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The Accidental Farmers: An Urban Couple, a Rural Calling and a Dream of Farming in Harmony with Nature Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Tim Young (Author, Publisher), Don Moffit (Narrator)
4.2 out of 5 stars 250 ratings

This audiobook is the personal memoir of an urban couple's journey to farming rather than a how-to guide and is sure to delight those interested in moving to the country or simply learning more about the struggles of sustainable farming.

When Tim and Liz Young decided to leave their comfortable suburban life and become first-time farmers in rural Georgia, they embarked on a journey that would change their lives. The Accidental Farmers reveals how the couple learned that hamburgers, bacon, and eggs don't come from the supermarket but from real animals that forge emotional bonds with their human caretakers. Seeking a middle path between a meatless lifestyle and the barbarism of factory food, Tim and Liz created Nature's Harmony Farm, a sustainable oasis where rare-breed animals and humans live together, searching for something nearly lost by both humans and the animals...how to live naturally off the land.

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  1. Listening Length
    7 hours and 44 minutes
  2. Author
    Tim Young
  3. Narrator
    Don Moffit
  4. Audible release date
    May 12, 2015
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Tim Young
  7. ASIN
    B00XK8Q72E
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length 7 hours and 44 minutes
Author Tim Young
Narrator Don Moffit
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date May 12, 2015
Publisher Tim Young
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B00XK8Q72E
Best Sellers Rank #167,542 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#12,482 in Biographies & Memoirs (Audible Books & Originals)
#14,112 in Memoirs (Books)

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
250 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book a fantastic read with compelling thoughts and great information about farm life. The writing style is entertaining and easy to read, and customers describe it as a delightful, poignant story that's funny and engaging. They appreciate the philosophy on sustainable farming, with one customer noting the tremendous amount of information about self-sustaining practices. While customers find the book eye-opening, some express concerns about the treatment of animals.

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56 customers mention "Insight"56 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful, describing it as a compelling and enlightening read that provides great information about farm life.

"This book was a fantastic read. This author really opened up and shared the good, the bad and the ugly about his (and his wife's) transition from..." Read more

"...of why things were done they way they were - the moral decisions explained so eloquently - as well as good practical advise are in the pages of this..." Read more

"...It is the story of a couple's adventure with glorious ups and grizzly downs that is compelling and real...." Read more

"...stars for having been a lot of fun in the beginning and very useful in its brutal honesty, but sickening in the middle and annoying in the end with..." Read more

54 customers mention "Readability"54 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a fantastic and fun read that is well worth the time.

"This book was a fantastic read...." Read more

"...I thoroughly enjoyed the read - and wished it wasn't over at the end of the book...." Read more

"...I expected it to be a good read because Tim's clear and smart and has a passion for their adventure and the book didn't disappoint...." Read more

"...For less than $5, the book is worth a read, enjoyable even. But skip Chapter 6 if you have a weak stomach." Read more

42 customers mention "Writing style"37 positive5 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, finding it well written and easy to read, with great descriptions throughout.

"This book was a fantastic read. This author really opened up and shared the good, the bad and the ugly about his (and his wife's) transition from..." Read more

"...4. They have been honest, at considerable risk, for which I, for one am extremely grateful. All of these, as a society, we need. Desperately!" Read more

"...I expected it to be a good read because Tim's clear and smart and has a passion for their adventure and the book didn't disappoint...." Read more

"...It was an easy read, and I thought it was great how he was so open about his thought process behind all of his decisions...." Read more

30 customers mention "Story quality"30 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story of the book, finding it delightful and poignant, with one customer noting it's an interesting journey from city dwellers to farmers.

"...of what it is like to give up security, to take a risk, and pursue a dream. Any exploration of this topic gets me every time...." Read more

"...They have a fun-loving zest for life, but are not afraid to work hard and be tested to achieve their vision of "reconnecting animals with the land..." Read more

"...Plus, as a city girl myself, it was a good look into just how messy farming could be in ways that I'd never imagined...." Read more

"I absolutely loved this story!..." Read more

14 customers mention "Humor"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book humorous and engaging.

"...For less than $5, the book is worth a read, enjoyable even. But skip Chapter 6 if you have a weak stomach." Read more

"...This book was eye opening and enjoyable and I respect the author and his wife for deciding to leave the fast-paced world for a simpler more..." Read more

"...We love Joel Salatin's books as they are funny, insightful and inspiring...." Read more

"...I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a good laugh and who wants to learn what it takes to become a farmer without any experience." Read more

14 customers mention "Sustainability"14 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's philosophy on sustainable farming, with one customer highlighting its comprehensive information on self-sustaining practices and another noting its focus on organic meat production.

"...2. They have tried to encourage young farmers, or wannabe farmers to take the leap. 3...." Read more

"...for an honest picture of starting a small, humane, financially viable livestock farm." Read more

"...Farmers is a well told illustration of the entire local, sustainable food movement...." Read more

"...it is and all squishy and loving about baby animal births and raising pets, its the cold hard facts of farming put into a funny easy to follow look..." Read more

3 customers mention "Eye opening"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book eye opening.

"...This book was eye opening and enjoyable and I respect the author and his wife for deciding to leave the fast-paced world for a simpler more..." Read more

"This book provides a good view into what it's like to begin to farm...." Read more

"An eye opener AND a breath of fresh air..." Read more

7 customers mention "Animal welfare"3 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's approach to animal welfare, with some expressing concern about unnecessary animal deaths.

"...Yes, there were soil issues and animal deaths, it's true...." Read more

"...By humane I mean that animals do not need needlessly suffer, are able to express their nature, and there is constant striving for improvement of both..." Read more

"...As a result his animals die around him in record numbers, through either his own neglect..." Read more

"...a vast amount of knowledge from this book on building a farm, caring for animals, and some of the pitfalls along the way...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • T_Ro
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great authenticity
    Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    This book was a fantastic read. This author really opened up and shared the good, the bad and the ugly about his (and his wife's) transition from corporate suburban couple to sustainable farmers. Loved the authenticity.

    When I started the book, I very quickly fell into the "man, I would love to be a farmer" mindset. By the time I finished, I knew I was not cut out for it. But I am incredibly grateful that some people are. Some parts of Young's life are very enviable. Primarily, cheesemaking! But also, settling down on a farm at night to enjoy cheese, wine, meat and vegetables that you produced. However, many parts of farming are equally unsavory, like waking up to find that disease has ravaged a herd of livestock. Making the decision of whether or not to intervene and/or euthanize to combat a particular ailment.

    I really enjoyed reading about the ins and outs of farm life. My grandfather was a farmer, and I felt this book gave me insight on what life was like for him when he was farming. Many of us now have little to no appreciation for the hard work and investment of small farmers. And far too few of us even think about the source of the food we eat. This book will definitely get you thinking about from where your food comes, as well as your own personal philosophy of how farming should be conducted in our technologically advanced society. I have been wanting to make the transition to local, sustainable meat for sometime now, and this book only reinforced my decision.

    The book also addressed the larger concept of what it is like to give up security, to take a risk, and pursue a dream. Any exploration of this topic gets me every time. Young notes, "While we all may have different abilities we also each have the opportunity to manufacture a vision for ourselves that is within our own ability. It seems to me that making a dream come true takes hard work, luck, timing, planning and the assumption of risk." Preach! What a world we would have if people had the courage to leave comfort and security to pursue their dreams!

    We can only hope that at the end of the day, we can all say, like Young, that "...thinking that I have sacrificed something is definitely a thought that does not enter my consciousness. For we have sacrificed nothing but gained everything. It's simply a matter of perspective." He later concluded with the following: "Still our path was not the easiest choice and has required us to develop a different perspective and adapt a different set of expectations from our urban rearing. By a wide margin this is the worst-paying job I have ever had. By an equally wide margin it is also the most rewarding. After decades of my searching hopelessly in vain, my calling finally found me. I am so deeply thankful that it did." May we all be so blessed.

