Woman-Powered Farm: Manual for a Self-Sufficient Lifestyle from Homestead to Field

by Audrey Levatino, Audrey Levatino

To go-to guide for women who want to be part of the farming revolution. Women are leading the new farming revolution in America. Much of the impetus to move back to the land, raise our own food, and connect with our agricultural past is being driven by women. They raise sheep for wool, harvest honey from their beehives, grow food for their families and sell their goods at farmers' markets. What does a woman who wants to work the land need to do to follow her dream? First, she needs this book. It may seem strange to suggest that women farmers need a different guide than male farmers, but women often have different strengths and goals, and different ways of achieving those goals. Audrey Levatino shares her experiences of running a farm and offers invaluable advice on how to get started, whether you have hundreds of acres or a simple lot for an urban community garden. Filled with personal anecdotes and stories from other women farmers, from old hands to brand new ones, from agricultural icons like Temple Grandin, to her own sister, this book is a reassuring and inspirational guide that discusses: It's all here, in the same warm and friendly voice that readers embraced in The Joy of Hobby Farming . Full-color photography throughout provides step-by-step instructions for anything you’ll need to do on your farm. 75 color photos

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction

344 pages, Paperback

First published May 4, 2015

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a rare book that manages to be both feminist-focused and patronizing to women, but this book has achieved that distinction. Still 4 stars for excellent information in an engaging (when not condescending) tone for farming novices or dreamers.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The concept for this book could be applied to so many other areas and I wish it would be: I would buy all of them. Maybe it could be a series! Women farmers would be one installment joined by books on women mechanics, women carpenters, women plumbers, etc. I, myself, thoroughly enjoyed the pictures demonstrating proper technique. The sense of empowerment felt in seeing another woman wield an ax or fell a tree truly is incalculable and convinces me that there is no reason I cannot do the same.

As far as content, I think Levatino provides a great, general overview of what it means to be a woman farmer. I appreciate her constant encouragement to pursue further research. Knowing only just a little bit more than the average woman inspired to be a farmer, I recognized that the information she supplies is in many instances the bare minimum. And it's refreshing to see that the author recognizes that, as well. That she points to so many other sources indicates, to me, that she truly is committed to preparing and supporting informed, successful women farmers.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of great information and resources in this book. It felt geared more towards people who want to farm for a business. She also talks a lot about the value in doing internships to learn about farming which is great if that’s an option but if you’re in a stage of life where that isn’t there wasn’t much information about starting.

[Ti Su · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. Wrote a bunch of notes... It's a like a spring board for getting more info that you didn't know you needed. Love that it gave realistic perspectives about hard, less glamorous parts of rural living, especially for us idealistic city girls thinking we can make it as easy as walking into a nursery.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Relies heavily on the gender binary and uses a lot of biological essentialism in its distinction of woman farmers. A decent primer for basic farm knowledge from a newcomer's perspective and does provide some useful tips for some women.

[Lmichelleb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sure it's helpful for some, just not much so for me. I am more interested in the type of farming that sustains my family and not extra ways to make money off the farm, and this book didn't seem to have much on that.

[Andi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an empowering and practical book for this woman farmer.

[Cherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, helpful how-to book. Though you can get all of this information on the web, there is something special about this book as a shelf guide.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative, textual. Excellent illustrations and step by step instructions of women using hand/power tools, felling trees, fixing flat tires, building fencing, constructing various types of gardens, compost tea, and many other practical aspects of modern farming. I also enjoyed the personal stories of various women in the farming business.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It gave a lot of detail on everything farm-related: how to buy or lease land, how to use a chainsaw, how to find an internship on a farm, just to name a few. It contains pictures, how-tos, resources, organizations. It's very detailed and well-researched.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great overview of farming and all the options that come with it, along with fantastic resources and ideas for further exploration.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Provides detailed step-by-step how to as well as recommendations for working a farm from the stand point of women. Ideal book for any female homesteader.

[RoseMary Achey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful book for women who enjoy or are engaged in farming. Several "how-to" guides that are not found in other similar books.