Small is Possible Blurb
Today I am at a conference for the Society of Enviromental Journalists in Roanoke, VA. Tomorrow I’m on a bus to Polyface Farm. That’s Joel Salatin’s grass growing operation in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. His farm was made legendary in Michael Pollan’s Omnivore’s Dilemma. Can’t wait.
I’m the biodiesel guy on the bus.
The fall colors are on, the weather is crisp, and I am reminded that Joel read Small is Possible prior to its publication, and sent me a wonderful blurb for the back jacket. It came in too late for the first printing, so perhaps we will see it on the next round.
Here is what Joel wrote:
“Cutting through the heady academic and altruistic arguments for local,
small economy, Estill’s captivating storytelling offers practical and can-do reality.
I came away from this book filled with enthusiasm for a pro-neighborhood commercial community.”
I’m looking forward to meeting him tomorrow…
October 31st, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Well I was mid way through the first chapter when I excitedly proclaim to my spouse that he has to read this book [small is possible—life in a local economy]. There are so many similarities to the small towners—Southern Ontarian, wanna be Harrow Smithers. The references to places and life experiences had a peculiar resonance. “What’s it about?” he asks. Yet, because the fun is in the story telling it self I grapple for words and figure the back cover will be able to summarize it better. As I’m reading it to him my jaw drops at the name Estill.
There are many great story tellers in the world, Woodstick, Fleagel, Duke being at the top of my list. You are now amongst my favourites as well.
[Long ago we had a mutual dis-ease for one another as co-counsellors at Camp Bimini. As a first timer in the role it was an uncomfortable role yet one I will never forget. I am still mortified for a poor little home sick girl called Penny and the agony of her camp experience. Despite the painful entry I went on to love camp and the role and the life changes that went with it.]
All this to say loved your book and the philosophies with in it. Learning to do the same in small town world Drayton. Only question I’ve got for you is, why is there a photoshopped slave chain attached to the vendor’s arm?
Love the book. Returning it to the library so that all can read it! DeeJay, Donna (nee Stevenson) Hirtle
April 26th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Hey this book is proving “important” to at least two people, of which I’m one half. So as I read through the section on Financing Ourselves, I have to offer a thought of my own. You suggest that adoption of the Plenty would be hastened/supported by a local bank accepting it, but this is where I think your private sector orientation is cloaking the obvious. Much more important than the bank is the government. If your local government accepted the plenty to pay taxes – a perfectly rational thing for them to do since it represents real value currency that has stayed local and which can be used locally – you would see precisely the change you’re looking for. Any and all fiat currencies are imbued with value by the government that accepts them for taxes due. Just my 2 cents (so to speak ;>)
Cheers, and Thanks!,
Markus