Synopses & Reviews
IACP Cookbook Award Winner in Food Matters Biodynamic farming, with its focus on ecological sustainability, has emerged as the gold standard in the organic gardening movement. Daron Joffe (known as Farmer D) has made it his mission to empower, educate, and inspire people to become conscientious consumers, citizens, and stewards of the land. In this engaging call to action, Farmer D teaches us to not only create sustainable gardens but also to develop a more holistic, community-minded approach to how our food is grown and how we live our lives in balance with nature. Illustrated with photographs of gardens designed by Farmer D as well as line drawings, the book is an indispensable resource packed with advice on establishing a biodynamic garden, composting, soil composition and replenishment, controlandshy;ling pests and disease, cooperative gardening practices, and even creating delicious meals.
Review
"A concept destined to appeal to that intrepid individual whose independent nature finds the idea of abandoning the grocery store alluring." Carol Haggas
Review
"A helpful addition, alongside Bartholomew and Jeavons, for the serious DIY gardener." Booklist
Review
andldquo;Part gardening handbook, part call to action and part manifesto . . . this user-friendly book, featuring gorgeous photographs and bright graphics, braids together basic tips for starting a garden . . . he even has a section on meditating while gardening.andrdquo;
Synopsis
Mini Farming describes a holistic approach to small-area farming that will show you how to produce 85 percent of an average familys food on just a quarter acre—and earn $10,000 in cash annually while spending less than half the time that an ordinary job would require. Even if you have never been a farmer or a gardener, this book covers everything you need to know to get started: buying and saving seeds, starting seedlings, establishing raised beds, soil fertility practices, composting, dealing with pest and disease problems, crop rotation, farm planning, and much more. Because self-suf?ciency is the objective, subjects such as raising backyard chickens and home canning are also covered along with numerous methods for keeping costs down and production high. Materials, tools, and techniques are detailed with photographs, tables, diagrams, and illustrations.
Synopsis
Start a mini farm on a quarter acre or less and provide 85 percent of the food for a family of four—and earn an income.
About the Author
Daron Joffe is the founder of Farmer D Organics and designs and builds biodynamic farms all over the country for celebrity clients as well as nonprofit organizations. He and his company have appeared in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and Southern Living, and on CNNandrsquo;s Eatocracy. His Farmer D brand of compost is sold in Whole Foods stores in the Southeast, and his planting beds are sold through Williams-Sonoma. He lives in Oakland, California.