By Amanda Petrusich
In this extraordinary interview in The New Yorker, poet and environmental activist Wendell Barry reflects on his decision to move back to a farm in Kentucky from New York City. He considers the concept of “home”, wonders about the future of agriculture in America, discusses the rootlessness of society, and ponders existential questions about choice, God, and meaning.
When farmers are taught, starting in childhood, by parents and grandparents and neighbors, their education comes “naturally,” and at little cost to the land. A good farmer is one who brings competent knowledge, work wisdom, and a locally adapted agrarian culture to a particular farm that has been lovingly studied and learned over a number of years.
Wendell Berry
Noticings and Questions
- What kind of research do you think went into this interview? Looking at the introduction, what hints do you see?
- The text states the interview has been ‘edited and condensed for clarity’. What do you think that process might have involved? How much editing and condensing is ok? How much would make it no longer a true interview?
- What topics does Petruschi cover in her questions? Which might be useful to your own work?
- What do you make of the wide-range of questions that Amanda Petruschi asks? Do you find it interesting to link together Wendell Berry’s upbringing, political opinions, writing, and personal life? Or do you find it hard to follow?
- What does “nature” and “natural” seem to mean to Wendell Berry? What about “agriculture”? What is the relationship between these ideas and individual people? Society at large?
- What else do you notice? What other questions do you have?
GREEN & GROW 