Farmers Unite! Planting a Protest for Fair Prices

by Lindsay H. Metcalf

**A 2020 JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION**

In the late 1970s, grain prices had tanked, farm auctions filled newspapers, and people had forgotten that food didn’t grow in grocery stores. So, on February 5, 1979, thousands of tractors from all parts of the USA took to the highways and flooded Washington, DC, in protest. Farmers wanted fair prices for their products and demanded action from Congress. After police corralled the tractors on the National Mall, the farmers and their tractors stayed through a snowstorm and dug out the city. Americans were now convinced they needed farmers, but the law took longer.

Lindsay H. Metcalf, a journalist who grew up on a family farm, shares this rarely told story of grassroots perseverance and economic justice rooted in the 1980s farm crisis. It is the story of the struggle and triumph of the American farmer that still resonates today.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, History, Transport, Middle Grade

64 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2020

About the author

Lindsay H. Metcalf is a journalist and award-winning author of nonfiction picture books: BEATRIX POTTER, SCIENTIST, a Mighty Girl Best Book of 2020 and Young People’s Literature Award winner from the Friends of American Writers Chicago; FARMERS UNITE! Planting a Protest for Fair Prices, a Kansas Notable Book, Friends of American Writers honoree, NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book, and Junior Library Guild selection; and NO VOICE TOO SMALL: Fourteen Young Americans Making History, a Kirkus and Chicago Public Library Best Book, Notable Social Studies Trade Book, and NCTE Notable Poetry Book. NO WORLD TOO BIG: Young People Fighting Global Climate Change, a poetry anthology from the team behind No Voice Too Small, is forthcoming in spring 2023. Lindsay lives in Kansas with her husband, two sons, and a variety of pets. Reach her at lindsayhmetcalf.com and @lindsayhmetcalf on Twitter and Instagram.

Reviews

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grain prices dropped in the late 1970s, and in 1979, thousands of tractors from all over the US traveled to Washington DC to protest. Many gatherings were planned with lawmakers, but little was accomplished until the farmers' problems came to the attention of singer Willie Nelson who organized a popular Farm Aid concert. Legislation to help the farmers was finally enacted in 1987.

Farmers Unite is a book with clear text and helpful photos for young readers.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

It often catches me by surprise when I see books that center eras from my own life as historic, although I'm well aware that my long life has allowed me to witness many unforgettable events and times. In this case, the era depicted is during the seventies, the Jimmy Carter era. My strongest impression of that time has to do with the struggling economy, interests rates skyrocketing, American hostages held in Iran, among others.
That may account for why the details of the protracted FARMERS UNITE movement feels more vague among more immediate issues of that time.
This book does an outstanding job of bringing to life the tragic and serious situation American farmers faced, and the dramatic efforts they made to wake up the rest of us Americans to their plight. Each phase and incident portrayed (with excellent archival photography) captures the individual and family struggles of farm families that were earning half the cost they spent planting and feeding stock and fueling their equipment, without a blink of support from the government.
There are plenty of dramatic moments in this nonfiction portrayal of that time and those circumstances. The history of farming unfolds within the short span of time in which government policies (or lack of them) turned a small-farm configuration to an agri-business model in this country. Farm Aid concerts, the first of which took place during that era, continue to this day. Kids will learn a great deal, and adults (even those of us who lived at that time) will learn even more.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live in a rural area with an active FFA, but dying farms, consolidating schools, and a dwindling population.

This book provides important context as to why that is.

Using primarily black and white photos from the era in an impactful way, FARMERS UNITE explains the farm crisis and ensuing protest of the 1970s and 80s. For any teacher or librarian working in a rural school district with farm families, this book helps make social justice movements personally relevant. Metcalf's retelling is clear, concise, and above all, important.

[Rajani LaRocca · Rating 5 out of 5]

FARMERS UNITE is a thoroughly researched, fascinating look at the farm crisis protests of the 1970s and 80s, including Farm Aid and what resulted from it. This book considers the concept of fairness to those who grow our food, and how peaceful protest movements can make significant change in our society. Although this book chronicles events from decades ago, it is extremely relevant today as we consider what we as citizens can do to draw attention to injustice.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the coolest book to grace my library's J 630 section in a while. This is a topic that does not have many children's books published about it. The photography is awesome too. You should probably read it.

