Dispatches From Farm Country

Review by Gregg Hillyer, Editor-in-Chief Progressive Farmer

Jim Patrico is a master storyteller who brings to life the people, places, events and issues of rural America. Over a 40 year career, the award-winning writer and photojournalist traveled from coast to coast and around the world reporting on agriculture for major ag media companies. Patrico’s natural curiosity and unlimited talents helped him to craft compelling stories, blending words and photos to create descriptive and unforgettable narratives. He is one of the finest ag journalists this profession has ever had and has left an enduring mark for generations to come.

Review by Bill Spiegel, The Furrow

What a great book. Patrico revisits some of his favorite stories from his stellar career, with updates on what has happened since they first appeared in the pages of The New Ulm Journal, Missouri Ruralist, Farm Journal or Progressive Farmer. Each chapter is filled with the award-winning writer’s vivid imagery, mixed with the emotion and personality that, as journalists, we aren’t often afforded the opportunity to convey in stories. From a professional standpoint, “Dispatches” will influence the way I write and tell stories. From a personal standpoint, I am leaving the last chapter unread because I don’t want the book to end.