An Agricultural Testament

An Agricultural Testament
Author: Albert Howard
Publisher: Distant Mirror
Total Pages: 304
Release: 2021-04
Genre:
ISBN: 9780648870524

Why is there a cow on the front cover of this book? This is a book about agriculture, and farm animals have become unfashionable in some quarters. Cows, it turns out, are responsible for global warming, climate change, and so, no doubt, rising sea levels and chemtrails. But any real farmer, from any time in history, knows that this is not true. Animals have been around forever. Animals are a vital part of an insanely complex living system. Anyone who knows the basics of regenerative agriculture understands this. Albert Howard spent years studying and using the methods of traditional Asian agriculture, and shows in this book that the fertility and health of the soil depend on humus, in the production of which animal materials play an vital role. A healthy soil needs animal inputs. Animals in agriculture are central; they're right in there with fungi. This message is not welcomed by those who would feed the modern world a diet of plant-based, lab-grown food substitutes that have lists of ingredients as long as your arm, and are going to save the planet using gene-spliced soybeans and 3D printed pizzas. So, the cow and her calf are on the cover to redress the balance, and also to feature as one of the stars of this book (along with sugar cane, waste pits, and public servants). She was the photogenic one. Albert Howard's text has been thoroughly re-edited in this new version of his book. The habit, common at the time, of using long paragraphs is not preferred by modern readers, so the text has been extensively 'reparagraphed'. Grammar has been tweaked, and styles have been adopted. Headings have been added, infinitives unsplit. The changes made have been to make things more comfortable for modern eyes and tastes. The sense and intention of the author has not been altered at all, of course. We hope that Albert Howard would approve of this reworking of his book. His ideas are more important than ever. Wendell Berry wrote in The Last Whole Earth Catalog "Howard's discoveries and methods, and their implications, are given in detail in An Agricultural Testament. They are of enormous usefulness to gardeners and farmers, and to anyone who may be interested in the history and the problems of land use. But aside from its practical worth, Howard's book is valuable for his ability to place his facts and insights within the perspective of history. This book is a critique of civilisations, judging them not by their artefacts and victories, but by their response to the sacred duty of handing over to the next generation, unimpaired, the heritage of a fertile soil."

The Soil and Health

The Soil and Health
Author: Albert Howard
Publisher: University Press of Kentucky
Total Pages: 357
Release: 2011-01-23
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 0813132096

During his years as a scientist working for the British government in India, Sir Albert Howard conceived of and refined the principles of organic agriculture. Howard’s The Soil and Health became a seminal and inspirational text in the organic movement soon after its publication in 1945. The Soil and Health argues that industrial agriculture, emergent in Howard’s era and dominant today, disrupts the delicate balance of nature and irrevocably robs the soil of its fertility. Howard’s classic treatise links the burgeoning health crises facing crops, livestock, and humanity to this radical degradation of the Earth’s soil. His message—that we must respect and restore the health of the soil for the benefit of future generations—still resonates among those who are concerned about the effects of chemically enhanced agriculture.

The Waste Products of Agriculture

The Waste Products of Agriculture
Author: Sir Albert Howard
Publisher: Oxford City Press
Total Pages: 138
Release: 2011-06
Genre: Gardening
ISBN: 9781849023825

Originally published: London: Humphrey Milford/Oxford University Press, 1931.

Scripture, Culture, and Agriculture

Scripture, Culture, and Agriculture
Author: Ellen F. Davis
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 231
Release: 2008-10-13
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1139473611

This book examines the theology and ethics of land use, especially the practices of modern industrialized agriculture, in light of critical biblical exegesis. Nine interrelated essays explore the biblical writers' pervasive concern for the care of arable land against the background of the geography, social structures, and religious thought of ancient Israel. This approach consistently brings out neglected aspects of texts, both poetry and prose, that are central to Jewish and Christian traditions. Rather than seeking solutions from the past, Davis creates a conversation between ancient texts and contemporary agrarian writers; thus she provides a fresh perspective from which to view the destructive practices and assumptions that now dominate the global food economy. The biblical exegesis is wide-ranging and sophisticated; the language is literate and accessible to a broad audience.

An Agricultural Testament

An Agricultural Testament
Author: SIR ALBERT HOWARD, C.l.E., M.A.
Publisher: Prabhat Prakashan
Total Pages: 263
Release: 2023-10-01
Genre: Self-Help
ISBN:

Embark on a journey of agricultural enlightenment with "An Agricultural Testament" by Sir Albert Howard, a seminal work that revolutionized modern farming practices and sparked a global movement towards sustainable agriculture. Join Sir Albert Howard as he shares his pioneering insights into the principles of organic farming and the interconnectedness of soil health, plant nutrition, and human well-being. Follow Sir Albert Howard's groundbreaking research and practical experience as he explores the symbiotic relationship between soil, plants, and microorganisms, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of the ecological principles that govern agricultural systems. Through clear explanations and real-world examples, readers learn how to harness the power of nature to cultivate healthy, productive, and resilient farms. Themes of sustainability, regenerative agriculture, and ecological stewardship permeate "An Agricultural Testament," offering readers a roadmap for transitioning from conventional farming methods to organic, holistic approaches that promote soil fertility, biodiversity, and long-term agricultural resilience. Sir Albert Howard's visionary insights inspire readers to rethink their relationship with the land and embrace practices that nurture both the earth and its inhabitants. Characterized by its scientific rigor and practical wisdom, "An Agricultural Testament" captivates readers with its blend of innovative ideas, empirical evidence, and timeless principles. Sir Albert Howard's holistic approach to farming offers readers a holistic vision of agriculture that transcends narrow ideologies and promotes harmony between humans, animals, and the environment. Since its publication, "An Agricultural Testament" has been hailed as a landmark work in the field of sustainable agriculture, earning praise for its visionary insights and practical guidance. Sir Albert Howard's advocacy for organic farming and his emphasis on soil health and biodiversity continue to inspire farmers, scientists, and policymakers around the world. As you delve into the pages of "An Agricultural Testament," you'll find yourself empowered to embrace a new paradigm of farming that honors the wisdom of nature and promotes the health and vitality of the land. Sir Albert Howard's timeless principles offer readers a blueprint for cultivating abundance and resilience in harmony with the natural world. Don't miss your chance to join the agricultural revolution with "An Agricultural Testament" by Sir Albert Howard. Let this groundbreaking book be your guide to regenerative farming practices that nourish the soil, sustainably feed the world, and cultivate a brighter future for generations to come. Grab your copy now and embark on a journey of discovery, innovation, and ecological stewardship.

