This book's Potent Nostalgia is for those ordinary laws of physics and biology, which Northern economies have abandoned in favour of extra-ordinary laws of fossil physics. The rediscovery of our place in the world may prove to be a greater delight than the pain of losing extra-ordinary power. In any case, if we don't reshape our lives as parts of the whole, then those very ordinary laws will react by flood for some, desert for others and with an unpredictable violence and rapidity. Discovery of appropriate techniques can only happen citizen by citizen. Governments and commercial corporations have shown that they are incapable of change. Knowledge is not a function of power. The author farms in a family partnership which produces cereals, vegetables, apples, beef and lamb. Nearly all the produce is sold directly, by way of a market stall, which he proposes as a step towards a real and convivial economy, which may nicely fit those ordinary laws of physics and biology.

This collection features four peer-reviewed literature reviews on soil health indicators. The first chapter describes indicators and frameworks for soil health currently in use. It evaluates the principles underpinning current approaches to monitoring soil quality/health and shows these principles have been applied in the development of a practical soil health toolkit for use by UK farmers. The second chapter reviews the range of physical, chemical and biological indicators of soil health and how they can be used in practice. It focusses on measuring soil health in organic vegetable cultivation and, in particular, ways of measuring the effects of adding organic amendments to improve soil health. The third chapter discusses key issues in soil organic carbon (SOM) modelling and the development of increasingly sophisticated, dynamic SOM models. It looks at the role of SOM models in improving soil health monitoring and developing decision support tools for farmers The final chapter reviews current challenges in collecting more systematic and reliable data on earthworm communities, including issues in identifying different earthworm groups. It includes a case study on developing a robust method for accurate measurement of earthworm communities in soil in assessing and improving soil health.

This book is for both teachers and students of universities and colleges who are working on, or are interested in, the subject of 'Greenhouse Technology', or in dealing with subjects related to crop science. This book also targets researchers, extension workers and individual entrepreneurs to provide a clear and handy idea about greenhouse technology. The book is divided into 8 chapters. Chapter 1 contains the introduction, which elaborates on the reason and necessity of cultivation under greenhouse, the definition of greenhouse, and the history and present scenario of greenhouse cultivation. Chapter 2 narrates the meaning of greenhouse technology, the planning of greenhouse, the subjects involved in it, the fundamental points which are required to be understood for different climatic situations and the purpose of a greenhouse. Chapter 3 deals with the importance of different climatic and non-climatic factors in selecting proper greenhouse technology. This chapter also highlights the different measuring systems required for greenhouse technology. Chapter 4 describes in detail the design and construction of a greenhouse, which includes basic forms and types of greenhouses, its different covering materials, particular aspects of construction, cost estimates for different types of greenhouses etc. Chapter 5 introduces the innovative 'Bamboo Greenhouse Technology. It starts with the preparation of bamboo and ends with the detailed design and construction aspects of this unique low-cost, scientific and highly efficient greenhouse. Chapter 6 is the most important chapter for greenhouse technology. It elaborates on the control mechanisms for different climatic components, such as light, temperature, humidity, precipitation, and carbon dioxide. Chapter 7 discusses the important aspects of cultivation and special methods of crop husbandry which are essential for greenhouse cultivation. These include crop selection, bed preparation, fertilizer application, irrigation, canopy management, training and pruning, and pest management. Chapter 8 is the last chapter, and it provides some tips for the cultivation of a few important crops which are generally deemed suitable for the greenhouse.

[F]or anyone who has ever sat in a city office dreaming of owning a smallholding one day and living off the land, this book will inspire them to take the plunge. Rated 5 stars by The Telegraph I raced through this beautiful story with mounting awe and excitement. What Lynn and Sandra have achieved on their croft in Scotland is a miracle of rebirth on land Isabella Tree, author of Wilding The inspiring story of two courageous women who took the leap and embraced a whole new way of life. Kate Humble, author of Home Cooked As seen on the BBC’s This Farming Life  Our Wild Farming Life is what happens when you follow your dreams of living on the land; a story of how two people became farmers – and how they learned to make a living from it, their way. Lynn and Sandra left their friends, family and jobs in England to travel north to Scotland to find a small piece of land they could call their own. They had no money, no plan and no experience in farming. They had in mind keeping a few chickens, a kitchen garden and renting out some camping space, but instead, they fell in love with Lynbreck Croft – 150 acres of wild Scottish Highlands filled with opportunity and beauty, shrouded by the Cairngorms mountains. This is the inspirational true story of Lynbreck Croft – a regenerative Scottish croft rooted in local food and community – and the dreams of two women in search of a new, wilder existence. In Our Wild Farming Life, Lynn and Sandra recount their experiences as they rebuild their new home and work out what kind of farmers they want to be. They learn how to work with Highland cattle, become part of the crofting community and begin to truly understand how they can farm in harmony with nature to produce wonderful food for themselves and the people around them. Through efforts like these, Lynn and Sandra have been able to combine regenerative farming practices with old crofting traditions to keep their own personal values intact.