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Tractor Beam: A Hopeful Future Almanac

Tractor Beam is not just another almanac; it's a visionary literary platform that seeks to redefine how we understand and engage with the world around us. Launching on March 20, 2025, it adopts a radical approach to traditional farming resources, inspired by the emergent Soilpunk movement. This vibrant publication promises to plant bold ideas that will inspire readers to imagine and cultivate a thriving planet.

For centuries, farmers have relied on almanacs to navigate changing seasons, providing them with guidance and inspiration as they plan for the future. However, Tractor Beam takes this tradition a step further, blending earth sciences, regenerative practices, and innovative storytelling. Each quarterly issue will capture the essence of the seasons, symbolizing the principles of renewal, growth, and transformation that are vital to life's natural cycles.

"Ideas can take root in the most unexpected places," explains Duke Stump, Chief Brand Officer at Tractor Beverage Company, which has backed the initiative. "This is an invitation for people to imagine the possibilities that lie ahead, instead of merely predicting the future. We want to see what sprouts when curious minds and hopeful hearts unite."

As an extension of the efforts by Tractor Beverage Company—known for being the only USDA Organic Certified beverage supplier for food service—Tractor Beam reinforces a commitment to building a sustainable food system and a prosperous future. Its establishment also marks an opportunity to engage a community of storytellers aiming to explore the intersection of innovation and nature.

Each issue will include captivating stories that dive into themes of hope and regeneration, urging readers to rethink their relationship with the environment. The inaugural issue, titled "Generation," will explore how new futures can emerge from the amalgamation of tradition and innovation. According to Lana Porter, co-founder and Editor-In-Chief, "Tractor Beam is a celebration of the life-giving power of soil, a force that nurtures us, feeds us, and fuels our imagination. Our belief is simple: fiction shapes our future, and through storytelling, we have the potential to cultivate ideas that inspire real change."

Claire Gustavson, also Editor-In-Chief, emphasizes that the platform aims to nurture a community where hope leads the charge for innovation, redefining the boundaries of possibility. Every story presented will be accompanied by insightful annotations tying the literary concepts back to scientific realities, thereby fostering a connection between imaginative vision and actionable change.

To kick off its mission, Tractor Beam hosted a Soilpunk Open Call, welcoming narratives that challenge conventional views and offer inspiring outcomes for the future. Esteemed judges like LinYee Yuan of MOLD and Joycelyn Longdon of Climate in Colour assessed submissions to find the crystalized vision of visionary storytelling.

Among the winners, Gunnar de Winter was recognized for his narrative, "Desert Beetle Song," described by Judge Longdon as an "incredibly powerful story... wholly transportive, organic, and engaging." Other notable submissions included Chisom Umeh's "Ancestor's Gift" and Christopher Muscato's "Hush Up and Eat Your Dirt, Child," both of which celebrated themes of legacy and the vital role of soil in sustainability.

With the launch date on the horizon, Tractor Beam is already inviting writers to contribute for upcoming issues. Submissions for the Summer 2025 issue are currently open until May 15, 2025, encouraging a broader participation in this unique fusion of literature and environmental awareness.

Tractor Beam beckons us to consider: What if the roots of our greatest hopes lie not in celestial realms but in the soil beneath our feet? The goal of this quarterly publication is clear: to ignite a dialogue about the future of farming, food, and living in harmony with nature.

To learn more or to contribute, visit tract beam.earth. Join this exciting journey, where imagination meets practicality to cultivate a more sustainable future.