The woman hobby farmer Female guidance for growing food, raising livestock, and building a farm-based business

The title of author (Wildlife in Your Garden) and magazine contributor (Hobby Farms Magazine) Lanier's book is somewhat deceptive because her work isn't about farming as a hobby. Rather, it's intended for women who are interested in farming as a profession. Farming in this instance covers a variety of agricultural careers and situations, from urban to flower farming and from owning acres to working someone else's land. That more and more women are choosing to farm is what's important here, not the kind of career one selects. This volume is not a how-to but instead offers stories of women farmers, information on how to navigate in a male-dominated profession, advice on taking care of self and farm, and exercises to help assess and clarify one's goals, skills, and experience. Full of photos, resources, and bite-size bits of information, this is a useful introduction for women considering a career in farming. The author acknowledges the challenges, especially for single women, but doesn't dwell on them. Instead, she emphasizes how rewarding and fulfilling farming can be. VERDICT An uplifting, can-do book that is sure to present encouragement and inspiration to women interested in small-scale farming.-Stefanie Hollmichel, Univ. of St. Thomas Law Lib., Minneapolis © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.