"The New Farm, by Brent Preston"

"The New Farm, by Brent Preston"

The inspiring and sometimes hilarious story of a family that quit the rat race and left the city to live out their ideals on an organic farm, and ended up building a model for a new kind of agriculture.

You know those books where the city folks move to the country and have all kinds of crazy misadventures? Where the barnyard is a place of bucolic harmony and each passing season brings the author closer to understanding his proper place in the natural order? You know those books where the primary objective is not so much farming, but writing about farming?

This isn’t that kind of book.

It’s true that Brent Preston and Gillian Flies did leave the city and move to the country, and they did make a lot of stupid mistakes, some of which are pretty funny in hindsight. But their goal from the beginning was to build a real farm, one that would sustain their family, heal their environment, and nourish their community. It was a goal that was achieved not through bucolic self-reflection, but through a decade of grinding toil and perseverance.

Told with humour and heart in Preston’s unflinchingly honest voice, The New Farm is the story of one family’s transition from die-hard urbanites to bona fide farmers and passionate advocates for a more just and sustainable food system. It’s the story of how a couple of young professionals learned not just how to grow food, but how to succeed at the business of farming. And it’s the story of how a small, sustainable, organic farm ended up providing not just a livelihood, but a happy, meaningful and fulfilling way of life.

I don't remember how it came about that I ordered this book from the library, but must say I am glad I did.  I mean the Prologue of the book is titled: Euthanasia for Dummies.  You just have to read that part if nothing else.  I mean, despite the fact there is a loss of life, it is a funny chapter.

I was a bit misty eyed about this whole book as when we lived in the farmhouse we lived quite close to this farm.  Although I don't know any of the people in the book personally there were a couple of people mentioned who I knew about.  Places mentioned, events mentioned all brought back good memories of living in the area.  

Brent and Gillian were ahead of their time with their farming practices.  What they did then, is not as unusual now.  Their devotion to being organic should be applauded; as lesser people would have thrown in the towel.

Stars out of 5 : 5 A solid five as I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  It reminded me of the stupid things we did when we moved to the farmhouse...................boy I regret selling that house........{{{SIGH}}}

This is my own review; I borrowed the book from my local library.