The Essential Agrarian Reader: The Future of Culture, Community, and the Land

I ordered this book for a Sustainable Agriculture class I am enrolled in at college, and I have thoroughly enjoyed every reading from this text (which has been half the book so far). I am learning not only about organic farming methods but about the stark differences between the current industrial and the traditional models of ag, the degradation of the environment, principles of sustainability, community involvement, etc. It has been nothing short of an enlightening experience that encourages its readers to examine the world through a different lens. I highly recommend this one!

This collection of writings provides a full spectrum of academic approaches to the subject of living on earth - sustainably. It identifies the consequences of choices, those that are, ultimately, unsustainable, and those that could lead to a liveable future. The fact that my copy was eagerly borrowed by a graduate student economist will serve as an indication of its value and relevance.

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This collection is very comprehensive and a genuine inquiry into the key questions surrounding agriculture today: sustainability, justice, hunger, access, and practice.

As a Wendell Barry fan I love and mourn the idea of agriculture as a real culture. We just do not know what we are allowing to just fade away. These are essays from the folks who are doing not just dreaming. I wish I were younger and wiser. I would say this is must reading for people who care.

Essays from many famous and respected writers, including Wendell Berry. Wonderfully rational and passionate at the same time. Read it if you wish to envision a more sustainable and joyful alternative to our species' present life style of consumerism.

Very thoughtful with timely essays and a wonderful introduction.

I'm only about half way through but I think it's okay. Maybe a bit self-satisified. My Dad from Massachsetts, much more conservative, hated it and found it unreadable. He particularly complained about the article on growing food on the commons; it was in Weston, MA - one of the richest towns in a rich state, which lost all credibility.