First and foremost, 1 thank my father, Dennis Avery, for nurturing my inquisitive nature and encouraging me from an early age to pursue my love of science and the truth. He is the reason 1 have followed this career path and had so much fun in the process. 1 also thank my wife for her unflagging support and patience throughout the writing process, as well as her tough and wonderfully honest opinions as the manuscript progressed. 1 owe Anne and Alice for their editorial advice and administrative support. And finally, for all the wonderful farmers and farm families that 1 have met and gotten to know over the past 12 years, thank you for sharing your lives with me.