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

by Martha Hodgkins (Editor)

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 farmers—some born to it, many self-selected—with love, admiration, and regret. Dan Barber traces the rediscovery of lost grains and foodways. Michael Pollan bridges the chasm between agriculture and nature. Bill McKibben connects the early human quest for beer to the modern challenge of farming in a rapidly changing climate.

Letters to a Young Farmer is a vital road map of how we eat and farm, and why now, more than ever before, we need farmers.

Genres: Food, Nonfiction, Agriculture, Environment, Essays, Gardening, Nature

177 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 7, 2017

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a young farmer, this book made me feel as though I was doing everything wrong because I am not organic or small scale. The reality is that we need all forms of agriculture and we need all kinds of young people to enter this industry. Would have appreciated a book that was much more open minded and inclusive of all types of agriculture.

[Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of essays that offer advice to young aspiring farmers. There is a pretense implying that their audience is entirely composed of organic and biodynamic farmers, largely on small scale. This is unfortunate, in the sense that I'd like a conversation that included young farmers raised on conventional farms and techniques. That point notwithstanding, I am in a perfect position to have read this book right now. As I assemble the constellation of prerequisites for beginning a farm and restaurant myself, I am perfectly positioned to receive the advice offered by, I must say, a stellar group of contributors. From Michael Pollan to Alice Waters (!!!), these authors reflect on their relationship with farming, soil health, relationships with the marketplace, and some of the more ethereal experiences and meanings in their lives on the land. They urge us to consider small scale and organic farming for its own merits and work intensively, not extensively.

This is a book about hopes and dreams, and I was ready for its message. What I missed was a connected conversation about making the dream happen financially. The vast majority of these contributors are so disconnected from the subject of land purchase or rent, and the organization of a start-up farm today that they can scarcely speak to its subjects at all. I would have enjoyed an engagement with the realities of start-ups now from someone who is involved in one.

Having said this, I love this book for what it is: a beautiful love letter to farmers who live and breathe kind, gentle, organic and biodynamic farming. These people love food and those who produce it. We could all take note of their guiding principles, because we are facing an age of decaying agricultural quality and a societal hunger for healthful and clean sustenance that will only be satiated by the movement of young farmers that this book encourages.

[Moss · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel the need to clarify every time I give 2 stars that this means I felt neutral about it. 3 is I like it. 5 stars means that it has changed my life somehow.

This book was overall good, but a lot of the letters were repetitious. I think I would have been satisfied with less letters that were longer. This prepped less for farming in a practical sense then the feelings you should be prepared to feel. Some letters were better than others but I wish the editors had put more intention into the range of topics covered and made more of an attempt to minimize redundancy.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great exposure to big inspiring names in the field!! Left many letters full of ideas and notes

[Duncan Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book can change the world. It is inspiring, educational, and compelling. Read it. Send it to anyone you think would benefit - maybe it's the nudge they need. It lead me to so many authors and organizations.

We are killing the earth. You can help save the world by being a regenerative or sustainable farmer. You can find meaning in a world that is excessively complex and corrupt by reconnecting with the land and making sure you understand the link between your own existence and dirt. Help others see this too. The author of one of the letters says that by becoming a non-industrial farmer you are becoming an agricultural activist and that it's inherently a political move. Hell yes! Be the change you want to see in the world.

After all, you really are what you eat. Take care of the earth and eat quality food, and feed those around you.

[Peggii · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to command the Stone Barns Center for collecting such insightful letters from experts and visionary in the field. I have now been thinking on how I can better acknowledge the farmers of the food I consume.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of famous people in here, but mostly all saying the same thing:farming is vital. It’s hard. You’ll have to be a jack of all trades and you’ll need community to do that. It’s also rewarding. I was inspired and will pay more attention to my food.

[charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being a farmer is incredibly hard! This book impressed upon me just how complex and difficult the business is as well as how inaccurate the stereotype of a “dumb farmer” actually is. Honestly made me feel like I’m definitely not cut out for it, at least if my goal is for it to turn a profit.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

for class, loved

[Megan Phelps · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice book that simultaneously made me want to become a farmer while also ensuring that I will never become a farmer. Some of the letters were very poignant and enriching, while others were a bit rote and repetitive. Definitely increased how much I value farmers!

