Playing in the Dirt

Playing in the Dirt gathers writing, interviews, and art from queer farmers, growers, and land stewards in the midwest region of the United States. Building on the experiences of more than one hundred queer midwestern farmers, this volume invites readers to explore queer joy, more-than-human relationships, and liberatory futures. Printed in full-color with palettes inspired by midwest gardens, each piece in this collection celebrates the vibrancy and playfulness of queer growers’ lives. Immerse yourself in poems, photographs, essays, collages, and more that capture what it means to be a queer midwestern grower.

This book is offered on a sliding scale, and all profits will be put toward printing additional copies and contributing to mutual aid for queer midwest farmers. For more details about sliding scale tiers, please read below. 

Please email clare@combospress.com if you live outside of the US and would like to arrange shipping for a copy.

Editors: Taylor Hartson, Patricia Mathu, Safiya Buchanan-Kennedy, darien hunter golston, and Sandelis S. 

Year: 2024
Pages: 92
Dimensions: 6.5x8.25 in.
Cover: Softcover, coil bound
Language: English

1st printing of 500

Sliding Scale Details
This book is offered on a sliding scale, with the goal of no one turned away for lack of funds. If cost is a barrier for you, please email clare@combospress.com. We estimate the full cost of a book to be $28, but invite you to select the price point at which you are able to give. We invite you to read through these guidelines on how to choose a sliding scale tier that’s right for your needs.

Proceeds go towards a second printing and to mutual aid funds for queer midwestern growers. Mutual aid is a strategy to help us care for each others’ needs while also building solidarity and support to change the world. By directing funds from this book to mutual aid funds, we can directly support and care for our queer midwest farming family. For more on the magic of mutual aid, watch this short video and pick up a copy of Dean Spade’s Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During this Crisis (and the Next).

Thank you for supporting queer midwest farm joy!

$14.00 - Supported rate (50% cost)
$21.00 - Supported rate (75% cost)
$28.00 - Full price
$42.00 - Full price + 50% to cover a supported rate
$100.00 - Full price + above and beyond support for queer midwestern growers!