October 2019 Issue PDF

Acres U.S.A., The Voice of Eco-Agriculture, October 2019 | Issue #580 Copyright 2019, 100 pages (22.3 MB)

FEATURES 

A Balanced Soil Diet
By SPENCER SMITH
Plant diversity — yes, even a few weeds — can improve soil health in the same way a diverse diet boosts the gut microbiome.

Goats For Good
By ANNELIESE ABBOTT
A Michigan operation is using management intensive grazing to restore soil health and make mouth-watering, sought-after cheeses.

Certification Confusion
By LEAH SMITH
Food labels and certifications can be bewildering for consumers and farmers alike. Learn what they mean and why they don’t always tell the whole story.

Advent of Eco-Farming
By ANNELIESE ABBOTT
Ecology wasn’t just invented in the 1970s. Understanding that farmers must work with, not against, nature has deeper roots in history.

Biodynamic Origins
By ROB VOLLMER
The legacy of Rudolf Steiner lives on at modern organic farms across the world. Who was this philosopher and polymath?

New Farm Finance 
By LEIGH GLENN
Innovative investment groups look for long-term investments in ecologically sound organic farms, not just short-term profits.

Homestead Techies
By ANITA B. STONE
Living off the land doesn’t mean living like a Luddite. Homesteaders across the country are looking for a technological edge.

Bank on Bale Gardening
By KARIN DENEKE
Straw bales are a great material to use for raised-bed gardens, which work well for those gardeners who are looking to save their knees.

Loud and Clear
By LEIGH GLENN
When hiring workers or apprentices, farmers and ranchers must establish clear lines of communication to succeed in the end.

Interview: Akiva Silver
A visionary ecologist and arborist talks about his latest book, Trees of Power: Ten Essential Arboreal Allies, a hopeful work that extols the earth-healing properties of our grandest plants.

DEPARTMENTS 

VIEW FROM THE COUNTRY
Monthly musings from Acres U.S.A.’s editor.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Readers share their thoughts on past articles and words of encouragement.

OPINION: Remembering Walters
By KEN FOUSEK
As the 50th anniversary approaches for Acres U.S.A. magazine, a long-time friend of the publication remembers founder Charles Walters. 

ECO-UPDATE
News in brief from around the world on developments in eco-farming technology, organic food and farming, human health and vital environmental issues. 

CONSULTANT'S CORNER: Rules for Fertile Soil
By JON FRANK
Why do high soil fertility and adequate inputs produce high resiliency? Because biological systems have nutritional requirements.

MINDING YOUR BUSINESS: How to Set Wholesale Farm Prices Like a Pro
By TIM YOUNG
Tips to keep your farm business profitable and ahead of the curve.

STOCK & FLOCK: A Guide to Guardians
By PAUL DORRANCE
Not all Livestock Guardian Animals are created equal.

HEALTH & HEALING: Meat Still Matters
By ALLIE HYMAS
Dietician and filmmaker looks to add balance in the endless war on meat. 

REVIEWS & RECOMMENDATIONS
From in-depth book reviews to innovative websites and beyond, here’s what’s on our radar.

MARKETPLACE

CLASSIFIEDS

ECO-MEETINGS

We let you know when and where exciting eco-farming events are happening.

MEET AN ECO-FARMER

Get to know fellow innovative farmers putting ecologically correct production principles to work, resulting in profitable, sustainable operations.