A Real Gem

The Book That Changed My Life

The book Food in England by Dorothy Hartley.

In 2018, while living and reviving a mountain farm in Norway, we were asked to raise 48 orphaned lambs by our neighbor. I agreed first, to learn sheep farming and second, to relieve the pressure off his back for all the other farming he was involved in. His father had taken us aside and told us not to expect too much as many orphaned lambs died (up to 50% on their farm) and it was just part of the deal. We understood but decided to take on the task anyway. We took notes about how our neighbor raised the lambs, how they were set up in the barn, what they were fed, and what solutions were used for any illnesses that popped up. This is not to criticize how they did it before, because they were taught by their parents and their parents, but it just seemed we could improve on how the care was done. We built a program based on how we felt the babies should be raised. We ran into trouble one week with many of the babies developing diarrhea. We called our neighbor and he said that was bad and to call the veterinarian. We called the veterinarian office and they suggested some medicine but they said it would probably just come back after, so it was only a quick fix. Others online suggested things like otc human diarrhea medicine which I tried and it did not work. But in the book Food in England by Dorothy Hartley, there was a full description for how farmers cured the problem in their lambs naturally from the old days. *From the book, the cure for lamb diarrhea was to take natural plain yogurt (with no sugar or flavors), put it in a jar half filled with yogurt and top off with water. Let the jar sit in the sun for a day, then feed that water to the lambs. I did it. In 24 hours all lambs were cured. Only one had a recurrence of the problem, but I repeated the process and he turned out fine in another 24 hours. Success! It got me thinking . . . and when I get thinking, things have a tendency to shift. This is the whole point of creating Acacien Foundation. But more about that later. I wanted to share this overview of this book to encourage you, if you are a farmer, a chef or an enviormentalist, to read this book!

I created a good old fashioned book report summary for you here, but just buy the book.

Discovering Traditional Farming Wisdom in Dorothy Hartley’s Food in England

In the search for sustainable and traditional farming knowledge, few resources are as rich and insightful as Dorothy Hartley’s Food in England. First published in 1954, this classic work is much more than a cookbook or a historical account—it’s a vibrant window into the agricultural and culinary practices of England when traditional farming methods were still alive and well.

Dorothy Hartley

What makes Food in England truly special is its detailed documentation of the foods, farming techniques, and rural lifestyles that shaped English food culture for centuries. Hartley wrote her book during a time when mechanization and industrial agriculture were beginning to change the rural landscape, capturing firsthand accounts and observations of practices that were already fading.

From plowing methods and crop rotations to livestock care and harvesting, the book offers a fascinating look at how farmers worked with the land naturally and sustainably. This makes it an invaluable resource for anyone interested in reviving or learning from traditional farming—especially those committed to sustainable and regenerative agriculture today.

For modern farmers and gardeners looking to reconnect with time-tested techniques, Food in England provides a unique blend of historical context and practical knowledge. Hartley’s vivid descriptions reveal how farming was deeply integrated with seasonal cycles, local ecosystems, and community rhythms—concepts that are central to sustainable land stewardship.

Moreover, the book’s attention to native crops, traditional preservation methods, and the diversity of rural diets offers lessons in biodiversity and resilience. It encourages us to see farming not just as production, but as a holistic relationship between people, plants, animals, and place.

Why Food in England Matters Today

In an era dominated by industrial agriculture and fast food, Dorothy Hartley’s work reminds us of the value found in traditional knowledge; knowledge rooted in respect for the earth and its natural processes. By revisiting these traditional practices, we can uncover sustainable solutions that benefit soil health, support biodiversity, and help build stronger, more resilient farming communities for the future. Thank God for Dorothy Hartley!