Books & More
Check out our suggested resources for small-scale arid vegetable growers and contact us to if you have more to share!
Nella Mae’s Picks
Podcasts
Growing for Market Magazine podcast
GFM has been around since the 90’s and covers a wide range of topics for flower and veg growers in all sorts of climates. One I think is great for folks in extreme climates is on the Orisha automation for greenhouses, episode 119.
This podcast by JM Fortier and Chris Moran covers lots of topics. I recommend episode 38 for a pick-me-up when you are ready to quit in August. It is called “Small-Scale Farming is the Coolest Counterculture of our Time.”
Books & Magazines
I have probably read 100 farming books, and I am so grateful to everyone who has taken the time to share their insights and ideas. Here are but a few of the books that have helped me figure out how to farm in an arid climate either because they have practical tips and tricks, or they helped me to think differently.
Growing for Market Magazine. GFM articles are written for farmers by farmers. I have written many articles including on creating a strong farm team, managing bindweed, and growing in clay. The article archive is endless!
Green Grass in the Spring: A Cowboy’s Guide to Saving the World by my mentor Tony Malmberg. A teaching on Holistic Management wrapped in a memoir of making it work on a Wyoming ranch.
Growing Food in a Hotter, Drier Land by Gary Nabhan. Hands down the most important book I have read about strategies to grow in hot, extreme conditions. I recommend all of Gary’s research and books which you can find on his website.
The Lean Farm and the Lean Micro-Farm by Ben Hartman. The Lean Farm books have made me think differently about how I farm and how I spend my time.
The Drought-Resilient Farm by Dale Strickler. Great strategies for water conservation.
The Organic No-Till Farming Revolution by Andrew Mefferd is interviews with a dozen farms and their practices.
Sustainable Market Farming by Pam Dowling. An excellent book to read and have on hand for reference when it comes from seed to post harvest handling.
Soil Science for Gardeners, Compost Science for Gardeners, and Plant Science for Gardeners by Robert Plavis. What you need to know explained for real farmers.
Greenhorns: 50 Dispatches from the Next Generation of American Farmers. I give this book to all my young/new farmer friends.
Katie’s Picks
Podcasts
Growing for Market Magazine podcast
Books
The Living Soil Handbook by Jesse Frost.
The Winter Market Gardener by Jean-Martin Fortier and Catherine Sylvestre. In the high desert we get high highs and low lows. Winter gardening tips help for our extreme seasons.
The Greenhouse and Hoophouse Grower’s Handbook by Andrew Mefferd.
The Ecological Farm by Helen Atthow. Katie & Nella Mae were in a farmer book club where we read this book by another eastern Oregon/Montana farmer.
Other Resources
Snake River Seed Co-Op. Seeds grown by farmers like us from the intermountain west. Check out their “seed school!”
Seeds from Italy. Nella Mae has had good luck with these Franchi seeds. Arugula and spigariello varieties are particularly well-adapted for extreme hot and cold temperatures. The family-owned company is generous with information.
Great Basin Seeds. A great option for pollinator crops, pasture seed, and native seeds for arid environments.