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Back to the Land in Silicon Valley
“We all worked together. Ate together. Sang together. Learned together. We had a good life. After living close to the natural cycles of the earth year after year, good and not good, we grew stronger and more resilient, learned to manage our occasional conflicts with tolerance and love.”
When Marlene Bumgarner and her husband moved to a rural plot of land in 1973, she thought of herself as simply a young mother seeking an affordable and safe place in which to raise her child.
By the time she left the land nearly a decade later, she had written two books and a weekly newspaper column, served as contributing editor to a national magazine, a college instructor, and a sought-after public speaker. Her natural food store, The Morgan Hill Trading Post, was the first one in her community.
Follow Marlene and her friends as they live on the land, coping with the challenges of rural life as Silicon Valley evolves into the high-tech center it is today, and the world in which they live transforms itself culturally, economically, and politically.
When Marlene Bumgarner and her husband moved to a rural plot of land in 1973, she thought of herself as simply a young mother seeking an affordable and safe place in which to raise her child.
By the time she left the land nearly a decade later, she had written two books and a weekly newspaper column, served as contributing editor to a national magazine, a college instructor, and a sought-after public speaker. Her natural food store, The Morgan Hill Trading Post, was the first one in her community.
Follow Marlene and her friends as they live on the land, coping with the challenges of rural life as Silicon Valley evolves into the high-tech center it is today, and the world in which they live transforms itself culturally, economically, and politically.
- GenresNonfiction
328 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2020
1 person is currently reading
317 people want to read
About the author
Marlene Anne Bumgarner
5 books12 followersI was born in England but grew up on the west coast of California. My husband and I traveled a good deal, but I have ended up back on the west coast, where I write, play with my grandchildren, and walk with my Border Collie, Kismet.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 21, 2020
I loved this book! The greatest praise I can give anything I read is that it touched me, emotionally and intellectually. Marlene's book did both with grace and aplomb and in a writing style that is honest and optimistic. Filled with wonder and reverence for the natural world around her, young Marlene's journey back to the land was not just about living on the land itself but also about taking risks, finding courage and what living a life true to oneself has to teach all of us. I'm so happy I found this book and so thankful to Marlene for writing it!
January 4, 2021
Back to the Land in Silicon Valley recreates, in warm and often intricate detail, several metamorphoses in the life of its author, Marlene Bumgarner. While the development of this remarkable woman is layered and non-linear, her prose is eloquent and clear. The story takes place south of San Jose in the '60's and '70's, while Tech was a toddler.
In the best reality show fashion, an idealistic group of city-bred friends, including a young Marlene, her husband and tiny daughter, enter an unfamiliar rural environment with the intention to live simply and cheaply on the land. This is the engaging story of her personal growth as a new mother, a young wife, a gardener/cook/laborer, and a responsible partner in the economics of the venture. While there were successes, the group was attempting things for which they were not prepared, leading naturally to collective and individual shocks, hurts, and conflicts. One of the through-lines of the book is that she (and they) were able to reset after setbacks, realign and keep returning to love and comradery.
A dramatic event was thrust on Marlene which would have sent a lesser human packing. Her subsequent achievements as educator, editor, author, entrepreneur and mother arise out of the indomitable, resourceful, gracious and resilient character refined during her darkest period.
I'm a father of two daughters, grandfather to another young woman, and am excited to recommend this book not only to the general reader, but especially to young women everywhere. While the historical and human-condition elements of the story are fascinating, the lessons that derive from Marlene's character are crucial. This is role-modeling at its best: achieving goals despite incredible difficulty and setbacks, reinventing constantly, recognizing the source of conflicts, forgiving and returning to love. Bravo, Marlene.
In the best reality show fashion, an idealistic group of city-bred friends, including a young Marlene, her husband and tiny daughter, enter an unfamiliar rural environment with the intention to live simply and cheaply on the land. This is the engaging story of her personal growth as a new mother, a young wife, a gardener/cook/laborer, and a responsible partner in the economics of the venture. While there were successes, the group was attempting things for which they were not prepared, leading naturally to collective and individual shocks, hurts, and conflicts. One of the through-lines of the book is that she (and they) were able to reset after setbacks, realign and keep returning to love and comradery.
A dramatic event was thrust on Marlene which would have sent a lesser human packing. Her subsequent achievements as educator, editor, author, entrepreneur and mother arise out of the indomitable, resourceful, gracious and resilient character refined during her darkest period.
I'm a father of two daughters, grandfather to another young woman, and am excited to recommend this book not only to the general reader, but especially to young women everywhere. While the historical and human-condition elements of the story are fascinating, the lessons that derive from Marlene's character are crucial. This is role-modeling at its best: achieving goals despite incredible difficulty and setbacks, reinventing constantly, recognizing the source of conflicts, forgiving and returning to love. Bravo, Marlene.
January 24, 2022
I was quite surprised when I read this book. I thought it was going to be about how to set up a homestead. But instead, it brought me into the world of the author herself, in the trials and tribulations of a young, educated woman newly married and a new mom. I was drawn into the book from the first page but by the halfway mark was ready for something to really happen. And I wasn't disappointed. A world of dreams and ideals crumbling with each turn of a page. I was riveted and read the last half of the book in one sitting. I struggled through the detailed gutting of a beloved goat with tears streaming down my cheeks, but notwithstanding felt I need to go through this journey with the author. Highly recommend this book to young moms, newlyweds and women in general.
July 21, 2022
The book was well written but disappointing. I got bogged down with endless descriptions of trying to get various approvals for doing anything on their land. I was also very sad about how many of their animals died due to neglect and/or ignorance. What a waste!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews