Books
Wendell Berry is an agrarian philosopher and will go down as one of the best writers and thinkers the US has produced. He’s a poet, a novelist, an essayist, and a national treasure. I recommend reading whatever you can get your hands on of his, but if it was only one, I suggest his book of agrarian essays – The Art of Commonplace. (8/24)
Gene Logsdon is the grandfather I never had. He wrote in a way that makes you laugh and sometimes blush. He was a farmer and a writer. A critic of the “get big or get out” ethic that infected agriculture during his young adult years. He was a philosopher in his own right, but more than that, he practical guy that loved farming. And happened to write about it. Like Wendell Berry, I recommend reading all of Gene’s books. But if you only read one – read The Contrary Farmer. (8/24)
The Four Season Harvest and The New Organic Grower by Elliot Coleman – Elliot Coleman is one of the market farming OGs. His book The Four Season Harvest is a must read if you want to grow vegetables year-round. Like many great writers, his work will be read long after he is gone and the content is dated. While his works are technical, there is a thread of wisdom throughout his writings that can only come from a life dedicated to one’s craft. (8/24)
The Market Gardener by Jean Martin Fortier – This is an excellent book for anyone interested in market gardening or growing a lot of vegetables efficiently. This is considered by most market gardeners a “must-have”. (8/24)
The Small-Scale Poultry Flock by Harvey Ussery – If you have a small chicken flock, you need this book. Harvey covers all of the topics, from breeding to growing your own feed. He also shares inspiring and creative pictures of his home flock. (8/24)
Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques by Suzanne Ashworth – If you are interested in saving seeds from the vegetables you grow, then this book has to be in your library. It also has straightforward growing advice as well. If I have a specific question about a certain crop, this is a book I will often turn to first. (8/24)
Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques by Suzanne Ashworth – If you are interested in saving seeds from the vegetables you grow, then this book has to be in your library. It also has straightforward growing advice as well. If I have a specific question about a certain crop, this is a book I will often turn to first. (8/24)
USDA Woody Plant Seed Manual – This resource contains excellent information on collecting, preserving, and growing out woody plant (trees) seeds. It also contains a lot more. It is truly an incredible resource and many folks don’t know about it. Find it here. (8/24)
YouTube
No-Till Growers – I often end up on this channel when I’m looking to educate myself on no-till growing methods. A wealth of information on the topic and growing market produce in general. (8/24)
Living Web Farms – Excellent videos from the OGs of regenerative agriculture. They were doing it way before it was trendy. The video that put me on to them was this one on making biochar. (8/24)
The Elliott Homestead – Morgan loves this channel. It’s a great channel for homesteading inspiration. There is a lot to like here. (8/24)
Websites
Microbeorganics.com– This website has no frills. But it is full of quality substance. If you can, read the whole thing. If you can’t, start on the section titled “Organic Growing from a Microbial Perspective.” It is the best explanation of how the soil food web works that I have found. (8/24)
The Contrary Farmer Memorial Blog Site – The blog site of Gene Logsdon. Part philosophy, part satire, part advice. Too many good articles to only choose one. But if I had to choose only one, I’d start with this one. (8/24)
Magazines
Farming Magazine – It’s great for both technical advice and slow living encouragement. Quarterly Publication. (8/24)
Growing for Market – The title says it all. This is a great magazine for anyone interested in growing for a market. But it is also great for folks who just want to take their produce or flower growing to the next level. (8/24)
The Stockman Grass Farmer – This publication focuses on managing livestock on pasture. It is full of excellent advice and tips for managing such systems. Highly recommend. (8/24)
