A Precautionary Tail is a "must read" book. I actually think it should be part of all US schools curriculum.
We are playing with our planets life and our own.
So many big companies with tons of money and powerful lawyers step over small farmers. This is a fantastic book, that tells the story of a successful campaign to ban pesticides. A civilized battle. A fantastic example, with useful suggestions for farming communities on how to get organized to deal with situations like this. It's an optimistic read. It should be on everyone's Christmas stocking.

This was an inspiring story of one little Italian town, known for its tourism and organic, artisanal foods they grew and produced, that banded together to change the way the region farmed food. They eventually banned the use of pesticides, including those used by the big apple producers that were polluting their own village fields as the result. The book is written not only as an account of this town's journey but as a guide for other communities to follow suit. It was very hopeful.

*I received an advance reading copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.*

Completely thought I was going to hate on humanity in this book. And while Big Farm and their political co-horts were blood-boiling, the scrappy underdog was all about positivity. It didn't hurt that they won too, though the author is quick to point out that the fight isn't over, it's just changed. They got their way, but now have to make it thrive and stay vigilant.

Not only did the book have a story full of hope, it also has a step by step how-to replicate what they did. Granted, it's different for every area, but the basics apply everywhere. I fully expected to want to rage-throw my eReader across the room when I started reading, but I didn't. It was like a breath of fresh air every time I picked it up. If you are into sustainability and pro-organic, then THIS is the book for you.

It is what we need in the world right now. Hope, positivity and David concurring Goliath. Highly recommended. 5, hope-filled, stars!

My thanks to NetGalley and Chelsea Green Publishing for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

A Precautionary Tale: How One Small Town Banned Pesticides, Preserved Its Food Heritage, and Inspired a Movement by Philip Ackerman-Leist, foreword by Vandana Shiva is a shocking tale about a little italian South Tirol town called Mals and some citizens like Gunter the first believer in this dream, helped by a new young mayor, and a lady called Annemarie. They created a town pesticide-free and a movement against the use of pesticides. A strong battle, as you will read.

The area where they live in, Val Venosta, in fact is shockingly productive regarding a fruit everyday we all eat on our tables: apples.
Only Val Venosta produces the author tells the 10-12% of all European apples available in a year.
Apple producers wanted to create a cohesive brand giving quality and origin adds the author. The product created in less than 50 years with this expansion. Orchards tells the author are sprayed also 20 times per season.

For this reason and many other ones Mals, this little town started a crusade for staying out from all of it, preserving its food traditions and they do it with success.

At the end of the book useful informations and what to do if also your community lives a situation like the one of Mals.

The book doesn't forget legislative informations regarding the use of pesticides in the USA.


I thank NetGalley for this ebook.

Bottom-line: People of Mals felt that high-altitude would lead to toxicity by air-borne pesticide and mayor endorsed the locals' right to choice that is effectively a ban, which is not recognized as a ban because the people had no right to create it under Federal laws, but the mayor's ordinance stays, so all is good.

A very important topic. A tedious read.

This was a very inspiring and eye-opening text. What Ackerman-Leist describes and recounts is at times both frustrating and encouraging forcing a reader to reevaluate their own positions and habits.