Books

Fields of Plenty: A Farmer's Journey in Search of Real Food
and the People Who Grow It

Fields of Plenty is the memoir of respected farmer, writer, and photographer Michael Ableman as he and his son travel from his own farm in British Columbia across the United States in search of innovative and passionate farmers who are making a difference in what we eat and how we experience food.

"This is a timely and powerful portrait of the new agrarian movement that is sweeping this country. Michael Ableman's compelling stories and equisite photographs tell a story that we too often forget; that the richness and beauty of our food is inextricably connected to a community of innovative and passionate farmers and to the land that they nurture."
--Alice Waters, Chez Panisse restaurant.

On Good Land: The Autobiography of an Urban Farm, by Michael Ableman, Chronicle Books, 1998.
Hardcover, $19
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Funny, inspiring and educational, On Good Land takes the reader into the fields of Fairview Gardens where natural wonders (and minor catastrophes) await. It is the story of the fight to preserve a piece of what was one some of the richest farmland in the world, a place that has become emblematic of our relationship with the earth.

"[A] lyrical tale of the survival and triumph of a small farm amid the suburban sprawl of southern California, with writing as rich and satisfying as the taste of a ripe melon. ...Among a sprawl of books incessantly issued and hyped, this small, wise volume quietly calls to us to read and be renewed." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Inspiring and utterly absorbing." -- Booklist

From the Good Earth: A Celebration of Growing Food Around the World, by Michael Ableman, Abrams, 1993
Hardcover $35; Softcover $25
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From the Good Earth is a lavishly illustrated celebration of organically grown food and a look at the land and people who produce it. Farmer and photographer Michael Ableman takes the reader on an unprecedented photographic journey that spans five continents and investigates a tradition that is thousands of years old: his vivid pictures invite us to reconnect with the land, to appreciate time-honored growing techniques, and to take less for granted about food and where it comes from.

"From the Good Earth is a compelling and very personal photographic essay. ...The text, which comes down heavily in favor of environmentally sound farming practices, turns the elegant, romantic photographs into politics." -- The New York Times

"Hopeful and inspiring." -- Los Angeles Times

Videos

Beyond Organic: The Vision of Fairview Gardens.

A  film about our work at Fairview Gardens, produced by award-winning PBS film maker John de Graaf and narrated by Meryl Streep.
$29, for private/home use only (For institutional or business use, please visit contact the film's distributor, Bullfrog Films, at www.bullfrogfilms.com, or (800) 543-3764.)
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"Beyond Organic" tells the story of Fairview Gardens and its long battle to survive in the face of rapid suburban development. It explores the efforts of Michael Ableman and his staff to diversify the farm, open it to educational programs for thousands of people — especially schoolchildren — and defend it against angry, neighbors, hostile public officials and developers eager to re-zone the land for condominiums. Beautifully photographed, "Beyond Organic" will appeal to anyone who cares about land, food, and the preservation of local farms.

"What a great piece of work! This timely film celebrates local, community-based farming, while offering solutions to the urgent challenges of family farms and urban agriculture. Beautiful cinematography and engaging storytelling--a must see!" -- Nina Simons, co-producer, Bioneers Conference