[Scottsdale Public Library]

This book is an anthology of stories by farmers, chefs, journalists, and others who care about the problems facing American agriculture, our diet, and food system. The stories are told with hope, faith, and respect, for the land which sustains us and for those who are part of the food system circle. Barbara Kingsolver, Bill McKibben, Alice Waters, Michael Pollan, Rick Bayless, who have lived and understand what it means to farm the land, are just a few of the contributors who have written Letters to a Young Farmer. To quote the words of Alice Waters: “Thank you for choosing to be a farmer and for choosing to take care of the planet. Thank you for dedicating yourself to feeding us all.” - Anna Q. L.

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I go back and forth every couple of months/years about whether I want to drop everything and become an organic farmer and I think this book only further fed that constant oscillation. The book was a collection of letters from dozens of the biggest names in organic food/regenerative agriculture. There were some cool, recurring themes throughout several of the author's letters. The most important of these is that organic, regenerative agriculture will literally save our planet, and preserve the human ability to live on it. Industrial agriculture has absolutely ravaged our planet for short-term economic gain, thinking nothing for soil health, food nutrition, or climate impacts. Several of the authors also highlighted that it will be millennials that will save agriculture. A number that kept popping up was 65% of farms will change hands in the next 20 years. A huge majority of farms are currently held by people 60 years or older and they need to retire and turn over their farms to new hands. This means millennials will have a unique role in converting these farms into more sustainable forms of providing human nourishment. In highlighting this fact, several authors made sure to note that farming isn't a job but rather a vocation. It has to call you with every fiber of your being because there's no other way to sustain yourself in such backbreaking work, 80 hour week after 80 hour week unless you feel fundamentally drawn to it. Along that line is one author's discussion of the politics of farming:

In choosing to farm sustainably, you are presenting an explicit critique-a slap in the face-of America's industrial agricultural system. By growing crops and raising animals without harmful chemicals and feedlots, you are a living reminder of the harm done to the land, animals, and people by industrial farming methods. Whether or not you see it that way, the very existence of your farm and your ways of farming make a political statement.

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, the title speaks for itself. This is a collection of essays written by lifelong farmers, agricultural activists, food writers, professors. Some of the essays worked very well, but too many of them were self serving. I understand the audience they intended but I worry the audience might be fairly small. Of course, I might be biased by living in the Midwest. I could see where a young Midwest farmer with good intentions might find the book to preachy or pretentious. I did not hear anyone discuss how a young farmer that might have just inherited a large farm could easily make the transition into the more idealized small organic farm. Baby steps I suppose, while still supporting the needs of the larger farm. Might have been a nice argument to make, as that is the reality that I’m more familiar with. This sounded like an argument or motivation for someone that wanted to farm that went to Harvard, not Iowa State. Just my opinion I guess, it was not widely shared by my book club.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed reading this collection, most of the essays echoed a similar theme that our current farmers are aging out, very few younger people are filling up the ranks, and we need greater emphasis on sustainable agricultural practices. All this combined to make the collection repetitive. Barbara Kingsolver's essay was the most beautiful of the bunch. Raj Patel's essay was startling--in a good way.

[Shelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

As I find to be true of any book with multiple contributors, some chapters were quite good, others not so much. I grabbed this book from the library because Joel Salatin was a contributor, and I recognized a few other contributors. Joel's chapter was great... most of the others... meh.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

The quality of the essays was wildly uneven, unfortunately. Some were excellent, some meh.

[Christie Bane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is as the title says... a series of letters from (presumably) old (or at least experienced) farmers to young ones. I would change the title though to read: Letters to a Young LIBERAL Farmer or Letters to a Young ORGANIC farmer. This book is heavy on diversity, conservation, sustainability, rotating crops and animals, making the consumer more aware of where their food comes from and what role the growth of all that food has on the health of the planet (and therefore also making them more willing to pay what that actually costs, as compared to what the product of Big Agriculture costs, much less). I don't disagree with this approach -- I actually completely agree with it. Agriculture is another one of those countless subjects that, if I had ten or twenty lifetimes, I would want to devote one of them to studying. Making food and all the science that goes with it is fascinating.

