Purchase and Promote

SELCO/SELS Reader’s Advisory Series – MN Book Award Finalists

Published on Apr 5, 2013

“As Malena and I sat in bed, listening to the first thwaks of what would end up being a full 20 minutes of hail, all I could think of was the first chapter of your book. This morning began with the phrase, ‘Things are going to bounce back fine… these plants WANT to live.’ Much Love.” — Michale Jacobs, Easy Bean Farm

“Your book is so thrilling!!!  I can’t stop turning the pages.  Seriously.  You rock.  Write more, please!” — Katherine Plowman

This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. It was given to me as a gift, I’m not sure if i would have read it otherwise. My first thought was, ‘Farming? Why would I read a book about farming?’ I have no interest in farming, my family had a very small garden growing up, but that was about it. This book isn’t just for farmers or people interested in farming/gardening practices. Atina is a great writer! The writing in this book is absolutely incredible. The story is very touching and inspiring. –Kayleen E. Ausen

Atina Diffley’s memoir “Turn Here Sweet Corn” is a great, absorbing read, even for those of us who cannot grow anything and do not worry about pesticides. It’s a classic tale of the little guy fighting the big corporation and of people working hard all their lives only to face the loss of their livelihood. There’s a sweet love story in there, too. Star Tribune Staff

Loved it! I have read many books over the years from the male farmer perspective, i.e. Berry, Jackson, Coleman – your book blows them away, particularly because of the memoir voice – emotional and real. The story of losing the Diffley ground was riveting, the pipeline story is incredible. I really like how you let the earth spirit shine, but always shifted it into a practical voice. This was really my experience farming, especially because I was grounded in so many biodynamic principles and ideas. The onions need hoeing, time to stop the revery. Thanks so much Atina. Inspired, Parker Forsell, Farm Beginnings, Land Stewardship Project

A pair of feisty, dedicated farmers staring down one of the world’s largest companies—and getting Goliath to blink first! This must-read, legal-thriller memoir tells the story of the pipeline case between Koch Industries and Diffley’s Gardens of Eagan Organic Farm. How did a little organic farm succeed in court against Koch? With the support of thousands of informed citizens, expert witnesses, and an organic system plan. Koch had more money, but the farm had the people. By offering a look inside her own experience, and often her own heart, Diffley creates a multifaceted, powerful, and compelling memoir about trying to live organically. — Elizabeth Millard

I have to say that I wasn’t overly excited to crack the cover–my mom had given me it as a gift and I was expecting it to be, I don’t know.. overly romanticizing farm life? Pushy about “pure” organics? (And trust me, I’m a sympathizer!) But as soon as I started reading it I was struck by the sincerity of your words and the deep personal connection I felt to your story. Needless to say, I was either laughing or sobbing (bordering on hysteria) through most of it (maybe it was the hormones!).

I grew up in Bloomington, at a time when the very destruction you detail in your book was in full swing–in fact, a month before I was born my parents moved into a brand new house in a new development in a cul de sac much like the one that replaced your farm. Now, 25 years later, after having fled the “horrors” of suburbia, I find myself moving back to the suburbs (Apple Valley–long story) where those developments are a quarter of a century old.

The soil in our yard is foreign and covered in non native grass, the trees too young.. but I feel somehow it’s a beautiful homecoming for me, and a chance at a new beginning for both myself as I reconnect with and renourish the land that I feel responsible for destroying, as well as the generation that I am bringing into the world. After reading your book, I feel like maybe some of the damage that was done during my parents and my generations can be undone throughout the next… You inspired real hope in an organic future and a motivation for stewardship of the land that I had never felt so strongly. — Margaret

“Your book, Turn Here Sweet Corn, has been truly inspirational to me. By reading your book I have found a way to turn my graduate studies around from a place that I had lost heart to a consolidation and bridge into a new professional field. I am planning to complete my Masters in Library & Information Science and I hope to incorporate my information knowledge into the agriculture/extension field.” — Tina Speilmann

“I want to let you know that your book has given me a much more alive and precious vision and image of SOIL.”

“It is truly a masterpiece—such an amazing read. I learned so much about organic farming, and your talent for interweaving your personal stories with your life’s work in farming is extraordinary. You are a gifted writer who has written a truly American story of the land that will live on for generations.” — Patty Dowd Schmitz

“Just finished your book. Feeling dazed—so much to share. Short: I want to buy multiple copies, perhaps 50 to start, to give them away here in southern Ohio.” — Yiscah Bracha

“Your memoir has touched my heart..and my soul.  Truly a day has not passed since I began reading it where I did not think of you, the land, our environment and my connection to it all.” — Teresa Sterns

“I’m so stoked! Oh my gosh. What an important piece of work! I’ve already purchased four copies and sent them to people I call “mavens”. The kind of folks that know all sorts of people and pass along good information.” –Julie Walker

“Whew. I’ve laughed and cried my way through this book. Atina was so brave to write about her personal life so honestly and openly. I totally appreciate what she has done for the organic farming world in publishing this book.”

“I think perhaps the best way to describe Turn Here Sweet Corn is to consider it in terms of a wind—a wind with all the power to knock you over and, at the same time, caress you with warmth. Everyone should experience this book; the writing will blow you away.” – Jay Gilbertson

“If you want to read an amazing story with an amazing and compelling message – read this! It juxtaposes conventional agriculture with organic and exposes just how ridiculously wrong our current food system is. The great thing is, there is no preaching, just recounting a farming history and it becomes obvious. I love the reverence this author has for food and how it grows.” Sharon