Eco-Farm: An Acres U.S.A. Primer (Paperback)

~ (Author), C. J. Fenzau (Author) "Land, its management, its ownership, all dominate the lifespan of ecological systems, and therefore economic systems..." (more)
Key Phrases: United States, Sir Albert Howard, Ehrenfreid Pfeiffer (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Complete ecological agronomy course: soils, crops, weed & insect control --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Charles Walters is the founder and executive editor of Acres U.S.A., North America’s oldest and largest magazine covering organic and sustainable agriculture issues. He has penned thousands of articles on the technologies of sustainable farming – dubbed "eco-agriculture" because it is both economical and ecological. Walters is the author of many books, including: Weeds: Control Without Poisons; A Farmer’s Guide to the Bottom Line; Mainline Farming for Century 21; Fletcher Sims’ Compost; and others. A leading proponent of raw material economics, he has served as president of NORM and has authored several books on economics, including his classic work, Unforgiven: The American Economic System Sold for Debt and War. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 449 pages
• Publisher: Acres U.S.A.; 2nd edition (June 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0911311505
• ISBN-13: 978-0911311501
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,047,401 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best source on caring for the soil I have ever read!, July 18, 1997

By A Customer

Even though the beginning of the book has a slightly arrogant writing style, it is the best book on sustainable agriculture I have ever read. It is filled with the science behind the claims that, although complex, is easy to understand. It will make converts of even the most chemically dependent gardener or farmer if they have an open mind going in. It truely is THE organic primer Bible

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars There's better available, May 8, 2008

By	Iain C. Massey "iaincm" (Balingup, WA Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Eco-Farm, An Acres U.S.A. Primer: The definitive guide to managing farm and ranch soil fertility, crops, fertilizers, weeds and insects while avoiding dangerous chemicals (Paperback)

If you manage land, there are better sources on monitoring and building soil health with Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) testing and treating. You don't even need a whole book on the subject.

Despite liking and working with the CEC view of soil, I abandoned this book when the tone of voice just got too irritating. It's a kind of "Gee, those scientist types don't know jack! Looky here, you can larn more than them in your own living room!"

The editorialising is smug, irrelevant and alienating. Seek out the information without the we're-so-smart stuff.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sense not nonsense, July 22, 2007

By	M. Paterson - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Eco-Farm, An Acres U.S.A. Primer: The definitive guide to managing farm and ranch soil fertility, crops, fertilizers, weeds and insects while avoiding dangerous chemicals (Paperback)

I left college full of scientific knowledge and spent thirty years amending that with experience. Though I cannot subscribe to Steiner's Bio-dynamics I do follow sustainable farming techniques - those thirty years have taught me something. In this primer, that has been distilled and laid out clearly and without preaching as many "eco" texts do.

An excellent essay on conservative farming, blending the agro-science with eco-science.