The Independent Farmstead: Growing Soil, Biodiversity, and Nutrient-Dense Food with Grassfed Animals and Intensive Pasture Management

by Beth Dougherty, Shawn Dougherty, Joel Salatin (Foreword)

With in-depth information on electric fencing, watering, and husbandry for ruminants, poultry, and pigs, plus butchering, dairying, and more “If we work hard, we sleep well.” Twenty years ago, when authors Shawn and Beth Dougherty purchased the land they would come to name the Sow’s Ear, the state of Ohio designated it “not suitable for agriculture.” Today, their family raises and grows 90% of their own food. Such self-sufficiency is largely the result of basing their farming practices around intensive pasture management. Pioneered by such luminaries as Allan Savory, Greg Judy, and Joel Salatin, the tenets of holistic grazing―employed mostly by larger-scale commercial operations―have been adapted by the Doughertys to fit their family’s needs. In The Independent Farmstead , The Sow’s Ear model for regenerating the land and growing food―“the best you ever tasted”―is elucidated for others to use and build upon. In witty and welcoming style, The Independent Farmstead covers everything from choosing a species of ruminant and incorporating it into a grass-based system to innovative electric fencing and watering systems, to what to do with all of the milk, meat, and, yes, manure that the self-sustaining farm produces. Within these pages, the Doughertys discuss how As the Doughertys write, more and more people today are feeling “the desire for clean, affordable food, unmodified, unprocessed, and unmedicated and the security of local food sourcing for ourselves and our children.” The Independent Farmstead is a must-have resource for those who count themselves as part of this both new and prospective farmers and homesteaders, and those who are interested in switching to grass-based systems. Best of all it’s the kind of rare how-to book that the authors themselves view not as a compendium of one-size-fits-all instructions but as “the beginning of a conversation,” one that is utterly informative, sincere, and inspiring.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Agriculture, How To, Nature, Sustainability, Environment

336 pages, Paperback

Published August 25, 2016

Reviews

[Samantha B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent exploration of a biological/ecological/permaculture homestead in all its practical permutations! Soil fertility, grass, rotational grazing, water, &c. It was perhaps the most thorough overview of rotational grazing I've ever read, which was an Absolute Pleasure. I loved the way the authors stressed that they are only experts on their farm, and they don't know everything, so GO OUT AND LEARN.

And based on some of the things they say, and the pre-chapter quotes, I am 100% sure the authors are Christian, and 80% sure they're Catholic, so that's a huge plus. :)

I can definitely see myself coming back to this book over and over if I ever have a homestead!

I will say, they did seem to have an irrational bias against goats, AND thought that farms could not turn a profit? Which? Seems unlikely, based on the other books I've been reading? I mean, sure, ecological management may be more important than huge profits, but that doesn't mean that profits cannot be made.

4 stars!

[Eleni Mastronardi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I already wanted a dairy animal. Reading this gives me the (false) confidence that I could totally keep something like that alive!

But on a serious note: very informational; lays out the good, bad and ugly. If you’re interested in livestock at all, they give you all the positives and negatives so at least you can’t say no one told you.

[Miquela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, full of humor, conversation, and practical advice for those wanting to start a farmstead or make one more resilient by using common sense and on-hand tools to find solutions and ways of closing the energy (sunshine) storage and use loop.

I really knew Beth and Shaun were my kind of people when I read this line from page 215:

"When we feed shelled or threshed grain, as we still must do at times, we mix it with dairy wastes, or, lacking these, the rinse water from the milk pails and jars, water from cooking or blanching vegetables, the soaking water from a baking pan, or all of them combined."

Bolding mine. Yes! I love knowing I am not the only person who does this sort of stuff. :P

This is not a step-by-step model to follow; it is not chockfull of standard recipes for blanket success in grazing management (it does tell you how to make mozzarella and gouda, though ;) ); but it is a great starting point on a journey of discoveries and solutions that last a lifetime, as the authors humbly point out.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of information on how to start a self-sustaining homestead or farm. There were times when I frequently wanted more details (and I certainly want to drive down to their farm - we are only a few hours away) but at those junctures they usually had directions to more detailed sources. They never claimed to be writing the comprehensive manual, so it is ultimately a road map to the ideas and principles which will help get one started on the path to figuring out what is best for your land without shoehorning you into a “this is the only way to do it” mentality.

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're trying to produce as much of your food as possible (carbohydrates, protein, and fats) in an ecologically sound manner as possible, you eventually discover that what really wants to grow in most of the temperate world is grass. Unfortunately, humans can't eat that, which is where dairy animals come into the picture. The books is packed with information on how to manage pastures, livestock and integrate animals into food systems as well as an honest reckoning of how much work producing food takes.

After reading this I'm either confident or delusional enough to think I might be able to keep an animal alive, although I'll stick with the vegetables and plants for now, I like the fact I can take days off without anything dying.

[Lmichelleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hard for me to review, as I began learning from Shawn and Beth via YouTube before I bought their book and it's difficult to draw the line of where their influence has come from. First, this book is funny! I laughed out loud many a time at the situations a grass farmer might find themselves in as suggested in comic detail. Second, this book doesn't try to rehash all the details of homesteading as some books do, leaving you with a skim across the surface. No, you get down and dirty here and chuckle along the way. These are the folks who have inspired me to dream of a family milk cow and see how all the parts of a small working farm fit together to support one another. Well written, especially in the area of water capture and delivery options.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not my favorite reference book. I would give it 5 stars because the incredible detail and science the husband/wife author team put into this book is very impressive, however..... they are total dream crushers. As long as they stick with the science, this book is a fantastic reference tool but the moment they start injecting their personal opinions, the negativity flows like a burst dam. Don't get me wrong, the information is top-notch but what other reviewers labeled as witty and inspirational, I found to be arrogant, condescending, and disdainful. I believe these people are smart enough to create an ecologically sound lifestyle. I don't think they actually enjoy it.

[Raelene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an excellent resource and my favorite of all the homesteading/farm books I've read. I find myself turning to its pages again and again as we tackle new projects and dream up new ideas for improving our farm and raising our own food. I find their forthright, engaging, and sincere tone encouraging and empowering. Yes, we can do this.

[Patina Malinalli · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 out of 5 stars! I loved this book!!! It has advice that is simple to put into practice - whether you live on an urban homestead (a house or apartment inside city limits) or on a farm/homestead in the countryside. Not only does this book offer practical ideas for gardening and raising livestock, but also regarding issues such as saving/conserving water for personal use.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview book - great if you're looking for general information on a wide variety of topics related to livestock and pasture management but I'd supplement with more in depth books if you are truly going to take on animals.

[Alix St Amant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent excellent book. Extremely informative, including some fantastic out of the box thinking when it comes to closing the input loop (keeping nutrients on site, not having to bring inputs in, etc). If you’re a homesteader or want to be one, you need to read this one.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of inspiration and practical details.

[Rose Dougherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderfully written! It is easy to read and full information and inspiration. I highly recommend it.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

lots of info, worth having in your toolbox.

[Caleb Levi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covers everything! I had to skim through the subjects beyond my current station. I still enjoyed how each topic fits into the broader worldview.

[Monicabrooks50 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a text book. But very very good. If you are or want to be a grass-fed, regenerative farmer, this is a great resource.

[Kaycee Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this couple! They inspire me to press on in our homesteading journey and help simplify the process. As we are now in milk again, their practical help is a lifeline!

[Joe Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great guide for all looking for the way we were made to farm and homestead