A new book about Iowa’s rural life has been called by one reviewer a “scripture for the future.” Hot off the presses, editor Shellie Orngard says “Renewing the Countryside” is about the farming way of life and the people who are keeping it alive and vital. She says the purpose of the book is to look at innovative things people are doing to make a living in ways that sustain a community and also the environment. The book’s a collection of commentary and factual reports on current life in Iowa. She says these show people thinking in innovative ways, because they love living and working in rural areas so they’re finding ways to make it work. Orngard says among the success stories are community-wide renewal projects, like one in the town of West Bend. They formed a short-term corporation and sold shares to build a hotel that’s brought people into the town and that hotel is booked into next year. Cosponsors of the book include the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at ISU, the Rural Development Council and the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The book’s release will be “launched” with help from several of the writers involved, at the Des Moines Farmer’s Market this Saturday (Oct 11) and you can order online by searching for “Renewing the Countryside.”
