Growing a Farmer by Kurt Timmermeister is a book about living off the land, and self-discovery. Overall, the book is a personal narrative about going back to one’s roots to a more holistic way of living.
Some years ago, around 1990, Timmermeister, a former chef, purchased around four acres of land for his family. He sought to buy an affordable piece of land that wasn’t too far from the city of Seattle. As he started to make their newly purchased property a home, he discovered that there was a lot more potential there than he first thought. Growing a Farmer takes the reader on a journey through his frustration, and success while establishing a small home-run farm in modern America. Growing a farmer is peppered with anecdotal humor that engages the senses.
Timmermeister teaches his reader’s to never give up on the American dream. He also highlights how that dream has changed, how he learned to be flexible and adapt as problems arose. The book is as much about the courage to pursue one’s dreams, as it is, a how-to of modern day farming. Timmermeister came up against fierce competition in the early days of his farm. He realized that selling produce at the local farmer’s market was a lot more difficult than it first seemed. After suffering massive profit losses, Timmermeister carefully decided to pursue dairy farming instead. Presently, Timmermeister has a successful dairy farm that continues to goes from strength-to-strength.
Growing a Farmer is a truly inspiring read that goes beyond the assumed narrative, and gives readers value, and food for thought.
Works Cited
Timmermeister, Kurt. Growing A Farmer. New York: W.W. Norton, 2011. Print.
