Small-Scale Grain Raising: An Organic Guide to Growing, Processing, and Using Nutritious Whole Grains for Home Gardeners and Local Farmers, 2nd E

by Gene Logsdon

Book Overview

First published in 1977, this book--from one of America's most famous and prolific agricultural writers--became an almost instant classic among homestead gardeners and small farmers. Now fully updated and available once more, Small-Scale Grain Raising offers a entirely new generation of readers the best introduction to a wide range of both common and lesser-known specialty grains and related field crops, from corn, wheat, and rye to buckwheat, millet,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1603580778
• ISBN13: 9781603580779
• Release Date: May 2009
• Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing Company
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.53 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.9" x 9.9"

Customer Reviews

Lots of good info

This is a great book, with lots of good info. It really makes things less complicated. Also, this book can be downloaded for free online, do a little bit of searching ;)

Questions Answered

This book provides an excellent introduction to growing grains for gardeners or small farmers. It covers corn, wheat, sorghum, oats, soybeans, rye, barley, buckwheat, millet, rice, and other small grains, such as triticale, spelt, beans, flax, and sunflowers. Each chapter includes information on planting the crop, diseases and pests, harvesting the crop, storing and processing, and even a few recipes. The book also concludes with an illustrated glossary and an index. Logsdon argues that growing your own grains is not that difficult, and can make financial sense for homesteaders. The biggest hurdle is the Knowledge--how do you do it? The best way to learn to farm is by working with a farmer, someone who already knows the trade and is willing to share the Knowledge. These days, however, it's becoming harder and harder to find someone with experience in growing grains on a small-scale, even harder than it was in the 1970s when Logsdon originally published this book. If you've got to rely on book learning to get started in grain growing, then this book makes an excellent reference. The illustrated glossary at the back is particularly useful for farming newbies.

Wealth of Information

Logsdon provides much practical information about how to raise a few square yards for grain to several acres. He explains how he raises each different type of grain (oats, wheat, corn, soybeans ect.), controls weeds, and problems associated with each grain. Logsdon also gives an explantion of how to properly rotate your different grain crops to improve soil fertility. Different tools one might use to plant, weed, and harvest grain are discussed. An added bonus is his discussion of grasses and clovers. My soybeans (raised solely for green manure) did very well. This is worth reading if one is interested in growing grains, in particular if one is interested in growing grains a naturally as possible.

Excellent Reference Book

Logsdon provides the expertise needed plant, grow, harvest, and store all common (and some uncommon) grains using a low level of technology. If you want to know how to raise your own grains without major equipment - THIS IS THE BOOK. At least some of this knowledge is in danger of being lost. An EXCELLENT reference book!