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Subject: Market Farming

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  • From: Marcie Rosenzweig <fullcircle AT jps.net>
  • To: market-farming post <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: Farming book recommendations
  • Date: Thu, 2 Mar 2000 16:20:21 -0800


Here's the compendium of the recommendations I received in response to my
requests for your most valued farming books. There is also a section on
periodicals.

I'll have the "list experts" faq in a couple of days.

I want to personally thank all of you who contributed to this mini-faq.
Special thanks to Aaron Silverman, Michaele Blakely, Alex McGregor, and Lee
Lawton.

Marcie

Farm Planning and Management


"Backyard Market Gardening, The Entrepreneur's Guide To Selling What You
Sow," Andy Lee, Good Earth Publications, 320 pages, 1993, 5th printing.
email: goodearth AT rockbridge.net
A complete why-to and how-to of small-scale market farming (AL)


"Holistic Resource Management," Allan Savory,
In depth modelling of system thought, planning, design. Also available is a
workbook version (AS)


"Market Farm Forms: Spreadsheet Templates for Planning and Tracking
Information on Diversified Market Farms" Marcie A. Rosenzweig, 1999
100pgs plus diskette
Developed to help with their planning, planting and income
diversification, Market Farm Forms follows the flow of information through
the farm from whole farm planning to calculating transplants needed, soil
amendments needed, pricing from budget, how much to plant for a CSA,
invoicing restaurants, and yield projections. The book explains how to
enter your farm's information into the templates, and what the calculated
data tells you. Diskette works seamlessly with Excel (tm,) and is
available for PC or Mac. Computerless farmers can use the printed forms
with a pencil and calculator. Comb bound (MR)
Order from Full Circle Organic Farm, 3377 Early Times Lane, Auburn, CA
95603 fullcircle AT jps.net $45 plus $5 s&h, CA residents pay $3.26 state
tax. spcify PC or Mac

"The New Organic Grower A Master's Manual of Tools and Techniques for
the Home and Market Gardener" Eliot Coleman, Chelsea Green
Great general guide for the principles of intensive crop management. Advice
and techniques should be tempered with common sense when used!! (AS)
(Mentioned as indispensible by four people who responded. (MR))


"Rebirth of the Small Family Farm," Bob and Bonnie Gregson,
is a "handbook for starting a successful organic farm based on the
community supported agriculture concept"....about how two middle-aged
relatively novice farmers make a decent living from two acres of land.
Books are available directly from us for $9.95, including postage.
Address: IMF, Box 2542, Vashon Island, WA 98070 (BBG)


"The Small Commercial Garden," by Dan Haakenson.
Accompanying video available. Successful small market gardener with less
than 1/4 acre in production. Detailed information from his own records on
designing the garden to grow for sale, marketing, commercial design of
necessary structures, planning, growing, harvesting & intensive advice on
basic crops that are the mainstay of any good market garden-no unusual
crops. Accompanying video is well worth the extra price as he shows how
to do his unusual cloches, cold frames, & trellising. Highly recommended
for small market growers. (LP)


"Small Operator's Handbook," Bernard Kamoroff, common/Barnes&Noble.
General about starting & running a small business. Worksheets & resources (AS)


"Successful Small-Scale Farming, An Organic Approach," Karl Schwenke,
Storey Publishing
If you're interested in making a full or part-time living with your land,
this book strips the romance & exposes the harsh realities & real potential
for succeeding. It goes beyond just growing crops to show everything you
need to know, including which direction to begin plowing your fields,
machinery you might not need, how to pull up old fence posts, and other
info you missed from your farming grandparents! Basic, concise, relevant-a
virtual encyclopedia on farming in paperback. (LP)


"Sustainable Vegetable Production from Start-up to Market" by Vern Grubingers
Vern covers equipment thoroughly, as well farm planning and business
management and has a great section on growers profiles of 18 crops,
including their enterprise budgets. A great overview for those starting
out or those looking for different angles.



Soils and Fertility Management

"Fertile Soil" by Robert Parnes
A wonderful primer on soil fertility. This book has quite a price tag, $40
when purchased 5 years ago, but worth every penny. Discussions on the role
of humus, biological activity, and formulating fertility programs.
Priceless charts on nutrient contents of loads of fertilizers/manures/etc.
(AS) My favorite soil book(MR)



"Know Your Soil," Amigo Cantisano, Peaceful Valley Farm Supply
This pamphlet accompanies soil test data when samples are sent through
Peaceful Valley Farm Supply of Grass Valley, CA (MR)


"Feed The Soil," Edwin McLeod,
(A definitive reference on cover crops) (MR)


"The Soul of Soil A Guide to Ecological Soil Management" by Grace Gershuny
& Joseph Smillie
Recommended by Michaele Blakely, Lee Lawton, Marcie Rosenzweig


"Start with the Soil" by Grace Gershuny

The above books were my springboards to successful farming. I don't use
them very often now; they have become the references I use to seek out
answers I might be needing in a new situation. Michaele Blakely


"The Albrecht Papers," William A. Albrecht, Ph.D., Acres USA –
Albrecht spent his life researching soils and plant & animal nutrition.
These volumes contain all his writings. Some are repetitious, but overall
an education. His method is used by Kinsey and others.


