Successful Small-Scale Farming: An Organic Approach

Author(s): Karl Schwenke

Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC; 2 edition (January 4, 1991)

Paperback: 144 pages

ISBN: 0882666428

ISBN-13: 978-0882666426

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“My advice is as old as the plow.” So says author, Karl Schwenke of his guide to making a full- or part-time living on the land, a book for anyone who plans to own a small farm. With sections on soil management, farm practices, cash crop selections, machinery, and many other topics, as well as comprehensive series of appendices, the author touches upon the basics of getting started with one’s own small-scale farm. Schwenke, himself a small farm owner, has provided a great practical resource for the beginning cash crop grower. Get started on acquiring “the hodgepodge of knowledge blended with a plethora of skills” necessary to becoming a successful organic farmer.

From the Back Cover

When I first wrote Successful Small-Scale Farming eleven years ago, writes Karl Schwenke in the preface to this new edition, “an ‘organic farmer’ was synonymous with a ‘lonely hippie troublemaker.’ Today he is classed somewhere between a high-priced elitist and an opportunistic liar.”So begins this classic guide to organic small-scale agriculture, fully updated and revised for the 1990s — for a new generation of readers who would like to live closer to the earth.Successful Small-Scale Farming introduces anyone owning (or planning to own) a small farm to both the harsh realities and the real potential involved in making a full- or part-time living on the land. Karl Schwenke’s clear-eyed approach to the best farming methods covers a wide range of proven techniques and practical advice, including:

* How to improve, conserve, and enrich your soil organically, to ensure the highest (and healthiest) yields.

* What machinery you’ll need and how to use it.

* The best “cash crops” and specialty crops to grow for profit and how to raise them.

* How to use innovative strategies to find or create a market “niche” for your farm’s crops or services.

* A concise overview of essential farmstead skills, such as haying, fencing, and managing a woodlot.

* Numerous charts and tables that put useful calculations at your fingertips.

With today’s increased concern for the quality of the food we eat and the health of our environment, Successful Small-Scale Farming offers a unique and invaluable perspective on the future of agriculture. Karl Schwenke’s message — that small-scale farms can be cleaner, smarter, and more efficient than corporate agribusiness — has never been so relevant as it is today.

About the Author

Karl Schwenke is a professional writer who lives with wife Sue on a farm in Newbury, Vermont, where they have raised strawberries, pigs and hay among other crops. Together, this couple has written the book Build Your Own Stone House, and Karl wrote the Storey title Successful Small-Scale Farming. His other work includes Sierra North and Sierra South from Wilderness Press, an organization in Berkeley, California, that he co-founded after graduating from college. Karl has also written In a Pig’s Eye (Chelsea Green Publishing).

The Expanding World of Solar Box Cookers

Author(s): Barbara Kerr

Publisher: Barbara P Kerr (September 1991)

Paperback: 79 pages

ISBN-10: 096326740X

ISBN-13: 978-0963267405

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Reprinted in 1999; is frequently used to teach simple cardboard solar cooker designs. In addition to using the sun for cooking meals for family and pets, she discusses some of the many ways to use a solar oven, such as to pasteurize water and milk, sanitize dishes, utensils, and diapers.

You can even sprout seedlings and prepare potting soil, among many uses explained in thisbook. Thousands of women outside the US use her simple cooker designs, and the book includes photographs of ovens made of cob and other practical designs in use around the world.

Four easy to make designs are shown, b&w photographs, illustrations, and excellent information on low-cost materials useage. 80 pages, 8.5×11, paperback, index, reprinted 1999.

Wood Users Guide

Author(s): Pamela Wellner

Publisher: Rainforest Action Network (May 1991)

Paperback: 64 pages

ISBN: 0962803316

ISBN-13: 978-0962803314

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Wood Users Guide

Paperback
Publication date: May 1991

Ecoforestry: The Art and Science of Sustainable Forest Use

Author(s): Alan Rike Drengson (Editor), Duncan MacDonald Taylor (Editor), Jerry Mander

Publisher: New Society Pub

Paperback: 320 pages

ISBN: 0865713650

ISBN-13: 978-0865713659

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Ecoforestry : The Art and Science of Sustainable Forest Use Paperback 320 pages April 1997 Dimensions (in inches): 0.90 x 8.98 x 8.02 Independent Presses Editor’s Recommended Book What can a weekend gardener do about the conditions of the world’s forests? Plenty. Respect for the land fosters universal values that inspire responsible use of lumber and wildlife resources. Ecoforestry explains what can be done on the personal and national levels. According to World Resources Institute, forests cover nearly 40 percent of Earth’s land area. The plants provide oxygen to our planet and relieve it of excess carbon monoxide. Forests thrill us with their beauty and sustain a panoply of wildlife and plant life. The authors concur that our efforts toward conservation must take into account the future needs of our children and grandchildren, and that forestry practices must be consistent with the cycles and diversity of the natural forest.

