NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — As the number of U.S. farms continues to decline, one Nebraska farmer is taking a different approach to getting the next generation interested in agriculture: she’s putting farm life into a children’s book.
Laura Wilson, known online as Laura Farms, is the author of Roger’s Hay Day, a new children’s book scheduled for release October 9. She joined us on Market Day Report Weekend to share about her ag journey and her upcoming book.
The book follows Bonnie, a young girl preparing for her town’s 100th annual Harvest Festival. But before the celebration can begin, she needs to help bring in a field using Roger, an old tractor that has been sitting in a barn for years.
With help from her community, Bonnie gets Roger running again and learns to farm along the way. The book was illustrated by Jeff Harter and published by Brave Books.
For Wilson, the story is rooted in her own experience in agriculture and her desire to introduce children to the people, work and traditions behind the food they eat.
Wilson began sharing her farming journey online in 2020 after returning to her family’s farm in south-central Nebraska. She initially rented ground from her grandfather and father before eventually building a farming operation with her husband, Grant
She has since built an audience of millions of people by documenting the realities of farming online, including planting, harvest, equipment, livestock and the everyday challenges that come with running a farm.
Now, Wilson is using that platform to reach an even younger audience.
Partnering with FFA
A major part of the Roger’s Hay Day project is a partnership with the National FFA Organization.
Wilson says the goal is to put copies of the book directly into the hands of young people through FFA. The partnership is structured around book donations. Customers can purchase donation packages that send books directly to FFA, including an option that donates five books and another that donates 25. Buyers can also add individual $10 book donations to their orders.
Learn more and pre-order “Roger’s Hay Day.”
