Free Kindle The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer: The Ultimate Guide To Producing High-Quality Herbs On A Market Scale ebooks Download
A new approach to growing local medicine, including information on geo-authenticity, wildcrafting, and developing a good business plan Both a business guide and a farming manual, The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer will teach readers how to successfully grow and market organic medicinal Western herbs. Whether you’re trying to farm medicinal plants, culinary herbs, or at-risk native herbs exclusively or simply add herbal crops to what you’re already growing, successful small-scale herb farmers Jeff and Melanie Carpenter will guide you through the entire process―from cultivation to creating value-added products. Using their Zack Woods Herb Farm in Vermont as a backdrop, the Carpenters cover all the basic practical information farmers need to know to get an organic herb farm up and running, including: • Size and scale considerations; • Layout and design of the farm and facilities; • Growing and cultivation information, including types of tools; • Field and bed prep; • Plant propagation; • Weed control, and pests and diseases; • Harvesting, as well as wild harvesting and the concept of geo-authentic botanicals; • Postharvest processing; and, • Value-added products and marketing. The authors also provide fifty detailed plant profiles, going deeper into the herbs every farmer should consider growing. In an easy-to-understand, practical, and comprehensive manner, readers will learn how to focus on quality over quantity, and keep costs down by innovating with existing equipment, rather than expensive technology.Market farmers who have never before considered growing medicinal herbs will learn why it’s more important to produce these herbs domestically. The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer makes a convincing case that producing organic medicinal herbs can be a viable, profitable, farming enterprise. The Carpenters also make the case for incorporating medicinal herbs into existing operations, as it can help increase revenue in the form of value-added products, not to mention improve the ecological health of farmland by encouraging biodiversity as a path toward greater soil health.
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing (May 6, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1603585737
ISBN-13: 978-1603585736
Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 0.8 x 9.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #39,014 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #22 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Gardening & Landscape Design > Herbs #28 in Books > Business & Money > Industries > Agriculture #29 in Books > Textbooks > Science & Mathematics > Agriculture
I truly do recommend this book. I am very impressed with how it is written. It is very well balanced.There is some story telling to help emphasize a point or explain why they exercise a particular method, but every story has instructional value, which I really appreciate.The technical component is appropriately sized and valuable. There is one section in one chapter where the numbers really get crunched. The in-the-weeds (as it were) business data numbers. It is enough for you to learn what you need to know for you to consider starting a medicinal herb farm, but it is kept in check so that the whole book doesn’t become a technical manual that imparts migraines on its readers.Also, the encyclopedia-like section of the book is also appropriate and reasonably sized. What makes this section stand out is that it focuses on varieties of plants that the authors see marketable value in and each entry provides details harvesting, trying and caring for that plant as a medicinal herb, not just a plant in general.Finally, I respect Jeff and Melanie because they acknowledge how their beliefs conflict with their business needs. For example, while speaking about a desire to stay permaculture design minded they also speak to their feeling that they cannot grow on their scale without a tractor. But don’t run away scoffing – read the book. They have a wonderful and respectful approach worth reading, understanding and considering.See more about my review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACf4U1l9Mco
We have been considering starting an herbal farm and this book had the information that I needed. While this is an introductory book, the information provided is concise and wide ranging, and includes very practical advise and first hand experience. In addition, there are numerous pictures not just of herbs, but of life on the farm. The resource section will prove to be very useful as well. The book is printed on high quality glossy paper. Worth every penny!
I am a 22 year old with a wild dream of someday having my own medicinal herb farm, and this book is the most helpful tool I have yet to come across. It has made me feel like it is actually possible for someone so small to maybe, someday, be successful, and more importantly help support my community through ethically grown botanicals. I am so beyond thankful this book was made and that people like Jeff and Melanie Carpenter exist to give encouragement to people like me. You will not regret this purchase!!
