"True farmers understand and honor their debts to nature," states Kentucky man of letters/farmer Wendell Berry in his forward. Agronomists Wedin (U. of Minnesota; emeritus, Iowa State U.) and Fales (Iowa State) introduce 14 contributed chapters that emphasize the historical and continuing value of grass-based agriculture to US agriculturists, students, the public, and policymakers. The text includes color illustrations and a companion CD-ROM containing Grass: The 1948 Yearbook of Agriculture, by the US Department of Agriculture. Published by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Social Science Society of America, the title refers to a speech delivered in 1940 by the then Secretary of Agriculture. Annotation 2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
