The Book
Far Out! The Untold Story of the ‘60s-Inspired
“Back-to-the-Land” Migration that Changed Nova Scotia
“Could you imagine today that thousands of educated young urbanites would drop everything and migrate to the remote hills and valleys of rural Nova Scotia to create a better life? Far Out ! is a timely, candid, and often hilarious story of the idealism, failures, unexpected alliances, and the lasting influence these back-to-the-landers have had on their adopted province.”
- Costas Halavrezos, former CBC Radio host, and author of “Seasoned: Recipes andEssays from The Spiceman"
The 1960’s were marked by radical social change and political conflict. Many young people rejected the politics and values of the day and decided to “drop out” and leave their cities and towns for an alternative life in the country. A diverse group of hippies, draft resisters, home-steaders and seekers were seeking an independent and sustainable life on the land. This unlikely migration took many of them to the hills, valleys, and coasts of Nova Scotia where it’s “far out” location, cheap land and helpful neighbours provided an opportunity to build a good life. Unprepared and lacking important rural living skills, many became discouraged and eventually left. However, a surprising number stayed
and found different ways to adapt and build productive lives in their communities while contributing to the viability and diversity of rural Nova Scotia at a time when it was struggling.
Using the insights and stories gleaned from hours of interviews with those who remained, Far Out! Describes in their words how this unlikely migration of young city kids overcame the challenges of rural living. It tells the story of how an interesting and diverse group of people had
the character, conviction and creativity to build sustainable lives in a place that had defeated many others. It describes how despite their differences they developed valuable relationships with their neighbors and, because of their differences were able to contribute in different and important ways to their new communities. Like most immigrants, they brought with them new energy, values, ideas and practices such as organic gardening, health foods, alternative energy, environmentalism, new arts and crafts and a variety of different businesses. In return, their neighbours shared their rich traditional culture, vital local knowledge and friendship​​
“Since the book’s recent publication, I have been surprisedand gratified by the positive and deeply personal responsesto the book. I have had a number of engaging conversationsand emails recounting peoples back to the land experiencesand those of others we missed. Far Out! seems to havereminded them of a time, place and people that they remembernow with warm nostalgia and renewed appreciation. Forthose who were there, this story both documents and validatesthat time in their lives and reminds us that it’s still possibleto pursue one’s ideals and dreams and make them happen”. (Chris Murphy 2025)
Chris (on the right) interviewing Amish Morell son of Back to the Land parents and Toronto-based arts writer and academic
For today’s generation of would be back to the landers, this unusual migration story of more than half a century ago is both timely and inspirational. For all those who lived through that truly transformative era, it will bring back nostalgic memories of an interesting time and place in their lives