Martha Hodgkins is communications director at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture. A former editor of Nature Conservancy magazine, she is the editor of In Response to Place: Photographs from The Nature Conservancy's Last Great Places and The Field Guide to The Nature Conservancy.
Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture is on a mission to create a healthy and sustainable food system that benefits us all. A non-profit organisation, Stone Barns Center works to develop a culture of eating based on what farms need to grow to build healthy soil and a resilient ecosystem. In its quest to transform the way America eats and farms, the organisation trains farmers, educates food citizens, develops agroecological farming practices and convenes change makers. Stone Barns Center, 25 miles north of New York City, is home to the celebrated Blue Hill at Stone Barns, under the direction of chef and co-owner Dan Barber, a multiple James Beard award–winner.
"The 38 letters and essays in this inspiring book are a must-read
for new and aspiring farmers. It is also important that consumers
and those who make use of high-quality food in their restaurants
and other food-related businesses read these letters. Non-farming
readers will better understand the challenges faced by new farmers
and appreciate that most farmers who produce high-quality food with
sustainable farming practices are underpaid and sometimes
undervalued for their wonderful produce and their sustainable
stewardship of farmland."
- Canadian Organic Farmer
"This book is a good read and has a feel-good message. It provides
a nice overview of the many of the themes of the local, small,
diversified farming movement.The essays are generally short, easy
to read, and thought provoking. I recommend the book to its
intended audience and to anyone who wants an overview of the many
writers in the food movement have to say."
- Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community
Development
"This collection of letters from three dozen of the most respected
figures in agriculture today-farmers, chefs, writers, philosophers,
and activists including Joel Salatin, Temple Grandin, Wendell
Berry, Karen Washington, and many others-draws on their collective
wisdom to answer a single question: "What would you say to young
people just starting out to farm?" The answers are equal parts
educational and informative and offer wise reflections on how to
grow healthy food in ways that treat land, animals, and people with
respect."
- Civil Eats
"An extraordinary harvest of wisdom from a ragtag crew of farmers,
cooks, and agitators--and a must read, not just for young farmers,
but for anyone with an interest in a robust food supply in our era
of climate chaos." --Tom Philpott, food and agriculture
correspondent, Mother Jones
"The chance to make a difference in quality of life for all depends
on the soil and those who care for and nurture the earth. New young
farmers are on the front lines in the struggle for survival, the
future of our children and theirs." --Neil Young, Farm Aid
"This will make you want to become a farmer." --Mark Bittman,
author of How to Cook Everything
"What a wonderful gift this book is to all aspiring farmers--full
of sage wisdom, passionate encouragement, and practical advice from
some of the greatest food and farming heroes of our time. Their
words will inspire and remind you why farming is indeed the most
important work to be done." --Naomi Starkman, founder and
editor-in-chief, Civil Eats
"Young people face a steep and uncertain climb on their journey to
farm. Letters to a Young Farmer is fuel for the moments when they
might turn back. With love, respect, and a hearty embrace, the
book's authors show a new generation of farmers that their work is
at the very foundation of life on Earth." --Lindsey Lusher Shute,
executive director and cofounder, National Young Farmers Coalition
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