Country Women, a Handbook for the New Farmer
That familiar adage “‘Everything Old is New Again” certainly applies to the recent release of Country Women, A Handbook for the New Farmer. It is richly illustrated by local artist, Leona Walden, with more than 130 of her careful, informative, and sometimes surprising drawings. First published in 1976 by Doubleday, it sold over 100,000 copies. Born of the 1970’s backto-the-land movement, it is an indispensable reference for the self-sufficient homesteader.
Fast forward to 2021, in response to the rush to the countryside, due in part to changes in lifestyles allowing more people to work from home, Echo Point Books.com republished from the original, in both hardcover and paperback.
An essential “How-To” manual on small-scale farming, its many topics include choosing and buying land, finding water, plumbing basics, tree felling, building concepts, composting, recycling, companion planting, animal husbandry, shearing, spinning, and much, much more. Authors Sherry Thomas and Jeanne Tetrault wrote from their deep respect for the land, their personal journey, and the perspective of women learning and sharing. The book is abundantly illustrated, full of historic photos, and is a chronicle for people who dream about making a new rural beginning.
Several women contributors still live on the Mendocino coast. Many of the ‘Back to the Land’ homesteaders became the prominent citizens of currentday Mendocino County. You may recognize a few of the names: Carmen Goodyear, Dawn Hofberg, Harriet Bye, Arlene Reiss, Ellen Chanterelle, Nancy TeSelle, and Leona Walden.
The lessons taught and learned to convey timeless wisdom and are invaluable for anyone wishing to build a strong relationship with the land and its place on it. This book is as relevant now as it ever was!
Leona Walden will be doing a book signing on April 21 from 1 to 3 PM at Gallery Bookshop on Main Street, Mendocino. The book is also available at The Bookstore on Laurel, Windsong Used Books in Fort Bragg, and through EchoPointBooks. com, Amazon.com, and BarnsandNobel.com.