Mark Shepard (2)

As the title suggests, this is a book about applying permaculture principles to farming [not just gardening]. Shepard is a technical writer, and is interested in principles [how] rather than values [why]. And from the rational standpoint, Shepard has come up with a solution to our agricultural crises. Anyone who wonders "how we're going to feed the world" should read this book.

There are a few flaws in his rhetoric. First, Shepard recommends against direct marketing and local economies, show more opting instead for wholesaling and commodity markets. This ties into his second set of issues, surrounding the word profit. Shepard suggests that farming isn't profitable. He is correct about this, but he then goes on how to describe that people can't make a living by farming. But making a profit and making a living are different things. There are plenty of people working at non-profits that are still alive. And I know a number of farmers whose livelihoods come from farming. Shepard is just using the word "profit" incorrectly.

But I can get how he's gotten the idea that farming isn't economically viable; because he doesn't use direct markets! Local economies are key to the success of "sustainable" food production. To use a rational term, local economies are efficient; global economies aren't.You can't have restoration agriculture without "restoration economics," and this is one of the shortcomings of Shepard's book. show less

I've been reading a lot of other permaculture materials, so there were few surprises here. Description of multistory cropping was quick, but understandable. Keyline contouring made lots of sense, particularly with farm photos. Shepard manages to cover concepts without the obnoxiously detailed artwork that most books resort to. Must find an organic source for hazelnut plants!