Making small farm work is out of print, and we will not be offering ebooks any longer. Our new book Regenerative agriculture should be available Spring/summer 2019
Here's what other leaders in the field say;
“Industrial chemical agriculture, producing twenty times as much dead eroding soil as food needed every year, is the most destructive industry of mankind - more so than fossil fuels or any mining. Developing a new biologically-based, and holistically managed, regenerative agriculture is imperative if civilization as we know it is to survive. I heartily recommend Richard Perkins’ book for all socially conscious new and old farmers.”
Allan Savory. President, Savory Institute & Chairman, Africa Center for Holistic Management. www: savory.global
This might be one of the broadest overviews of designing regenerative farm systems aside from Mollison’s original “black book.” Richard’s book is likely to become an important manual of regenerative farming practices for those starting a farm of any scale. This is a timely and detailed account of crucial considerations for starting and managing a farm; I cannot think of anyone, from the beginner to seasoned farmer and homesteader, who doesn’t have something to learn from Richard’s work starting and managing Ridgedale Permaculture.
Ben Falk. Whole Systems Design and Author of The Resilient Farm and Homestead
"Richard and Yohanna are an invasive species in Sweden; threatening to destroy our traditional culture of hopelessness. This book may seem harmless, full of sweet pictures and practical advice for small farms, but it is actually spreading revolutionary seeds that jeopardise agribusiness and the alienation between people and nature. Romantic dreamers have been advocating rural livelihoods before, whilst struggling to make a living off the land. Ridgedale Permaculture seem to actually know what they are up to. These folks are walking the talk of Holistic Management, enabling them to manoeuvre within complexity without losing sight of what they really want to achieve. So, good people, if you are standing up for your rights as victims of your circumstances, stay away from these people, and this book."
Jörgen Andersson (Fjällbete) Nordic Savory Hub
"Pay attention as you read this book. What Richard and Yohanna have accomplished in two years sets the bar high. This book will show you the building blocks that are very useful not just to find, design and establish a commercial farm, but to do it all in a very efficient and well planned way."
Stefan Sobkowiak. www.permacultureorchard.com Les Fermes MIRACLE Farms
Clear and concise, while simultaneously broad reaching “Making Small Farms Work” is a humble and visionary companion that is helping to “change the stories that we live by”. This book, based on real-world experience and application of principles, will be helpful to anyone starting out on the path away from an agriculture of destruction and simplification toward one of biological diversity and complexity that "restores soils and ecosystems whilst rekindling local economy”. We are, indeed, in Perkins’ own words, a “species of many incredible possibilities!”
Mark L Shepard, Author: Restoration Agriculture; Real-World Permaculture for Farmers, Acres USA
“This book is a milestone for farm scale permaculture…. a book that is one of a kind…. Every page is fact-filled, sharing heavyweight information…. Reading this book has been a pleasure, and I see many more people will be inspired to get involved in regenerative agriculture. I guess that a farmer or wannabe farmer will be more attracted to tackle a mind opening book like Making Small Farms Work, rather than one that makes farming seem like a stroll in the field. I am setting up my own farm too at present, and this book has arrived at the right moment. It has already helped me think about my design, about my whole project, in a new light.”
Lorenzo Costa Permies.com Book Reviewer and Future farmer
Allan Savory. President, Savory Institute & Chairman, Africa Center for Holistic Management. www: savory.global
This might be one of the broadest overviews of designing regenerative farm systems aside from Mollison’s original “black book.” Richard’s book is likely to become an important manual of regenerative farming practices for those starting a farm of any scale. This is a timely and detailed account of crucial considerations for starting and managing a farm; I cannot think of anyone, from the beginner to seasoned farmer and homesteader, who doesn’t have something to learn from Richard’s work starting and managing Ridgedale Permaculture.
Ben Falk. Whole Systems Design and Author of The Resilient Farm and Homestead
"Richard and Yohanna are an invasive species in Sweden; threatening to destroy our traditional culture of hopelessness. This book may seem harmless, full of sweet pictures and practical advice for small farms, but it is actually spreading revolutionary seeds that jeopardise agribusiness and the alienation between people and nature. Romantic dreamers have been advocating rural livelihoods before, whilst struggling to make a living off the land. Ridgedale Permaculture seem to actually know what they are up to. These folks are walking the talk of Holistic Management, enabling them to manoeuvre within complexity without losing sight of what they really want to achieve. So, good people, if you are standing up for your rights as victims of your circumstances, stay away from these people, and this book."
Jörgen Andersson (Fjällbete) Nordic Savory Hub
"Pay attention as you read this book. What Richard and Yohanna have accomplished in two years sets the bar high. This book will show you the building blocks that are very useful not just to find, design and establish a commercial farm, but to do it all in a very efficient and well planned way."
Stefan Sobkowiak. www.permacultureorchard.com Les Fermes MIRACLE Farms
Clear and concise, while simultaneously broad reaching “Making Small Farms Work” is a humble and visionary companion that is helping to “change the stories that we live by”. This book, based on real-world experience and application of principles, will be helpful to anyone starting out on the path away from an agriculture of destruction and simplification toward one of biological diversity and complexity that "restores soils and ecosystems whilst rekindling local economy”. We are, indeed, in Perkins’ own words, a “species of many incredible possibilities!”
Mark L Shepard, Author: Restoration Agriculture; Real-World Permaculture for Farmers, Acres USA
“This book is a milestone for farm scale permaculture…. a book that is one of a kind…. Every page is fact-filled, sharing heavyweight information…. Reading this book has been a pleasure, and I see many more people will be inspired to get involved in regenerative agriculture. I guess that a farmer or wannabe farmer will be more attracted to tackle a mind opening book like Making Small Farms Work, rather than one that makes farming seem like a stroll in the field. I am setting up my own farm too at present, and this book has arrived at the right moment. It has already helped me think about my design, about my whole project, in a new light.”
Lorenzo Costa Permies.com Book Reviewer and Future farmer