Wendell Berry, Influential Writer and Advocate for Agrarian Values, Dies at 92

Wendell Berry, a Kentucky farmer and writer known for his advocacy of small family farms and environmental sustainability, passed away on September 1, 2026, at his home in Port Royal, Kentucky. He was 92 years old. His daughter, Mary Berry, confirmed his death. Berry authored over 50 volumes of poetry, novels, and essays that reflected his views on agrarian life and criticized agribusiness and government policies that he believed harmed local communities. In a 1990 interview with Sierra magazine, he stated, "The national economy that is really run for the benefit of a very few people is preying upon and slowly destroying local communities everywhere." Berry's work gained recognition among advocates of agrarian and ecological causes, and he was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama in 2011. Born on August 5, 1934, in Louisville, Kentucky, Berry grew up on a farm and later returned to his roots, purchasing a 125-acre farm where he raised crops and sheep. His influential book, "The Unsettling of America: Culture & Agriculture" (1977), argued for the preservation of small farms against the pressures of industrial agriculture. Throughout his career, he emphasized the importance of sustainable farming practices and the cultural significance of rural life. Berry's legacy includes a wide following among those who share his vision for a more sustainable agricultural future. He is survived by his wife, Tanya, his daughter, Mary, a son, Pryor, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.