‘Harvest Heritage’ trio plans book tour stops in 4 towns

Richard Scheuerman, Alex McGregor and John Clement plan a four-stop tour this week to release their new book, “Harvest Heritage.”

The book tells the story of the remarkable transformation of the rolling hills of the Inland Northwest from sheep and cattle range to become one of the most productive wheat and barley growing regions in the world. It is a story of pioneer settlers, who brought with them seed varieties from their homes across the continent or across the ocean, who worked hard beginning with horse and mule powered equipment and who adapted and persevered.

The book includes stories of dedicated agricultural scientists, particularly wheat and barley breeders, who started with early grain varieties brought haphazardly to the land, and developed varieties that brought improved yields, disease resistance and quality.

McGregor said it includes an account of what his cousin, wheat grower Bill McGregor, recalled as the values pioneers brought west with them. They included dyed-in-the-wool optimism, a wry, self-deprecating sense of humor that helped them overcome adversity, and “a tenacity verging on stubbornness.”

“It is a story of farm families, agricultural scientists and a remarkable land, described in prose and illustrated with striking photographs of a land where so many farm families have put down deep roots,” McGregor noted.

Friday book signings are scheduled from noon to 2:30 p.m. in the LaCrosse Market/Library and 3 to 5:30 p.m. in the Colfax Library. Saturday, the trio will appear from 11 a.m. to noon at the Endicott Food Center and 1 to 3 p.m. at the St. John Museum/Library.

Copies of Harvest Heritage will be on sale for $32.95 plus tax.