Country Magazine Review

Growing up on a farm in rural Pennsylvania, it seemed to me as a kid, that the only magazines we had were about life on the farm.  Although the family farm is under increasing pressure to fold from over-development of land, corporate agribusiness and ever-skyrocketing costs, with every issue of Country magazine, my faith in the future of America and its family farms is strengthened.

Every page is literally covered with beautiful photographs, both of scenic, panoramic vistas as well as captured timeless moments of children and animals enjoying the wonder of their worlds.  The stories are always well written, but what is so special is that the pictures and stories are mainly written by Country's subscribers; those who live in or long for the country, just as the magazine's sub-title says.  Reading this magazine, one is left with a better understanding of the hard work, commitment and pure love of the land that goes into running a family farm. 

Not everything is serious, though.  Some of the fun features of the magazine are the "Find the Needle" contest.  In each magazine, a hand-drawn needle is hidden somewhere in the magazine.  Readers who find the page that the needle is on can either enter a drawing by mail or on the magazine's web site to win a monthly prize.  Another fun feature is "My Most Embarrassing Moment," in which readers share something embarrassing that has happened to them in their adventures in country living.  Also enjoyed is the "Can You Help Me" section, which allows readers to ask other readers for information regarding a longed for childhood recipe, missing lyrics to a song, sewing patterns, identification of antiques, or literally any other thing one could think of. 

Being a good Pennsylvania Dutch cook like my mother, I really enjoy the recipe section.  Unlike most magazines, though, the recipes are not written into the body of the page.  They are actually clipable recipe-card size, which makes them extremely handy and easy to use. 

One final note, although the magazine's web site could be better designed, most of the articles are available there, as well as the featured recipes and all of the contests.  For any accepted contributions to the magazine, a prize is given, but for longer articles, the publishers also indicate that the writer or photographer is paid.