Farming and Homesteading with the Saints

by Andie Andrews Eisenberg

CULTIVATE YOUR FAITH WHILE CULTIVATING THE LAND

Everyone who works the soil, whether on a prairie, the outskirts of a small town, in a city garden, or in your own yard, can use inspiration and blessings to help get through the endless work and daunting challenges. Who better to look to for examples of strength, courage, and faith than the heavenly companions who have been there themselves?

In Farming and Homesteading with the Saints, author and hobby farmer Andie Andrews Eisenberg presents a faith-filled treasury of Catholic holy men and women connected to agriculture, animals, and rural life. In these pages, you’ll meet the patron saints of creatures, critters, flying things, horses, sheep, cats, dogs, beekeepers, gardeners, field hands, shepherds. and many more. You will also have at your fingertips a wellspring of blessings to pray for the safety of your home, your farm, and the creatures under your care.

Whether you are a traditional or next-gen farmer, a weekend gardener, or someone who embraces the revival of the back-to-the-land movement, Farming and Homesteading with the Saints is a timeless resource and a stirring reminder that farming with faith means that you are never, ever alone in your work.

 

256 pages, Paperback

Published July 11, 2023

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Farming and Homesteading with the Saints, by Andie Andrews Eisenberg, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I never realized there is a saint for protection for almost every animal and for most occupations. I have learned about a lot of saints I have never heard of before, and there feast day. I really enjoyed this book and learning about the saints.

[Barbara Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple and easy to read look at the different saints and how they got their names and which ones cover over different
aspects of farming and homesteading life. The last quarter of the book is prayers for different situations that come up in farm life as well as blessings over the animals, the equipment etc.
I enjoyed reading this and it didn't take me long to go through it and it would make a good reference book to have on hand.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read through different books about Saints, especially when trying to find titles to use with my kids when homeschooling. I wish this had been around earlier to use with my older boys.

When I think of farming, my mind jumps to St. Isidore the Farmer. But, there are so many other Saints connected to farming. There are multiple sections for this title. The book starts with Patron Saints of Creatures, Critters, Flying Things, Farm Animals, and their ailments. It then moves into Patron Saints of Farm-Related People and Occupations. Then Patron Saints of Places (e.g. an apple orchard), Patron Saints of Weather and Protectors against Natural Disasters, and then finally a group of Blessings and Prayers.

Each section begins with a rumination by the author. Then you dive into the Saints. For each Saint, you get some background on them including their feast date, particularly with their connection to agricultural concerns. Some Saints cover more than one 'area' and are referenced under each with only their first appearance having a full story.

This book would be a great title to have for anyone who is farming or has a homestead. But, it could also be a great title for other homeschool moms like me who want their kids to learn more about the Saints.

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This charming, slightly quirky book is a collection of the known and lesser know saints and their relationship to the land and farming. I am enjoying dipping in and out of this book. It’s probably not one to be read from cover to cover in one sitting, but instead to be savoured. I’m not a farmer, but I could imagine this book would be useful as one encountered particular agricultural situations. Andie Andrews Eisenberg encourages the reader to recentre back to God through the blessings of the Saints when specific challenges are faced. The book is carefully and painstakingly researched and a delight to read.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not Christian but I was born Catholic and there's a strong link between the saints and the life in the country. There's miracles for any need and issue.
It was a lovely read and I enjoyed it.
Highly recommended if you want to learn something about life in the country in the past and how people considered the metaphasic as a way of getting help.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

[Margaret Closs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is several vignettes, would probably be best as "Saint of The Day". It's hard to read straight through, but is great for a small amount each day. This has several stories and thoughts of different lesser known straights and would make a great companion for someone starting their homestead with a life of prayer.

[Dee/ bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was interesting, but I feel like the description is a little off. It is a book about each problem you can have as a farmer or gardener and the saint that parallels it.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

[Brittany Renne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can not wait to get my hands on a hard copy of this book! While it is self-advertised as a reference book. I had no problem reading it cover-to-cover. It is full of unique Saints and Saints we all know and love! I learned so much about my little mini homestead and my catholic community of Saints. I have already recommended this book to many friends and family. This is a great book to have on hand for any gardener or homesteader.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Loyola Press for the advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

[Lucia Graziano · Rating 4 out of 5]

E' chiaro che il libro sia stato scritto primariamente per un target di lettori composto da quelle famiglie cattoliche che fanno la scelta di vivere dei frutti del loro orto, per crescere i loro figli in un contesto rurale e lontano dal caos delle metropoli. Io faccio parte di una famiglia cattolica che decisamente non abbraccia questo stile di vita - e ciò non di meno, ho trovato il libro davvero molto godibile.

L'ultima sezione ha un carattere devozionale e contiene varie preghiere da indirizzare ai santi e varie benedizioni per gli animali e le fattorie (che comunque devono essere amministrate da un prete; dunque non vedo francamente l'utilità di inserirle in un libro per il laicato, che potrebbe pure farsi venire strane idee a vederle già lì pronte all'uso). Ma i capitoli precedenti sono davvero un continuo susseguirsi di aneddoti, sorprese e usi folkloristi legati ai santi e al mondo contadino: davvero deliziosi, pieni di curiosità non scontate e frutto di un evidente lavoro di ricerca da parte dell'autrice.

Assolutamente delizioso, anche se non avete mai messo piede in una fattoria e non avete nemmeno un animale domestico. Gradevolissimo davvero.

[Una copia di questo libro mi è stata fornita gratuitamente da Loyola Press via Net Gallery in cambio di una recensione]