At times a personal memoir, at times a philosophical discussion, "Island Farm" is a snapshot of the American agrarian tradition. Much in the style of books such as "Letters from an American Farmer," Arthur Versluis recounts the story of the Versluis family's orchards near Grand Rapids, Michigan, founded by his great- grandfather more than a century ago. With a palimpsest of memories and stories, Versluis shares his life growing up and living on the family farm while also lamenting the future of these cultural icons. Versluis speculates about what is being lost as America allows its farmland and farms to be destroyed. Above all, however, "Island Farm" is a celebration of what it means to live and work on a generational family farm. It brings us into the agrarian world as a living connection to the earth, to the growing of crops, to the past, and to the future.
- ISBN10 0870135457
- ISBN13 9780870135453
- Publish Date 31 March 2000
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 16 April 2015
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Michigan State University Press
- Format Paperback
- Pages 144
- Language English