I just listened to a CD, produced by TOFGA, on
which Gary Zimmer gave the best overview of soil treatment for better crops that
I've ever heard. He covered all the steps and related them to each other:
Soil tests, mineral correction for the crops you want to grow, fertilization to
replace nutrients you remove with crops, the role of humus and soil
biology. Good stuff! His book is The Biological
Farmer.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2007 11:05
PM
Subject: [Livingontheland] Building Soils
for Better Crops
Building Soils for Better Crops http://www.uvm.edu/~nesare/news_BSBC.html
By
taking advantage of the strengths built into natural systems,
farmers, ranchers and gardeners can improve their soil fertility, boost
their production, reduce pest problems, and minimize their use of
pesticides. But it isn't always obvious how to achieve these results, and,
to help clear things up, the Sustainable Agriculture Network is proud to
offer a new, expanded edition of Fred Magdoff and Harold van Es's Building
Soils for Better Crops.
With practical information presented in an
engaging, easy-to-read style, Building Soils for Better Crops lays out how
to treat soil to produce healthy crops. It makes a convincing argument that
enhancing soil health is the key to reducing use of pesticides as well as
water pollution from agricultural nutrients and soil sediments. The book
talks about managing soil tilth, using appropriate tillage, and nutrient
management. There are also chapters on using animal manures, making and
using composts, cover crops, how to develop better rotations, methods to
avoid and decrease soil compaction, reduced tillage, and techniques for
reducing erosion.John Hart, a soil fertility specialist at Oregon State
University, writes that he is "excited to find in print the practical
approaches I attempt to use in my extension program"; Fred Kirschenmann, a
grain and livestock farmer, says, "This is the most practical guide I have
read about how whole soil systems work. Written in clear, illustrative
language, it makes the world of soils accessible to farmers and beginning
students as well as soil science professionals."The book is specifically
directed to the needs of farmers, gardeners, students, and agriculture
professionals who work with farmers, and the emphasis is on offering clear
and practical information that will lead to an understanding of soil
dynamics. Ray R. Weil, professor of soil science at the University of
Maryland and the co-author of The Nature and Properties of Soils, says, "I
would recommend this book to people who enjoy getting their hands dirty and
want to know how to build better soil."
Building Soils for Better Crops
runs 240 pages and is available for $19.95. Add $5.95 for first book plus
$2 for each additional book shipped within the U.S.A. Please allow 3-4
weeks for delivery.
Sustainable Agriculture Publications PO Box
753 Waldorf, MD 20604-0753 Telephone: (301) 374-9696 Fax: (301)
843-0159 Email: sanpubs@sare.org
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