A Celebration of the People and Places in the Founding Decade of the Slow Money Movement
Ten years ago, in 2008, Woody published “Inquires into the Nature of Slow Money.” Right around that time I was developed an interest in local food and local economy. I met Woody for my first time in winter of 2010, where he convinced me to come to the Second Slow Money National Gathering at Shelburne Farms in Vermont that June. Coming out of that gathering, I joined the founding Steering Committee of PVGrows—a Slow-Money-inspired group in Western Massachusetts.<br /><br />As a name with our year in it might suggest, “SOIL 2017” is a book about our place in the arc of civilization. It paints a picture of the evolution of the Slow Money movement over the past decade (with an interlude towards the end that even feels like a yearbook). And the book particular significance for me, as I pick up on all the references and have been there for the evolution of the movement.<br /><br />The aesthetic of affection, beauty, small, and local are a common thread through the entire book. Woody begins with a boldly creative and metaphorically-relevant poetic interlude. This is followed by four sections: Whereabouts, Return, Nurture, and Hereabouts. And it concludes with photography from out in the field.<br /><br />Where as “Slow Money” was poetically pragmatic and revolutionary, “SOIL” feels a little more nebulous, humble, and possibly a little less ambitious. Where’s in 2008, Woody was asking “What would the world be like if we invested 50% of our assets within 50 miles of where we live?” to talking with Jeremy Grantham at Bioneers a few years later: “Do you think we can get a million investors to invest 1% of their money in local food systems?” (Jeremy’s answer was no.) At the same time, the Slow Money movement has a lot to be proud for, and this book does a good job documenting and celebrating the people and places that have been part of it all.
Rating: 5 stars