#Book Recommendation Lists #Gardening and Agriculture
Alidia Vane
One Straw Revolution: An Introduction to Natural Farming
One Straw Revolution is a classic in sustainable farming. In this book, Fukuoka describes his life, beginning with his youth and going on to describe his unique perspectives on natural farming and sustainable agriculture. His “do nothing” approach to farming was revolutionary in that it encouraged a step away from intensive agriculture, back to methods that more closely mirror nature’s processes. He encouraged techniques that have since experienced a resurgence in popularity, including no-till and fertilizer-free farming. Throughout the text, Fukuoka also reflects on how the practice of cultivating the earth is a spiritual and healing process, and how, by changing the ways we produce our food, we can create a happier and healthier society.
Link: [ https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/one-straw-revolution_masanobu-fukuoka/252657/ ]
The Soil Will Save Us: How Scientists, Farmers, and Foodies Are Healing the Soil to Save the Planet
Kristin Ohlson’s book, The Soil Will Save Us, describes the process of capturing atmospheric carbon into the soil, and how its implementation could solve myriad environmental problems, including drought, erosion, pollution, food quality, and global climate change. Ohlson highlights the work of the visionary scientists, farmers, ranchers, and landscapers who are studying and implementing this restorative process. By beginning to use these strategies, these leaders are beginning to undo the impacts of thousands of years of harmful farming and ranching practices.
The Organic No-Till Farming Revolution: High-Production Methods for Small-Scale Farmers
No-till farming is the practice of growing crops without tilling the soil, which increases water retention and limits runoff. Andrew Mefferd’s book, The Organic No-Till Farming Revolution, explains how to effectively implement these systems on a small farm. Implementing no-till strategies can increase a farm’s profitability, efficiency, carbon sequestration, and soil health. By explaining these strategies in a practical, step-by-step manner, Mefferd reduces barriers to no-till farming, making it attainable for a wide range of farmers, from professional farmers and full-time homesteaders to hobbyists and those just starting out.
The Omnivore’s Dilemma
The Omnivore’s Dilemma is an award-winning book by Michael Pollan that seeks to answer a seemingly-simple question: what should we eat? To answer this central question, Pollan compares the impacts of three categories of food: industrial food, organic food, and food we forage ourselves. He explores each of these food chains, from the origins to the dinner table, and explains the relevant environmental impacts which are produced along the way. Pollan ultimately comes to recommend locavorism, a diet including only foods that are produced locally. According to Pollan, this approach to food consumption uses less fossil fuels and is ultimately more sustainable than the current model of the agricultural industry, which relies heavily on transporting various stages of the process over long distances.
Link: [ https://michaelpollan.com/books/the-omnivores-dilemma/ ]
Everyone’s Table: Global Recipes for Modern Health
Everyone’s Table is a James Beard Award-winning cookbook by Top Chef star Gregory Gourdet. In this book, Gourdet shares over 200 delicious, globally-inspired recipes, with a special focus on using superfoods and seasonal ingredients. On top of that, the recipes are also all free from gluten, dairy, soy, legumes, and grains — but according to reviews, the recipes will taste so good that you won’t notice their absence.
Extending the Table: A World Community Cookbook
Extending the Table is a global cuisine cookbook that includes a variety of recipes from around the world. What sets this book apart is that it also shares information about the cultures which produced these recipes by sharing their stories, proverbs, and traditions around food. This thoughtfully-designed book also includes labels and indexes for gluten-free and vegetarian recipes, as well as regional menus to guide you in designing entire meals featuring dishes from one country or continent. In addition, royalties from the book are donated to support global relief, peace, and community efforts, meaning that you can feel good about eating good.
Eat a Little Better: Great Flavor, Good Health, Better World: A Cookbook
Eat a Little Better is a James Beard Award-winning cookbook by Sam Kass, the former chef to the Obama family and the White House food policy advisor. The book includes over 90 recipes crafted to make eating sustainably and healthily easy and delicious. On top of that, Kass also provides tips on grocery shopping, setting up your kitchen, and other methods to improve your food habits. Though each tip may seem like a small step, taken together, they can add up to big change, for you and for the planet.
Link: [ https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/eat-a-little-better_sam-kass/14579992/#edition=15457905&idiq=33429864 ]
Plenty More: Vibrant Vegetable Cooking from London’s Ottolenghi
This visually-stunning cookbook includes more than 150 vegetarian recipes designed by London chef Yotam Ottolenghi. Each recipe features spices, seasonality, and bold flavors drawn from Ottolenghi’s travels around the world. Plenty More draws on these foundational elements to feature the diversity of vegetarian dishes, from inspired salads to dazzling desserts. Therefore, these recipes can be enjoyed by vegetarians and omnivores alike.
Putting Food By: Fifth Edition
Ruth Hertzberg’s Putting Food By has been a classic among home chefs for over thirty-five years. Called “the bible of home canning, preserving, freezing, and drying” by The New York Times, Putting Food By is a comprehensive text explaining everything that you need to know about food preservation techniques. The book includes step-by-step directions on a variety of preservation techniques, recipes for preserved goods, and tips about equipment and safety. With this book in hand, you can confidently begin your own food preservation journey.
Link: [ https://www.amazon.com/Putting-Food-Fifth-Ruth-Hertzberg/dp/0452296226/ ]
