Farm to Freedom: Winter Reading Picks For The American Homesteader

December 8, 2024

Kody Hanner

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Sowing the Seeds of Wisdom: Winter Reading Picks

Winter has historically been my least favorite time of the year. This would probably make one wonder why I would move from California to the mountains of Oregon and then again to the most northern tip of Idaho (Hi, Canada!). But you should also know that winter in California is WET. It is wet all the time. But because it is still 50+ degrees all the time, you still have to work outside and never want to wear more than a hoodie. So then you’re hot and wet. Yuck! So, when I moved to snow country and realized my feet would be dry in January, and I could spend the cold months curled up by the fire with my reading picks from the year, I found a new appreciation for winter.

Choosing my reading picks

Even though winter is a great time for learning and planning, when you can’t really get out there and garden, I can get burned out. That research and plan, rinse, wash, and repeat can turn into me over-planning and bumming that I don’t have the weather, time, or money. That doesn’t mean my reading picks don’t include several guides and my trust planner (don’t forget the fun colored pins!).

But I like to stockpile my winter reading picks all year long of books that aren’t production-minded. I feel like I have to work all the time (personal flaw), but I can justify how-to books because I am implementing them right away.

In the winter, I gravitate towards books that inspire me! I love politically minded books that focus on food and agriculture. American history stories will always pull me in, and farming memoirs are ones that both my kids and I can enjoy.

Note: I often share the How-To books that I am reading on the podcast. Check out an episode!

My current reading picks for this winter

At any given time, I may be reading or listening to several books at a time. You can follow that list on my Goodreads profile. My goal this year was to read 50 books. I admit that I am a little behind, but going into the last weeks of December, I am bound to close that gap some.

There could never be a fully inclusive list of all the books I dream of reading in my head. But here are some of the ones I loved or am most excited about diving into!

Big Chicken – Maryn McKenna

I came across this book kind of by accident while researching antibiotics in the meat industry. I listened to it while my daughter and I drove around Tennesee for events. We both learned so much from it.

It’s definitely a clear picture of what has been going on behind the scenes of the food industry.

The Heartland An American History – Kristin L. Hoganson

I have been dying to start this one! I even downloaded it on Audible, too, to make it easier. But Homestead life can be pretty crazy.

The gist of the book is that the author had never lived rurally and was surprised by what it could be.

More than a Mile – Nicholas R. Carter

I haven’t started this one and don’t mind where my toddler colored all over my copy. It looks like an easy read and I’m eager to see what they have to say.

I am really big on build a local food system (you can read more here), so I’m always curious on how others implement one.

Food Politics – Marion Nestle

No joke, this book has made two flight across the US because I always think I am going to read on the plane. I am also afraid of flying and take an anti-anxiety at take off and sleep the whole flight. So, I guess I am dilutional too.

I know I am going to need a highlighter, sticky notes, and notepad to read this book. But at several hundred pages long, I guess you have to be a nerd to dig in.

Farmers Versus Foodies – Ray A. Starling

I am currently reading this book and have some mixed feelings. The author is an agriculturalist, who clearly hates foodies. So as a homesteader that grew up as an agriculturalist… I just can’t relate real well.

He has a lot of great things to say. We will just have to see what the whole message looks like. If you finish before me, let me know.

Letter of a Woman Homesteader – Elinore Pruitt Stewart

There is a lot of hype around this book. I am reading it before bed at night and have had a few laughs.

I’m just not fully invested, even though I wish I was.

Letter to a Young Farmer – Gene Logsdon

I really wish I would have discovered this man before he passed away. I ate up every word that he had to say in this book. Someday, I plan to read every thing he published.

My teenaged son loved it too!