I think every writer in this book has made a point of telling the young farmer that farming is a rough life, it's hard to make a living, you have to wear many hats on a farm, and you have to be very careful to give yourself a work-life balance or else you will work yourself into the ground. But every writer also points out the profound satisfaction that comes from working the ground and creating something where before there was nothing. I have never farmed other than two (very successful!) years of straw bale gardening, but even that little bit gave me an insight into the unique pleasure that comes from working in the dirt. Reading this book was an opportunity to fantasize briefly about how one of my alternative lives might have been.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sad the many young conventional farmers didn't think this applied to them. While many of the letters focus on small scale and /or organic farming, Letters like those from Raj Patel and Dan Barber encourage farming done well and reflect upon the rewards. Richard Wiswall and Mary-Howell Martens talk about time management and the value of time. Ms Martens works a 1600 acre crop farm. In my world, conventional farmers need to face the same issues as small-scale farmers.

Marc and I continue to learn and grow with our farm every year. The one thing we are reminded of on a regular basis is that good farming has many rewards regardless of your product or management system. Indeed, we admire both small scale organic veggie farmers and large scale dairy farmers. Likewise, there are others in these same enterprises that breed embarrassment and shame.

I believe that the element of farming that gives me pause, that gives me peace, is stewardship. The essays in Letters to a Young Farmer encourage thought, consideration, responsibility and stewardship. These essays are for anyone that cares about the land, about food, about agricultural communities and about life. In the promotional quotes, Mark Bittman is quoted as saying "This will make you want to become a farmer." I think he is correct.

[Casey Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's comprised of like sixty short letters addressed to young farmers, written by an eclectic group of authors from farmers to chefs to agricultural scientists, writers, and activists. This book is of course not just for young farmers, but anyone who is interested in the problems and potential solutions concerning our natural world. The letters are short - on average only a few pages - so it's easy to read in bite-sized chunks, and each contributor gives a different perspective and insight. I think this book is a great place to hear from a lot of different voices on the subject, serving as a base to springboard off in any of the directions that you find particularly compelling.

As an aspiring farmer myself, I found this book both inspiring and a little daunting - many of the authors make it clear that farming is quite challenging, particularly if you are hoping to make a living off of it. Of course, all of the authors also spend plenty of time to discussing the rewards of such a lifestyle, and make very compelling arguments about the need to heal our agriculture in order to heal the planet.

[Riley Maloney]

Going to start this off with I am pretty sure my online edition was wrong with the pages again. Wherever my college gets their e-books from, they need to reevaluate their decisions because it's just been complete ass for this class
Anyway. At least the formatting was correct this time. I just think I am missing a huge chunk of the book. I liked this one more than the other. Not nearly as tedious. The letters to each person was cool. I really liked the one I just read where the father was writing a letter to his daughter. Really had me reflecting on life. In another universe I think I am capable of being a farmer. I like repetition and I went to culinary school so I already got my foot sort of in the door in regards to agriculture/food system or whatever you wish to call it. I don't feel like giving this a rating lowkey because I don't think I even read the whole thing. That was not my fault though!
That's all. Some of the letters made me giggle a little bit.

[Karen Fasimpaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an inspiring book about food and farming. It talks about the areas where food, nature, and politics meet and emphasizes passion for food and intergenerational connections. It also makes it clear what a financial struggle young, small farmers face.

The book also touches on topics that go beyond food. One writer Amigo Bob Cantisano asks us to "Reach out without judgement to those who are not entrenched in the beliefs you hold so dearly...we are all in this together and need to support each other for the collective evolution of humans."

While this book is primarily addressed to smaller, non-industrial farmers, it also asks us to avoid condemning the "other." Writer Dan Barber asks us to stop moralizing and to create a community and culture in which people choose for themselves instead of being told what to do.

