Plowing with Pigs and Other Creative, Low-Budget Homesteading Solutions

Mother Earth News Wiser Living

by Oscar H. Will III, Karen K. Will

Fueled by a failing economy and a passionate desire for a return to simpler times, a new wave of homesteaders is seeking the good life and the kind of true satisfaction that can only be built, not bought. Many of these modern pioneers are cash poor, but rich in energy and creativity. "Plowing with Pigs and Other Creative, Low-Budget Homesteading Solutions "offers them a set of fresh ideas for achieving independence through sweat equity and the use of unconventional resources.This highly readable and entertaining guide brings together answers to common problems faced by homesteaders young and old, urban, suburban, and rural. Traditional knowledge is combined with MacGyver-style ingenuity to create projects that maximize available resources, Animal management strategies for the yard, garden, and fieldPole building and construction techniques from woodlot materialsReplacing farm machinery with homemade hand tools and implementsLeveraging increased self-sufficiency into a home-based businessWhether you are a dreamer or a doer, Plowing with Pigs will inspire, challenge, and enable you to do more with less (and have fun doing it).Oscar H. (Hank) Will III is a farmer, scientist, and author, known for seeking and implementing creative farmstead solutions. The editor of "Grit "magazine, Hank has published hundreds of articles and five books on a range of topics including antique farm machinery.Karen K. Will is editor of "The Heirloom Gardener "magazine and author of "Cooking with Seasonal Recipes with Heritage-Variety Vegetables and Fruits." She operates Prairie Turnip Farm with her husband Oscar H. Will III.

Genres: Nonfiction, Gardening

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 25, 2013

Reviews

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the e-book edition, downloaded from my library system. Truth be told, I skimmed it really quickly. Thoroughly enough, though, to see that it has a lot of good information, solutions if you will, for getting started at homesteading. Not homesteading in the sense it was used, in the US, in pioneer days. I think a better term might be 'hobby farming'; maybe more accurately called sustainable living.

I've read a lot on this topic over the years, but I recognize that it's not something I'm going to do in my remaining time on this earth :-). Many of my friends have already taught me a lot about the topics covered by the Wills: raising chickens, pigs, goats and the ongoing lesson of good gardening and food preservation. Mr. Will doesn't go into preservation, but he does have extensive chapters on farm animals, crops (nice section on grains), and a home-based food sales business. As well, there's a good amount of info on re-purposing materials and making your own "stuff". I was particularly impressed at the handmade wooden pitchfork for tossing hay. He clearly loves, and has a talent for, working with wood. Good points were also made about pasture rotation and the challenges of breeding your own stock.

I think this is a good summary book. If you're thinking about going "back to the land", this is another useful general reference book.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good book to have if you're preparing for a zombie apocalypse - lots of good information running a farm but if you're just looking for a gardening book skip it.