"On Gold Hill is clear-eyed and beautifully written, capturing the sincerity of the local and organic food movement even as it refuses, with good reason, to romanticize it... This is, without question, the best memoir of farm and family I have ever encountered." —Claire Boyles, author of Site Fidelity
Hood River READS 2026
On Gold Hill: A Personal History of Wheat, Farming, and Family, from Punjab to California by Jaclyn Moyer explores the complexities of the immigrant experience, illuminates the ways colonialism and capitalism constrain our food system, and investigates what it means to lose—and to reclaim—one’s heritage.
In 2012, 25-year-old Jaclyn Moyer leased 10 acres of land in Gold Hill, California, and embarked on a career in organic farming. Her interest in growing a rare heirloom variety of wheat called Sonora provided Moyer with a key link to her own background. Tracing the wheat’s origin back to Punjab uncovered a multigenerational story of her family’s history and resilience. In telling her story, Moyer explores the rise of the organic farming movement and uses her personal experience to outline the challenges small growers face. Through scholarship and study, she reveals the history of wheat cultivation and examines the compromises required to meet agricultural supply and demand. And with deep tenderness and care, Moyer describes journeying to India to rediscover and repair the lost connections that define her sense of self and enrich her sense of purpose.
Meet the Author
JACLYN MOYER
Jaclyn Moyer grew up in the Sierra foothills of northern California and now lives in Corvallis. Her essays and journalism have appeared in many publications, including The Atlantic, High Country News, Salon, Guernica, Orion, and Ninth Letter. On Gold Hill: A Personal History of Wheat, Farming, and Family from Punjab to California, was a finalist for the PEN/Fusion Emerging Writers Prize and won the 2025 Oregon Book Award for Creative Nonfiction.
Upcoming Events
Your book and all events are free.
Kick-Off & Book Distribution
10 am – 2 pm – Cascade Locks and Parkdale book distribution
2 pm – Hood River Library program and refreshments
Join us for the Hood River Reads 2026 kick-off celebration! This beloved community initiative returns with On Gold Hill: A Personal History of Wheat, Farming, and Family, from Punjab to California by Jaclyn Moyer.
The kick-off celebration and book distribution begins at 2:00 PM at the Hood River Library, featuring a special program and refreshments.
Free copies of this award-winning book will be available for pickup at the Parkdale and Cascade Locks libraries between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
Saturday, February 14
All Library Branches
Family Farms in Hood River County
Hood River County has a long and fruitful history when it comes to farms and fields. At this panel discussion, local agriculturalists Lisa Perry, The Farmer in Odell; Mike McCarthy, McCarthy Family Farm; Sarah Sullivan, Gorge Grown; and Lesley Tamura, Tamura Orchards, Inc., will share insights and ideas about sustainability, challenges, and best practices.
Saturday, February 21 @ 2 PM
Hood River Library Reading Room
My Journey to Hood River County
Storytelling is a time-honored way to discover the common threads that strengthen our social fabric. At
this event, local residents will describe the steps and circumstances that brought them to Hood River County. Everyone has a story about how they got here. What’s yours?
After the presentation, community members are invited to participate in an open mic session. Please come prepared to limit your remarks to 5 minutes.
Saturday, February 28 @ 2 PM
Hood River Library Meeting Room
Comfort Starr Farms Field Trip
Environmental educator Stan Starr will discuss the farm’s motto in action— Sustainably grown fruits and
vegetables— plant strawberries with participants, and offer tips about growing organic produce.
Limited registration. Sign up coming soon.
Sunday, March 7 @ 11 am -1 pm
Comfort Starr Farms (weather permitting)
Hood River Library Book Club: On Gold Hill
The book group will be held in the library meeting room. You can also join via Zoom.
Wednesday, March 11 @ 12:30 PM
Hood River Library Meeting Room and Zoom
Community Writing Workshop w/ Jaclyn Moyer
Writing a personal narrative will be the focus. Students are welcome!
Limited registration. Sign up coming soon.
Saturday, March 14 @ 1:30-3:30 PM
Hood River Library Meeting Room
Author Presentation
Jaclyn Moyer will discuss her experiences as a farmer, educator, seed keeper, and writer.
Sunday, March 15 @ 2:00 PM
Hood River Library Meeting Room
Thank You to Our Contributors
Many Volunteers!
Waucoma Books
Hood River County Teachers
Weatherly Printing
Middle and High School Artists
Starbucks
Special Thanks To Our Sponsors
Hood River County Library Foundation
Starseed Foundation
Hood River County Education Foundation
Friends of the Hood River County Library
Hood River Valley Leos
Hood River Cultural Trust
Gorge Community Foundation’s
Pat Hazlehurst Endowment Fund
for their continuing support of the Hood River County Reads literacy project
Hood River Reads 2026
Looking Back: Past Hood River Reads Books
19 Years of Reading Together
Hood River County Reads is a county-wide project sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Our goal is to encourage individuals and families to read and discuss books. We choose books and authors that reflect the diversity of our community and that will be shared widely.
We encourage you to read and discuss all the Hood River Reads’ books:
2006: Bat 6 by Virginia Euwer Wolff
2007: Gonzales and Daughter Trucking Company by Maria Amparo Escandon and Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
2008: River Song by Craig Lesley
2009: Stubborn Twig by Lauren Kessler
2010: The Hearts of Horses by Molly Gloss
2012: The Circuit/Cajas de carton by Francisco Jimenez
2013: Ricochet River by Robin Cody and Something to Hold by Katherine Schlick Noe
2014: Ask Me: 100 Essential Poems by William Stafford
2015: Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea and Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan
2016: Martin Marten by Brian Doyle
2017: Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger and Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine
2018: Moreno. Prieto. Brown by Alejandro Jimenez and Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
2019: Temperance Creek by Pamela Royes
2020/2021: The Highest Tide by Jim Lynch
2022: A Fire Story by Brian Fies
2023: rough house by Tina Ontiveros
2024: Beloved Beasts by Michelle Nijhuis
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