Barbara M. reviewed Locally Laid: How We Built a Plucky, Industry-changing Egg Farm - from Scratch on + 147 more book reviews
I grew up in NE MN--Hibbing, which is about 75 miles NW of Duluth. I have lived in the Twin Cities since 1972 but each year have made several trips since then up to Hibbing. So, I can attest to how cold it can get in NE MN and that it seems a little crazy to start an egg-laying operation--especially one with an emphasis of letting the hens outside--in this area. The author is a decent writer and has a sense of humor. She and her husband seem to be polar opposites (at least that's how it comes across in the book) with the author being the more responsible, sensible one and her husband a dreamer who doesn't always think things through but wants to jump into his next idea with both feet.
Some reviewers on Amazon have commented that they didn't like the technical info. In some parts the author will delve into the history of farming, egg operations, etc. The tone of the book completely changes--the author switches to "lecture" mode. Each time I started reading one of these passages, I began to feel irritated. I think the information could have been presented in a more interesting manner.
I can understand why some Amazon reviewers characterized the author as a "whiner." She has made a number of sacrifices so her husband could follow his heart and she is more than happy to point these out (there is no mention of any sacrifices hubby has made for the author--he might have to write his own book). When the author finally put her foot down and refused to move the family out to the new farm, she once again points out the sacrifices she made for her husband over the years. But the cherry on the top of the sundae is when the author claims she's doing it for her daughter (even though the author admits that her daughter was up for the move to the new place). To me, it seemed like the author was just using her daughter as an excuse so she (the author) wouldn't appear selfish.
It would have been helpful if, at the beginning of each chapter, a time frame was specified--i.e., "2013" or "winter 2012-2013." The first chapter of the book says it's 2012 and the last chapter mentions its 11/2014 but in between there's often no idea. Some other reviewers also mentioned they were unclear as to when things were happening.
There is an index at the end as well as a "notes" section with remarks divided up by the corresponding chapter.
The fact that the egg operation became successful (which could be open to interpretation, depending on how one defines "success") in a relatively short time is a testament to the husband's sheer guts in not giving up--that along with a few good friends who really went the extra mile in helping the Amundsens. I do admire their commitment to wanting to do things that make for happier, healthier chickens and, in fact, have purchased their eggs which are now being carried by some Cub Foods in the Twin Cities.
Some reviewers on Amazon have commented that they didn't like the technical info. In some parts the author will delve into the history of farming, egg operations, etc. The tone of the book completely changes--the author switches to "lecture" mode. Each time I started reading one of these passages, I began to feel irritated. I think the information could have been presented in a more interesting manner.
I can understand why some Amazon reviewers characterized the author as a "whiner." She has made a number of sacrifices so her husband could follow his heart and she is more than happy to point these out (there is no mention of any sacrifices hubby has made for the author--he might have to write his own book). When the author finally put her foot down and refused to move the family out to the new farm, she once again points out the sacrifices she made for her husband over the years. But the cherry on the top of the sundae is when the author claims she's doing it for her daughter (even though the author admits that her daughter was up for the move to the new place). To me, it seemed like the author was just using her daughter as an excuse so she (the author) wouldn't appear selfish.
It would have been helpful if, at the beginning of each chapter, a time frame was specified--i.e., "2013" or "winter 2012-2013." The first chapter of the book says it's 2012 and the last chapter mentions its 11/2014 but in between there's often no idea. Some other reviewers also mentioned they were unclear as to when things were happening.
There is an index at the end as well as a "notes" section with remarks divided up by the corresponding chapter.
The fact that the egg operation became successful (which could be open to interpretation, depending on how one defines "success") in a relatively short time is a testament to the husband's sheer guts in not giving up--that along with a few good friends who really went the extra mile in helping the Amundsens. I do admire their commitment to wanting to do things that make for happier, healthier chickens and, in fact, have purchased their eggs which are now being carried by some Cub Foods in the Twin Cities.