The Once and Future Forest: A Guide to Forest Restoration Strategies

Author(s): Leslie Jones Sauer, Ian McHarg

Publisher: Island Press; 1 edition (February 1, 1998)

Paperback: 400 pages

ISBN: 1559635533

ISBN-13: 978-1559635530

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Developed by the landscape design firm of Andropogon Associates, world-renowned for their innovative approach to integrating environmental protection and restoration with landscape architecture and design, The Once and Future Forest is a guidebook for restoring and managing natural landscapes. Focusing on remnant forest systems, it describes methods of restoring and linking forest fragments to re-create a whole landscape fabric.

Lumber from Local Woodlots

Author(s): Robert L. Edmonds

Publisher: Midwest Plan Service

ISBN: 0935817093

ISBN-13: 978-0935817096

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Lumber from Local Woodlots (Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service, No 23)

Paperback
Publication date: August 1988

The booklet discusses harvesting timber and sawing the logs into useful material, storing it and most importantly, selecting lumber for various building uses with a fairly comprehensive list of species and their building-use characteristics.

Landscaping With Native Trees

Author(s): Guy Sternberg, Jim Wilson, James W. Wilson

Publisher: Chapters Pub Ltd

Paperback: 288 pages

ISBN: 1881527662

ISBN-13: 978-1881527664

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Landscaping With Native Trees: The Northeast, Midwest, Midsouth & Southeast Edition

Paperback, 288 pages
Publication date: April 1996

Discusses the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the planting, care, and range, of virtually every tree species native to eastern North America north of the Gulf Coast. Covers landscaping, transplanting, leaf and tree silhouettes, and sources. Color photos present virtually every tree mentioned. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

Midwest Book Review:
Residents of the Eastern regions will appreciate an edition which uses the expertise of these gardener authors to explore the pros and cons of over a hundred native trees. An organization by species makes it easy to locate growing characteristics and details on cultivation.

The publisher, Chapters Publishing (chapterj@together.net), 12/05/96:
Reviews Library Journal, Essential for most public libraries.; HortIdeas, Authoritative, up-to-date and beautifully produced.; Indianapolis Star, A beautiful and informative book.

Table of Contents
Introduction
At Home in the Forest
Getting Started
Building Around Your Trees
Dependable, Ornamental Natives
Tree & Leaf Silhouettes
From Abies to Ulmus
Specialty Trees
Glossary
Sources
Organizations
Bibliography
Index
USDA Hardiness Zone Map

Energy-Efficient and Environmental Landscaping

Author(s): Anne Simon Moffat, Mark Schiler, Marc Schiller

Publisher: Appropriate Solutions Press

Paperback: 230 pages

ISBN: 0963878409

ISBN-13: 978-0963878403

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Energy-Efficient and Environmental Landscaping: Cut Your Utility Bills by Up to 30 Percent and Create a Natural Healthy Yard

Paperback, 240 pages
Publication date: July 1995

Table of Contents
1. Why Energy-Efficient Landscaping Makes Sense
2. Putting Nature to Work: The Basic Principles
3. Energy-Efficient Landscaping for Cool Climates
4. Energy-Efficient Landscaping for Hot, Arid Climates
5. Energy-Efficient Landscaping for Hot, Humid Climates
6. Energy-Efficient Landscaping for Temperate Climates
7. Water-Efficient (Low-Maintenance) Landscaping
8. Natural Lawn Care
9. Landscaping for Wildlife
10. Creating a Natural-Looking Garden with Native Plants
11. The Lazy Gardener’s Guide to Recycling Yard Waste
12. An Environmental Gardener’s Guide to Pest Management
13. Designing and Planning
14. Landscaping Skills 101
A Map: The Zones of Plant Hardiness
B Map: The Latitudes of North America
C Table of Solar Angles for the U.S.
D Table of Tangents
E Table of Tree Densities
F Lists of Plants According to Size and Form
Bibliography
Index

Landscaping Makes Cents: Smart Investments that Increase Your Property Value

Author(s): Frederick C. Campbell, Richard L. Dube

Publisher: Storey Books

Paperback: 176 pages

ISBN: 0882669486

ISBN-13: 978-0882669489

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How-To Editor’s Recommended Book, 08/01/97:

The promotional materials that came with this book said, Surprisingly, money DOES grow on trees! I’ve seen a lot of gardening how-to books over the years, and this is one of the first to approach the topic not only from an aesthetic or problem solving point of view, but also from an economic one. The book was interesting and eye-opening and it will certainly be helpful to landscapers, architects, and, most specifically, homeowners. It is well thought out, clearly illustrated, and easy to follow; the information will help people to avoid common errors while giving them ideas for how to landscape with an eye to increasing value.

