The Worm Queen: Memoirs of Santa Ynez Valley

by Alicia Landon

Book by Landon, Alicia

112 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1992

Reviews

[Corrine Ardoin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a paperback version of this short book on the life of Alicia Landon who earned the title of "Worm Queen" as a worm farmer in the Santa Ynez Valley of California. She tells her life, beginning with her parents. Her father was born around the time of the Civil War. Alicia was born in 1910 and travelled the world with her parents, although her father died when she was a child. Her mother continued their travels, adventurous for a single mother driving across the U.S. into Canada, then over to Europe, the UK, and into Africa during the rise of the Nazi occupation pre-World War II. Returning home to Colorado, they had logged 20,000 miles and were gone for six months. She and her mother moved to San Diego, California and resided there until the death of her mother. Alicia then embarked on achieving her dream of being a farmer, knowing nothing at all about the farming lifestyle. She and a friend purchased a ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley around 1942 and so began her new chapter of adventures and mis-adventures into raising livestock. Her mishaps in her new life as a farming woman were saved by helpful neighbors and her schooling in science. Her desire to support the war effort led her into many interesting fields from her farm homestead. Friendships passed and her life changed again during the 1950s and 60s with a move to Missouri as she raised ponies for show and sale. Homesick for the Santa Ynez Valley, Alicia returned to California and reinvented her life again as a worm rancher. Thus, she became, "The Worm Queen," until her death in 1998 at the age of 88.

Historically significant and of special interest for those who enjoy local history books of a biographical nature. Life stories of early pioneers, even those during the 20th century are a testament to the resiliency and determination of those persons longing to fulfill a dream. Farming how-to's and lessons learned fill her story with humor and humility. Memories of the Depression Era and wartime years, lends a poignant reminder to the sacrifices made by our forebears. Simple reminiscences like having to drive at night with only the parking lights on, brings home the fear and concern of impending attack on California's coastline, noticing her Japanese friends disappeared. Brush fires on the mountain ridges she describes, yet challenge all who live in California.