Stronger Than Dirt: How One Urban Couple Grew a Business, a Family, and a New Way of Life from the Ground Up

by Kim Schaye, Christopher Losee

A Dream Takes Root

By turns enchanting and inspiring, Stronger Than Dirt is the true story of one couple’s successful attempt to build, from the ground up, an entirely new way of life.

When Kim Schaye came home to Brooklyn from her writing job at a top New York City daily to find a breathtaking vase of wildflowers on her dining room table, she had no idea the bouquet would challenge her and change her life so completely.

Her husband, Chris Losee, had gathered those glorious blossoms from one of the last working farms in the area that summer day, thus planting a seed in his mind to buy, start, and live on a farm.

Stronger Than Dirt is Chris and Kim’s tale, told from the alternating viewpoints of a husband and wife who left behind the grind of their big city life to build what became a thriving flower farm. Battling mud, bugs, snow, deer, and the ever-encroaching weeds, while facing the dropped jaws of their friends and family, Kim and Chris created a successful business with perseverance and a good dose of humor.

Whether you have a passion for gardening, a taste for the perfect tomato, or simply a willingness to take a chance, Stronger Than Dirt is sure to entertain as it reveals the beauty and bounty that embracing the unknown can bring.

Genres: Nonfiction, Gardening

320 pages, Paperback

First published April 22, 2003

Reviews

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really connected with the story and felt drawn into their lives as they left NYC to start a farm. I have a dream of keeping a homestead someday, so I enjoyed reading about the ins and outs of the work they needed to do to keep things running and their connection to their land and new business.

It was charming, though it's certainly not for everyone.

[lee lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing of this book--both the style and the voice (of which there are two)--is very straightforward, more journalistic than memoir. It's not my personal cup o' tea, but I can appreciate that it's intentional. The story itself is very inspiring, but it doesn't make me want to be a farmer! It did increase my desire to find my own life's calling. Where, oh where can it be?

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This got me wanting to start some seeds indoors early. I skipped doing this last year but I have the craving to break out my seed box and start planning for my kitchen garden harvest NOW. A great story about having a dream and going for it (the good and the bad).

[Lain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute he says-she says story about urban couple who's had enough of the rat race and buys land to start farming in upstate NY. Shares trials and tribulations of starting a farm - it's not all roses! A little heavy on the details of construction but still a sweet story and easy to read.

[Elizabeth]

looks good!

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. I recommend it to any gardener who is contimplating making a career change into the agribusiness industry. Leaves you feeling hopeful.

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ok, may interest people more excited about gardening. The beginning is awfully boring with the guy building the house, but gets somewhat better around the 2nd third of the book.

[Deidre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Farmers market cut flowers business. More farming less construction details.