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Learn how to use natural no-till systems to increase profitability, efficiency, carbon sequestration, and soil health on your small farm.
The Organic No-Till Farming Revolution is the comprehensive farmer-developed roadmap showing how no-till lowers barriers to starting a small farm, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, increases efficiency and profitability, and promotes soil health.
Farming without tilling has long been a goal of agriculture, yet tilling remains one of the most dominant paradigms; almost everyone does it. But tilling kills beneficial soil life, burns up organic matter, and releases carbon dioxide. If the ground could instead be prepared for planting without tilling, time and energy could be saved, soil organic matter increased, carbon sequestered, and dependence on machinery reduced.
This hands-on manual offers:
- Why roller-crimper no-till methods don't work for most small farms
- A decision-making framework for the four no-till methods: occultation, solarization, organic mulches grown in place, and applied to beds
- Ideas for starting a no-till farm or transitioning a working farm
- A list of tools, supplies, and sources.
This is the only manual of its kind, specifically written for natural and small-scale farmers who wish to expand or explore chemical-free, regenerative farming methods.
Andrew Mefferd is editor of Growing for Market magazine. He has spent 15 years working on farms in six states, including a year working on a no-till research farm, and worked for seven years in the research department at Johnny's Selected Seeds. He travels around the world consulting with researchers and farmers on the best practices in greenhouse growing and sustainable agriculture. He is the author of The Greenhouse and Hoophouse Grower's Handbook, and has a passion for promoting local farming movements. He lives and farms in Cornville, Maine.
Foreword: The Age of Carbon by Kai Hoffman-Krull
Part One: The Organic No-Till Farming Revolution
1. Introduction
2. Understanding No-Till Systems
3. An Overview of Organic No-Till Techniques
Part Two: Grower Interviews
Mulch Grown in Place
Dan Pratt, Astarte Farm
Shawn Jadrnicek, Wild Hope Farm
Shawn Jadrnicek, "Advanced No-Till Mulching and Crimping Techniques"
Cardboard Mulch
Ricky Baruc & Deb Habib, Seeds of Solidarity Farm
Deep Straw Mulch
Andrew Schwerin, Sycamore Bend Farm
Dan Heryer & Brooke Selvaggio, Urbavore Farm
Deep Compost Mulch
Denise & Tony Gaetz, Bare Mountain Farm
Polly & Jay Armour & Jenna Kincaid, Four Winds Farm
Daniel Mays, Frith Farm
Hedda Brorstrom, Full Bloom Flower Farm
Shanon & Michael Whamond, Hillview Farms
Corinne Hansch & Matthew Leon, Lovin' Mama Farm
Mikey Densham & Keren Tsaushu, Mossy Willow Farm
Casey Townsend & Dan Morris, Natick Community Farm
Conor Crickmore, Neversink Farm
Elizabeth & Paul Kaiser, Singing Frogs Farm
Jonathan & Megan Leiss, Spring Forth Farm
Bryan O'Hara, Tobacco Road Farm
Notes
Resources: No-Till Tools and Supplies
Index
About the Author
About New Society Publishers