Jeff Ishee's Top Ten farming books for winter reading
by Jeff Ishee
Yes, Virginia. I'm a writer and farm broadcaster.
But I'm also a reader. The quiet process of reading and reflecting on a well-written book has given me some of the most meaningful inspiration of my life.
If you're looking for productive ways to spend the quieter winter months, I think that there's no better investment than a stack of books that can sharpen your skills, challenge your thinking, and renew your passion for agriculture. With that said, here are my top ten books for farmers (or farmer wannabes) to read this winter, covering everything from soil health and business planning to homesteading, community, and the deeper meaning of life on the land.
My Top Ten Books for Farmers to Read This Winter
The following books have the power to inspire new ideas, strengthen farm businesses, and deepen our understanding of agriculture's role in society.
At the top of my list is Dirt to Soil: One Family's Journey into Regenerative Agriculture by Gabe Brown. Brown's firsthand account of transforming a struggling operation into a thriving regenerative farm has become essential reading for anyone interested in soil health, profitability, and resilience. His practical lessons on cover crops, livestock integration, and ecosystem management make this a must-read.
For aspiring and established producers alike, First Generation Farming: A Blueprint for Coordinated, Cooperative Agribusiness That Will Keep You on the Land for Generations by Chris Newman offers an important perspective on building sustainable agricultural enterprises. The book explores strategies for collaboration, long-term planning, and creating opportunities for future generations.
Not every valuable farming book is a how-to guide. A Garlic Testament by Stanley Crawford is a beautifully written meditation on farming life through the lens of a garlic grower. I greatly enjoyed reading this book as Crawford captures the rhythms, challenges, and satisfactions of small-scale agriculture with humor and wisdom.
Few books challenge readers as profoundly as The Unsettling of America: Culture & Agriculture by Wendell Berry. This classic work examines the relationship between agriculture, community, and culture, encouraging farmers to think critically about the long-term impacts of modern food production systems.
For those seeking encouragement and perspective, Letter to a Young Farmer: How to Live Richly without Wealth on the New Garden Farm by Gene Logsdon delivers timeless advice. Logsdon reminds readers that success in farming isn't measured solely in dollars but also in quality of life, stewardship, and personal fulfillment.
Farming While Black: Soul Fire Farm's Practical Guide to Liberation on the Land by Leah Penniman and Karen Washington is both practical and powerful. The book combines farming techniques with historical context and social insight, highlighting the important connections between land access, food sovereignty, and community empowerment.
Anyone interested in self-sufficiency and homesteading skills should spend time with The Encyclopedia of Country Living, 50th Anniversary Edition: The Original Manual for Living Off the Land & Doing It Yourself (Homesteading & Off-Grid Survival) by Carla Emery. This massive reference book covers everything from food preservation to livestock care and remains one of the most comprehensive guides available.
For readers who appreciate the intersection of faith and agriculture, Faith, Farming, and Family: Cultivating Hope and Harvesting Joy Wherever You Are by Caitlin Henderson offers a thoughtful and encouraging reflection on the values that sustain rural life.
No winter reading list would be complete without You Can Farm: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Start & Succeed in a Farming Enterprise by Joel Salatin. Salatin's energetic approach to business planning, marketing, and opportunity creation continues to inspire farmers to think like entrepreneurs.
Finally, The Complete Guide to Restoring Your Soil: Improve Water Retention and Infiltration; Support Microorganisms and Other Soil Life; Capture More Carbon with Cover Crops, and Carbon-Based Soil Amendments by Dale Strickler provides a deep dive into one of agriculture's most important resources: healthy soil. It's packed with practical information that can pay dividends for years to come.
Whether you're seeking technical knowledge, business insight, personal inspiration, or a renewed connection to the land, these ten books offer something valuable for every farmer. Winter may be a season of rest for the fields, but it can also be a season of growth for the people who steward them.
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