I have recently been re-reading portions of one of my all-time favorite books,
Malabar Farm, by Louis
Bromfield. I particularly love the journal entries contained in the book. This book as well as others he's written (Pleasant Valley, The Farm, From My Experience: The Pleasures and Miseries of Life on a Farm, and The Wild Country- one of my all time favorite novels) have been a huge influence, not only on my writing (Malabar Farm is what inspired me to begin writing my column in the first place, and I have tried my best to live up to the standard he has set) but also on my life and certainly on my farming and gardening techniques.
Bromfield was one of the leading figures and motivating forces behind re-introducing sustainable agriculture practices into American farming and still retains, 53 years after his death, a position of vast influence and respect within the field of agricultural science. As important to me- or maybe even more so- as his technical expertise is, is his easy going, lyrical style of writing that brings me back to his books so frequently. When I read his descriptions of hearing foxes bark and wildcats shriek from across the hills in the dead of winter, I feel like I am sitting right next to him, warm and cozy before the fire in the Big House, hearing them myself. If you haven't ever checked out his
writing, I urge you to do so; I promise the experience will be a rewarding one. Check out the official website for
Malabar Farm State Park here.
I have recently been re-reading portions of one of my all-time favorite books, Malabar Farm, by Louis Bromfield. I particularly love the journal entries contained in the book. This book as well as others he's written (Pleasant Valley, The Farm, From My Experience: The Pleasures and Miseries of Life on a Farm, and The Wild Country- one of my all time favorite novels) have been a huge influence, not only on my writing (Malabar Farm is what inspired me to begin writing my column in the first place, and I have tried my best to live up to the standard he has set) but also on my life and certainly on my farming and gardening techniques. Bromfield was one of the leading figures and motivating forces behind re-introducing sustainable agriculture practices into American farming and still retains, 53 years after his death, a position of vast influence and respect within the field of agricultural science. As important to me- or maybe even more so- as his technical expertise is, is his easy going, lyrical style of writing that brings me back to his books so frequently. When I read his descriptions of hearing foxes bark and wildcats shriek from across the hills in the dead of winter, I feel like I am sitting right next to him, warm and cozy before the fire in the Big House, hearing them myself. If you haven't ever checked out his writing, I urge you to do so; I promise the experience will be a rewarding one. Check out the official website for Malabar Farm State Park here.
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