The Earth in Her Hands: 75 Extraordinary Women Working in the World of Plants

by Jennifer Jewell

Overview

“An empowering and expertly curated look at the horticultural world.” —Gardens Illustrated

In this beautiful and empowering book, Jennifer Jewell introduces 75 inspiring women. Working in wide-reaching fields that include botany, floral design, landscape architecture, farming, herbalism, and food justice, these influencers are creating change from the ground up.

Profiled women include flower farmer Erin Benzakein; codirector of Soul Fire Farm Leah Penniman; plantswoman Flora Grubb; edible and cultural landscape designer Leslie Bennett; Caribbean-American writer and gardener Jamaica Kincaid; soil scientist Elaine Ingham; landscape designer Ariella Chezar; floral designer Amy Merrick, and many more. Rich with personal stories and insights, Jewell’s portraits reveal a devotion that transcends age, locale, and background, reminding us of the profound role of green growing things in our world—and our lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781604699029
Publisher:	Timber Press, Incorporated
Publication date:	03/03/2020
Pages:	324
Sales rank:	631,707
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 10.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Jennifer Jewell is the creator, writer and host of Cultivating Place, airing on North State Public Radio. Jewell’s writing and photography have been featured in publications including Gardens Illustrated, House & Garden, and Pacific Horticulture. Currently, she sits on the board of Pacific Horticulture and is a long-time member of other national and regional gardening organizations. She works, gardens, and lives in interior Northern California with her two smart, funny, lovely and lively daughters.

Editorial Reviews

12/02/2019

Jewell, host of the radio program and podcast Cultivating Place, offers a fine collection of profiles of women involved with horticulture. Though gardeners predominate, Jewell’s subjects also include newspaper columnists, photographers, educators, floral designers, farmers, and entrepreneurs, all of whom have a passion for sharing their love of the natural world. Some, such as Carol Bornstein, director of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County’s garden program, work to preserve rare plant species. Many talk specifically about environmental issues, as when designer and flower farmer Ariella Chezar discusses minimizing “the often toxic (to people and land) growing practices” of her industry. Others approach gardening as a tool for social justice. For instance, landscape designer Leslie Bennett works to create, in Jewell’s words, “garden spaces that center on people of color” and provide welcoming spaces to them. Beth Tuttle, president of the American Horticultural Society, sums up the book’s ethos best when she says “We are, and need to continue, moving our cultural understanding of gardening and our relationship to plants from nice to necessary.” Jewell provides generous lists of additional resources and beautiful photos of each woman and her work. This volume should be inspirational to anyone working with plants. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

A must-have this spring season… plantswomen, unite!” —Martha Stewart Living

“A fine collection of profiles of women involved with horticulture… all of whom have a passion for sharing their love of the natural world. This volume should be inspirational to anyone working with plants.” —Publishers Weekly

“An informative and celebratory resource.” —Booklist 

“Should you be looking for inspiration in these challenging times, it can be found in the stories of the women profiled in The Earth in Her Hands… it is also a celebration of the vibrant women forging new paths in horticulture and its allied professions today." —Landscape Notes

“An empowering and expertly curated look at the horticultural world.” —Gardens Illustrated

“The Earth in Her Hands is an enjoyable read for anyone who loves plants.” —The American Gardener

“This is a must-have read… the kind of book that will lead you to find other books and gardeners to follow.” —Greenfield Recorder

“Truly a winning book that everyone needs to read.” —Cottage in the Court

“It’s no surprise that Jennifer's writing is as thoughtful as her language is on her radio/podcast... Anyone interested in a career with plants will enjoy it, as well indeed anyone already in such a career or life passion.” —Growing with Plants
 
“A book for young people interested in a career in the plant world or who want to do work that helps the environment… for anyone keen to read stories about plant passion and a longing to make a difference through one’s work.” —Digging

“An illuminating and inspiring book of personal and professional journeys with plants is a must-read for anyone interested in the human impulse to garden." —Gardens Illustrated

“The varied perspectives presented throughout amount to an interesting conversation about plants, gardens, and the myriad roles anyone might play amid them.” —Horticulture

“A plantsperson with a deep abiding love for gardens and plants and for those who tend their plots thoughtfully and with respect for natural systems. Jewell pours this passion into her new book.” —The Seattle Times

“A moving testament to the myriad of ways in which we are all dependent upon the generosity of planet Earth.” —The Irish Times

“A fascinating read, not just because it highlights the accomplishments of women from around the world, but because it showcases the enormous variety of their plant-related careers and how they found them.” —The Wyoming Tribune Eagle

“The author’s portraits reveal a devotion that transcends age, locale, and background, reminding us of the important role of green growing things in our world and our lives. The Earth in Her Hands makes a wonderful and inspiring gift for all gardeners.” —The Michigan Gardener
 

From the Publisher

03/01/2020

Drawing on her work as a radio host (Cultivating Place) and podcaster exploring the relationship between people and plants, Jewell here profiles a variety of women with positions in plant gene science and botany, those who direct botanical gardens and horticultural alliances, who practice traditional herbalism and foodways, and are florists or garden designers. The book specifically aims to broaden the picture of women in the world of plants by featuring women of color and individuals from Asia and Latin America. Lavish illustrations and inspirational quotes from the subjects further enhance the text. VERDICT Young women looking for ideas for a career in agriculture or horticulture are offered a number of paths to explore in this title. Those with a passion for plants who wish to see the many faces of women influencing the field will also enjoy.—Margaret Heller, Loyola Univ. Chicago Libs.

Library Journal