The Seasons on Henry’s Farm: A Year of Food and Life on a Sustainable Farm
- ISBN13: 9781572841031
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
Henry’s Farm is in central Illinois, some of the richest farming land in the world. There, Henry Brockman and his family — five generations of farmers, including sister Terra — farm in a way that produces healthy, nutritious food without despoiling the land. Terra Brockman tells their story in the form of a yearlong diary/memoir — with recipes — that takes readers through each season of life on the farm. Studded with vignettes, photographs, family stories, and illustrations of the farm’s vivid plant life, the book is a one-of-a-kind treasure that will appeal to readers of Michael Pollan, E. B. White, Gretel Ehrlich, and Sandra Steingraber. The book opens a window into what sustainable farming really entails and why it is vital and relevant to everyone who eats. Though rooted in the rolling oak-hickory hills and fertile fields and flood plains of the Mackinaw River Valley, the book ranges widely, incorporating literary, scientific, and culinary refl… More >>
The Seasons on Henry’s Farm: A Year of Food and Life on a Sustainable Farm
After spending most of my summer buying Henry’s produce and Teresa’s fruits and herbs, I was thrilled to be able to attend their annual Potluck and Tour in early October. While I was there, I picked up a copy of this book, and have not put it down since. I’m on my third reading, and it’s become my way to soothe my mind before heading off to slumber.
The quality of Henry’s produce is nearly unmatched – and certainly anything I’ve had in the past pales in comparison. Seeing the farm offered one perspective; reading about it brought an entirely new one. Terra is a remarkably gifted writer, bringing the farm and all that comes with it to life. Even though I only saw a small portion of the farm, I have such a vivid mental image of nearly everything she writes of, from the fields to the truck to the dogs who guard the crops.
Reading through the book gives such newfound appreciation for the Brockman family, Matt, and all the apprentices. To see their work and passion brought to life was truly an inspiration, and nearly enough to make me want to spend a summer on a farm.
If you’re a typical city/suburban resident like myself who has purchased “organic” vegetables at the standard grocery store only to find they were a total waste of money, this book explains why. Terra enlightens the non-farmer with incredible detail, yet in a manner that makes the reading pure pleasure. The Brockmans are clearly a highly intellectual family who fore go the city life for the simple life. A life of hard work, but more rewards than most of us can imagine. It’s such a pleasure to read, the fact that you are learning about farming is truly secondary to the story.
Not only is the subject matter incredibly relevant – sustainable living and local produce – but Terra Brockman manages to write in a very engaging way. Were this not a book with such a personal angle for her, I feel that her writing skills would still make for an interesting read.
It’s an informative book which also has the occasional humorous anecdote – I’m thinking specifically of the geese that had reached sexual maturity and how the farm had to deal with it!
Three generations of the Brockman family, through the eyes of a gifted writer/daughter, take you on a journey through a year and a lifetime of passion for The Land. Incredible hard work, masterful planning, the whims of nature, the intricacies of multi-generational families, the history that is etched into the landscape, all are masterfully woven together by Terra Brockman in a book that cannot be put down once the first page is opened. One will never visit a farm market again without a keen appreciation for the amazing people who toil to bring customers food imbued with a commitment to sustain the Earth and its peoples.
The Brockman’s are to agriculture and gastronomy what the Kennedy’s are to governing and politics. I have enjoyed their first class vegetables and fruits for years and now comes this book with both recipes and behind the scenes stories. Dig in for a good read. After purchasing the book I was leafing through the pages just to get a sense of it and I was soon hooked–seated and devouring it whole. It is entertaining, educational as well as heart-warming with the biographical family stories. I plan to re-read it too! Teresa Brockman’s writing style is delightful and informative.