If you don't know about those things, this book is the place to start. With the information here and a little current market research, (ie. surf the web for 20 minutes to get prices,) you can write a complete farm business plan.

Well written, clear and to the point, it's full of tips and tricks to make your venture a success. It would be a bargain at ten times the price! (And I'm a hard grader.

50 of 53 found the following review helpful:


No b.s, uh....manure!  Jul 16, 2000
This book is for people who either live and farm in the country already, or have some realastic experience about what it is to work for a living. Anyone who has ever tried to bring in a crop, will appreciate the down-to-earth basic information provided. If you are looking for information about how to make a pretty garden, look elsewhere. this is a not to be missed reference, right up there with your county extension agent's telephone number.

56 of 61 found the following review helpful:


A Classic!  Feb 08, 1999
Anyone owning or planning to own a small farm will find this handbook an invaluable guide to both the real potential and the harsh realities in making a full or part-time living on the land - buying land, growing and marketing your crops. Concise how-to. 134 pages.

29 of 30 found the following review helpful:


An overview, unfortunatly biased  Nov 11, 2007 By A. M. Gladding
Once you get passed the government, agri-business, and scientist bashing introduction and first chapters, this is a good overview of farming equipment and basic practices. It is written for "new farmers", "a practical resource for the beginning cash crop grower." Judging by the equipment recommendations, it is intended for farmers rather than large gardeners.

The book was almost ruined for me by comments such as "wrong headed farmers", "why soil scientists came up with such a cumbersome scale defies explanation" (referring to the logarithmic pH scale), while freely using science to support his beliefs (without citing sources or giving credit).

The book has one of the best introductory farm equipment chapters, covering the small, older tractors a beginning farmer would be able to afford, and one of the best summaries of many pieces of farm equipment, that I have read. It is worth the price alone.

It has a chapter on farming practices such as plowing, tilling, terracing, cultivating which is worth reading as well. There are rather cursory chapters on soils and plant growth. While the author obviously believes in organic and sustainable agriculture; he does little to explain it. There are two chapters analyzing various cash crops that serve as a good introduction to finding a crop to grow, including standard farm crops such as wheat and corn, and specialty crops such as berries and wood lots. The concluding chapters on the farm in general, and farm life, are also good.

I would give the book four stars, perhaps, except for the bashing mentioned above, that serves no purpose whatsoever. It is a good book for someone taking a first look at farming as a new occupation.

52 of 58 found the following review helpful:


Fair but basic coverage of the topic  Nov 24, 1998
For the person unfamiliar with agriculture, this book has some value. It covers the field (pun intended) from about the 50,000 foot level. For additional information, the reader will have to get specific books on what was covered in a paragraph or two in this book.

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