“A Maine Garden Almanac” is a book of “essays, poems, simple recipes and musing all rolled into one for people of all gardening abilities to enjoy” written by gardener Martha Fenn King of York, Maine. Organized by season, it starts with the spring, and winds through a plethora of topics: from beekeeping, to foraging greens, […]

Flower farmers are known for their unflagging passion for flowers: from seed to bloom with hands in the soil, many have found a life of joy and fulfillment. “Flower Farming for Profit” author Lennie Larkin is no exception. Ten years ago, she jumped into flower farming, first in California then in Oregon, giving it her

“The Celestial Garden: Growing Herbs, Vegetables, and Flowers in Sync with the Moon and Zodiac” by Jane Hawley Stevens invites readers on a journey into her world of gardening under the guidance of the moon, offering a unique blend of horticultural expertise and astrological wisdom. Stevens illuminates the interconnectedness between growing plants and the cosmos,

Early this year, MOFGA was glad to welcome Stephanie Wang — one of the authors of this gorgeous book — as the speaker at a webinar on growing Asian vegetables in your garden. After enjoying her talk, I was happy to have the opportunity to read and review the beautiful book that Stephanie created with

“The Vegetable Garden Problem Solver Handbook” offers a good introduction for beginning gardeners and a useful reference book for new and experienced gardeners alike. Though the book misses some detail in its breadth, it is especially useful for gardeners struggling with physiological issues, plant diseases and large animal pests. The first chapter of the book,

In this age of quick internet searches, a cookbook has to resonate deeply for me to consider purchasing it. “The Nourishing Asian Kitchen” belongs on everyone’s cookbook shelf. It is an innovative back-to-the land approach to Asian foods, the perfect book for anyone wanting clean, garden-to-plate, easy and nutritious meals. Finally there is a cookbook

Making a living by farming on just one-third of an acre, Ben Hartman demonstrates how to “scale-down” farm production to increase impact in his newest book, “The Lean Micro Farm.” A farmer, author, husband, father and community member, Hartman proves that living his values has not compromised his ability to run a viable business. Inspired

“The Korean Herbal Apothecary” by Grace Yoon is a concise and powerful exploration of Korean herbal medicine, blending ancient practices with modern well-being. Authored with a clear passion for herbal wisdom, personal connection and stories from Yoon’s family, and Korean proverbs, poetry and folklore, this book is a valuable resource for anyone curious about natural

Like many in our MOFGA community, Chris Smaje is a small-scale farmer whose commitment to rural livelihood and traditions has strong intellectual underpinnings. He has written a brief but effective rebuttal to “ecomodernism,” an emerging argument that advocates for technological solutions to the climate change conundrum. If a return to nuclear power makes you uneasy;

In the beekeeping community, where the balance between tradition and innovation is crucial, “Raising Resilient Bees” by Eric and Joy McEwen is a helpful guide for apiarists seeking to navigate the challenges posed by mites and ensure the preservation of locally adapted genetics in honeybee colonies. The McEwens, seasoned beekeepers and advocates for sustainable practices,