Land Rich, Cash Poor

My Family's Hope and the Untold History of the Disappearing American Farmer

By: Brian Reisinger

Narrated by: Brian Reisinger

The hidden history of an economic and cultural catastrophe that is threatening our very food supply—the disappearance of the American farmer.

Taking on this story of heart and hardship, award-winning journalist Brian Reisinger weaves forgotten eras of American history with his own family’s four-generation fight for survival in Midwestern farm country. Listeners learn the truth about America’s most detrimental and unexplained socioeconomic crisis: How the family farms that feed us went from cutting a middle-class path through the Great Depression to barely making ends meet in modern America. Along the way, they’ll see what it truly takes to feed our country: accidents that can kill or maim; weather that blesses or threatens; resilience in the face of crushing economic crises, from inflation to COVID-19; and the tradition that presses down on each generation when you're not just fighting for your job, you're fighting for your heritage.

With newly analyzed data, sharp historical analysis, honest debate, and personal storytelling, Reisinger reveals the roots of a problem with stakes as high as they come. A vulnerable food supply, soaring prices for American families, environmental and ecological decay, farmer suicides, addictions, a deepening urban-rural divide, and more worries than ever about what’s for dinner. These are all becoming the hallmarks of a food system that has long stood as a modern miracle. Land Rich, Cash Poor offers the honest truth about these issues, and a candid look at what we can do about them—before it’s too late.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Brian Reisinger (P)2024 Impact Audio

Sentimental, Informative & Inspirational

An incredible blend of captivating story telling, cultural and social analysis, and policy solutions. This book is an amazing read that will capture your imagination, encourage your heart and inspire all Americans to a rural and agricultural revival.
I would strongly recommend this book to all of my friends, family & neighbors.

Powerful American Story

Brian Reisinger does an amazing job in this book of weaving his personal story of his family’s generational farm into the real life struggles that American farmers are having in today’s world. It’s a story that desperately needs to be told in order to ensure the future of farming in our nation. Without change, more stories like Brian’s will undoubtedly be told, and our country will be worse off for it. I can only hope this book finds its way into the hands of policymakers at the state and federal level before it is too late.

Thank you

As a 4th gen family farmer myself, I could say so many things, but will leave it at this; thank you. So glad you did the audio yourself too, the emotion was felt from start to finish😭

Wonderful book outlining middle America’s heritage

The author shares family history, including struggles, wins and the ongoing challenges the American farmer faces in today’s times. Appreciate the history and loved the message the author delivered. 5/5, must read for anyone concerned with local / Midwest agriculture ties.

Honest compendium

Brian did a great job weaving history and narrative and am glad the accounts of his family were shared for all to hear. Trigger warning for those who have felt the loss of suicide at home as that first chapter can be a perfect devastating storm. Thanks for mentioning resources and reiterating it is ok and just as tough as anything else you can do to talk about mental health.

Great perspective of the realities of farming

level headed perspective of farm life, specifically dairy farming. an important story to be told.