Forty Acres Deep – An Evening with Michael Perry as part of the Morrill Lecture series at the Octagon Barn in Spring Green, WI.

NOTE FROM MIKE: This event will include a panel of farmers. My book is fiction. Their experience is not.

Michael Perry’s new novella is a departure from his previous works of fiction. Set in a world of stark wintry beauty, Forty Acres Deep is the brief, unrelenting tale of one person’s attempt to make sense of a world he no longer recognizes while pitilessly calling himself into account. Seamed with grim humor and earthy revelations, it is an unforgiving story…and yet leaves open the idea that we might surrender to hope. Michael will talk about his inspiration for the novella and his decision to self-publish it. The evening will include a panel of farmers, moderated by Joy Kirkpatrick, responding to the story and sharing their experiences about what it means to farm today.

Joy Kirkpatrick has worked for the University of Wisconsin for 29 years.  She began her Extension career as a county-based educator. In 2004 she became the Farm Succession Outreach Specialist for the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Dairy Profitability. In this position she collaborates with colleagues to provide educational programs and information on farm succession planning.  Kirkpatrick has extensive experience facilitating farm succession discussions with farm businesses and farm families. Joy is honored to work with farm families on some of their most personal issues when working on farm succession planning. Since 2016, Kirkpatrick has also focused on farmer wellbeing and mental health and is a certified adult Mental Health First Aid trainer.

The panel will include farmers Dorothy Harms, Robert Nigh, and David Unbehaun.

Dinner will be available for purchase from Chef’s Hideout beginning at 5:00 p.m. Choose from brisket or pulled pork sandwich (with fries, $12) or dinner (with fries, coleslaw, and cornbread, $20).

Date: July 18, 2023
Time: 6:30 PM
Cost: Free

Octagon Barn
E4350 Horseshoe Road
Spring Green, WI
53588