š Our Favorite Resources
These are the resources that Morgan and I refer to often on our seasonal, slow living journey. It currently has a heavy gardening/homesteading vibe. Over time, as Morgan and I add to the list, it will become more holistic.
A few things of importance to note:
This is going to be a living document. Resources will be added over time.
I will note at the bottom of the letter when resources are added or taken away. I will also note beside the resource the date it was added.
There are no affiliate links in this list. We arenāt getting paid for these suggestions. If this changes, it will be acknowledged here.
Books
Wendell Berry is an agrarian philosopher and will go down as one of the best writers and thinkers the US has produced. Heās a poet, a novelist, an essayist, and a national treasure. I recommend reading whatever you can get your hands on of his, but if it is only one, I suggest his book of agrarian essays - The Art of Commonplace. (8/24)
Gene Logsdon is the grandfather I never had. He wrote in a way that makes you laugh and sometimes blush. He was a farmer and a writer. A critic of the āget big or get outā ethic that infected agriculture during his young adult years. He, like Wendell, was a philosopher. But more than that, he was a practical guy that loved farming- and happened to write about it. I recommend reading all of Geneās books. If you only read one, read The Contrary Farmer. (8/24)
The Four Season Harvest and The New Organic Grower by Elliot Coleman - Elliot Coleman is one of the market farming OGs*. His book The Four Season Harvest is a must read if you want to grow vegetables year-round. Like many great writers, his work will be read long after he is gone and the content is dated. While his works are technical, there is a thread of wisdom throughout his writings that can only come from a life dedicated to oneās craft. (8/24)
*I (Taylor) send the newsletters to my mama before sending them out. She looks them over and helps me find the numerous mispellings and grammar errors. For this one, she asked me what āOGā means. OG means āOriginal Gangster.ā Duh.
The Market Gardener by Jean Martin Fortier - This is an excellent book for anyone interested in market gardening or growing a lot of vegetables efficiently. This is considered by most market gardeners a āmust-haveā. (8/24)
The Small-Scale Poultry Flock by Harvey Ussery - If you have a small chicken flock, you need this book. Harvey covers all of the topics, from breeding to growing your own feed. He also shares inspiring and creative pictures of his home flock. (8/24)
Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques by Suzanne Ashworth - If you are interested in saving seeds from the vegetables you grow, then this book has to be in your library. It also has straightforward growing advice as well. If I have a specific question about a certain crop, this is a book I will often turn to first. (8/24)
USDA Woody Plant Seed Manual - This resource contains excellent information on collecting, preserving, and growing out woody plant (trees) seeds. It also contains a lot more. It is truly an incredible resource and many folks donāt know about it. Find it here. (8/24)
Magazines
Farming Magazine - Itās great for both technical advice and slow living encouragement. Quarterly Publication. (8/24)
Growing for Market - The title says it all. This is a great magazine for anyone interested in growing for a market. But it is also great for folks who just want to take their produce or flower growing to the next level. (8/24)
The Stockman Grass Farmer - This publication focuses on managing livestock on pasture. It is full of excellent advice and tips for managing such systems. Highly recommend. (8/24)
Youtube videos and channels
No-Till Growers - I often end up on this channel when Iām looking to educate myself on no-till growing methods. It contains a wealth of information on the topic as well as on growing market produce in general. (8/24)
Living Web Farms - Excellent videos from the OGs of regenerative agriculture. They were doing it way before it was trendy. The video that put me on to them was this one on making biochar. (8/24)
The Elliott Homestead - Morgan loves this channel. Itās a great channel for homesteading inspiration. There is a lot to like here. (8/24)
Websites
Microbeorganics.com - This website has no frills, but it is full of quality substance. If you can, read the whole thing. If you canāt, start on the section titled āOrganic Growing from a Microbial Perspective.ā It is the best explanation of how the soil food web works that I have found. (8/24)
The Contrary Farmer Memorial Blog Site - The blog site of Gene Logsdon. Its part philosophy, part satire, and part advice. Too many good articles to only choose one. If I had to choose only one, Iād start with this one. (8/24)
Before you go!
š If you love The Common, please share it with all of your friends and family!
ā If you are passionate about gardening or seasonal living, share it with our community and write for The Common! Email taylor@acommonlife.co for more information.
š§ Morgan and I do a podcast. Listen here: A Common Life Podcast