HASTINGS, Mich. – There’s one western Michigan farmer who’s on a mission to bridge the gap between young consumers and life on the farm, and she’s getting that message across in the form of children’s books.

Kathryn Christie, a fifth-generation farmer on the Endley’s Charolais Farms in Hastings, published her debut book, a rhyming children’s story called The Hibernating Combine. She describes it as a behind-the-scenes look at what farmers do after the harvest and how they take care of their equipment. The story follows a farmer and a child, finishing the harvest and putting the combine to bed.

“Many kids, even those who live in a rural community, see the combines but don’t actually know what happens once that harvest is done. What do farmers do when they’re not in the field?” she said. “There’s so much more to agriculture than just food. I think it’s important for people to know where their food comes from but also the care that the farmers have for their equipment and the land and for the people they’re feeding.”

The characters in the book are her father and son, and the illustrations feature parts of their 2,000-acre farm, including their Charolais cattle, a family legacy.

She started the process of writing this book four years ago. Her second book, Away in the Manger, Christmas on the Farm, was just released.

“Last year I was listening to Christmas carols, and I recalled that we’d take care of the farm and our animals even on holidays,” she said. “We’d go out and do the farm chores even before we began our Christmas day. And in talking with kids, it’s something they never realized.”

Christie has eight books in the planning stage.

“My next book will likely be about maple syrup,” she said.

Her works fall under her banner of An Earful of Agriculture.

“An Ear Full of Agriculture began in 2020 as my pageant platform when I was crowned Pure International Miss Michigan State,” she said. “I love puns, so I came up with An Ear Full of Agriculture and the logo of an ear of corn with a little crown on it.”

During her year-long reign, she read agriculture-accurate books to more than 500 youth, fostering a deeper understanding of farming and its importance. At the National Pageant, she continued to promote and educate about agriculture on a larger scale.

Today, Ear Full of Agriculture focuses on youth education and digital content. Christie does programs in schools, libraries, public events and for homeschool groups.

“Connecting children to the joys of agriculture has been at the heart of my volunteer work,” she said. “I’ve served in leadership roles with organizations like Barry County Farm Bureau, Hastings FFA and Barry County 4-H, coordinating events and fostering meaningful experiences that bring farming to life for young minds. My main thrust here is working with the students, working with kids from pre-school to high school. I meet with kids in libraries, community events, public schools and even home schoolers. There are three high school level FFA chapters in my county and I’m highly active with all of them, through mentorship, coaching.

“Even though we live in a rural county, our kids don’t have an agricultural connection. Here in Barry County, there is more cattle than people. The majority of those I give talks to don’t live on the farm.”

Agriculture is at the root of this author’s life. She was a member of 4-H and joined FFA in middle school, as well as the Hastings High School FFA, the oldest FFA chapter in the state.

She was raised on her family’s 2,000-acre farm in Hastings, where they grew corn, wheat and soybeans. They also raised dairy heifers and registered Charolais cattle.

“In 1955, my great grandpa and my great-great grandpa brought the first Charolais to Michigan,” she said. “We are the oldest Charolais farm east of the Mississippi, so the Charolais cattle are our ancestry. It’s near and dear to my heart, they’re very special. There are Charlois in every illustration in my book. Our family history and legacy is woven throughout my books.”

When she’s not busy advocating for agriculture or working on her next book, you can find her juggling the roles of mom, wife and farmer. She also finds time for crafting, traveling, spreadsheets and finding new ways to connect with people.

“It’s been an incredibly long journey but it’s been a labor of love,” she said. “I believed in my story and that’s how I began my publishing journey. I never dreamed about being an author.”

Her website is www.anearfullofagriculture@gmail.com and her books are available exclusively on the site and packaged from the farm.

She shares life on her farm with her husband, Austin, and her son, Lucas.