Gaining Ground: A Story of Farmers' Markets, Local Food, and Saving the Family Farm

by Forrest Pritchard

Book Overview

With humor and pathos, Forrest Pritchard recounts his ambitious and often hilarious endeavors to save his family's seventh-generation farm in the Shenandoah Valley. Through many a trial and error, he not only saves Smith Meadows from insolvency but turns it into a leading light in the sustainable, grass-fed, organic farm-to-market community. There is nothing young Farmer Pritchard won't try. Whether he's selling firewood and straw, raising free-range chickens and hogs, or acquiring a flock of Barbados Blackbelly sheep, his learning curve is steep and always entertaining. Pritchard's world crackles with colorful local characters--farm hands, butchers, market managers, customers, fellow vendors, pet goats, policemen--bringing the story to warm, communal life. His most important ally, however, is his renegade father, who initially questions his son's career choice and eschews organic foods for the generic kinds that wreak havoc on his health. Soon after his father's death, the farm becomes a recognized success and Pritchard must make a vital decision: to continue serving the local community or answer the exploding demand for his wares with lucrative Internet sales and shipping deals. More than a charming story of honest food cultivation and farmers' markets, Gaining Ground tugs on the heartstrings, reconnecting us to the land and the many lives that feed us.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0762787252
• ISBN13: 9780762787258
• Release Date: May 2013
• Publisher: Lyons Press
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.4" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Great Story of a family working together to save the family farm

Forrest does a wonderful work with "Gaining Ground". He has a way of putting you in the picture. His writing is informative, descriptive and enlightening. I enjoyed hearing how the family came together to build a business and a legacy. He lets you know that anything is possible with the right planning and work ethic, and an agreement to never give up.

Story of family, passion, and the labors of love told by a fabulous storyteller!

Forrest's story is a self exploration of his character, his love and care for his family and the family farm and a realization of his life calling. A great read full of laughs, inspiration and good 'ol wisdom.