From Booklist , 02/15/97:
The authors, owners of landscape design companies, offer instructions on increasing the resale value of a home through landscaping. The first section explores the perceived value of landscaping, showing ways to increase the home’s property value. The second section takes the reader step-by-step through the process of setting a realistic budget and how best to invest in walls, fences, patios, walks, arbors, decks, trees, shrubs, flowers, groundcovers, and lawns. The book’s third section tells readers how to choose a qualified landscape contractor, what questions to ask, and how to negotiate a contract. There are 175 black-and-white line drawings. Copyright© 1997, American Library Association. All rights reserved

Synopsis:
Two landscaping experts offer practical suggestions on how homeowners can add value to their property through careful landscape design, with helpful tips on how to intall gardens, trees and shrubs, fences, decks, or other landscape features. Original.

Card catalog description
Professional landscaping contractors Frederick C. Campbell and Richard L. Dube lead you step by step through the process of planning and building a landscape that fits your needs and preferences and will maximize the return on your investment. Select elements that will add value and general appeal to your property and set a budget for each, quantify the value of trees and other landscape elements, make the best choices for sustainable low-maintenance landscapes, select, install, and maintain gardens, ponds, fences, lighting, walkways, and more; and evaluate, negotiate, and contract with qualified landscaping contractors.

The publisher, Storey Books , 03/31/98:
Now any homeowner can add substantial investment value and beauty to a home through careful landscape design. Two landscaping experts explore in practical and clear language how to create a landscape plan, determine a budget, choose a contractor, and achieve substantial financial return on a limited budget.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Pt. I. Money Does Grow on Trees: Increasing Your Property Value
Ch. 1. The Perceived Value of Landscaping
Ch. 2. How Much Is an Aesthetically Pleasing Landscape Worth?
Ch. 3. How Much Are Trees and Other Landscaping Elements Worth?
Ch. 4. Landscaping Considerations When Building, Buying, or Selling a House
Pt. II. Where Do I Start? Developing a Budget and a Plan
Ch. 5. Budgeting for Landscaping
Ch. 6. Designing Your Landscape for Maximum Value
Ch. 7. Investing in Hardscaping Elements
Ch. 8. Investing in Softscaping Elements
Ch. 9. Investing in Sustainable Landscape Alternatives
Pt. III. I Can’t Do It All Myself: Hiring Landscape Contractors
Ch. 10. Selecting Qualified Contractors
Ch. 11. Negotiating Contracts
Ch. 12. Asking the Right Questions of Contractors
Appendix 1. How Valuable Is Your Home Landscape? A Proposed Aesthetic Evaluation Model
Appendix 2. USDA Hardiness Zone Map
Glossary
For Further Reading
Index

Noah’s Garden: Restoring the Ecology of Our Own Backyards

Author(s): Sara Bonnett Stein

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company;

Paperback: 304 pages

ISBN: 0395709407

ISBN-13: 978-0395709405

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Noah’s Garden : Restoring the Ecology of Our Own Back Yards Paperback Reissue edition

Published to rave reviews in 1993, Noah’s Garden shows us how our landscape style of neat yards and gardens has devastated suburban ecology, wiping out entire communities of plants and animals by stripping bare their habitats and destroying their food supplies. When Stein realized what her intensive efforts at making a traditional garden had done, she set out to “ungarden.” Her book interweaves an account of her efforts with an explanation of the ecology of gardens. Noah’s Garden has become the bible of the new environmental gardening movement, and the author is one of its most popular spokespersons.

What kind of grass is planted behind your house? What insects burrow in your soil, and what birds eat them? What’s happening in that compost pile you’re so proud of? This book may well change the view from your patio. A former old-style suburban gardener, Sara Stein writes convincingly of the ecological history of suburbia and the necessity of good stewardship of the land stolen from prairies and forests to make our back yards. Michael Pollan, author of Second Nature A gentle but important manifesto. It joins the ecologist’s vision to the gardener’s art in the urgent work of translating the American lawn into something more beautiful and interesting and alive. The Washington Post By offering readers a thousand and one fun things to know and do, Stein has made a contribution to environmental literature that is both useful and delightful.