[Isabella Kung · Rating 5 out of 5]

FARMERS UNITE is such a well-researched and fascinating book! It covers a historic moment when the farms united to protest unfair crop prices, unsustainable practices, and the fall of the family farms. Lindsay Metcalf intriguing narrative, along with powerful black and white images from those moments, really captured my attention. I especially enjoyed reading about the creative ways farmers protested to get their voices heard! A must-read for all-ages interested in history.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an engaging tale with lots of photographs of the Farmer’s Protest of 1979, when many farmers drove their tractors to Washington D.C. to bring attention to their plight.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because my dad's parents participated in this protest. They had a camper that they took. This is a very simplistic book with the farmers being heroes. However, we still see prices rise for meats, dairy, and fresh products without the farmer benefitting. Since that time we have lost more and more family farms and have corporate farmers which don't always have the best business practices - shortcuts on animal feed/nutrition, poor wages, and chemical usage. The thing that bothered me the most is coming from Kansas - an agricultural state - is that Bob Dole who has been on or chair of the agricultural committee was never mentioned. Actually what were the House and Senate Ag committees doing during this - people they represent were protesting. I walked away with more questions than I did answers, and the realization we have not fixed any of the problems.

How did I find this book? It was a selection from CloudLibrary and they recently added in e-books over just the audio with the latest update. This is also a 2021 Kansas Notable Book.

[NoNieqa Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Journalist, editor, and nonfiction author Lindsay Metcalf illuminates a little known but pivotal part of American history, the American Agricultural Movement, a decades long farmers protest in the late 70s and early 80s. Through her clear, concise, and compelling writing, she makes a complex topic accessible and engaging for even the most wiggly of young readers. Lindsay’s use of engaging, inspiring, and colorful quotes from protesters elucidates the culture of the farming community, illustrates the problems and perils farmers faced, and engenders empathy in the reader. Educators and parents can discuss the cleverness and creativity involved in the farmers protest to get their voices heard and their contributions to society acknowledged. The motifs of persistence, optimism, community, and team work will make for great discussion. Young readers will love the protest photos of the “rainbow” of rioting tractors rolling into D.C. against all odds, the depiction of families and young people persevering in an uphill battle, the Farm Aid concerts, and the blizzard of 1979 that shut down a city--and with the aid only farmers could provide--finally opened up America’s heart to their plight, their purpose, and the power of their contributions. The back matter is informative and allows older readers to gain the next level of understanding. Ultimately this book demonstrates that protest has always been and will always be an integral part of the fabric American society.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1978, American farmers were desperate. It was costing them more to grow their crops than they were getting for their harvest. A lot more. They had appealed to the US government, but the Department of Agriculture seemed to be ignoring the farmers. So, they started with a protest in Plains Georgia (home of the current president Jimmy Carter) and brought thousands of tractors to town, hoping to get their cause noticed. Two weeks later an organized effort did the same to state capitals around the country. By February, the tractor parade came to DC. Clogging the streets and causing enough traffic trouble to, hopefully, force the DofA to listen to their concerns.

I loved the captioned photographs, and the succinct text on every page. Plenty of additional information including an author's note, statistics, a timeline and source notes. A fascinating look at a peaceful protest - change didn't happen right away, but they did finally get noticed. Showing this to my social studies teachers.

cross posted to https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

Cross posted to https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Abi Cushman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating and important book. First it highlights a specific historical moment when farmers came together to protest unfair prices and unsustainable working conditions. That alone was really interesting to learn about, to read quotes from people who were there, and to see photographs from the tractor parade. But FARMERS UNITE also demonstrates just how long the fight went on (years) to enact new laws in order to shift political will. It shows how regular people organized and got creative to gain traction for their cause. So it not only is a book about the plight of farmers, it's also a great way to learn about activism in general. Definitely recommend it.

[Charlotte Bernhard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listed for ages 8-12. Cool introduction to the American Agriculture Movement and their protests in 1979. There is an awesome picture/moment included in the story about Dustin Covey, a little boy who busted into the Department of Agriculture on a toy tractor while farmers distracted police by revving a 12-ton tractor.

Note: does include the fact that many Farmers did commit suicide due to the low prices their crops were being sold for and the major loses that led to. This is an important aspect of the story to understand, but anyone sharing this book with children should be prepared to potentially have a conversation about that, and the importance of fair working conditions and pay.

[Candy Wellins · Rating 5 out of 5]

They say truth is stranger than fiction, but oftentimes it’s also more exciting, amazing and heart wrenching too. FARMERS UNITE is such a story. It is the true story of farmers who joined together in the late 1970s to protest unfair crop prices and the fall of the family farm. Young readers will enjoy hearing about the tractor that drove into the Capitol Building and how a blizzard helped save the movement. Meticulously researched by Metcalf (who grew up on a family farm)and full of photographs of the movement, this story is a beauty.

[Charlotte Offsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another beautifully written and inspiring picture book from author Lindsay Metcalf. This one is aimed at the 8-12-year-old audience, is packed with fascinating information and is impossible to put down.

This is the inspiring story of the struggle facing farmers in the late 1970s. Crops were selling for less than it cost to produce them, so farmers took their tractors to the streets and fought long and hard for the change they desperately needed. I highly recommend this informative, well-written and moving book!

