In this newly revised edition of the widely praised original published in 1989, author Lyle Dick revisits the Abernethy district of Saskatchewan and his microhistorical analysis of the development of this prairie community.

Between 1882 and 1920, settlers from Ontario established social and economic structures at Abernethy, Saskatchewan. By virtue of hard work, perseverance, and the critical advantage of having arrived first, they transformed the Pheasant Plains into a prosperous farming community. Using extensive qualitative and quantitative sources, Farmers “Making Good” traces the area’s political and economic development, daily life, and social structure and places its history within the larger context of prairie agricultural settlement.

Praise for the first edition…

"Dick is so well versed in the literature of prairie agriculture that it soon becomes obvious that what he has written is an important community study."
-- Joe Cherwinski, Canadian Book Review Annual

"In many ways, this is an admirable study of economic activity, social relationships, and political developments in one small location over a limited timespan.... Lyle Dick's work of historical reconstruction deserves the attention of all social and economic historians of the Canadian prairies."
-- David Collins, British Journal of Canadian Studies

"The book is a worthy addition to agricultural historiography."
-- David C. Jones, Canadian Historical Review