision not to sell, but wonder who chooses the hard life of a farmer in this day & age. You can tell this story is close to the author's heart. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

[Charise Whitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 really. As someone whose family is considering selling legacy rural property, I was very interested to see how this played out. It is pertinent to today’s social and economic environment. I struggled a bit in the middle, felt like it got bogged down, but overall was a good read.

[Nora · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Farm by J.A. Stein was a fascinating read, especially as someone familiar with the novel’s setting. Seeing local roads, landmarks, and events woven into the story made it incredibly easy to visualize each scene and added a personal connection to the book.

One of the things I enjoyed most about this novel was how it made me think—constantly. The central conflict had me questioning what I would do in a similar situation, and the author masterfully presents both sides of the issue. Throughout the book, I found myself going back and forth, weighing the pros and cons of selling the farm, never quite sure which decision was the right one. Stein captures the complexity of the situation so well that it becomes clear there is no perfect solution—no matter what, someone is going to lose something.

I also appreciated how much I learned from this novel. I always enjoy gaining new insights from what I read, and The Last Farm delivered that in a way that felt natural and engaging. The characters were believable, their struggles felt real, and by the final stretch of the book, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see how everything would play out.

Yet, by the end, the author delivers a resolution that feels both unexpected and satisfying. The journey to that conclusion kept me engaged, and I appreciated how well Stein balanced the emotional weight of the decision with the realities of change and progress.

Overall, The Last Farm is a compelling and thought-provoking read, especially for those who enjoy stories with moral dilemmas, deep connections to place, and a well-crafted resolution. I highly recommend it!