6 New Books We’re Reading this Fall

Rancher, Farmer, Fisherman
Best-selling author and Environmental Defense Fund staffer Miriam Horn tells the stories of five unlikely conservation heroes along the Mississippi River’s vast watershed: a Montana cattle rancher, a Kansas wheat farmer, a Louisiana shrimper, a Gulf Coast fisherman, and a Mississippi shipping magnate. These folks don’t consider themselves “activists,” though – just citizens who have a personal obligation to safeguard the imperiled rivers and grass-lands that sustain their communities. ($28; W. W. Norton & Company)

Farm Dogs
This comprehensive paperback by farmer, and die-hard corgi fan, Janet Vorwald Dohner details the history, personality traits, and care requirements of more than 90 working breeds, from herding Berger Picards to vermin-hunting cairn terriers. ($27; Storey Publishing)

The Independent Farmstead
Shawn and Beth Dougherty divulge how they used intensive pasture management to transform 24 seemingly uncultivable Ohio acres into a thriving livestock and vegetable operation capable of feeding their family of 10. Expect clear-eyed advice on rotational grazing methods, improving soil fertility, and much more. ($35; Chelsea Green)

The Crown Maple Guide to Maple Syrup
This deep dive from America’s leading organic maple syrup producer, Robb Turner, pairs serious agricultural service (regarding tree-tapping and sap evaporation) with sinful recipes for Maple-Pecan Sticky Buns and Cornmeal-Fried Trout with Maple-Sage Butter. ($30; Abrams Books)

Mario Batali Big American Cookbook
There’s not an ounce of pretense amid the 250-plus dishes that comprise the celeb chef’s latest offering. Instead, you’ll find Batali’s talented take on old-school regional fare like Minnesota’s “Tater Tot Hotdish” and “Smith Island Cake,” Maryland’s official state dessert. ($40; Grand Central Life & Style)

Deep Run Roots
The first female chef since Julia Child to win a Peabody Award for her cooking program (PBS’s A Chef’s Life), Vivian Howard also operates the popular restaurant Chef & the Farmer in her hometown of Kinston, North Carolina. Lucky for us, she’s decided to share the experience of growing up in a Southern farm community, via passed-down tales and crowd-pleasing recipes. ($40; Little, Brown and Company)