Rooted
Author: Sarah Langford
As I was finishing a sustainable floristry course, I found myself curious about the changes in UK agriculture. One day, whilst browsing in a bookshop for inspiration, I picked this book, called Rooted and the synopsis caught my attention (I’m one of those who choose books based on it … or recommended).
Finding Connection with Modern Agriculture
Picture this, at the time, I was following the conversations in Europe about new agriculture legislation. I was keen to understand more about what it means to be a farmer in the UK, how Brexit is affecting them, and the impact of the government’s phasing out the agriculture incentives.
A Glimpse into UK Farming Life
Rooted stories illustrate where UK farmers stand amidst the complexities of a new farming era. It is a light read, presented as a memoir, making it accessible to a wide audience. Sarah’s writing is captivating, plain, and direct English makes the content easily understandable. A snapshot that captures the changing perspectives on farming approaches, comparing traditional with newer ones. Rooted shows the impact on farmers’ daily lives.
Agricultural Change and Its Wide-Reaching Impact
Rooted emphasises the significance of the current shift in the agricultural sector. It touches on various aspects including access to food, broken supply chains, food quality, and the impact on communities, health, and society at large. Sarah goes into such detail that it mentions the impact of UK native trees, which are currently endangered due to invasive pests. Spreading the word about the importance of balance, and restoring local, wild, and heirloom seeds and trees should be part of conservation efforts aligned with each region’s needs—not only in the UK but globally, in harmony with sustainable farming.
Accessible Understanding
I like Sarah’s thorough research. The appendix is full of references to scientific texts and information to expand on. This memoir provides a historical perspective, from the early days of mass fertilisation and agrochemicals to produce cheap food, to current topics discussed in the media about healthy soil, land, seasonal produce, and regenerative farming.
An Author's Journey into Farming
Another aspect of what makes this memoir so accessible is the author. Sarah Langford is an involved author, but also a relatively recent farmer who makes Rooted not only informative, but very approachable and human.
The Reality of Modern Farming
The book shares an honest and stark reality, following the stories of several farms fighting every day to survive in the current context. It highlights the critical importance of UK agriculture to the well-being of the people.
***
Rooted is a relevant, inspiring, and accessible point of view into UK farming, full of hope for the future despite the challenges. This memoir bridges the gap between agriculture practices and their wider impact on society and the environment, reminding us of the connection between farming and our daily lives.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the stories, and highly recommend it to anyone interested in understanding the evolving UK agriculture.
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Keywords: UK farming, sustainable agriculture, farming memoir, agricultural change, British farming, regenerative farming, modern agriculture, farming revolution