It’s no secret that Forage Farms are passionate advocates of regenerative farming. We know that how we farm creates food that is better for our landscape, our animals and our customers. The momentum is building and it’s great to see others coming on the journey. If you are curious about the why and how of ‘regen’ here are 5 good books to put on your reading list.
Back from the Brink by Peter Andrews
This is the story of Peter Andrews’ remarkable success in converting degraded, salt-ravaged properties into fertile, drought-resistant pastures. The book provides an overview of Natural Sequence Farming and the methods he used to restore the reeds and streams and wetlands to the way they were before European settlement.
Folks, This Ain’t Normal by Joel Salatin
In this book Joel explains how we have become detached from the simple, sustainable joy of living close to the land. He shares his thoughts on what normal is and provides practical and philosophical ideas for changing our lives in small ways to create big impact.
Salatin’s message is that food should be wholesome, seasonal, raised naturally, procured locally, prepared lovingly, and eaten with a profound reverence for the circle of life.
Dirt to Soil by Gabe Brown
In Dirt to Soil Gabe Brown tells the story of an amazing journey to restore a failing farm in America. The book offers a wealth of innovative solutions to repairing the soil.
The Brown's Ranch model, developed over twenty years of experimentation and refinement, focuses on regenerating resources by continuously enhancing the living biology in the soil. Using regenerative agricultural principles, Brown's Ranch has grown several inches of new topsoil in only twenty years. The 5,000-acre ranch now profitably produces a wide variety of cash crops and cover crops as well as grass-finished beef and lamb, pastured laying hens, broilers, and pastured pork, all marketed directly to consumers.
For the Love of Soil by Nicole Masters
Globally recognised soil advocate and agroecologist Nicole Masters delivers the solution to rewind the clock on this increasingly critical soil crisis. She argues we can no longer treat soil like dirt. Instead, we must take a soil-first approach to regenerate landscapes, restore natural cycles and bring vitality back to ecosystems. This book translates the often complex and technical know-how of soil into more digestible terms through case studies from regenerative farmers, growers, and ranchers in Australasia and North America. It also shares key soil health principles and restoration tools. For the Love of Soil provides land managers with an action plan to kickstart their soil resource's well-being, no matter the scale.
Call of the Reed Warbler by Charles Massey
In this ground-breaking book Charles Massy explores regenerative agriculture and the vital connection between our soil and our health.
Using his personal farming experience as a touchstone, he tells the real story behind industrial agriculture and the global profit-obsessed corporations driving it. He shows how innovative farmers are finding a new way, regenerating their land and witnessing astounding transformations. Evocatively, he captures what it truly means to live in connection with the land.
Whether you be a farmer, backyard gardener, food buyer, health worker, policy maker or public leader there is something to learn. Call of the Reed Warbler offers a clear vision of a sustainable future for our food supply, our landscape, our health and our earth. It offers hope and a powerful affirmation of our potential for change.
