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by Daniel Mays (Author)
No-till -- a method of growing crops and providing pasture without disturbing the soil -- has become an important alternative to standard farming practices. In this comprehensive guide to successful no-till vegetable farming for aspiring and beginning farmers, author Daniel Mays, owner and manager of an organic no-till farm in Maine, outlines the environmental, social, and economic benefits of this system. The methods described are designed for implementation at the human scale, relying primarily on human power, with minimal use of machinery. The book presents streamlined planning and record-keeping tools as well as marketing strategies, and outlines community engagement programs like CSA, food justice initiatives, and on-farm education.
Back Jacket
Growing food in undisturbed soil is nature's model for success and a core concept of sustainable farming. No-till practices and plant diversity preserve soil structure, increase water absorption, reduce erosion, and allow microscopic life to flourish.
Learn how you can use this intensive approach to vegetable farming to increase production while maintaining a human-scale operation, with fields, tools, and methods sized for people rather than tractors and machinery. In this in-depth manual, Daniel Mays shares his proven strategies for operating a thriving, no-till, small-scale commercial farm, including how to: - Maximize production and efficiency through soil health and biodiversity- Maintain a weed-free farm
- Integrate cover crops and livestock
- Increase resilience through interplanting, hedgerows, and beneficial insect habitat
- Build community and a vibrant customer base
- Make a good living from farming.
