Country Women: A Handbook for the New Farmer

My mom had a copy of this book, probably gotten not long after it was printed. I was a kid then and I thought she was silly for having it, till I got older and began developing an interest in rural living and intentional communities. Well I ended up reading her copy from cover to cover and then eventually buying my own. I love this book. It's comprehensive, whimsical and very easy to read. It's a valuable resource full of rural "girl power" that I'm more than glad to own.

I have had this book since 1977 and refer to it time and time and time again. The line art work is graceful, poetry is inspiring, the diaries reassure me that I am not alone in my failures or frustrations, and the practical information is well worded, empowering women into thinking 'yes, I can do this'. I refered time and time again to the companion planting section, wood cookstove section, wood splitting section... in fact, I referred so often to so many parts of the book that they are now committed to memory, along with my favorite poems. The book is somewhat dated in some ways, yet absolutely timeless in others. I would highly recommend it to any woman - single or married - contemplating 'homesteadng' or small farming. I lived on a small farm for 7 years, cooked on wood cookstoves, split wood, raised chickens, built chicken coops, mended fences, etc and I always started my research information on 'how to' with this book. I've since left the farm, and commence work on my bermed earth homestead next summer. Without the seeds this book sowed 25 years ago, I doubt I would have the belief in myself to do these things.

Country Women is a great book. Not only are the stories in it highly interesting, but the actual information is accessible and useful. I was living in an urban setting when I bought the book, but it happened to be in a town that allowed chickens. I learned more from this book than I did from the poultry department and agricultural extension unit at the local university. It was my handbook through problems and gave me my successes. Highly recommended for the casual and new small farmer. Highly recommended just for the stories.

If you have ever considered homesteading as a woman alone or with another woman this book is a must. I read it when it first came out in the 70's and was homesteading myself. It helped in more ways than I can count for me as a new "back to the lander". If you're into the new movement back to the land, you must buy this book.