Journalist Isaac Eger about cowboys, nature conservation and the Great Florida Vieh Drive

He wrote about it Sarasota Magazine –Now the story of the Great Florida Cattle Drive is a hardcover book.

Journalist, author and former Sarasota Magazine associate EDitor Isaac Egers new book, The large Florida cattle businessTakes the readers on an unexpected trip to Florida's deeply rooted cattle cattle ranch culture. Far away from beaches and themed parks that connect most people with Florida, Eger's experience in the Great Florida Rinder Drive-a 80-mile trip, seven-day trip to horse.

The book inspired by Egers Sarasota Magazine The story of the cattle business, began as a simple photo combination, developed to explore the Cowboy story of Florida, the environmental role of the cattle breeders and the endurance that is necessary to live and work the wild inner prairies of the state.

Eger, a native Sarasota, originally released the ranching of cattle as an environmental threat and grew up with the conviction that the increase in cows was naturally destructive. But as he reported on nature conservation and land use, he came to a different realization: Florida's cattle breeders who were far from being opponents in the environment are often his stewards.

Here Eger discusses his journey from urban journalist to beginner Cowboy, the physical strain on the cattle business and why he believes that someone who calls home is to take a closer look at the country beyond his coast. This processing was processed and compressed for length and clarity.

They grew up in Florida, but have not always seen it as they do now. What has changed?

“I grew up in a coastal city, and how many Floridians I didn't spend much time over the interior of the state. I also grew up vegan, so I saw cattle that ranching saw as a negative thing. Also a refuge for wild animals and a large part of what 'old Florida' intact.

How did you get on the Great Florida Vieh Drive, especially as someone without driving experience?

“I had these dreams of horses and was not sure why. During this time I wrote a profile of a woman named Morroe who became a friend and she told me about the journey. I was fascinated and wanted to learn more, even though I have never been to a horse before a horse. Bring her own horses.

How was a typical day on the cattle business?

“It was exhausting, but in the best way. We drove for hours and championships for more than 10 hours a day and covered in total. You spend most of the time looking at the back of a horse. There is no review of your phone, no distractions-the country, the country, and the people who ride the baseball. I have always loved the cowboy fashion for a week, but I felt less like a fraudster.

“The physical tribute was intense. There were moments when my body was injured so much that I didn't think I could go on. But to be honest more to sit on a computer all day. And the compromise was worth the landscapes.

How was this experience in a book?

“After I wrote about the cattle drive for Sarasota magazineA man named Richard Bluedow, a retired businessman, extended his hand. He also took part in the journey and bought photos of it. He wanted to bring them into a book and asked the organizers who could possibly help. Someone brought him in contact with me and we worked together. Originally he imagined an uncomplicated photo book, but I urged something bigger – a book that tells the whole story of Florida's cattle heritage, the people who are alive and what it was like to actually live for a week. He completely trusted me what was great and financed the whole project. “

Who should believe this book?

“Anyone who wants to understand the real Florida who wants to understand Florida beyond themed parks and condos on the beach. The state is enormous, and the interior – where the cattle industry has been thriving for centuries – is just as part of his identity as the coasts. The problem is that a lot of Florida's history of waves of waves of new developmenters recognize and transplanted that do not move.

“This book is for anyone who wants to know where you actually live. If you have a driver's license or a license plate in Florida, it is important to understand what this state really is. If you have only come here for tax advantages, you can least learn from the place where you benefit.”

What surprised you most about Florida's Cowboy story?

“The fact that Florida had in front of Texas Cowboys. The first cattle in North America came here with the Spaniards in the 15th century, and Florida Cowboys, who were known as” Crackers “because of the sound of their whips, free coughs in front of the American west. Free cows and drive over the state to keep them in motion.”

In your opinion, why is it important that people take care of the preservation of the ranchland in Florida?

“Because they are gone, they are gone. Every day, about 1,000 people move up to Florida and developers faster than it can be protected. The ranchers are some of the only people standing between Florida's natural landscapes and more shopping centers. These people are working hard to maintain this country, and when we lose it. Let your country disappear, how will we feed people?”

What's next for you?

“This is my first book, but I am working on a new project – a series about how Florida is an insight into the future of America. The past five years have been intense here, and I think what happens in Florida is a preview of what comes for the rest of the country.

Any last lessons that you have made from this experience?

“That you are not much happy to be happy. You really don't have it. Life on the cattle was easy – just a horse, the country and a sense of purpose. I think we over complicate things, but when you pull everything off, the bare essentials are pretty clear.”