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

If you've ever dreamed of having a small, productive farm but didn't know where to begin or how to creatively make money and have fun at the same time, this book is The Source for you. Barbara Berst Adams' "Micro Eco-Farming" is loaded with great ideas, sensible how-to information and strategies for starting, maintaining and expanding an environmentally friendly mini farm. The breadth of her knowledge is impressive. She obviously understands every aspect of small-scale farming from raising livestock and poultry to growing specialty herbs, flowers and vegetables. This is a practical handbook and a solid reference you will always want to keep on hand. It has earned a permanent place in my library.

It has been my long-time dream to have a house in a rural place with a few acres and a cash crop. With this dream in mind, I read "Micro Eco-Farming" by Barbara Berst Adams. It is a wonderful book. Besides great suggestions for types of small farm or backyard businesses that lend themself to success, the many real examples bring the possibilities to life. But, there is much more. The book describes how to go about setting up a small eco-business, why and how each one works, and how the benefits of such an endeavour go far beyond just cash. Of special interest to me is practical ways to make the most of a very small gardening plot or space. I don't have land yet (I'm still in a condo in a small city), but there was one tip that I used immediately. It was using trace minerals to help plants flourish, with sometimes dramatic results. I use trace minerals for my personal health, but never thought about my houseplants needing the same. This makes total sense, and I have just started adding trace minerals to their water! I thoroughly enjoyed reading Barbara's delightful book and can hardly wait until I get my own small plot of land to make use of the wisdom she conveys through her own experience and that of others. I could almost taste the strawberries, smell the hay, and hear the sounds of the birds as I read her book. Ahhh.

It made sense to me that I first saw this book recommended by the National Gardening Association. After all, some of the farms described in it successfully operate from backyard gardens and even urban lots. Later I saw that Rodale's New Farm magazine recommended it with the following quote: "The author continually returns to the concept of the "whole farm," where each part integrates with the whole in a mutually beneficial relationship--from the animals, to the insects, to the soil, to the plants, to the farmer and his or her family, expanding outward to the local community and region. She offers an abundance of examples of how farmers have come up with one-of-a-kind products--from specialty wool to simply the experience of interacting with animals--or turned a problem into an advantage--such as the couple who sold homemade salsa "kits" like hotcakes right smack in the middle of a tomato glut." I'm glad I now own a copy of this book. I was impressed to find out that the Trends Institute had correctly predicted a nationwide (if not worldwide) return to farms like these, or that a new world was opening up again for local farms. I liked learning what makes these new micro eco-farms very different from pre-industrial farms, as well as in what ways they are similar. I never expected it to be a step-by-step rehash of ag-extension grape-trellising or fence-making how-tos which are available free or low-cost to anyone, nor the details of just one person's farm that worked for that person in his or her location. It is non-technical and describes many microfarm examples, explains the concept of how they grow and expand continually (without getting physically larger). Most farms described are from backyard size to five acres, with some up to 15 acres or so, and even one larger farm that added a microfarm element that seemed to outdo its larger counterpart in business!

This book makes me want to stop everything I'm doing and start farming full-time. It has inspired me to have a small farm-stand outside my apartment this summer. (I have a small city garden) Her writing was full of hope and wonder for the natural world. It wasn't a simple 1, 2, 3 steps for farming, although she did cover various sustainable farming techniques. (not in full - but it gives the reader the freedom to pursue what works for them. Included is an awesome "Resources and Networking" Appendix so the reader can do more research.) Barbara actually dives into connection with the earth, connection with community, and even connection with her children. It was very personal, but I could relate to everything she covered. I actually wrote down various quotes that I loved from the book. This is one of my favs: "We don't need corporate agribusiness to save us from starvation. Food is our excuse to co-create with nature instead of being passive recipients; to reach across species; to mingle with other humans; and to listen to an earthly rhythm."

This is a creative work of art, as well as a practical explanation of various methods of eco-farming. Barbara Berst Adams has a glorious ability to live close to the earth while being highly articulate and spiritual. It reminds me of my childhood during the depression when we would have starved had it not been for our gardens, chickens and cows! At least we knew what real food tasted like, and when it was recommended that we not eat eggs, I never stopped eating eggs. This book is not only timely, practical and educational. It is delightfully written with the heart of a poet! You will encounter many varieties of eco-farms with interesting and successful concepts in producing and marketing on surprisingly small acreages. I loved this book! Lois Gates Lenz Norman, Oklahoma