Jerry Apps Livres

Focusing on the integral role of horses in rural farming life, this book intertwines historical narratives with personal anecdotes from the author's childhood on a Wisconsin farm. It showcases a rich tapestry of stories that highlight the significance of horses in agriculture, complemented by historic photos, advertisements, and contemporary images of working horses. The vivid portrayal serves to celebrate the majesty of these animals while illuminating their impact on early American history and rural traditions.

The narrative centers on the transformative impact of modernization in agriculture during Jerry Apps's childhood, highlighting the shift from traditional farming methods to the introduction of electric lines, modern machinery, and running water. Through his mother’s account books, Apps reflects on both the economic and emotional aspects of these changes, capturing family values and the sociological evolution of farm life. The poignant moments, especially regarding his father's pride and the transition from milking cows to academic pursuits, resonate with both older generations and contemporary farmers facing new challenges.

The narrative paints a vivid picture of rural life in central Wisconsin during the Depression and World War II, highlighting the challenges of farm life before electricity. Jerry Apps shares memories of hand-milking cows by kerosene lantern light and the communal effort of wood gathering for heat. The story reflects on the importance of winter as a period for family bonding and contemplation, suggesting that harsh winters shape the character and values of those who endure them, often in subtle, unrecognized ways.

Focusing on Wisconsin's cheese-making heritage, this book captures the voices of farmers, milk haulers, and producers, tracing the evolution from farmhouse kitchens to a diverse industry. Jerry Apps highlights the changes over the past two decades, including the influence of corporate megafarms and the rise of artisanal cheese makers. With historical photographs and portraits of family-operated factories, the narrative emphasizes the balance of art and science in creating various cheese flavors, celebrating the farmers and producers who have shaped this thriving industry.

Unexpectedly embarking on a teaching career, Jerry Apps reflects on his thirty-eight years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, detailing the challenges and transformations he faced from 1957 to 1995. Amidst campus protests and the complexities of academia, he developed a unique educational philosophy emphasizing critical thinking and experiential learning. Rich with personal anecdotes, vibrant characters, and historical insights, this memoir offers a heartfelt glimpse into the life of a professor who never intended to be one.

The narrative captures the essence of rural life through vivid memories from the author's childhood on a Wisconsin dairy farm during the 1930s and 1950s. It evokes the beauty of nature with descriptions of starlit nights, fragrant wildflowers, and the sounds of the countryside. Each story reflects the changing seasons and includes life lessons intertwined with personal anecdotes, such as enjoying pancakes after chores and learning to ride a pony. Enhanced by monthly recipes and a new introduction in this edition, it offers a warm and humorous celebration of country living.

Through a series of reflective essays, the author explores the significance of everyday farm life, focusing on simple objects like a cedar fencepost and a kerosene lantern. Each item evokes memories from his rural upbringing in the 1940s and 1950s, revealing the invaluable skills and values learned on a family farm. The collection serves as a heartfelt tribute to those who experienced this lifestyle and offers insight for those unfamiliar with it, highlighting the enduring impact of these rural roots.

“Apps is a man of ideas who is sensitive to the touch, the smells, and the feel of doing things by hand, today and a hundred years ago.”—from the foreword by Senator Gaylord NelsonOriginally published in 1970, The Land Still Lives is the first book by Wisconsin’s greatest rural philosopher, Jerry Apps. Written when he was still a young agriculture professor at the University of Wisconsin, The Land Still Lives was readers’ first introduction to Jerry’s farm in central Wisconsin, called Roshara, and the surrounding community of Skunk’s Hollow. This special 50th-anniversary edition features a new epilogue, in which Jerry revisits his philosophy of caring for the land so it in turn will care for us. This is vintage Apps, essential reading for Jerry’s legions of fans—and for all who, like Jerry, wish “to develop a relationship with nature and all its mystery and wonder.”

"This is the story of the logging era in Wisconsin, of lumberjacks and camp cooks, of log drives and log jams, of sawmills and lumber barons and the echo of the ax in the Northwoods as yet another white pine tree fell to the ground. Jerry also walks readers through the aftermath of the logging era, including efforts to farm the cutover, reforestation work, and the legacy of the state's lumber and wood products industry"-- Provided by publisher

Focusing on the rich agricultural heritage of Wisconsin, this book delves into the state's diverse farming landscape beyond just dairy products. It highlights the cultivation of cranberries, Christmas trees, honey, and ginseng, weaving together a comprehensive narrative of the region's farming evolution. Authored by Jerry Apps, a distinguished rural historian and farmer, the book offers an insider's perspective on Wisconsin's agricultural legacy, showcasing its complexities and contributions to the broader agricultural story of America.