Local author Laurie Crawford showcased her book, “Hope on the Farm” Thursday at the Millard Oakley Public Library.
Crawford said her experiences with her grandmother inspired the book. Crawford said her grandmother taught her many lessons while raising her on her family farm.
“Having the opportunity to have my own granddaughter spend time on a farm here in Tennessee,” Crawford said. “It just seemed to all come full circle, and I just wanted to put that down and share it with others.”
Crawford said the book teaches children the importance of farm life values and forming close ties with family. Crawford said the book contains agricultural facts localized to Tennessee on each page, helping children understand the necessity of agriculture.
“It’s really important for the children,” Crawford said. “To help them understand where their food comes from.”
Crawford said the writing process lasted half a year. Crawford said she works part time and has a full operating farm, so finding time to complete the book was a struggle. Crawford said the publishing process involved mass printing and collaborating with an artist. Crawford said each step took a month.
“It wasn’t always something that just was available for me to focus on 100 percent,” Crawford said. “Other things like vaccinating the cows or doing the hay or working in the garden, so.”
As a retired elementary teacher, Crawford developed a deeper appreciation for books through sharing them with the students she taught. She taught English and reading.
Crawford said she aimed to create a product that could give other children the experience she shared with the children she taught.
“Hopefully having somebody having an adventure reading my story, as well,” Crawford said.