"Hands-On Agronomy," Neal Kinsey, Acres USA –
Kinsey is a consultant and this book sums up his knowledge of soil minerals
and fertility.


"The Nature and Properties of Soils," Nyle C. Brady, MacMillan
The classic textbook for undergraduate soil science, packed with
information about soils.


"Building Soils for Better Crops: Organic Matter Management," Fred Magdoff,
University of Nebraska Press –
2/3 of book written in layman's terms, 1/3 in scientific. Great for
understanding organic matter. The University of Nebraska Press, 312 N 14th
Street, Box 880484, Lincoln, NE 68588-0484, 800-755-1105, 402-472-6214 Fax

The above is an annotated list of some soil books I recommend for my
classes and workshops: Alex McGregor


Managing Cover Crops Profitably, SARE, $19: 187 S. Winooski Ave Burlington,
Vt. 05401.
Broad & detailed description of cover crops & uses (AS)


"The Rodale Guide to Composting,"Jerry Minnich & Marjorie Hunt, Rodale Press
This is IT for composting(MR)


"Soil and Health," Sir Albert Howard.
Seminal work on the underpinings of organic agricultural thought.(AS)


Seeds - Saving and Starting

"The New Seed Starters Handbook" Nancy Bubel,
Everything you ever needed to know about seed starting, with sections on
saving your own seed, seed exchanges plus information on how to grow
specific garden vegetables, wildflowers and trees from seed. I lug this
book around this time of year as I plan.()Good overview of the topic.(AS)


"Saving Seeds," Marc Rogers, Storey Communications, Pownal, VT. 05261
Decent guideline to saving many vegetables & flowers

"Seed to Seed Seed Saving Techniques for the Vegetable Gardener,"Suzanne
Ashworth, Seed Savers Exchange
The quintessential book on seed saving. a must for anyone interested in
saving our seed heritage.(MR)


Crops - General and Specific

Apples

"The Apple Grower, A Guide for the Organic Orchardist," Michael Phillips,
Chelsea Green Publishing, 1998 (LL)
The Apple Gower by Michael Phillips, a great book, which is very well
written and covers everything from when to pick, how to make great cider,
the Imidan controversy to a wassailing song.


"Organic Orcharding," Gene Logsdon
--great book!!!! YOu can usually find it used on bookfinder.com
Penny

"Organic Fruit Tree Management," Linda Edwards, Certified Organic
Associations of British Columbia, 1998. (LL)


Chickens and Eggs

"The Chicken Health Handbook,"Gail Damerow
(MB)


"Chicken Tractor, The Permaculture Guide to Happy Hens and Healthy Soil,"
Andy Lee and Patricia Foreman, Good Earth Publications, email:
goodearth AT rockbridge.net
Following on the pioneering work of Bill Mollison, the Chicken Tractor book
offers guidance from chick to table and all points in-between for the
healthiest and best tasting poultry, and a very useful guide and how-to on
soil management.(AL)

"Pastured Poultry Profits," Joel Salatin
(MB)


Flowers

"The Edible Garden: Herbs & Flowers" National Home Gardening Club
Minneapolis", MN (12301 Whitewater Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55343 to be exact)
A great reference book on edible flowers that even features recipes &
cooking suggestions, e.g. stuffed tulips. (AL?)

"The Flower Farmer:An Organic Grower's Guide to Raising and Selling Cut
Flowers ," Lynn Byczynski, Chelsea Green Softcover, 8x10, 224 pages,
$24.95. Available from Growing for Market at 800-307-8949.
A lovely book as well. It's helped me expand into more flowers for my new
CSA.()
a comprehensive introductory guide to commercial cut flower production. It
includes variety recommendations, cultivation, harvest and post-harvest
handling, flower marketing, yield and pricing, woody ornamentals, dried
flowers, arranging, profiles of successful growers and an appendix with
production and harvest advice on 100 species.(LB)

Garlic

"Growing Great Garlic," Ron Engeland
My favorite farming book. Garlic is such satisfying crop. You plant it in
the fall instead of during the crazy time in spring, you can practically
forget about it. The book is written specifically for organic gardeners
and small farmers. It contains history and evolution of garlic, more garlic
cultivation info than you ever thought you would need, and how to store,
market and process garlic. I still pick up this book to check on things
(lots of pages are turned down or marked) even though I've been growing
garlic for the last five years. (Suzy Roth)


Pasture Management


"Greener Pastures On Your Side of the Fence," Bill Murphy, Stockman Grass
Farmer (800) 748-9808.
Valuable overview of pasture management, being the meeting of animal & grass


