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seeking greenhorns essayists!

Posted: December 20 2010

Are you a young farmer whose work journal sometimes yields whole prose passages? Do you have some shrewd stories to tell or discerning perspectives to share on the issues of contemporary America's young farmerdom?

We've extended the essay deadline for the book project we're working on. We'll be accepting essays until JANUARY 15th. Download the book description and info packet here: Greenhorns Contributor Packet 2010
If things have finally slowed down a little for you and you meet the contributor criteria, pick up the pen and send us an essay! Anything goes, but to round out what we've already received, we'd specifically love to see some witty pieces on these general topics:
  • Weeds
  • Land Access
  • Water/water rights
  • Bees/worms and other essential micro-critters on the farm
  • Predator/pest tales
  • Draft animal stories
  • Marketing bling, zing, and secrets to success
But really, check out the chapter descriptions in the info packet, attached, and follow your inspiration.
AND, if you know of a farmer who isn't on this list and has a good story to tell, please pass this info along to them!
Greenhorns is a protein-packed resource for the new generation of farmers who are popping up all over the country. This collection of essays and stories conveys our ethic of thrift, innovation, persistence and strength. One part pep talk, one part advice column, and one part celebration, this book aims to give readers a taste of the beginning farmer experience: the pitfalls and the poetry of choosing a livelihood so far left of mainstream- of building a business around our love of agriculture. The book will give new and aspiring farmers – Greenhorns – a glimpse of the road ahead in order to help them steer a satisfying and realistic trajectory into farming. For non-farming readers, this collection of witty, gritty, raw essays written from the trenches will shed some light on what it takes to pay your bills when you decide to start growing food for a living.

In the collaborative spirit of The Greenhorns Project, these written pieces by young and beginning farmers are woven together with how-to guidance and interjected with wise words from our agrarian elders. Inspired by the pluck and purposeful protagonism of these young farmers, we hope that readers, eaters, voters and moms will come to understand the tremendous potential of sustainable agriculture in the reclaiming of America.

red hook, new york