Where Our Food Comes From

Where Our Food Comes From retraces the global seed-collecting journeys of Russian botanist Nikolay Vavilov in the early 20th century. Nabhan travels to the same regions Vavilov explored, examining how local agriculture and crop diversity have changed over the past century. Through visits to Ethiopia, Lebanon, Kazakhstan, and other regions, Nabhan documents the state of traditional farming practices and heirloom crop varieties. He meets with farmers, researchers, and local communities to understand how modernization and climate change impact food security and agricultural biodiversity. The book combines travelogue, scientific research, and cultural history as it follows Vavilov's path through multiple continents. Nabhan's firsthand observations reveal both losses and resilience in global food systems. This work raises critical questions about genetic diversity, food sovereignty, and the future of agriculture in a changing world. The parallel journeys of Vavilov and Nabhan illuminate the vital connection between cultural and biological preservation.

Readers found the book illuminating about crop diversity and food security, though some felt it tried to cover too much ground. Many appreciated Nabhan's first-hand travels following Vavilov's research paths and his exploration of how climate change affects traditional farming regions. Likes: - Clear explanations of complex agricultural concepts - Personal stories from farmers and communities - Historical context about Vavilov's work - Photos and detailed descriptions of regions visited Dislikes: - Writing style can be dry and academic - Too much focus on author's travel logistics - Some sections feel repetitive - Limited practical solutions offered Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (86 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (22 reviews) Notable reader comment: "Fascinating subject matter but the delivery is somewhat plodding. Worth reading for anyone interested in food security and crop diversity, but be prepared for a slower pace." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers noted the book works better as an academic reference than a general interest read.

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🌱 Author Gary Paul Nabhan retraced the steps of botanist Nikolay Vavilov, who traveled to 64 countries collecting crop diversity before dying in Stalin's prison during World War II. 🌾 The book reveals how climate change is threatening ancient crop varieties in places like Ethiopia, where farmers are struggling to grow traditional wheat varieties that have sustained communities for generations. 🍎 During his research travels, Nabhan documented numerous "crop wild relatives" - the ancient, uncultivated ancestors of our modern food plants - which could hold crucial genetic traits for future food security. 🌍 The author visited remote areas like Kazakhstan's wild apple forests, which contain more genetic diversity in apple species than anywhere else on Earth and are considered the origin point of all domestic apples. 🧬 The book highlights how 75% of crop genetic diversity has been lost in the past century, making Vavilov's collected seeds (many still preserved in Russia) increasingly valuable for developing climate-resilient crops.