Essays & Film

Wendell Berry’s Baptist naturalism: The Poet-Farmer of Kentucky debates environmentalist Edward Abbey

Berry, a farmer, essayist, cultural critic, agrarian, activist, and poet, died yesterday. He was 92.

Sep 1 • Keely Covello

Cowboy Boots in the Rose Garden

Behind the scenes at the White House dinner for farmers & ranchers, the USDA "big beautiful breakfast," and more as America kicks off its 250th birthday…

Jul 1 • Keely Covello

There Will Never Be Another Gus McCrae

“The English have Shakespeare, the French have Molière, the Russians have Chekhov, the Argentines have Borges, but the Western is ours.”

Feb 20 • Keely Covello

FILM: Why Audubon partners with ranchers to protect grassland birds

In 2021 I directed a short film on the historic conservation group’s ranching partnership program.

Jan 9 • Keely Covello

UNWON 2025: Year in Review

Thank you for being part of my first full year on Substack.

Jan 7 • Keely Covello

THE FREEMAN: Thanksgiving & the State of the Harvest

Keely Covello writes for “The Freeman” on America’s agricultural holiday and the land.

Nov 28, 2025

Family calls for justice in unsolved murder of Humboldt County rancher; names suspected killer

Dick Drewry's murder was the subject of "High Country Murder," a 2024 short documentary from UNWON.

May 30, 2025 • Keely Covello

A Theology of Tending Animals

On the spiritual discipline of managing livestock.

Apr 17, 2025 • Keely Covello

NATIONAL AG DAY: Trailer for "You Just Can't See Them From the Road"

Coming soon: "You Just Can't See Them From the Road" is a film about the vanishing ranches of the American West, by Keely Brazil Covello and Michaela…

Mar 18, 2025

2:36

The Monster in Melides

Stopping for lunch in small town Portugal.

Feb 20, 2025 • Keely Covello

Cold Weather Calving

Bringing life into this world at 40 degrees below zero.

Feb 10, 2025 • Keely Covello

President Trump: The American West Needs Your Attention

As Trump takes office again, a look ahead at our generation's fight for the unwon American West.

Jan 21, 2025 • Keely Covello

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