Author: Eanes, Lori

Published by Skipstone, 2013

As you may have noticed, this book is nearly 10 years old. Why am I writing a review on a book that came out a decade ago? My local library does not carry this book, but I found it in the Friends of the Library book sale and it intrigued me. As I made my purchase, the volunteer remarked that the cover picture was very pretty. This book is filled with many beautiful photos as the author is a food and people photographer.

Eanes focuses on 35 urban farmers in the San Francisco Bay and Pacific Northwest area. Each of these farmers have their own expertise to dispense from raising goats, beekeeping, farm animal keeping, organic gardening, ethnic vegetable gardening, fruit trees, herbs, aquaponics, and helping their community. They delve into some of the difficulties they have encountered such as becoming an activist to change backyard rules so that they can use greywater. Or being allowed to raise and butcher your farm animal for meat. Or challenge zoning laws so that your urban farm can be actively called a working farm. This book is inclusive of so many attributes that an urban farm can be defined.

The photography in this book is plentiful. If you enjoy looking at other people’s gardens, this is a book for you as you explore 35 gardens. The only drawback is that it leaves you wanting more. Maybe into exploring each urban farm? Several of these farms have their own website and I looked up a few. After 10 years, some of the personal blogs and websites are no longer active. The organizations that have continued success are impressive and hold a lot of experience and knowledge and serve as a good resource.

An interesting dimension to this book is how many of these farms became a commercial enterprise. It is a way of living for some, selling vegetables, or herbs, or garden classes. The entrepreneurial spirit is evident in some of these farmers so that they can continue to do what they love to do which is to connect with nature and garden or raise animals. Many are passionate about sharing their food or their expertise with others in their community.

All the information in this book is still important and relevant today if you have a garden or whether you are in the suburban or urban environment. It provides an overview into avenues of gardening or animal keeping that you may not be familiar with and might want to explore. If you are looking to expand into a farm, I would read and consider all the wisdom these farmers have experienced to help you decide which direction you want to take. This is a highly unique book: an armchair garden tour and a helpful resource book in one.

This book may be a little hard to find as it is from a smaller publishing company so try looking for it through used online booksellers.