The Living Soil and the Haughley Experiment


Book Description

A revised study of the soil's importance to the transfer of nutrients and energy and an account of the first farm study of the relationships among land use, agricultural practices, and nutritional yield







The Living Soil


Book Description




Health Benefits of Organic Food


Book Description

This book is the result of a Workshop. The objective of this Workshop was to address three key issues: the quantifiable effects of organic in comparison with conventionally produced food on human health; the environment impact on these possible health benefits; and how the public perceives these benefits. To address these issues, the Workshop examined such factors as the role of certain nutrients (e.g. nitrate and long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids acids) in the prevention and promotion of chronic disease, the potential health benefits of bioactive compounds in plants (e.g. flavonoids), the prevalence of food-borne pesticides and pathogens and how both local and global environmental factors may affect any differences between organic and conventionally produced foods.




Conventional and Organic Farming: A Comprehensive Review through the Lens of Agricultural Science


Book Description

Organic farming comes with many connotations of ‘natural’, ‘wholesome’, ‘healthy’, ‘superior’, ‘environmentally friendly’, and ‘sustainable’. But just what is the scientific evidence behind the claims of healthier food and better farming systems made by the organic movement? Using peer reviewed literature, the latest studies and a rigorous investigation of claims made by opponents of conventional farming, the author provides an even handed and scientifically objective review of the contributions of organic farming to human health, crop yields, the environment and agriculture from a global perspective. The aim is to separate out the marketing spin, the claims of one camp or another and political ideologies to provide a straightforward appraisal of both the benefits and exaggerated claims of organic farming. The approach taken is to present the evidence – in the form of data, study results and presentation of source material for the claims made by conventional and organic, and leave the reader to make their own judgements on the validity of the case for organic over conventional farming. The book also addresses a fundamental question in modern farming – organic agriculture’s ability to feed the world in the face of a growing population and growing demand for meat, and provides a timely scientific comparison of the practices, relative yields and benefits of organic versus conventional agriculture. The ways conventional farming has progressed from hunter gatherer days and possible future developments are discussed. Conventional and Organic Farming is an ideal book for agricultural policy makers, researchers and academics, as well as agricultural students, conventional and organic farmers. 5m Books




21st Century Homestead: Organic Farming


Book Description

21st Century Homestead: Organic Farming contains everything you need to stay up to date on organic farming.




The Complete Idiot's Guide to Organic Living


Book Description

Wholesome tips for a healthier you. Everyone knows that we should be doing more to be good to our body—but moving toward an organic lifestyle can be overwhelming. This guide provides step–by–step information on everything from food to cleaning products to how to detoxify our bodies. It includes choosing quality natural products, exploring holistic alternatives to conventional medicine, and determining what to eat—and what not to eat. • Global market for organic products reached $38.6 billion in 2006 • Practical, step-by-step advice for making the transition




The Agricultural Notebook


Book Description

The Twentieth Edition takes The Agricultural Notebook into its third century; it has been thoroughly revised and updated to reflect the considerable changes in agricultural and rural practices and policies which have taken place since publication of the previous edition. The book is divided into four parts: Crops, Management, Animal Production, and Farm Equipment. New sections added to this edition include: 1) A Marketing Perspective on Diversification, 2) Organic Farming, and 3) Farming and Wildlife. Since the first edition was compiled by Primrose McConnell in 1883, The Agricultural Notebook has become established as the standard work of reference for all those in the farming industry. With each edition it has evolved and changed in such a way as to provide agricultural scientists, students of agriculture and related subjects, farmers, farm managers and land agents with an abundance of current information on all aspects of the business of farming. Many comments received from lecturers and students who have used previous editions of the book have been taken into account in producing the twentieth edition. The thirty contributing authors have fully updated chapters, a new clearer layout has been adopted and much new information is included in easy-to-use tables and figures. The Agricultural Notebook is an essential purchase for all students of agriculture, countryside, and rural studies. Professionals such as farmers, land agents, agricultural scientists, advisers, suppliers to the agriculture industry and all those with a connection and interest in the agricultural community will find a huge wealth of information within the book’s covers. All libraries within universities, colleges and research establishments where agricultural and rural sciences are studied and taught should have multiple copies of this important new edition on their shelves.




High Up in the Rolling Hills


Book Description

In his youth, Peter Finch wove his way through a series of exploits and adventures. Travels took him to Canada, where a fateful encounter in the Rocky Mountains opened up new horizons. In midlife he and his wife Gundi made the shift to country living, ushering in a new phase in their life, as they set down roots in the hills and settled into a deliberately simplified lifestyle. Peter relates how he and Gundi immersed themselves in ways guided by nature. As she created and sold glass sculptures, he sunk his hands and tools into pure glacial-till soils, sowing, planting, and growing culinary and medicinal herbs, heirloom vegetables and salad greens to take to farmers markets and restaurants in and around Toronto. Invigorated by the pleasures and health benefits of growing, selling, and eating fresh organic food, Peter reveals how he became a passionate advocate of traditional, small-scale, chemical-free farming. High Up in the Rolling Hills shares the personal journey of an independent couple as they explore the vital role of nature, creativity, and healthy food in life.