My goal of buying this book is to get a resource for growing medicinals for myself and family, rather than relying on others for staple medicinal herbs. While I have yet to really READ this book, having it in my hand I have already spent a few hours in it. It will serve my purpose quite well, but it is better at its stated purpose, "Producing High Quality Herbs on a Market Scale." More than anything, this is a business book. It was written specifically to teach the reader the business basics of starting up a small-scale (1-10 acre) farming of medicinal herbs, from initial business analysis to choice of herbs to grow to sales and marketing. While I normally go into deeper detail in reviews, it would not really add to this review to discuss the types of tractors they recommend, the post-harvest processing specifics or marketing considerations. It is worth mentioning that they give a decent description of about 50 herbs you should consider growing. They are in Vermont and I am in the Republic of Texas, so their recommendations for consideration are just that. Some simply will not grow here except maybe over the winter as annuals. They point this out and give USDA zones and growing specs for each variety, along with general medicinal uses and their own experiences growing each variety. While this is not Very up to date business data, written in 2014 (reviewed in Q4-2015). This may help me some day turn a hobby I'm just starting into a side business. At the very least, it will help me be better at my hobby, which is the reason i purchased it. Looking forward to digging into this one!
I have shelves loaded with herbal medicine, field ID guides and miscellaneous botany books...but this is one of the first of it's kind exploring the husbandry behind some of those medicinal herbs in our cabinets. Would highly recommend to herbalists and gardeners alike
I love this book. It gives practical information and points you to sources that can also help you. The details it gives on every plant, including prices both dried and "fresh" for the various herbs is also valuable. I didn't know what mechanized farming tools were out there and this details them all from rototillers to major tractors. I also found it a good read, but then I'm a bit of a garden fanatic.
An excellent book. Will be the standard for commercial organic herb growers. Incredibly useful information presented in a clear and organized way. I am proud of these young folks! I wish I'd had this book years ago.
This comprehensive resource is nothing short of a bible for anyone interested in growing and marketing herbs and plant medicine. This book will educate and support current and future generations of farmers and herbalists.
The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer: The Ultimate Guide to Producing High-Quality Herbs on a Market Scale Herb Gardening: Beginner's Guide to Growing Organic Herbs at Home Medicinal Plants of North America: A Field Guide (Falcon Guide Medicinal Plants of North America) Medicinal Plants of the Desert and Canyon West: A Guide to Identifying, Preparing, and Using Traditional Medicinal Plants Found in the Deserts and Canyons of the West and Southwest The Market Gardener: A Successful Grower's Handbook for Small-scale Organic Farming Peterson Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs of Eastern and Central North America, Third Edition (Peterson Field Guides) The Beginner's Guide to Medicinal Plants: Everything You Need to Know About the Healing Properties of Plants & Herbs, How to Grow and Harvest Them How To Dry Herbs: The Complete DIY Herb Drying Guide A Modern Herbal (Volume 1, A-H): The Medicinal, Culinary, Cosmetic and Economic Properties, Cultivation and Folk-Lore of Herbs, Grasses, Fungi, Shrubs & Trees with Their Modern Scientific Uses Medicinal Mushrooms: An Exploration of Tradition, Healing, & Culture (Herbs and Health Series) Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition Organic Perfume: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Making the Best Organic Perfume in 24 Hours or Less! Inside the Pike Place Market: Exploring America's Favorite Farmer's Market Homegrown Herbs: A Complete Guide to Growing, Using, and Enjoying More than 100 Herbs The Complete Book of Herbs: A Practical Guide to Growing and Using Herbs Hydroponics: The Definitive Beginner's Guide to Quickly Start Growing Vegetables, Fruits, & Herbs for Self-Sufficiency! (Gardening, Organic Gardening, Homesteading, Horticulture, Aquaculture) The Natural Pregnancy Book, Third Edition: Your Complete Guide to a Safe, Organic Pregnancy and Childbirth with Herbs, Nutrition, and Other Holistic Choices Mastering Artisan Cheesemaking: The Ultimate Guide for Home-Scale and Market Producers The Flower Farmer: An Organic Grower's Guide to Raising and Selling Cut Flowers, 2nd Edition The Organic Farmer's Business Handbook: A Complete Guide to Managing Finances, Crops, and Staff - and Making a Profit
