Rebirth of the small family farm : a handbook for starting a successful organic farm based on the community supported agriculture concept

This is a concise yet complete handbook for starting a successful organic farm based on the community supported agriculture concept. Written for farmers and non-farmers alike, the book illustrates how two middle-aged novices are making a decent living on less than two acres of land. Bob and Bonnie found few resources applicable to their situation when they began researching making their farm dream a reality, and the book originally stemmed from their own desire to help others by sharing universal guidelines on small farm start-ups. The model explained in the book is an updated version of the diverse market gardens/farms found throughout recorded history. Not just a theory book, it details specific tools, techniques and how-to information. The Gregsons share sound advice along with specific tools, marketing techniques, and planning guidelines, such as start up requirements, business plan basics, the importance of value-added products, choosing the best equipment and supplies, and more. The core of their operation, the subscription system, is examined in detail, with sound recommendations and guidelines for implementation. Cover Page......Page 1 Title Page......Page 4 Copyright......Page 3 Dedication......Page 2 Foreword......Page 6 Contents......Page 7 Introduction......Page 8 Chapter 1 Our First Years on the Farm......Page 11 Chapter 2 What Our Farm Does: An Overview......Page 18 Chapter 3 Key Factors to Success......Page 22 Chapter 4 Start-Up Requirements......Page 37 Chapter 5 Overview of Equipment and Supplies......Page 41 Chapter 6 Setting Up the Land......Page 51 Chapter 7 Marketing Strategy......Page 56 Chapter 8 Crop Selection and Planning......Page 59 Chapter 9 Starting Plants......Page 68 Chapter 10 Operating a Subscription System Farm......Page 74 Chapter 11 What’s Next?......Page 83 Chapter 12 Other Things to Talk About......Page 84 Appendix A Sources of Materials......Page 90 Appendix B Island Meadow Farm Crop Selection and Related Data......Page 93 Appendix C The Most Valuable Periodicals......Page 95 Appendix D Community Supported Agriculture Resource Organizations......Page 97 About the Authors......Page 99

this A Concise, Yet Complete Handbook For Starting A Successful Organic Farm Based On The Community-supported Agriculture Concept. Written For Non-farmers, The Books Illustrates How Two Middle-aged Novices Are Making A Decent Living On Less Than Two Acres Of Land. The Model Explained In The Book Is An Updated Version Of The Diverse Market Gardens/farms Found Throughout Recorded History. Not Just A Theory Book, It Details Specific Tools, Techniques And How-to Information.

Our combined farming experience amounted to Bob's working in the eastern Washington wheat harvest during a high school summer, and Bonnie's weeks spent on her grandparents' Iowa farm at age ten.