Microfarms
Organic Market Gardening on a Human Scale
Jean-Martin Fortier author Aurélie Sécheret author Laurie Bennett translator
Format:Paperback
Publisher:New Society Publishers
Publishing:16th Jan '25
£24.99
This title is due to be published on 16th January, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
New from the best-selling author of The Market Gardener - a revolutionary approach to small-scale local agriculture
Discover the art of sustainable small-scale farming with Microfarms. This guide delves into low-tech and highly effective organic farming techniques. Packed with vivid illustrations, it unveils Jean-Martin Fortier's proven methods through engaging case studies, offering a blueprint for success in ecological farming.
From the bestselling author of The Market Gardener – key principles for biointensive market gardening and powerful stories of successful growers who are farming profitably on a human-scale
Microfarms is a guide to setting up and running profitable small-scale vegetable farms using organic, low-tech, and highly intensive production methods grounded in ecological principles.
This full-color, richly illustrated resource brings to life the core principles of Jean-Martin Fortier's time-tested approach and includes eight detailed case studies showcasing a diverse range of market gardeners who have started successful farms using Jean-Martin's biointensive techniques. Key features of the book include:
- A distillation of Jean-Martin's methods, rooted in agroecology, permaculture, and humanscale business principles
- An exploration of the four essential pillars: proper crop planning, low-tech/low-investment farm tools, organic fertility management, and sound business practices
- Strategies for enhancing farm profitability through direct marketing channels including farm stands, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) boxes, and farmers markets
- Proven techniques to boost crop yields while preserving biodiversity and improving the livelihoods of those working on the farm
- Engaging stories of successful new market gardeners, detailing their varied journeys, from initial setup and land procurement to crop planning, team coordination, and sales and revenue.
Microfarms champions local agriculture on a human-scale, advocating for a food system that honors the environment, nurtures communities, and supports farmers. This book is an essential read for new and aspiring small-scale farmers, market gardeners, homesteaders, proponents of local food systems, and food lovers everywhere.
Praise for Jean-Martin Fortier
The Market Gardener
Jean-Martin’s book is very well done and should be of great use to market growers everywhere.
—Eliot Coleman, organic farming pioneer, author, The Winter Harvest Handbook
This is a thorough farming manual that lays out a human-scale farming system centered on good growing practices and appropriate technology. Had I read this book when I was a starting farmer, I would now be farming with a walking tractor on an acre and hailing Jean-Martin as my market gardening guru! This book is going to inspire new farmers to stay small and farm profitably.
—Dan Brisebois, farmer, Tourne-Sol Cooperative Farm, author, The Seed Farmer
This is a fantastic addition to any aspiring market gardener's library, and even has a few new ideas for old hands. Jean-Martin has laid out all of the basics for how we can farm more profitability, productively, and passionately on a more human-sized scale.
—Josh Volk, Slow Hand Farm, Portland, Oregon
Jean-Martin Fortier extols the virtues of being small-scale, and expertly details the use of such scale-appropriate tools as broadforks, seeders, hoes, flame weeders, low tunnels, high tunnels, and many other unique tools, specifically designed for this brand of farming. [He provides] beginning farmers a solid framework of the information they need to start up and become successful small-scale organic growers themselves.
—Adam Lemieux, Product Manager of Tools & Supplies, Johnny's Selected Seeds
The Winter Market Gardener
The core challenge of growers in the north is learning how to feed our communities with fresh, local, real food in the winter. With great research and detailed charts, this book shows exactly how to do just that. Every grower should buy it, read it, and incorporate its ideas. An indispensable book.
—Ben Hartman, author, The Lean Micro Farm
Jean-Martin’s passion for organic farming is contagious. He is always innovating, experimenting, and sharing his findings with others, and The Winter Market Gardener is no exception. This book is practical, thorough, well-researched, and an invaluable resource for cold-climate growers.
—Erin Benzakein, Floret
The essential guide for winter market gardening for the new generation of growers is here! In the face of capricious socio-economic and environmental conditions, growing food through the winter is of utmost importance. Winter market gardening meets year-round community needs for healthy local produce and sustainable profitability for small-scale farmers.
—Zach Loeks, edible ecosystem designer, author, The Two-wheel Tractor Handbook and The Permaculture Market Garden
This book was written by two people who have devoted their lives to helping feed communities better. Winter is no longer off-limits, it’s open to all of us.
—Michael Kilpatrick, educator, Growing Farmers, farmer, The Farm on Central
ISBN: 9781774060049
Dimensions: 254mm x 191mm x 10mm
Weight: 327g
160 pages