AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
Water use
Smart Water Use on your Farm or Ranch, a 16-page bulletin produced by the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SARE), features ways to manage soil infiltration, select drought-tolerant crops and native forages, and design innovative runoff collection systems. Available online. Visit www.sare.org/webstore, or call 301-504-5411.
Innovative research
2006/2007 SARE Highlights features 12 of the most innovative research projects funded by SARE. To order free copies, visit www.sare.org/webstore, or call 301-504-5411.
Fruit growers' journal
The International Journal of Fruit Science presents results of current scientific research and latest technologies in the management and marketing of fruit crops. Published quarterly, $50 subscription, Haworth Press (http://www.haworthpress.com/, 800-429-6784).
Weed management
Handbook of Sustainable Weed Management, edited by Harminder Pal Singh, outlines the scientific principles, biological processes, and how-to aspects of sustainable weed management. 892 pages with index, color photos and illustrations, $99.95 soft, $139.95 hardcover, Haworth Press (http://www.haworthpress.com/).
Microbial biofertilizers
Handbook of Microbial Biofertilizers, edited by Mahendra K. Rai, contains recent data on the various practices for increasing nutrient uptake in crops through the use of microbials as opposed to synthetic fertilizers and its positive effect on the environment. 579 pages, with illustrations, $124.95 hardcover, $69.95 softcover, Haworth Press (http://www.haworthpress.com/).
BUSINESS
Marketing grass-fed beef
Grass-based Meat Marketing CD's, available from the Leopold Center, profile three case studies of grass-based beef farms, and include a PowerPoint presentation and samples of marketing materials. $3 for shipping (www.leopold.iastate.edu/research/marketing_files/grassfed.htm).
Global perspective
Global Development of Organic agriculture: Challenges and Prospects, edited by N. Halberg, H.F. Alroe, M.T. Knudsen, and E.S. Kristensen, provides in-depth insights into the challenges of organic agriculture globally. CABI Publishing, $100 hardcover, 367 pages (http://www.cabi-publishing.org/).
Local-organic food trends
A new DVD: Good Food, Good Business, reveals today's local and organic food trends by featuring symbiotic relationships between organic growers, chefs and retailers. Cost to own is $30, $7.99 to rent, Arnold Creek Productions, Inc. (http://www.arnoldcreekproductions.com/).
Organic directory
2006 CCOF Organic Directory includes more than 850 organic products ranging from wine to almonds. There are over 100 new organic businesses, including farms, processors and traders, listed in this edition. Available in printer-friendly format at http://www.ccof.org/.
HOME AND GARDEN
Kitchen gardens
Designing the New Kitchen Garden, by Jennifer R. Bartley, shows how to lay out a traditional kitchen garden. Hardcover, 250 pages with 167 color photos and drawings, $34.95, Timber Press (http://www.timberpress.com/, 800-327-5680).
Fruits and Nuts
Subtitled A comprehensive guide to the cultivation, uses and health benefits of over 300 food-producing plants, this book by Susanna Lyle encourages gardeners to grow and use a wider variety of edible plants. Hardcover, 480 pages with 300 color photos, $59.95, Timber Press (http://www.timberpress.com/, 800-327-5680).
Lessons in Nature
Subtitled 50 years of organic advice from the Southwest's foremost composter, gardener, farmer, this book was written by Malcolm Beck, an organic garden expert and self-taught businessman. Softcover, 333 pages, $20, Acres U.S.A. (http://www.acresusa.com/).
Gardening when it counts
This volume by Steve Solomon is packed with important information for the beginning - as well as seasoned - organic gardener with up-to-date information on tools, composting techniques, spacing and irrigation to achieve optimum yields for the household garden. 352 pages with charts and illustrations, $23.95 (http://www.newsociety.com/).
Teaming with Microbes
In this book subtitled A Gardener's Guide to the Soil Food Web, authors Jeff Lowenfels and Wayne Lewis explain how to foster and cultivate the life of the soil through the use of compost, mulches, and compost teas. 196 pages, 74 color photos, hardcover $24.95, Timber Press (http://www.timberpress.com/).
Children's book
Seeds of Change collaborated with Mitten Press to produce I saw it in the garden, a picture book in rhyme by Martin Brennan with illustrations by Michael Glenn Monrow, that depicts a garden venture of a girl and her grandfather. $17.95 hardcover (www.greatgolfbooks.com/).
