HPL
Lindsay H. Metcalf grew up on a Kansas farm, flew the coop for a career in the city, and migrated home to write downwind of the neighborhood cattle. The award-winning author of nonfiction picture books will give two presentations in the Schmidt Community Commons at the Hays Public Library on Oct. 15.
For the youngest readers, Metcalf will present a Storytime at 10 a.m., that will focus on agricultural literacy, sharing examples of grains commonly grown in Kansas and explaining how they are planted and harvested. She will give the audience a pictorial tour of her family's traditional farm near Concordia, and as a special bonus, she'll read from an exclusive sneak-peek at her forthcoming 2024 picture book, Outdoor Farm, Indoor Farm, which compares rural, outdoor farms with indoor vertical farms found in cities.
At noon, kids and adults will have the opportunity to Touch a Tractor! Carrico Implement will park tractors in front of the library, giving the whole family the chance to touch, explore, ask questions, and climb inside. A free hotdog lunch will be provided.
Metcalf will return at 1 p.m. to discuss her book Farmers Unite! In the late 1970s, grain prices had tanked, farm auction notices filled newspapers, and people had forgotten that food didn't grow in grocery stores. So, on Feb. 5, 1979, thousands of tractors from all parts of the US flooded Washington, D.C., in protest. Metcalf’s book relays this rarely told story of grassroots perseverance and economic justice.
The day’s activities are made possible through a donation from the Schmidt Foundation.