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Regenerative Agriculture
A practical whole systems guide to making small farms work
750 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
36 people are currently reading
784 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 27, 2020
It's always difficult reviewing a crowdfunded book since there's a ton of hype and built up expectations behind it. Nonetheless, this book delivers on what it promised. I could go on about its merits, particularly from a practical point of view, but the key point is simple - If you're looking to get into farming of any kind or just producing some food on your homestead, do pick it up. You won't be disappointed.
What follows are some discussion points for further improvement in hopefully future editions, to make this book even more widely accessible.
While I'm entirely behind the DIY and self publishing flow, this book really should have spent more time with an editor before going to print. I understand the time factor and the push to just get the information out there, but the poor editing makes an already complex and dense tome of knowledge even harder to read. Some key issues:
* Big walls of text with confusing structure (example: a very thorough C:N ratio discussion is placed under Climate Classification, never to be found again - when required for future reference)
* Lack of bullet points or any illustrations to simplify complicated and complex concepts, workflows, infrastructure schematics, designs, etc.
* Dozens of spelling and grammatical errors that disturb the flow of reading
These issues are enhanced by the fact that I assume the majority of people reading this book will not be speaking English as a first language.
I was surprised that a pragmatist such as Richard would get into the Keyline vs. Swale debate, which is running a little stale in land restoration circles. Keyline ploughing requires specialty mechanized equipment, a swale can be made with a shovel. So the question addressed should really be: if a keyline plough is unavailable (due to limited investments), should we swale at all? And the answer might very well be NO, depending on the context. No need to bring Keyline as the catch-all solution, as its unaffordable in many contexts - emphasized by the fact that none of the case study farmers used keyline design on their farms.
Again, these are just points for improvement. Despite these issues, the book is excellent.
Do keep in mind that Ridgedale is a tried and tested successful model for operating a farm in affluent, high waste, high spending-power countries - Scandinavia, Benelux, Austria, Germany, etc. Be sure to do extra thorough market research (as is mentioned in the book) if you're trying to apply this business model to regions with less spending power.
What follows are some discussion points for further improvement in hopefully future editions, to make this book even more widely accessible.
While I'm entirely behind the DIY and self publishing flow, this book really should have spent more time with an editor before going to print. I understand the time factor and the push to just get the information out there, but the poor editing makes an already complex and dense tome of knowledge even harder to read. Some key issues:
* Big walls of text with confusing structure (example: a very thorough C:N ratio discussion is placed under Climate Classification, never to be found again - when required for future reference)
* Lack of bullet points or any illustrations to simplify complicated and complex concepts, workflows, infrastructure schematics, designs, etc.
* Dozens of spelling and grammatical errors that disturb the flow of reading
These issues are enhanced by the fact that I assume the majority of people reading this book will not be speaking English as a first language.
I was surprised that a pragmatist such as Richard would get into the Keyline vs. Swale debate, which is running a little stale in land restoration circles. Keyline ploughing requires specialty mechanized equipment, a swale can be made with a shovel. So the question addressed should really be: if a keyline plough is unavailable (due to limited investments), should we swale at all? And the answer might very well be NO, depending on the context. No need to bring Keyline as the catch-all solution, as its unaffordable in many contexts - emphasized by the fact that none of the case study farmers used keyline design on their farms.
Again, these are just points for improvement. Despite these issues, the book is excellent.
Do keep in mind that Ridgedale is a tried and tested successful model for operating a farm in affluent, high waste, high spending-power countries - Scandinavia, Benelux, Austria, Germany, etc. Be sure to do extra thorough market research (as is mentioned in the book) if you're trying to apply this business model to regions with less spending power.