    Thank you, Tim and Liz, for sharing your story with us. We are grateful for all that you do at Nature's Harmony.
    14 people found this helpful
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  • Karie
    4.0 out of 5 stars Accidental Farmers
    Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    This book was chosen because I am heading from a city career into a live on a farm, and was looking for advise from someone who had done the same thing.
    This was the right book to choose. Explanations of why things were done they way they were - the moral decisions explained so eloquently - as well as good practical advise are in the pages of this well written story. I thoroughly enjoyed the read - and wished it wasn't over at the end of the book.

    Updated notes: Very surprised at all the negative remarks on these reviews. I am gobsmacked that some are having trouble seeing the big picture here. Yes, there were soil issues and animal deaths, it's true. Yes, there are approaches to sustainable farming in this book that may not agree with yours. Yes, the author admits that some things may have been done differently. However, this book has been written as an honest account of how they did what they did and why they did it that way. In my opinion, these people have done the world several favours: 1. They have brought awareness to what it takes to start a farm, from the learning curve to the hard work, to the great moral decisions that will decide the future of your farm. 2. They have tried to encourage young farmers, or wannabe farmers to take the leap. 3. They have put their money where their mouth is with classes to help get small farms off the ground, and helping interns clarify their path to farming. 4. They have been honest, at considerable risk, for which I, for one am extremely grateful. All of these, as a society, we need. Desperately!
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Jon Kalb
    5.0 out of 5 stars Clean Air, Dirty Boots, and No Looking Back
    Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    I already knew a lot of Tim and Liz's story because I listen to the Nature's Harmony Farmcast, but it is my favorite podcast so I knew I'd get "Accidental Farmers" as soon as I heard about it.

    I expected it to be a good read because Tim's clear and smart and has a passion for their adventure and the book didn't disappoint. It is not a puff piece to market Nature's Harmony or its products or sugar coat their decision to take up farming. It is the story of a couple's adventure with glorious ups and grizzly downs that is compelling and real. It is an opportunity to join them in an unfinished adventure of heartbreak and happiness.

    I got the same feeling reading the book that I get while listening to one of their podcast. It's a feeling of inspiration and hope. That this Young couple represents the best within us. They have a fun-loving zest for life, but are not afraid to work hard and be tested to achieve their vision of "reconnecting animals with the land and people with their food."

    I think of Tim and Liz's adventure as Idealism Meets Reality On a NorthEast Georgia Farm. You might expect Idealism to crash and burn, but their idealism is so firmly grounded in reality that the meeting serves to strengthen their determination and drive their success.

    Thank you Tim and Liz.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • GCP
    5.0 out of 5 stars Easy, thought provoking read
    Reviewed in Spain on September 1, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Although it is quite generic in many aspects, it manages to convey a sense of vital process with both the good and the bad.
    Not knowing how they have managed to learn so much in such a short time, I am left wondering how they actually did it - apart from the obvious "heaps of hard work" and some lifestyle changes.
    In any case, lots of rationalizations interesting for reflection and debate, and solid proof that life is not over at 50.
    Devoured the book in a day and now I want to be there and see it!
    Report
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars The accidental farm great story.
    Reviewed in Australia on October 31, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I love the book. The inspiration that is given to people thinking of farming is beautiful. I my self am thinking of home stedding. But it has given me valuable information and the ups and downs in this farm life. I too felt the pain of loosing all those animals as Liz and husband did. Well done on this book and information. I will be getting my wife to read this now. It is hart wrenching and exciting at the same time.
    Great book, great life story of two people in love following there dreams.
    Thank you for sharing your dreams.
    From James and Julie Lugosi
    65 Fay Street Jeeralang Junction Victoria Australia 3840
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  • Jen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring!
    Reviewed in Canada on March 18, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    We're just starting out farming in much the same manner as the Youngs and this book has given me confidence that we're heading in the right direction. Our climate is different (West Coast of Canada) but our goals for our family and livestock are fundamentally the same. Thanks for a great read - I'm going to go milk the cow now!
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  • Goodlucktrev
    5.0 out of 5 stars Super Smashing Great
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 30, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Super Smashing Great
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