My husband read it, then my daughter read it; now it's my turn. As the daughter and granddaughter of conventional farmers in Iowa, I am finding it fascinating. I would love to know what Dad would think of it. I think it's a great story; very easy to read. I find myself cheering on the lentil farmers.

All incoming freshmen at the University of Montana (where I work) are assigned a book to read and discuss during their first semester. This year, it's Lentil Underground by native Missoulian Liz Carlisle. Having known nothing about organic farming (or farming in general), I was unsure how I would like this book. However, because of Liz's easy to follow and conversational writing style, I was able to follow along with the story of the farmers who started the organic farming revolution in Montana (and it all started with lentils). I thought the processes she described were fascinating, and I learned so much! I hope that most of the students enjoy the book as well, and gain a new understanding and respect for those who work the Montana land. I'll be keeping an eye out for Timeless Seeds products in the grocery stores around town! ( )

At first Carlisle was just documenting a quirky alternative farm business model in rural Montana. I enjoyed her "Ah-ha!" moment when she drew parallels between the health and vitality of living soil and the health and vitality of human community. This is a very hopeful book and I'm sure glad for those people who are working so hard to re-make our world before it's too late. Discusses many of the larger world issues of food distribution, government programs, community action, agricultural research.

Well done narrative and excellent content. ( )

The Lentil Underground - Eat well and Prosper

Good books are good books, and a good read is always a rare and enjoyable time....AND every once in a long while a book comes along that is a life changer. The Lentil Underground is one of those rare books that may well change your whole outlook on a vital topic, American agriculture.

My wife and I are foodies and avid vegetable gardeners and we have long known that mainstream agriculture in the United States is just not right. While we are producing a huge amount of food in our country, almost all of it is of a questionable quality. Worse than that is that our methods are generally not sustainable for a growing population in a growing world. Huge applications of soluble fertilizers, much of which run off into local streams, tilling on a grand scale that dehumanizes the farmers who feed us all. Monoculture crops rather than diversity. All of these aspects are totally dependent on fossil fuel at every step of the way. All have the profit margin as the only guiding goal. None of these methods are sustainable. We are told by the big agribusiness industries that small farming methods can never feed the world and theirs is the only way. Liz Carlisle totally explodes that fantasy with her account of the faming group that she calls "the lentil underground'. A small and steadily growing group of real, family farmers who are producing good food at good prices. And, there is no need for concern that when you buy from them you are despoiling the environment. Probably the greatest thing about the book is that it introduces you to a bunch of real people - foodies - who make their living feeding folks while improving the very land they feed us from! Get to know them a little, maybe even talk to them (yes they are reachable) and you'll find very quickly that they are a hard working and friendly bunch who will be happy to connect you with other safe and sustainable sources for the foods they don't grow. Need beans or grains, the very staples of life? Want to know where what you eat comes from and who grows and handles it? Like good tasty foods produced with love and sweat? Read this book! Good things ARE happening in American agriculture and the Lentil Underground is a great, eye opening, fun to read book. ( )

As someone who is interested in sustainable food production. I thought this was an interesting chronicle of a small group of farmers struggles to challenge the generally accepted methods of food production. This is not a practical guide for someone who is looking o transition their farm. I think this book would be Highly readable even by those who are not particularly familiar with the intricacies of farming. Let the Revolution begin! ( )