During our building scheme, many will remember Michael Richards’ novel ‘Land for a Lost Generation’, which he generously offered as a fundraiser for Emmanuel. Michael has now put pen to paper once more, writing ‘Farming’s Role in the Green Agenda’ — a short, thoughtful book shaped by his many years of hands on experience in agriculture.
Educated at the University of Sussex and Brighton Polytechnic, Michael became a mathematics teacher in the UK and Middle East before purchasing four hundred acres of bare agricultural land in 1991. On that land in East Sussex, he built a mixed farm enterprise from the ground up, which he continues to run today. His deep love of farming and the countryside shines through every page.
In this new book, Michael acknowledges the criticism agriculture often receives, yet he offers a clear and hopeful perspective: farming can be part of the solution to environmental concerns, not merely part of the problem. He writes expressively about the realities of rural life, the pressures facing the sector — political, economic, and environmental — and the practical ways farming can contribute positively to caring for God’s creation. His reflections speak both to farmers and to those of us who simply want to understand the land better.
Michael will again be selling copies for £10 each, with all proceeds kindly offered to Emmanuel.
As a church committed to honouring God through worship, community and stewardship of the earth, Michael’s book invites us to pause and consider our own daily choices — how we shop, how we travel, how we use energy, and how we value the natural world around us. Small, thoughtful actions taken by many can make a meaningful difference.
Thank you to Michael for this generous gift to the church. We hope his book is enjoyed by many and sparks fresh conversations about how we can each play our part in the green agenda.