Rural Renaissance: Renewing The Quest For The Good Life

In the '60s, it was called the "back to the land" movement, and in Helen and Scott Nearing's day, it was "living the good life." Whatever the term, North Americans have always yearned for a simpler way. But how do you accomplish that today?

Blending inspiration with practical how-to's, Rural Renaissance, a Mother Earth News Book for Wiser Living, captures the American dream of country living for contemporary times. Journey with the authors and experience their lessons, laughter, and love for the land as they trade the urban concrete maze for a five-acre organic farm and bed and breakfast in southwestern Wisconsin. Rural living today is a lot more than farming. It's about a creative, nature-based, and more self-sufficient lifestyle that combines a love of squash, solar energy, skinny dipping, and serendipity.

Among the many topics explored in Rural Renaissance include:

• "right livelihood" and the good life
• organic gardening and permaculture
• renewable energy and energy conservation
• wholesome organic food, safe water, and a natural home
• simplicity, frugality, and freedom
• green design and recycled materials
• community, friends, and raising a family
• independence and interdependence
• wildlife conservation and land stewardship

An authentic tale of a couple whose pioneering spirit and connection to the land reach out to both the local and global community to make their dream come true, Rural Renaissance will appeal to a wide range of Cultural Creatives, free agents, conservation entrepreneurs, and both arm-chair and real-life homesteaders regardless of where they live.

About the Contributors: Lisa Kivirist is an innkeeper, organic farmer, and copartner in a marketing consulting company. A former advertising agency fast-tracker, she and her partner are nationally recognized innovative young leaders in the growing rural renaissance movement who have been featured for their contemporary approach to homesteading, conservation, and green living in various media. Lisa is the author of Kiss Off Corporate America (Andrews McMeel, 1998).

John Ivanko is an innkeeper, organic farmer, and copartner in a marketing consulting company. He and his partner, a former advertising agency fast-tracker, are nationally recognized innovative young leaders in the growing rural renaissance movement who have been featured for their contemporary approach to homesteading, conservation, and green living in various media. John is also an award-winning photographer and author of a travel book and several children's photobooks.