Why Cows Learn Dutch

In "Why Cows Learn Dutch and other Secrets of the Amish Farm, Randy James offers an engaging view of Amish farm life, society, and values. An agricultural extension agent for twenty years, James works closely with the Amish farmers of Geauga Country, Ohio, the fourth largest Amish settlement in the world, and his narrative provides new, accurate information on the Amish and their farming practices. This richly layered book is a collection of gentle, often humorous stories about the art, science, and tradition of farming as well as a probing analysis of the Amish farm "business. James includes helpful, empiriacal descriptions of Amish farming practices and delves into the amazing economic effiency of a work horse and the streamlined management and marketing system of a fifty-chicken flock. Accompained with drawings by Amrish artist Crist C. Miller, James recounts his experiences driving a massive team of Belgain draft horses, gathering thin cold sap to boil into delicate maple syrup. hand milking a Holstein cow, and praying with the family before a hearty midday meal. "Why Cows Learn Dutch illustrates an alternative business model in which small traditional farms are able to effectively compete in an industry dominated by huge corporate farms. It will appeal to those interested in the Amish lifestyle and farming practices.