21St-Century Yokel

Synopsis

'Glorious - funny and wry and wise, and utterly its own lawmaker' Robert Macfarlane

'A rich, strange, oddly glorious brew' Guardian

Longlisted for the Wainwright Golden Beer Book Prize 2018

21st-Century Yokel is not quite nature writing, not quite a family memoir, not quite a book about walking, not quite a collection of humorous essays, but a bit of all five.

Thick with owls and badgers, oak trees and wood piles, scarecrows and ghosts, and Tom Cox's loud and excitable dad, this book is full of the folklore of several counties - the ancient kind and the everyday variety - as well as wild places, mystical spots and curious objects. Emerging from this focus on the detail are themes that are broader and bigger and more important than ever.

Tom's writing treads a new path, one that has a lot in common with a rambling country walk; it's bewitched by fresh air and big skies, intrepid in minor ways, haunted by weather and old stories and the spooky edges of the outdoors, restless and prone to a few detours, but it always reaches its destination in the end.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Way of the Yokel

* Summary: Introduces the concept of the "21st-century yokel," a person who is both technologically savvy and deeply connected to the land and traditional values.
* Example: A farmer who uses drones to monitor crops but also raises their own livestock and practices sustainable agriculture.

Chapter 2: The Wisdom of the Soil

* Summary: Explores the importance of understanding soil health and its impact on agriculture and the environment.
* Example: A gardener who composts kitchen scraps and uses natural fertilizers to improve soil fertility.

Chapter 3: The Power of Tradition

* Summary: Discusses the value of traditional knowledge and practices, such as seed saving and heirloom farming.
* Example: A seed saver who collects and preserves rare and endangered plant varieties to maintain genetic diversity.

Chapter 4: The Bounty of the Harvest

* Summary: Celebrates the abundance of food that can be grown locally and seasonally.
* Example: A local food advocate who runs a farmers' market and connects consumers with small-scale farmers.

Chapter 5: The Spirit of Community

* Summary: Emphasizes the importance of community involvement and collaboration in rural areas.
* Example: A group of volunteers who organize a community garden and share the produce with those in need.

Chapter 6: The Future of the Food System

* Summary: Discusses the challenges and opportunities facing the food system and the role of 21st-century yokels in shaping its future.
* Example: A farmer who adopts regenerative agriculture practices to improve soil health and reduce climate change.

Chapter 7: The Path to Yokeldom

* Summary: Provides practical advice on how to become a more self-sufficient and connected "yokel."
* Example: A person who starts a backyard garden, learns how to can and preserve food, and joins a local community supported agriculture (CSA) program.

Chapter 8: The Yokel's Creed

* Summary: Presents a set of principles that guide the 21st-century yokel, including reverence for the land, sustainability, and community.
* Example: A landowner who protects wildlife habitat on their property and hosts educational events for children.

Chapter 9: The Yokel's Legacy

* Summary: Discusses the lasting impact that 21st-century yokels can have on both their communities and the planet.
* Example: A young farmer who inspires others to follow a more sustainable and socially responsible lifestyle.