Micro Eco-Farming: Prospering from Backyard to Small Acreage in Partnership with the Earth

by Barbara Berst Adams

Microfarms—or small acreage farms—are gaining popularity across the country for their astoundingly high yields and great tasting produce, as well as their profitability. This handbook reveals the secrets of successful micro eco-farming and explains what eco-farmers need to know to start their own small agribusiness. Questions such as What can be grown? How do farmers reach their markets? and What sustainable production methods can be used? are answered in detail and supported be hundreds of real-life examples. A variety of unusual uses for crops are also provided, including producing organic spa products, building an urban greenhouse, creating a heritage rose farm, or cultivating a connoisseur apple orchard. Ecologists, amateur gardeners, farmers, and those interested in sustainable living will enjoy this in-depth look at the spiritually and financially rewarding aspects of this new field.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Agriculture, Food

174 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2004

Reviews

[Kaitlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A timely calling to tend to the earth and our communities——an essential read for anyone looking to reconnect with their food sources.

[Kipp Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book introduces and overviews the return of hands-on neighborhood micro farms to our country, reviewing many small operations and showing various ways abundant food and fiber can and is being produced from backyards to small acreage. It is a light read, inspiring, it is not technical how-to. I know the author, she gets fan letters from people of all ages wanting to become farmers, and from farmers already in the business who say this book "reminds them they are not alone" in their pursuits.

But you can get more micro eco-farming information from the book's site at www.MicroEcoFarming.com

This author's other book, The New Agritourism: Hosting Community & Tourists on Your Farm www.NewAgritourism.com is longer, more in depth, and more of a how-to for hosting chefs, weddings, farm tours and so on to enhance the lifestyle and bottom line of the rural land owner.

[Melissa Moats · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting more of a how-to book rather than an overview of what types of micro eco farms are prospering. This book did motivate me to learn more, however, and provided resources and book suggestions for the "how-to" aspect I was looking for.

[Simon Eisenstein · Rating 2 out of 5]

I certainly agree with the core message of the book, but unfortunately it was not enjoyable to read. It dabbled lightly into and gave brief anecdotes about a variety of experiences related to micro eco-farming, but didn't go in-depth into anything. Not for me.

[Evillion · Rating 3 out of 5]

wont stop talking about plentiful bounties and how other farms are more successful and enthusiastic than me. oh well. good for them i guess

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A strong overview of a large number of sustainable and micro-farm friendly practices that are easy for even the layman to understand. More of a starting point with a great selection of references and further reading once you find a system or practice you are interested in.

[CFAITC]

This book explains how to start and succeed in micro eco-farming.

[Ginger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a strange book. Mostly it was a review of lots of little operations. I thought it would be more of a hands-on type thing.