January 19, 2020
"This book is perhaps the most eclectic, comprehensive compendium of small farm wisdom I have ever seen. It will be a must on every aspiring integrity farmer’s bookshelf for years to come, starting with mine. The world can thank Richard for his attention to detail, his love of experimentation, and his passion for functional truth. I can’t think of enough superlatives to describe this wonderful book." Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms
January 19, 2020
Having recently bought a bare land croft in the Scottish Highlands, Richard Perkins book is an inspirational read with plenty of figures to back each enterprise up.
Great book for those who want to build soil and the enviroment while also producing quality food and earning a living from it. In the future I believe it will small farms that feed the world NOT industrial farms or man made protein that the Vegan movement seem to be pushing. Farm with nature not against it.
Hopefully other young people get inspired and start farming for the future.
Great book for those who want to build soil and the enviroment while also producing quality food and earning a living from it. In the future I believe it will small farms that feed the world NOT industrial farms or man made protein that the Vegan movement seem to be pushing. Farm with nature not against it.
Hopefully other young people get inspired and start farming for the future.
September 7, 2021
This book is a gem.
If you are interested in productive organic farming, you couldn't go wrong.
Very practical, yet I'm impressed by the more philosophical parts. This is really well written. The book is quite big but the writing is not dry nor shallow.
Definitely recommend. The price is high but the book is 750 pages with a lot of colored schemas, the font size is quite low. The quality and quantity come at a price.
If you are interested in productive organic farming, you couldn't go wrong.
Very practical, yet I'm impressed by the more philosophical parts. This is really well written. The book is quite big but the writing is not dry nor shallow.
Definitely recommend. The price is high but the book is 750 pages with a lot of colored schemas, the font size is quite low. The quality and quantity come at a price.
January 19, 2020
Have only been able to browse this book for the last two days and I am very impressed with the enormous scope of it. From detailed design to very practical tips, many examples of different small scale enterprises. If you are remotely interested in starting to farm (some enterprises need remarkably little space), you should get this book and start with the right information and your eyes open.
October 17, 2022
How does it all add up when this guy talkes about regenerativ farming while builing a large deck out of solely chemical treated greenish wood - in his backyard - around what he says is a so-called "natural pool"? Wood that will slowly dissolve, disrupt and kill the microorganismes in the water enviorment and beyound ? :( So many fakers out-there to make money on ideas they don't essentially understand.
July 3, 2020
A very profound work. A must-read for anyone aspiring to farm professionally. This book is a call to pragmatism, awareness and responsibility. The author emphasizes an all-encompassing approach to agriculture which is most nourishing, both intellectually and morally.
April 16, 2024
A must read for regenerative farmers, but unfortunately not exceptionally well written. Richard Perkins' wonderful ideas have thankfully percolated through to the public domain in other ways as well.
February 22, 2020
If you wanna start farm, or just make more productive homesteading, take it, read it! 11/10
March 2, 2020
One of the best book on the subject.
Read
July 30, 2022[PFDC] M1. Goals and Context --> 2. Clarifying Objectives & Defining Contexts
[PFDC] M2.Base Mapping -- > 3. Maps, Landform, Principles & Attitudes
[PFDC] M3. Concept Design: Water Systems --> 5. Water systems at the farm
[PFDC] M3. Concept Design: Infrastructure --> 7. Building Up Infrastructure
[PDFC] M3. Concept Design: Land Use --> 6. Trees & Woody Crops
[PFDC] M2.Base Mapping -- > 3. Maps, Landform, Principles & Attitudes
[PFDC] M3. Concept Design: Water Systems --> 5. Water systems at the farm
[PFDC] M3. Concept Design: Infrastructure --> 7. Building Up Infrastructure
[PDFC] M3. Concept Design: Land Use --> 6. Trees & Woody Crops
July 16, 2025
I am super happy I bought this book. I was skeptical because it is pricey, but the cost is worth it. I’m learning so much. I was searching for my answers about farming and everything I found was so vague. Not this book it’s like a text book that I read in my university courses. Super informative and makes me hopeful that I will have the knowledge to actually make my dream a reality!!!!!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews