Agricultural & Food Sciences

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Guns, Germs and Steel examines the rise of civilization and the issues its development has raised throughout history....

The Omnivore's Dilemma meets Fast Food Nation from a global perspective in this game-changing look at the science, economics, and history of ultra-processed food and the industry's effect on our health and planet....

"What should we have for dinner?" To one degree or another, this simple question assails any creature faced with a wide choice of things to eat....

The COVID pandemic propelled many people to change their lives in ways large and small. Some adopted puppies. Others stress-baked. Peggy Orenstein, a lifelong knitter, went just a little further....

In 1637, one Dutchman paid as much for a single tulip bulb as the going price of a town house in Amsterdam. Three and a half centuries later, Amsterdam is once again the mecca for people who care passionately about one particular plant....

Have you ever desired, deep within your soul, to make a comfortable full-time living from a farming enterprise? Too often people dare not even vocalize this desire because it seems absurd. It's like thinking the unthinkable....

In a day when mainline farm experts predict the continued demise of the family farm, the pastured poultry opportunity shines like a beacon in the night, guiding the way to a brighter future....

An extraordinary story of a girl, her grandfather, and one of nature’s most mysterious and beguiling creatures: the honeybee....

A revelatory history of one of Stalin's greatest crimes - the consequences of which still resonate today....

In Dirt to Soil, Gabe Brown tells the story of his ranch's amazing journey and offers a wealth of innovative solutions to our most pressing and complex contemporary agricultural challenge - restoring the soil....

An engaging and far-reaching exploration of refrigeration, tracing its evolution from scientific mystery to globe-spanning infrastructure, and an essential investigation into how it has remade our entire relationship with food—for better and for worse....

Do you know the new rules for profit in today's land and livestock game? Using successful grass farmers as examples, Allan explains how leasing land can add up to profits with lower risk than ownership, and can be a means for young people to get into grassland agriculture today....

To a degree both engrossing and alarming, the story of fast food is the story of postwar America. Though created by a handful of mavericks, the fast food industry has...

Introducing Clarkson's Farm favourite Kaleb Cooper's worldly wisdom on life's big issues, from the difference between straw and hay to the importance of having a hair perm....

Soil Science for Gardeners is an accessible, science-based guide to understanding soil fertility and, in particular, the rhizosphere - the thin layer of liquid and soil surrounding plant roots, so vital to plant health....

Easy beekeeping for new-bees. Wouldn’t it be great to raise your own bees, have a fresh supply of honey, and bring thousands of healthy pollinators into your yard? Beekeeping for Beginners is a simple, step-by-step guide that helps you learn the fundamentals....

By explaining the lean system for identifying and eliminating waste and introducing efficiency in every aspect of the farm operation, The Lean Farm makes the case that small-scale farming can be an attractive career option for young people who are interested in growing food....

Fossil fuels and livestock grazing are often targeted as major culprits behind climate change and desertification. But Allan Savory, cofounder of the Savory Institute, begs to differ....

Some people's lives are entirely their own creations. James Rebanks' isn't.....

Ever wonder if plants sleep or why their leaves are shaped a certain way? The inner workings of the plants you love are revealed and celebrated in this guide by botany expert Dr. Scott Zona....

Why did humans abandon hunting and gathering for sedentary communities dependent on livestock and cereal grains and governed by precursors of today's states? Find out....

Almost every plant in a garden forms a relationship with fungi, and many plants would not exist without their fungal partners. By better understanding this relationship, home gardeners can take advantage of the benefits of fungi....

Today’s optimistic farm-to-table food culture has a dark secret: The local food movement has failed to change how we eat. It has also offered a false promise for the future of food....

A counter to heavy industrial farming, permaculture is all about conscious planning that caters to the human needs while also respecting and healing the natural environment. At its core, it involves drawing inspiration from nature to build an ecosystem that thrives just like any other....

A tale of obsession so fierce that a man kills the thing he loves most: The only giant golden spruce on earth....

Keeping a herd of pigs brings a lot of enjoyment – they are curious, intelligent and (often) lovable animals, with plenty of character. When the time comes, they can provide you with a fine carcass that can be turned into all manner of tasty things. The River Cottage ethos is all about knowing the story behind what’s on the plate, and as Gill Meller explains in this accessible and comprehensive guide, by rearing and butchering your own pigs you’ll be able to create a full range of delicious pork products in the most sustainable, economical and hands-on way possible.

Millions of Americans harbor the dream of living off their land but are held back by the uncertainty of diving into the unknown waters of farming. According to a USDA report, over 40% of the U.S. farmland is operated by someone other than its owner, indicating that the dream of owning and managing a farm is often overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty. But imagine having a comprehensive guide that translates these complex processes into simple, actionable steps - a roadmap that empowers you to convert your little plot into a nourishing, profitable hub of life.

Your all-in-one guide to creating delicious pickled and fermented foods! Do you love pickled foods and want to know how to make your own? Have you ever wondered how easy it is to pickle veggies, make yogurt, sauces, and more? This book is your go-to guide for everything to do with pickling and fermenting! Pickling and fermenting are two of the oldest methods of preserving foods, which is why they have long been popular. They are tried and tested and offer a fantastic way to preserve an abundance of fresh foods and create delicious sides and flavorful condiments that bring a whole new ...

