From sustag@beta.tricity.wsu.eduFri Sep 15 22:20:19 1995 Date: Fri, 15 Sep 1995 09:35:53 -0700 (PDT) From: "Tom Hodges (moderated newsgroup)" To: Principles of Sustainable Agriculture Subject: Re: New book - "The Soul of Soil" (fwd) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Fri, 15 Sep 1995 03:53:09 -0500 From: Ibrahim Ortas To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: Re: New book - "The Soul of Soil" On Thu, 14 Sep 1995, David Katz wrote: > ****************************************************** > NEW BOOK EXPLAINS > ECOLOGICAL SOIL MANAGEMENT > ****************************************************** > > "The Soul of Soil: A Guide to Ecological Soil Management," by Grace > Gershuny and Joe Smillie, is now available in a new, extensively revised > third edition. A practical introduction to managing soil for long-term > productivity, this reference provides useful guidelines for making > management decisions based on ecological principles, with minimal reliance > on "off-farm" fertilizers. > > Sustainable agriculture aims to protect the soil's ability to > regenerate nutrients lost when crops are harvested. This regenerative > capacity depends on the diversity, health and vitality of the organisms > that live, grow, reproduce, and die in the soil. > > The goal of ecological soil management is to enhance conditions for > the billions of microbes found in every gram of healthy soil. These > microscopic organisms supply plants with the necessary nutrients at the > right time, and in the right form and amount. > > The authors describe good management of soil organic matter and > humus to achieve long-lasting soil fertility. These methods include the use > of green manures, crop rotations, on-farm composting, and mineral > fertilizers. Detailed information is given to help the farmer with > everything from collecting soil samples to using practical, on-farm tests > that measure soil structure, water-holding capacity, and fertility. > > This guide also tells farmers how to improve their skills of > observation, evaluation and management, as they must when reliance on > purchased inputs is reduced. Specific "how-to" information is given for > monitoring and analysis of many practices, such as application of composts > and manures, interpreting soil test results, and crop responses to > different fertility programs. > > In addition to soilbuilding techniques, "The Soul of Soil" > discusses recordkeeping, cultivation, weed control, maintaining nutrient > balances, and soil testing. For those who are considering or have already > implemented organic certification, this book will aid in planning farm > operations. > > The authors are experienced farmers, farm advisors and writers. Joe > Smillie has worked worldwide as a consultant in ecological agriculture > since 1976. He is co-author of "The Orchard Almanac." Grace Gershuny edited > "Organic Farmer: The Digest of Sustainable Agriculture" from 1990 to 1994, > and recently joined the staff of the USDA's National Organic Program to > implement its accreditation program for organic certification. > > "The Soul of Soil" includes many tables, a glossary, lists of > resources, and a bibliography. Published by agAccess, the 158 page book > sells for $16.95, softcover. To order, send a check for the cover price > plus $4.00 shipping & handling (Californians please add 7.25% sales tax) > to: > > agAccess > P.O. Box 2008 > Davis, CA 95616. > > MasterCard, Visa and purchase orders are accepted. Telephone Monday > through Friday 9am to 5:30pm PST and Saturdays 10am to 4pm PST (916) > 756-7177. Email to agaccess@davis.com or fax to (916) 756-7188. > > Free review copies are available to editors or journalists wishing > to review the book for publication. Please send mail (snail or E) to > agAccess for review information and a copy of the book if you are > interested. > > ****************************************************** > PLEASE DISTRIBUTE > ****************************************************** > > >