Shields Publications is the largest and most established of the earthworm book publishers. Founded in 1951 by Earl B. Shields, we currently publish and sell 22 titles of earthworm books. We either own the copyrights or have exclusive publisher agreements for the books we make available. Therefore, we have complete control over our inventory and always have the books listed in stock, thus guaranteeing quick processing of each order. We sell directly to individuals, bookstores and wholesalers.
We are located in beautiful Eagle River in northern Wisconsin. It is a land of exceptional natural beauty. We claim the world’s largest chain of freshwater lakes – 28 connected lakes – and many more unconnected. We are surrounded by national and county forests. Wildlife abounds. Living here really makes a person appreciate the wonder and beauty of God’s creation.
The company has an interesting history. Back in the 1930’s when the Great Depression was exerting tremendous economic pressure on America, Earl B. Shields wrote a book titled Making Money at Home to help those who were looking for additional sources of income. There was one chapter in the book which brought an amazing number of inquires to his desk, the one of "Raising Earthworms".
In 1960 Mr. Robert F. Shields took over the business. During the next almost four decades, he developed, refined and grew Shields Publications to what it is today – the leader in the earthworm book industry. Under his management, in excess of one million books have been distributed. In the 1970’s Robert’s son Patrick Shields and his wife Cheri and their family took over the business and continued to operate it with the same kind of dedication and attention to detail their family previously had.
When Patrick and Cheri decided it was time to retire, the Bolte family, headed up by Lynda Bolte and her daughter and son-in-law, purchased the business and we have thoroughly enjoyed learning the ropes under Pat and Cheri’s excellence guidance. We enjoy our contacts with the many people and firms who deal in earthworms and earthworm products, and we look forward to serving our customers with the same quickness, fairness and integrity that the Shields families have demonstrated for all these past years.
Thank you for visiting with us!
Lynda Bolte
