Simon Fairlie has been an agricultural labourer, a vinesman, a shepherd, a stonemason, a dairyman, a cheesemaker and an importer of scythes. He has written, campaigned and organised throughout his life. He is the founding editor of The Land magazine and Patrick Barkham describes him as ‘The most influential eco-activist you might not have heard of’. BBC Radio 4 Food Programme presenter Sheila Dillon rated his memoir Going to Seed as her Book of the Year in 2022.