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

FARMERS UNITE is a truly fascinating book. With well-researched text and fabulous vintage photos of the tractor march on Washington, it details the American Agricultural Movement of the 70s and 80s, and farmers fight to survive in a time of crisis. While I was very vaguely familiar with Farm Aid, most of the story was new to me, and I love that the book contained so many moments of genuine surprise. Kids will especially love the reveal when a young boy on a tractor was the hero of a particularly tense day. An engaging read for kids and adults alike.

[M.O. Yuksel · Rating 5 out of 5]

FARMER’S UNITE is an intriguing story about how farmers peacefully protested to demand laws to end the farm crisis of the 1980s. The informative text and wonderful photography relay this story in interesting and riveting twists and turns including how the protestors helped Washington, DC during a snowstorm, and how entertainers like Willie Nelson initiated the Farm Aid concert to help end the farm crisis. With ample back matter, this book is perfect for readers who are interested in history, and the power of peaceful protests.

[Elisa Boxer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring and meticulously-researched reminder of the power of social action to drive massive political change. Metcalf's journalism expertise shines throughout this fascinating look at a little-known (at least to me!) chapter in our history. Featuring archival photos, compelling storytelling, and quotes from farmers on the front lines, this book is the perfect vehicle for teaching young readers not only about the farm crisis and agricultural movement, but also about perseverance and the power of grassroots movements to right societal wrongs.

[Joana Pastro · Rating 5 out of 5]

FARMERS UNITE! PLANTING A PROTEST FOR FAIR PRICES tells the true tale of how thousands of farmers got together to protest against unfair crop prices. It’s a story of persistence and fight for justice. I love how the powerful black and white photographs throughout the book puts us even closer to the action. An important book to start a conversation about social justice, and the importance of peaceful protests. A must for every library!

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a riveting read! I remember hearing about the Farm Aid concert back in 1986, but I didn't know the story behind the need for the aid--or the story of the tractor protests. Lindsay Metcalf has clearly done a ton of research (the source notes fill four pages!) and she masterfully weaves it together in a perfectly plotted story that uses quotations and sourced photographs from the actual events to bring the farmers and their protests to life. Highly recommended for all ages!

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to read this at the same time that major farmers' protests are ongoing in India (not really for the same types of reasons, but with similar concern for non-corporate farms in particular).

Good example of how protests both lose and gain support throughout the process and how hard it is to sustain action over many years to get a result.

Long-ish in terms of number of pages, but not a lot of text. Illustrated with photographs.

[Hope Lim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Farmers Unite is a detailed, informative, and inspiring story that offers a fascinating glimpse into struggles and perseverance of the farmers who wanted their voices heard. In addition to the effective combination of text, pictures, and historical background, I love how the trackers played a huge role in showing the world the kinder side of farmers, who helped their communities when trapped by snowstorms.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read on the farmers' movement to get fair prices for their crops. Even though farms, farm animals, and farmers occupy much space in young childrens' hearts and minds, we rarely think about how farmers struggle to earn their living. I vaguely remember hearing about Farm Aid, but never knew the story of all the protests that led up to it. This book enlightens and holds attention with an intriguing narrative and clever language.  

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This was both informative and timely, as protests are an important part of history. I vaguely recalled Farm Aid concerts, and I learned so much about the events leading up to these fundraisers. There was a nice balance of text and photographs, so this will appeal to a wide range of readers and researchers.

[Julie Rowan-Zoch · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important an informative book that will hopefully inspire young readers! Farmers Unite is a detailed and personal account of American farmers coming together and using their numbers, creativity, and above all perseverance, to get the attention needed to address their struggles and push for legislative solutions.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covers the American Agricultural Movement in the late 1970s. Farmers weren’t respected by the government. Legislation was detrimental to their livelihood. It was time to take a stand. pictures show the farmers in their tractorcaid in DC. A timeline of events is included. I recommend this non fiction picture book. It explains the historical significance of this time in the US.

[Vicky Fang · Rating 5 out of 5]

FARMERS UNITE! is a fascinating and inspiring non-fiction read. Author Lindsay Metcalf brings together the striking narrative and photographs to tell the story of farmers protesting for fair prices in 1979, showcasing an inspiring movement to create change. Full of important information and discussion starters about agriculture, politics, and change-making.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew very little about the farm crisis on the late 70s and early 80s, so I found this book fascinating! Lindsay H. Metcalf's text clearly explains the historical context in kid-friendly terms while subtly weaving in farm verbs like plant, grow, plot, and tend. Photos from that time period bring the farmer's movement to life.

[Salamah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction that gives context to some of the reasons why we have hunger in one of the richest countries in the world. If farmers cannot earn a living off of farming then that is a problem.

[Jilanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a farmer's daughter from the Midwest, I loved this moving account of farmers' struggles for fair treatment and a historical series of events that made history. Meticulously researched, it's on my bookshelf.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of farm protests in the late 70s and how that led to Farm Aid in the late 80s.

A good example of how public perception changes.