This inspiring handbook contains everything small-farm owners need to know, from buying land to organic growing methods and selling cash crops.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0
Good book if you want to become Amish.:
This book is so simple, it isn't even really any good for a modern farmer. I would be what most would consider a "city farmer" but I learned more going into a tractor implements store and a feed store and asking a few questions than I did with this book. The last 4th of this book does have excellent charts for weight comparisons and measurement conversions (ie. Windmill capacities charts, woodlot tables, densities of grain, etc.) but as far as useful farming, no. The examples do not really show modern... more info
Insufficient Depth:
I was already familiar with author Schwenke from his 1975 book, Build Your Own Stone House, a product of the back-to-the-earth movement of that decade. His more recent book, Successful Small-Scale Farming, is simply too short and too thin to live up to its title, a characteristic it shares with its earlier sibling. From its title, one would expect Schwenke's volume to present a reasonably broad overview of farm operations, concentrating on methods proven to be successful and profitable. While no one... more info
An overview, unfortunatly biased:
Once you get passed the government, agri-business, and scientist bashing introduction and first chapters, this is a good overview of farming equipment and basic practices. It is written for "new farmers", "a practical resource for the beginning cash crop grower." Judging by the equipment recommendations, it is intended for farmers rather than large gardeners. The book was almost ruined for me by comments such as "wrong headed farmers", "why soil scientists came up with such a cumbersome scale defies... more info
Successful Small-Scale Farming: An Organic Approach:
This book is chock full of great advice! Add it to your library and refer to it often.