Veggies

"Knott's Handbook for Vegetable Growers," Oscar Lorenz & Donald Maynard:
Wiley.
Invaluable general reference - charts and lists of just about everything
(AS) One of the "bibles" (MR)


The Organic Gardener's Home Reference Tanya Denckla (MB)


Pest Control


"The Encyclopedia of Natural Insect & Disease Control," Yepsen, Rodale Press
Excellent and comprehensive reference arranged by crop for ease of use.
Good information on pest and disease cycles so avoidance is possible. I
think this must be the one Michaele refers to. (MR) I had a wonderful pest
and disease book from Rodale's. I lent it to someone a few years back,
don't remember who or what the title of the book was.(MB)


"Identifying Diseases of Vegetables," MacNab, Penn State
Pictures of diseases of a variety of vegetables.(AS)


"Organic Plant Protection," Rodale Press
Good, general overview of organic pest control. Somewhat dated, a good
starting point (AS)


"Pests of the Garden and Small Farm - A Grower's Guide to Using Less
Pesticide," Mary Louise Flint, UC DANR Publication # 3332 276 pages
Excellent photos and drawings, comprehensive. a great resource for
identifying the critter du jour. (MR)

"Weeds," Walter Muenscher, Cornell University Press. Invaluable Reference
for both weed identifying, and control. Management suggestions based
primarily on cultural means.(AS)


Sales, Marketing and CSAs


"Community Supported Agriculture - Making the Connection: A 1995 Handbook
for Producers" Blake, Bill UC Cooperative Extension, Placer County 1995
198pgs
"Making the Connection" pulls together the experience of many innovative
projects. While describing the diversity of CSA, this handbook for
producers also addresses common questions and concerns. Three-ring binder
format. (MR)
$25 plus $5.00 s&h (make check payable to "UC Regents") to:
UCCE Placer, Attn: CSA Handbook, 11477 E Avenue, Auburn, CA 95603


"Dynamic Farmers' Marketing: A Guide to Successfully Selling
Your Farmers' Market Products," Jeff Ishee,
An informal book dedicated to the sole topic of selling at farmers'
markets. Save two years of trial and error just by studying and
implementing the tips found in this book (Acres)


"Marketing Your Produce," Growing For Market publishers.
A compilation of the best marketing articles that appeared in Growing For
Market, 1992-1995. Chapters include information on specialty produce,
selling to restaurants &/or supermarkets, farmers' markets, CSAs, and
expanding your market. Ends with a list of recommended books. Lots of
info from individual farms-people who have used the advice of which they
write. (LP)


"Sell What You Sow," Eric Gibson, New World Publishing: e-mail egibson AT jps.net
Great overview of marketing techniques for a variety of situations.
Appendices & Resource List(AS) Aimed at small to medium scale farmers,
readable, useful (MR)


"Sharing the Harvest," Elizabeth Henderson and the late Robyn van En.
I love this book! CSA in context to our whole food system, getting
started, labor,legalities, distribution, you name it, it's in here!


Season Extension


"Winter Gardening in the Maritime Northwest: Cool season crops for the
year-round gardener," Binda Colebrook, Sasquatch Books, Seattle.
An excellent book for your consideration(MR)


"Growing Across the Seasons: A Season and Harvest Extension Guide for the
Small-Acreage Farmer," UC Cooperative Extension Placer and Nevada
northern California (foothills) While this has some are specific data,
there are good sections on Market diversification, Mulches, Row Covers,
Cloches, Cold Frames andGreenhouses, and budgetary decision making.(MR)
It's available through Placer UCCE for $11.58 which includes taxes and
shipping. To order a copy, send a check made payable to UC Regents to UCCE
Placer 11477 E Avenue, Auburn, CA 95603.

Miscellaneous books


"Working with Your Woodland, a Landowner's Guide," Mollie Beattie et.al.,
Guideline to managing a woodlot, especially a hardwood based forest(AS)


"Peaceful Valley Malabar Farm," Louis Bromfield.
Elegantly written narratives on the meaning of farming sustainably, and its
impact on the wider society (AS)


Periodicals


"The Community Farm, A Voice for Community Supported Agriculture, " Edited
and produced by Jim Sluyter and Jo Meller. Quarterly publication comes out
in February, May, August and November. $20 US TCM 3480 Potter Rd. Bear
Lake, MI 49614 (616) 889-3216 fsfarm AT mufn.org(see FAQ)


"Growing for Market, news and ideas for market gardeners" edited and
published by Lynn Byczynski. $27yr, monthly, PO Box 3747 Lawrence, Ks.
66046 Producing & Marketing vegetables & flowers (see FAQ)


Small Farmer's Journal, $24yr, quarterly, PO Box 1627 Sisters, Or. 97759
Farming with horses, and general info & tales of farming


Stockman Grass Farmer, (800)748-9808 Focused on grass-based farming
systems around the world



Marcie A. Rosenzweig
Full Circle Organic Farm
Auburn, CA





  • Farming book recommendations, Marcie Rosenzweig, 03/02/2000

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