This is an ever-evolving list of books, websites, movies, and other media that I think my readers might find interesting. It’s certainly not exhaustive–I realized a long, long time ago that there are indeed too many books, so little time. I’ve picked a few to list; there are thousands more out there.
I don’t necessarily agree with or endorse everything listed here–some I include because they may provoke discussion, debate, or debunking, all of which can be constructive. Heck, some of these I haven’t even seen or read in full yet. Check back from time to time, as I’ll continue to add resources as I find them.
Want to suggest something you don’t see listed here? Contact me.
FILMS
Carbon Nation. “A climate change solutions movie that doesn’t even care if you believe in climate change.”
The Greenhorns. “Our mission: to promote, recruit, and support young farmers in America.”
Our Daily Bread. A mesmerizing film about industrial food production. One of my all-time favorites.
Fresh. “New thinking about what we’re eating.”
Victorian Farm. So far not available on Netflix or at my local video store. I watched it on youtube.
Dirt! The Movie. Not one of my favorites, but has garnered generally positive reviews. Some interesting, basic soil info.
Food, Inc. If you’ve done any reading about such matters, the info here is nothing new. A well-put-together flick nonetheless.
Homegrown Revolution. A short film about one family’s urban homestead.
IN PRINT
The Omnivore’s Dilemma, by Michael Pollan.
Became an instant classic, and rightly so.
Nourishing Traditions, by Sally Fallon.
This reference / cookbook will challenge everything you think you know about healthy eating.
The Passive Solar Energy Book, by Edward Mazria.
An oldie but a goodie. Well designed and easy to read, but comprehensive.
Edible Forest Gardens, by Dave Jacke and Eric Toensmeier.
A permaculture bible written specifically for a temperate, East Coast climate.
Gaia’s Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture, by Toby Hemenway.
Exactly what the title says.
The Foxfire Books, various authors and editors.
A treasure trove of how-tos, stories, and cultural history from the old-timers of the Southern Appalachians. Compiled by Rabun County high school students. Fascinating.
Made From Scratch, by Jenna Woginrich.
You’ll also find Jenna’s blog listed as a web resource. I love her writing, and I appreciate that this book is a warts-and-all look at one woman’s quest to live a self-sustaining and sustainable life.
Four-Season Harvest and Winter Harvest Handbook, by Eliot Coleman.
Coleman produces organic vegetables on a commercial scale year-round, without heated greenhouses. In Maine. For reals.
Everything I Want To Do Is Illegal, by Joel Salatin.
Sure to raise a hackle or two, either for actual content or Salatin’s singular tone. He’s one of those folks whom I admire deeply and yet powerfully disagree with on some points. It takes all kinds, even to do the good work of the world.
The Shock Doctrine, by Naomi Klein.
A deeply, deeply disturbing and vitally important book. Not about homesteading, but a necessary look at the bigger picture: capitalism and its logical outcomes.
Cradle to Cradle, by William McDonough and Michael Braungart.
Thought-provoking challenge to our basic assumptions about how we utilize resources, asking us to go far beyond “reduce, reuse, recycle”.
Worms Eat My Garbage, by Mary Appelhof.
The go-to how-to for worm composting.
Alabama Stitch Book, by Natalie Chanin.
A guilty pleasure. A little too hip for its own good at times, this is still a beautiful book with some intriguing and accessible hand sewing projects.
Sew What! Skirts, by Francesca DenHartog and Carole Ann Camp.
Customizable, pattern-less skirts that even the beginning seamstress can handle. One of the few sewing books I’ve come across (in my nowhere-near-exhaustive browsing) that isn’t padded with cutesy projects that you’ll never make.
Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!!, by Diana McClun and Laura Nownes.
Fantastic reference. Worth having on your shelf, if you’re interested in learning to quilt and aren’t allergic to exclamation points.
The Ultimate Guide to Homesteading, by Nicole Faires.
Not out yet, but I’m looking forward to picking up a copy.
Trail Life, by Ray Jardine.
A great guide to lightweight backpacking, complete with DIY instructions for making your own gear and preserving your own trail food.
Small Farmer’s Journal
“This folksy and feisty publication, a true clarion of free speech in the best old sense of the phrase, is a vibrant and exciting platform for engaging far-flung ideas about anything pertinent to the small family farm experience.”
ON THE WEB
TED. “Riveting talks by remarkable people, free to the world.”
Cold Antler Farm. Jenna’s blog, as mentioned above. One of the few I make a point to stay up-to-date on.
Bicycle Times Magazine. Available in print or digital subscription. Awesome resource for those of us whose bikes are transportation, not toys (okay, also toys).
Commute by Bike. More resources for how you roll.
Barnyards and Backyards. “Brings together ranchers in rural and urban areas to facilitate a collective movement towards sustainable and responsible animal husbandry.”
Weston Price Foundation for Wise Traditions in Food, Farming, and the Healing Arts.
Earthship Biotecture. Learn about Earthship design and construction around the world.
Ashevillage Institute. A nonprofit here in my neck of the woods, dedicated to sustainable living solutions.
More coming…
