Women of the Harvest: Inspiring Stories of Contemporary Farmers

I enjoyed reading about the different women profiled in this book and how they got started and what they do to run their endeavors. There is a good cross section of farm related occupations represented here, which is helpful. Very inspirational.

First off, this book is very beautifully illustrated. The photo of the woman holding the big Brahma hen sold me immediately! Included within are the shortened stories of many women who have gave in to the "simple" farm life. Some of them grow flowers, sell medicinal herbs, grow their own food, work for the government, sell chili peppers, live organically or are farming on land passed down for generations. While I really enjoyed this book it wasn't exactly what I expected. Many of the women featured had Master's degrees in various subjects. So, most women featured here had an above average income to start their farm. I was expecting more stories about the "average-jane" going into more traditional type farming as the sole basis of making a living. The title of the book should've been my first clue. It's mostly about more contemporary ways of farming. Most of the women featured had other jobs or other means of income to fall back on besides just their farms. Overall, it's still enjoyable and it will give you a few ideas on how to reach those farm dreams.

This is a very inspiring book, and is great motivation,since i was in the farming community years ago, that will never leave me.

This book is fun! It's made up of excellent photos and lively interviews with 17 American women who are farmers in 9 states, and a woman who works for a U.S. government agricultural organization in Moldova. And we're not talking oats, peas, beans and barley here. The crops range from clams to watermelons to cactus plants to peppers. Alpaca fleece is another crop. Many of the farms are organic, and the ages of the women farmers range over 60 years or more. Many have their farms in arid, western states. The interviews are full of pithy quotes from the women and engaging details about the lives these women live. The pieces by Susan Gartner are especially good at putting the reader right on the scene.

WOMEN OF THE HARVEST: INSPIRING STORIES OF CONTEMPORARY FARMERS profiles some seventeen women who love farming: women from across the country who share their stories of making their farming dreams come true. Color photos of land and female farmers blend with autobiographies and insights on what it takes and means to be a female farmer, how to run an 'ideal' farm, and how these women made farming dreams a reality. Any agricultural or rural library will find WOMEN OF THE HARVEST: INSPIRING STORIES OF CONTEMPORARY FARMERS a winning leisure read choice.