What a Farmer Wants You to Know About Food 

In a world flooded with food trends, wellness influencers, and conflicting advice, it’s easy to forget one simple truth: the people who grow our food have something worth listening to.

Dennis Bulani, a fourth-generation farmer, wrote What a Farmer Wants You to Know About Food not because he wanted to jump into the nutrition debate, but because he had to. It started at a conference where a self-proclaimed expert was confidently sharing misinformation about agriculture—unchecked, unchallenged, and entirely disconnected from the reality of farming.

“As a farmer, I’ve always had to answer tough questions,” Dennis said. “But I didn’t always have the science at my fingertips.” That day, frustrated by what he heard and driven by the need to speak up for farmers everywhere, Dennis did what most wouldn’t: he wrote the speaker a 45-page rebuttal filled with scientific studies and references. A friend looked at that document and said, “You’ve basically written a book already.” That moment became the seed for what would grow into this deeply informed and passionate book.

Why This Book Matters

Farmers make up just 2 percent of the population, yet they’re responsible for 100 percent of the food on our plates. That disconnect is what Dennis wants to address. He believes strongly that if more people heard directly from farmers, they’d not only be better informed, but more confident in the food system itself.

“Our food system is in relatively good hands,” he said, “because farmers are the keeper of the gate.”

His book offers an honest, fact-based look at agriculture today—cutting through fear, misinformation, and marketing buzzwords. It’s a tool for farmers, a conversation starter for skeptics, and a lifeline for consumers who just want clarity in a confusing food landscape.

Busting One of the Biggest Myths in Food

If there’s one myth Dennis would love to see disappear, it’s the idea that organic food is always healthier or safer.

“There’s a strong belief that there are no pesticide residues on organic food, and that’s just not true,” he explains. “Organic farmers use different pesticides than conventional farmers—and they’re all dangerous if consumed the wrong way.”

In reality, research shows that the type of food matters more than the label. “There’s no definitive evidence that organic food is nutritionally superior. The higher cost usually reflects lower yields and more labor—not better safety or nutrition.”

His takeaway? Focus on eating more fruits and vegetables—organic or not.

What Consumers Don’t See

One of the most surprising insights in the book centers around soil. Not a trendy topic, but possibly the most important.

“The top six inches of healthy, fertile soil is what keeps man alive,” Dennis said. And we’ve already lost a lot of it—especially during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s when poor farming practices led to the loss of nearly half our topsoil in North America.

Today’s farmers, Dennis included, use modern tools and techniques—like crop rotation, minimal tillage, and precision application—to protect and regenerate this precious resource. “If we lost the ability to use science-based tools like pesticides and crop protection products, it would be a serious threat to our soil and food supply.”

How to Talk About Food (Without Starting a Fight)

What sets Dennis apart isn’t just his knowledge—it’s his approach. He doesn’t aim to “win” debates. He listens.

“I’ve gotten better at having the facts to back up what I’ve always known to be true. So now, when I talk to people who are skeptical about modern agriculture, I focus on listening to their concerns first and then calmly share my perspective.”

That humility and respect shine throughout the book, making it approachable even for those who may come in with doubts. “Most people I talk to are open,” he adds. “They just haven’t had a chance to hear directly from a farmer.”

If You Could Spend One Hour on a Farm…

Dennis says he’d take you straight to a field, hand you a shovel, and ask you to dig.

“You’d see what healthy topsoil looks like. You’d understand how four generations have taken care of this land, and how important science is in preserving it for the next generation.”

It’s a simple moment—but a powerful one. It’s the kind of moment that connects people to the ground beneath their food, and to the farmers who dedicate their lives to growing it.What a Farmer Wants You to Know About Food isn’t just a book. It’s a bridge—from farm to table, and from myth to truth.

If you’ve ever had questions about how your food is grown—or if you just want to hear directly from someone who lives it every day—this book is for you.