In Grain by Grain: A Quest to Revive Ancient Wheat, Rural Jobs, and Healthy Food you’ll hear the story of the straight-shooting “green economy cowboy” in his own words—following Bob Quinn from the farm fields of Montana to Italian university research labs where he discovered the health benefits of ancient wheat. With his co-author Liz Carlisle, author of the award-winning Lentil Underground, Bob shares the practical wisdom he has learned from a lifetime of farming, from the day he stopped trying to grow food “on the cheap,” to his work creating renewable energy in Montana on his farm.
Ultimately, Bob’s forays with organics turned into a multimillion dollar heirloom grain company, Kamut International. He discovered that through time-tested practices like cover cropping and crop rotation, he could produce high quality and successful yields—without pesticides. Regenerative organic farming allowed him to grow fruits and vegetables in cold, dry Montana, providing a source of local produce to families in his hometown. He even started producing his own renewable fuel. And he learned that the giant grain he first saw at the fair was actually a type of ancient wheat, one that could be the answer to gluten sensitivity.
In a time of divisive politics and entrenched viewpoints, Bob’s story proves that what we have in common is more powerful than what sets us apart. He shows that red America can be leaders in sustainability; that organic farming can revive rural jobs; and that together we can chart a healthier agricultural future. By following his example, we can write a new story of American agriculture, grain by grain.
Check out the Introduction “Food on the Cheap” below, or download the PDF here.
