The No-Till Organic Vegetable Farm - by Daniel Mays (Paperback)

About the Book

As more farmers recognize the benefits of no-till farming for soil health, water retention, and crop productivity, expert Daniel Mays provides an in-depth how-to manual on getting started with no-till techniques for successful vegetable production on a commercial scale.

Book Synopsis

No-till -- a method of growing crops and providing pasture without disturbing the soil -- has become an important alternative to standard farming practices. In this comprehensive guide to successful no-till vegetable farming for aspiring and beginning farmers, author Daniel Mays, owner and manager of an organic no-till farm in Maine, outlines the environmental, social, and economic benefits of this system. The methods described are designed for implementation at the human scale, relying primarily on human power, with minimal use of machinery. The book presents streamlined planning and record-keeping tools as well as marketing strategies, and outlines community engagement programs like CSA, food justice initiatives, and on-farm education.

From the Back Cover

Growing food in undisturbed soil is nature's model for success and a core concept of sustainable farming. No-till practices and plant diversity preserve soil structure, increase water absorption, reduce erosion, and allow microscopic life to flourish.

Learn how you can use this intensive approach to vegetable farming to increase production while maintaining a human-scale operation, with fields, tools, and methods sized for people rather than tractors and machinery.

In this in-depth manual, Daniel Mays shares his proven strategies for operating a thriving, no-till, small-scale commercial farm, including how to:

- Maximize production and efficiency through soil health and biodiversity
- Maintain a weed-free farm
- Integrate cover crops and livestock
- Increase resilience through interplanting, hedgerows, and beneficial insect habitat
- Build community and a vibrant customer base
- Make a good living from farming.

Review Quotes

"An exceptional book." -- Eliot Coleman, farmer and author of The New Organic Grower and Four Season Harvest

"A great treatise on the importance of a holistic approach to agriculture and a must-read for any serious market grower." -- Jean-Martin Fortier, farmer and author of The Market Gardener

"Daniel Mays has hit the ball out of the park. Home gardeners and market gardeners alike will learn much about honoring soil life while growing the best vegetables possible." -- Michael Phillips, farmer and author of The Holistic Orchard

"If you want to farm for a living, I highly recommend reading this book. It is one of the best guides for serious growers that I know of." -- Ben Hartman, farmer and author of The Lean Farm and The Lean Farm Guide to Growing Vegetables

"Farmer Mays draws from nearly a decade's worth of experience running his five-acre Frith Farm in Maine for this useful primer on 'intensive no-till vegetable production'... Straightforward and encouraging, Mays's insightful and detailed account is a one-stop source for small farmers looking for both inspiration and practical advice."
-- Publisher's Weekly