Successful Small-Scale Farming: An Organic Approach

by Karl Schwenke

Offering proven techniques and practical advice, this inspiring handbook covers all aspects of successfully running a small organic farm. With expert tips on everything from buying land to creating a niche market for your products, Karl Schwenke shows you how to naturally enrich your soil, acquire necessary equipment, consistently grow abundant crops, and manage farm finances. You’ll enjoy learning essential skills like haying and fencing as you turn your organic farming dream into a profitable reality. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Gardening, Agriculture

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Michael McQueen · Rating 1 out of 5]

To be fair, my rating is solely based on the book's usefulness to me. While I'm interested in organic farming, I'm searching for veggies not grasses. Also, only male pronouns used for farmers, which is far outdated and uncomfortable to read.

[David Bellangue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat outdated but some good points and resources to consult with.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice short 'how to' guide for people who are looking for an overview of they'll need to know. While far from being an A-Z manual that you could live by, it does help organize the questions that one must answer for themselves before starting a small family farm.

The book does have interesting chapters about simple machines and farm equipment that I found very helpful. The tone is, in places, a little sexist which I found a bit off putting.

If you're only going to read one book about small scale farming I would recommend "The Good Life," by Scott and Helen Nearing.

[Amber · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book sucks. There is nothing successful, small-scale, or organic about it. It's all about buying a tractor for your fields of corn, wheat, or soybeans. He's not all that opposed to deep plowing or petroleum fertilizers or deadly pesticides. And he keeps harping on about how HARD organic farming is compared to industrialized agriculture. Probably because he's doing it wrong.

[Kami · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seems very old fashioned. Drawings instead of pictures, and not really what I was looking for.

[Inder]

Kim and Ida gave this to me, but only if I promised to pursue my dream of one day owning a small farm/very large garden. So now I guess it's official ...

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book. Will refer back once we have 3-5 acres. Good advice, lots of details and drawings telling you exactly what to do.