[Connor Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, inspiring, enlightening. Wonderful read from a range of contributors, encouraging the millennial generation to take part in regenerative and holistic agriculture.

A really hard read at some points, especially if you feel connected to this book, but are not in the current state to begin your pursuit of full on agriculture. A scary but ultimately wonderful look on how some of our most well spoken and famous advocates for land want the youth of today to join in, resist, and take part in creating food and educating those around us.

Find a mentor, WWOOF, or opportunity to grow food with someone smarter than you, that will lead you down a tough path that leads to a career and life full of food.

[Holger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Prof. Marion Nestle from NYU (p. 156) sums it up:

At issue, of course, is how to make a living from doing what you love. Other writers in this volume no doubt have plenty to say about how to acquire land, equipment, seeds, animals and people to help you get started [...]

No they don't, Prof. Nestle. Those other writers have only platitudes and back patting to offer.

But I want to talk about something else: The politics of what you are doing. ... [You are] a slap in the face of America's industrial agricultural system.

Guess what: all other authors did the same thing, self-serving and patronizing. I hope young farmers find more useful books than this.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a blurb on the front of the book from Mark Bittman, proclaiming, "This book will make you want to be a farmer!" Which leads me to believe that Mark Bittman did not read this book.

(The letters are earnest and lovely, but overwhelming the message is, "THANK GOD you are doing this; it is going to be SO HARD and you will never make ANY MONEY and city people will assume you are dumb and there's really no winning against commercial farming, but THANK GOD for you naive young person because we really need someone to do this so the earth doesn't die.")

In conclusion: This book does not make me want to be a farmer (but I have enduring love and respect for people who do).

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice compilation from a diverse array of perspectives in the food system. What you see is what you get, most of the letters were not memorable. The ones I liked dove into particular farming philosophies (such as Allen Savory's regenerative ag). Common themes were the challenges of farming, the importance of our generation of farmers shifting our approach, and the need to embrace the farming community in order to learn and thrive. I must say, it was a hard reminder that farming must be its own reward because few other rewards come with it.

[Ben Haworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most genuinely encouraging books I have ever read. It is easy to get depressed about the future of the world in light of the environmental crisis of global warming, desertification, etc. Well, here is a book that looks those dangers in the face, accepts them, confesses the sins of the past, acknowledges the toxic reality of current farming practices, and still announces hope for our world. A hope which is found in all who are turning to farming as a means of enacting their love and devotion for our earth.

[Olatomiwa Bifarin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 dozen plus letters to a young farmer — Joel Salatins’ would perhaps be my favorite. They speak to diversified portfolio of products, sustainable agriculture and many fine things. And then that Gary Nabhan quote that easily maps out to any worthwhile venture in life: “The most important lesson that farming imparts to the wayward human psyche is the constant need for humility. It does so by reminding us that we are really not ever in control and that we will likely be wrong about the complexities of nature and the economy more often than we are right.”

[Kyle McFerren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite its title, this collection of short essays and letters is for anyone who is interested in cooking, eating, gardening, or the environment - not just for 'young farmers.' Stone Barns Center has put together a great little collection here with contributions from Wendell Berry, Michael Pollan, Marion Nestle, Joel Salatin, and many other farmers, food writers, chefs, environmentalists, and authors I hadn't heard of but now need to check out. I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of any of these authors for some light but thoughtful reading.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted to love this book, but it was so repetitive. A few stand out letters—Raj Patel, Anna Lappé, and Mas Masumoto are the ones that jumped out to me. Not necessarily the ones that had the most practical advice for farmers but the ones that were inspiring, hopeful, and or real. I wish the editors had worked more with the contributors to cover more diverse topics or to deepen their letters past the general theme of “Farming is so important! So hard! So hard to make money! You go girl!”

[Jolie Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this for a food science class, but it was so interesting I'd recommend it to anyone! I never thought about farming much until being in this class and reading this book, and it gives me this whole new perspective. We've moved past a society of agriculture, but it's still the backbone of our society and planet. This book is also broken up into short, digestible essays, so you can just pick it up and read one of two in a few minutes. A great new perspective.