Practical information for farmers, ranchers, educators, and gardeners — presented in an engaging, easy-to-read style.

Building Soils explains how ecological soil management boosts fertility and yields while reducing pest pressures and environmental impacts. Ecological management works with the built-in strengths of your plant/soil system. 240 pages.

“This is the most practical guide I have read about how whole soil systems work. Written in clear, illustrative language, it makes the world of soils accessible to farmers and beginning students, as well as soil science professionals.” —FRED KIRSCHENMANN, NORTH DAKOTA GRAIN AND LIVESTOCK FARMER

“Authors Magdoff and van Es have greatly expanded the scope of “Building Soils” while keeping the language straightforward and farmer-friendly. Readers will especially like the new, improved diagrams. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy getting their hands dirty and want to know how to build better soil.” — RAY R. WEIL,PROFESSOR OF SOIL SCIENCE, AT UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND AND CO-AUTHOR OF THE NATURE AND PROPERTIES OF SOILS

Download Building Soils for Better Crops, Second Edition

PDF format, 4.0MB, 241Pages.

Fred Magdoff and Harold van Es
Copyright© 2000 by the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), with funding from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program of the CSREES, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

PREFACE
We have written this book with farmers, extension agents, students, and gardeners in mind. Building Soils for Better Crops is a practical guide to ecological soil management that provides background information as well as details of soil-improving practices. This book is meant to give the reader an appreciation of the importance of soil health and to suggest ecologically sound practices that help to develop and maintain healthy soils.

The first edition of Building Soils for Better Crops focused exclusively on soil organic matter management. If you follow practices that build and maintain good levels of soil organic matter, you will find it easier to grow healthy and high-yielding crops. Plants can withstand droughty conditions better and won’t be as bothered by insects and diseases. By maintaining adequate levels of organic matter in soil, there is less reason to use as much commercial fertilizer and lime as many farmers now purchase. Soil organic matter is that important! ...

INTRODUCTION
One of our truly modern miracles is our agricultural system, which produces abundant, affordable food. High yields come from the use of improved crop varieties, fertilizers, pest control products, and irrigation. At the same time, mechanization and the ever-increasing capacity of field equipment allows farmers to work increasing acreage.

Despite the high productivity per acre and per person, many farmers, agricultural scientists, and extension specialists see severe problems associated with our intensive agricultural production systems. ...

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