A Garlic Testament

A Garlic Testament
Author: Stanley Crawford
Publisher: UNM Press
Total Pages: 260
Release: 1998-04
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 9780826319609

Meditations on growing garlic and on the farming way of life.

Footprints in the Soil

Footprints in the Soil
Author: Benno P Warkentin
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 573
Release: 2006-04-18
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0080477879

The history of science discipline is contributing valuable knowledge of the culture of soil understanding, of the conditions in society that fostered the ideas, and of why they developed in certain ways. This book is about the progressive "footprints made by scientists in the soil. It contains chapters chosen from important topics in the development of soil science, and tells the story of the people and the exciting ideas that contributed to our present understanding of soils. Initiated by discussions within the Soil Science Society of America and the International Union of Soil Sciences, this book uniquely illustrates the significance of soils to our society. It is planned for soils students, for various scientific disciplines, and for members of the public who show an increasing interest in soil. This book allows us to answer the questions: "How do we know what we know about soils? and "How did one step or idea lead to the next one?The chapters are written by an international group of authors, each with special interests, bound together by the central theme of soils and how we came to our present understanding of soils. Each concentrate on soil knowledge in the western world and draw primarily on written accounts available in English and European languages. Academics, graduate students, researchers and practitioners will gain new insights from these studies of how ideas in soil science and understanding of uses of soils developed.* Discusses tracing soils knowledge accumulated from Roman times, first by soil users and after 1800s by scientists* Offers ideas about how soils knowledge was influenced by the social context and by human needs* Combines the history of ideas with scientific knowledge of soils* Written by chapter authors who combine subject matter expertise with knowledge of practical soil uses, and provide numerous references for further study of the relevant literature

Farmers of Forty Centuries or Permanent Agriculture in China, Korea and Japan

Farmers of Forty Centuries or Permanent Agriculture in China, Korea and Japan
Author: F. H. King
Publisher: Global Oriental
Total Pages: 457
Release: 2011-04-06
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9004217908

First published in 1926, this classic survey, which includes nearly 250 photographs, examines the traditional farming methods of the densely populated lands of China, Korea and Japan and shows how fertility can be maintained over many centuries through conserving and utilizing natural resources. In the Introduction, the author notes: ‘The United States as yet a nation of but few people widely scattered over a broad virgin land with more than twenty acres to the support of every man, woman and child, while the people whose practices are to be considered are toiling in fields tilled more than three thousand years and who have scarcely more than two acres per capita, more than one-half of which is uncultivable land.’ Researchers and scholars in the fields of human geography, regional studies and earth sciences, as well as social and economic history will welcome this landmark study being returned to print.

Nature as Measure

Nature as Measure
Author: Wes Jackson
Publisher: Catapult
Total Pages: 193
Release: 2011-09-01
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1582438935

An essential and timely collection of wise and compelling essays from one of the longtime leaders of the sustainable agriculture movement in America. Wes Jackson, “a well–known and admired advocate for sustainability especially as it relates to agriculture, has the rare ability to transform his convictions into captivating prose . . . Jackson’s thoughts are still as significant and profound as they were nearly 20 years ago” (Publishers Weekly) and can teach us many things about the land, soil, and conservation, but what most resonates is this: The ecosphere is self–regulating, and as often as we attempt to understand it, we are not its builders, and our manuals will often be faulty. The only responsible way to learn the nuances of the land is to study the soil and vegetation in their natural state and pass this knowledge on to future generations. “[A] small book rich in ideas” (The New York Times Book Review), Nature as Measure collects Jackson’s essays from Altars of Unhewn Stone and Becoming Native to This Place, presenting ideas of land conservation and education that are written from the point of view of a man who has practiced what he’s preached and proven that it is possible to partially restore much of the land that we’ve ravaged. Wes Jackson lays the foundation for a new farming economy, grounded in nature’s principles and located in dying small towns and rural communities. Exploding the tenets of industrial agriculture, Jackson seeks to integrate food production with nature in a way that sustains both. His longtime friend Wendell Berry provides an informative, contextual Introduction. “For those concerned about what will be left and how many billion will be starving in twenty years, this is a must read.” —Register of the Kentucky Historical Society “A good introduction to a thinker whose ideas on agriculture are radical both in their technical approach to food production as well as in terms of the economic, social, and cultural context within which it is practiced.” —Review of Radical Political Economics

The Complete Book of Composting

The Complete Book of Composting
Author: Jerome Irving Rodale
Publisher:
Total Pages: 1022
Release: 1960
Genre: Gardening
ISBN:

Compost is the heart of the organic concept of gardening. This book is a compilation of material, facts, features, experiences, research, letters, questions and answers about compost that have appeared in Organic Gardening and Farming magazine for eighteen years.