Diane Ott Whealy...

I am reading this book right now. Almost finished. While I wouldn't call it a page turner, it is a great telling of how an idea evolved out of a shared passion into a world altering movement. I have to admit I am a seed thief. Back east I used to live near several colleges that had amazing gardens and conservatories. I used to pick seed pods off the plants when they were ready and plant them in my own garden. I am a bit of a passive collector. I love the generational gift of seeds. For years I carried around a variety of morning glory seeds and planted them wherever I was and shared them with friends. Collecting the seeds each season. Grandpa Ott morning glories are part of the story, as they came from Diane's grandfather. They happen to be one of my favorites.

The inspiring part of the story, for me anyway, is the possibility of all those vegetables varieties that are out there waiting for your palate. Having ordered from the seed catalog for years, I never knew the story behind the catalog. The people who put passion and energy into the preservation of our culinary history. For anyone who is a fan of heirloom food and culinary anthropology, this book is a great read and highly recommended. It is also a story of how what you need comes to you when you commit to the journey. Lovely.

Margaret Hathaway...

The Year of the Goat: 40,000 Miles and the Quest for the Perfect Cheese. This is a great resource, as well as a great story. I tend to be a jump in and figure things out person. With my own farm, I have read a million books, however, it still comes down to trial and error. This story is different. It makes me think of the importance of really looking into something before plunging. Especially when that something relies on you for it's life.

Margaret and her partner Karl want goats. Instead of buying a farm and getting some goats, they embark on a cross country journey to research, well, goats. Dairy goats and meat goats, cheese makers chefs and ranchers, associations, breeders and the like. I won't tell you the end. Just know, it is well worth taking this literary jaunt with them. (I so want goats. Am working on convincing my husband daily. Should probably have him read the book.)

Gene Logsdon...

This is one of my favorite farming novels. I mostly read non-fiction in this genre, but Logsdon really captures the transformation of farming life from the Great Depression on through the lives of two main characters. From the "Get Big or Get Out" perspective and the stewardship/personal connection model. Their evolution and personal stories were greatly moving and this book definitely shaped my own ideas of farming and connecting to what my values are in that respect. Having grown up rural, the characters were reminiscent of folks I knew. When I return home now I can see how this story has come full circle within my own life, to the closing of the local family dairy, to the farmers stand turning into a convenience store and then closing, to the quiet explosion of small sustainable practice farms popping up and offering folks an alternative to processed foods and cardboard produce. I love Logsdon's testament to this process and hope there is no Last for the Husbandsmen. This is really a smooth, thoughtful read.

Jenna Woginrich...

I began reading Jenna's blog several years ago after finding her book Made from Scratch. At that time she was renting a house in Idaho and trying her hand at homesteading. I have been a daily reader ever since and can truly say she has been one of the inspirations for me buying my own small farmstead. Jenna is a fierce and amazing young woman (not even thirty!) who demonstrates what dedication and passion can manifest in one's life. Her blog coldantlerfarm chronicles her daily journey on the farm she purchased. I greatly recommend reading Made from Scratch first and then reading her most recent book Barnheart. You will be amazed by what a strong woman can accomplish in just a few short years. I promise she will become one of your favorite people.