Dive into the captivating world of swine ranching with "The Landrace Pig Revolution", a groundbreaking eBook that provides an enlightening exploration about the role of Landrace pigs in the industry. This eBook will guide you through the unique journey from the historical perspective of pig breeding to the emergence of Landrace pigs, bringing forth unique attributes of these endearing creatures. With a focus on the biological overview of Landrace pigs, this eBook examines the importance of high fertility in swine ranching, delving into their adaptability and the physiology of fertility. ...

Dive deep into the exciting world of Australorp Chickens with 'Unleashing Australorp Power.' This comprehensive guide will take you through the journey of understanding, nurturing, and profiting from these black-feathered beauties. 'Unleashing Australorp Power' begins with a fascinating exploration into the origins and evolution of the Australorp breed, offering a comprehensive historical overview. Discover the distinct characteristics that set these chickens apart; it might surprise you how much they can differ from other breeds. The adventure continues as you delve into setting up the ...

Maynard Murray was a medical doctor who researched the crucial importance of minerals—especially trace elements—to plants and animals. Beginning in 1938 and continuing through the 1950s, Dr. Murray used sea solids—mineral salts remaining after water is evaporated from ocean water—as fertilizer on a variety of vegetables, fruits and grains. His extensive experiments demonstrated repeatedly and conclusively that plants fertilized with sea solids and animals fed sea-solid-fertilized feeds grow stronger and more resistant to disease. Sea Energy Agriculture recounts Murray's experiments ...

This 25th anniversary edition, updated by the author, reveals the miraculous communication systems present in nature. Learn how plants and insects communicate through emissions in the infrared frequency range and why poisonous pesticides do not solve the real problems facing agriculture. In this breakthrough book Phil Callahan uncovers why certain insects are attracted only to certain plants, the role of pheromones' work in nature, and how plants under stress literally signal insects to come devour them. Long out of print . . . classic Callahan!

A practical guide to interpreting soil test results for farmers and other stewards of the earth wanting to understand what nutrients are available to plants and learn how to more effectively grow crops, turfgrass and other plants. This book, written by an experienced soil consultant, gives real-world advice about how to decipher the jungle of numbers found on soil and water test reports and shows how to comprehend what the numbers mean for your crop. McKibben gives clear, easy-to-understand information about how to choose the most appropriate testing protocol based on your specific soil ...

This valuable collection of essays in volume 6 reveals the insights of a brilliant soil scientist who was ahead of his time in connecting the relationship between soil, plants and animals. Read about Albrecht’s substantiated theory and observation that insufficient soil fertility was responsible for poor crops, weeds and thereby a poor diet for the cow in terms of her food choice and her output.

Charles Wilber tells his personal story of learning to work with nature, and his philosophy and approach to gardening. He reveals for the first time how he grows record-breaking tomatoes and produce of every variety. There's no magic involved. Just a well thought out system that gives plants more than they could ever want, and makes it possible for them to reach their full potential. Wilber's compost is the cornerstone along with a wide circumference around plants layered with compost, alfalfa meal and mulch. Valuable pruning and watering details are given, too, as well as a new way of ...

Ask the Plant, based on the agronomy of K. Chandler, offers farmers and growers a better way to grow plants that involves reading the unique language of plants, utilizing leaf and petiole testing, and in turn knowing how to produce a better crop using only the fertilizers and soil-building ingredients that are truly needed, when they are most needed. Instead of following the decades-old conventional model where plants are given copious amounts of soluble nitrogen fertilizers aimed to force-feed the landscape green, Ask the Plant addresses how to build a healthy soil without excessive inputs...

Nature is complex, elegant, and infinite in its wisdom. Farmers who are truly successful learn nature's many facets and her intricate dance; they crack the code of how to honor and feed this boundless natural system while coaxing the production needed for the survival of a modern farm. Natural product formulator and farm consultant Jerry Brunetti wraps together a lifetime of learning and his uncanny observations in this fascinating volume on the interconnected dynamics in place on a farm -- the farm's geology, biology, and diversity of life forms. Learn to look at -- and manage -- your farm...

Holistic practitioners have been using contact reflex diagnosis, muscle testing, and dowsing to improve human health for centuries. For lifelong alternative medicine practitioner Carrie Eastman, applying these methods to her goat herd was just common sense. All living things are made up of electrical energy. Learn how to harness this energy to work with your goats in a way that is convenient, inexpensive, and safe for your herd. The Energetic Goat provides step-by-step instruction on the basic techniques, including common variations, as well as guidance on how to adapt other techniques to ...

What is the most important plant in the world? In terms of nutritive content, function within the ecosystem, and even medicinal properties, the answer to this question may very well be grass. In this wide-ranging survey of grass forages and pastureland, Charles Walters makes the case that grass is not just for cows and horses — that in fact it is the most nutritious food produced by nature, as well as the ultimate soil conditioner. You will learn from traditional graziers who draw on centuries of wisdom to create beautiful, lush, sustainable pastures, as well as cutting-edge innovators ...

From housing to feeding, from selection to breeding, this book covers everything the backyard farmer needs to know about poultry husbandry — including preventative and curative herbal medicines and homeopathics. The author takes a permaculture point of view in raising poultry, creating a diverse base of plant life for the birds to choose from, all cohesively fitting into the landscape and overall farm. Complete enough for the beginner, yet the experienced poultry farmers will find the book packed with techniques and ideas found nowhere else.