Like many of the families in this book, Rex Sly follows in the footsteps of his ancestors who were also farmers in the Fens. The land was reclaimed by forebears, giving this unique bond between 'soil and soul' - each generation wishing to leave their soils as a sustainable inheritance to the next.


The variety of crops which are grown has changed little over the years, but the traditional farms have been largely replaced by high-tech agro-businesses supplying supermarkets and international corporations. However, not all farms in the fens are large, and the richness of the soil still enables the small grower to survive in a niche marketplace. Rex Sly charts the changes and development of this fascinating region, from land reclamation, small-holdings and horses to aerial spraying and multi-national workforces. Full of history, anecdotes and characters coupled with fantastic illustrations new and old, Soil in their Souls is a must-have for those who live and work in the Fens, historians and visitors alike.