Land Rich, Cash Poor

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

De: Brian Reisinger

Narrado por: 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

Food is a weapon

Land Rich, Cash Poor reveals how vulnerable our food and food supply chain are. Brian Reisinger writes from years of political and journalistic savvy, economic expertise, and tells poignant vignettes from a hard but beloved life growing up on a Wisconsin dairy farm. Find out what happened to his family farm and discover his ideas for how everyone can work toward keeping the United States safe. This includes elected leaders, corporate farms (and their massive livestock disease disruptions), unsubsidized medium, small, or micro-farms, manufacturers of behemoth farm equipment (nearly $1M = base price for John Deere’s new 9RX 830 tractor), big box supermarkets (today price-gouging eggs for $12/dozen in Colorado), urban and rural voters, down to the last hunter-gatherer-shopper standing. Remember, "Food is a weapon," (famously quoted by Pres. Richard Nixon's ag secretary, Earl Butz, 1974) and has been since Medieval times. Mr. Reisinger should write a sequel called The Grass is Now Greener, or depending on how his ideas play out, Enjoy Your Soylent Green. I loved his authentic, verbal-bullet narration.

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.

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.

The relatable way the author tells of how the farm economy affects the whole family

I liked that the author read it himself. The stories were raw and powerful. I saw myself and my community in so many of the stories. Great listen!

Hit home

Loved this book. I wish more people could read/listen to it too understand how much history and pride farmers feel in their farms and heritage

A Must-Read for Farmers Facing the Realities of Modern Agriculture

As a fifth-generation Wisconsin farmer myself, Land Rich, Cash Poor hit home in ways few books ever have. Brian Reisinger captures the challenges of family farming with raw honesty—balancing tradition, financial struggle, and the deep love we have for the land. His storytelling is authentic, and his insights into rural life resonate with those of us who have lived it firsthand.

Reisinger doesn’t just tell his own story; he tells our story—the late nights worrying about finances, the sacrifices made to keep a family farm alive, and the relentless work that goes into every season. He also highlights the emotional weight of legacy and the tough decisions that many of us face in today’s agricultural economy.

This book isn’t just for farmers—it’s for anyone who wants to understand what it truly means to work the land in a time when family farms are disappearing. Whether you’ve farmed for generations or are simply curious about the rural way of life, Land Rich, Cash Poor is a powerful, heartfelt read. Highly recommend.

Great perspective of the realities of farming

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

Thoughtful, important

This was an incredible look into the history of farming. What a blessing that the author is able to have this information regarding his family history as well as the political knowledge to know the impacts on farming. I was hooked on the story from generation to generation waiting to see what would happen next. He understands the challenges farmers face like only farmers do. He also understands the family dynamics that arise & make things difficult as things transition to the next generation. The only thing I would change is the use of curse words that I think were to make a point, but I prefer would have been left out. It’s still a worthy read that I recommend & appreciate.

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.

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😭