The Humanure
Handbook: a guide to composting human manure, 3rd
edition, by Joseph Jenkins (Chelsea Green;
2005; $25), the author sums up by saying: "1)
one organism’s excretions are another organism’s
food and 2) there is no waste in nature." The
purpose of his book is to show how our human manure
can become an important part of the food nutrient
cycle—safely. He bases this concept on his
own 26 years of experience in doing just that. The
answer, he believes, is composting the manure thermophilically
to destroy all pathogens. Jenkins covers many bases:
the folly of disposing of our bodily wastes into
purified water; alternative disposal systems, including
types of composting toilets and greywater systems;
a thorough discussion of composting, and many other
subjects. He includes tables, charts and drawings
of interest, with a few photos thrown in. Though
the author takes his subject very seriously, he
presents it with welcome humor.
The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia:
A Comprehensive Resource for Healthy Eating,
updated and revised edition by Rebecca Wood (Penguin
Putnam, 375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014; 1999;
$18.95) lists over 1,000 known and less familiar
foods with descriptions, varieties, how to buy for
best quality, and storage suggestions. The author
also includes the health benefits of each food,
based on her knowledge of Western herbology, ayurvedic
and traditional Chinese medicine. There are also
ideas on how to maintain a healthy diet, even for
busy people. The book includes extensive appendices
with a bibliography, nutritional resources, ayurvedic
guidelines, a glossary of terms, and mail-order
resources.
Edible Forest Gardens:
Ecological Vision and Theory for Temperate Climate
Permaculture, Vol. 1, by Dave Jacke with
Eric Toensmeier (Chelsea Green Publishing; 2005;
$75) might be called a textbook with heart and vision.
The book is written with great detail, expertise
and love for the subject, the environment and the
Earth. It is a guide for those serious about creating
a forest garden and wanting to do it well. The processes
that contribute to this success are thoroughly explained
in each chapter. The authors have included a vast
array of photos, drawings, tables, boxes expanding
on specific subjects, and case studies. Appendices
include the top 100 plants, zone maps and publications
and organizations. This is a fine book which we
highly recommend.
Compost, Vermicompost
and Compost Tea: Feeding the Soil on the Organic
Farm by Grace Gershuny and The Wisdom of
Plant Heritage: Organic Seed Production and Saving
by Bryan Connolly are two books from the Northeast
Organic Farming Association (NOFA Interstate Council,
411 Sheldon Road, Barre MA 01055; each published
in 2004 and each $7.95 plus $2.00 shipping and handling).
Both of these books, though small, are easy to read
and full of practical information "geared to
serious farmers, gardeners and homesteaders and
those looking to make the organic transition."
Both books had a scientific review as well as input
from organic practitioners.
A small catalog of sun protective
hats and clothing is put out by Sun-Day Afternoons
(716 South Pacific Highway, Talent OR 97540; (888)
874-2642; www.sundayafternoons.com. "Our testing
is done by the Textile Research and Testing Laboratory
at California Polytechnic State University. All
results were a unanimous ‘Excellent’
rating of 40-50 UPF [ultraviolet protection factor],
the highest possible."
Additional Readings
The Millennium Whole Earth Catalog:
Access to Tools and Ideas for the Twenty-First Century,
edited by Howard Rheingold (HarperCollins Publishers,
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022; 1994).
Semences de Kokopelli, 5th edition,
by Dominique Guillet, founder of the Kokopelli Seed
Foundation (PO Box 563, Mount Shasta CA 96067; dominique@kokopelli-seed-foundation.com;
www.kokopelli-seed-foundation.com) which is comparable
to the Seed Savers Exchange. This is a beautiful
big book, written in French, with a comprehensive
listing of seeds, color photos and descriptions
of Kokopelli projects around the world, and a French
translation of a presentation John Jeavons made
to the Seed Savers Exchange in 1998.
Recetas Nutritivas Que Curan,
2nd edition, by Phyllis A. Balch, is the Spanish
translation of Balch’s Prescription for Nutritional
Healing (Penguin Group, 375 Hudson St. New York,
NY 10014; 1997; $24.95).
Cultivating Havana: Urban Agriculture
and Food Security in the Years of Crisis by Catherine
Murphy (Food First’s Development Report #12,
Institute for Food and Development Policy, 398-60th
Street, Oakland CA 94618; 1999; copies $6 plus $3
shipping). Murphy spent 10 years working in Cuba’s
urban community gardens and attended Ecology Action’s
Three-Day Workshop in November 2005.
Three books on health care come
from the Hesperian Foundation (1919 Addison Street
#304, Berkeley CA 94704; (888) 729-1796; bookorders@hesperian.org;
www.hesperian.org; Where There is No Dentist by
Murray Dickson in English (Tenth Printing, 2000)
and Spanish (2005) and HIV/AIDS and Care of the
Teeth and Gums by Murray Dickson.
Two books on building a houes:
Will’s Guide to Building the $9,000 House
by William Cruz; 1978. Written almost 30 years ago,
this book can probably only be found in a used book
store or large library. Though prices have changed
drastically since that time, the book offers easy-to-follow
instructions and drawings for a conventional owner-built
home. The Cobber’s Companion: How to Build
Your Own Earthen Home by Michael G.Smith (The Cob
Cottage; P.O. Box 123, Cottage Grove OR 97424; www.deatech.com/cobcottage;
1998; $22) also offers easy instructions and drawings
for creating a different type of home.
The Apple Grower: A Guide for
the Organic Orchardist, revised and expanded edition,
by Michael Phillips (Chelsea Green; 2005; $40).
America’s Vanishing
Nutrients: Decline in Fruit and Vegetable Quality
Poses Serious Health and Environmental Risks by
Alex Jack (Amberwaves, P.O. Box 487, Becket MA 01223;
2005; $8.95) is a booklet with charts that also
briefly traces USDA research on the subject and
public reaction.
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