River Valley Commons in partnership with UW-Madison Division of Extension are pleased to announce the Morrill Lecture featuring Michael Perry discussing his new novella, Forty Acres Deep. This intimate and interactive event will take place on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at the Octagon Barn, E4350 Horseshoe Rd, Spring Green, WI. The event is free and open to the public and will start at 6:30 pm. Light refreshments will be provided following the program.

Michael Perry’s new novella is a departure from his previous works of fiction. Set in a world of stark wintry beauty, Forty Acres Deep is the brief, unrelenting tale of one person's attempt to make sense of a world he no longer recognizes while pitilessly calling himself into account. Seamed with grim humor and earthy revelations, it is an unforgiving story...and yet leaves open the idea that we might surrender to hope. Michael will talk about his inspiration for the novella and his decision to self-publish it.

The evening will include a panel of farmers responding Forty Acres Deep and sharing their experiences about what it means to farm today. The panel will be moderated by Joy Kirkpatrick, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension and Center for Dairy Profitability’s Farm Succession Outreach Specialist.