Organic farmer and author finds his way to The Bookstore on April 15

Warwick - As Spring approaches and thoughts of gardening return, The Bookstore welcomes author and organic farmer Keith Stewart to Warwick in celebration of his new book, “It’s a Long Road to a Tomato,” on Saturday, April 15, between noon and 2 p.m. Twenty years ago, just beyond his 40th birthday, Stewart exchanged life in New York’s corporate grind for a farm in Orange County, where he and a small crew of seasonal workers grow about 100 organic vegetables and herbs. What started as a yearning — “to live on a piece of land, closer to nature; to work outside with my body as well as my brain; to leave behind the world of briefcases, computers, corporate clients, and non-opening windows” —has become a life “more full, more varied” and often “more demanding and exhausting, but always more real.” Stewart sells everything he grows directly to consumers and restaurateurs, and in doing so has developed loyal and growing ranks devoted to his Rocambole garlic, herbs, heirloom tomatoes and other organic produce. Now, in “It’s a Long Road to a Tomato,” Stewart presents essays that address his mid-life development as a farmer; some of the nuts and bolts and how-to’s of organic vegetable growing and selling in an urban market; humorous and philosophical stories about domestic and wild farm animals and the natural world; and some of the political, social and environmental issues surrounding agriculture today. “It’s a Long Road to a Tomato” also features over 40 original woodcut illustrations by artist Flavia Bacarella. The Bookstore is located at 20 Main St. in downtown Warwick and can be contacted at 845-986-8880.