Book Excerpt

Two green rain barrels by a house showcase rainwater harvesting amid lush greenery and a tree.

Rainwater Harvesting 101: An Ancient Practice for Modern Water Security

In today’s blog excerpt from Essential Rainwater Harvesting, Rob and Michelle Avis share simple, evidence-based ways to design, build, and maintain rainwater systems for any home, in any climate.

The Wild Path Home: Timeless Stewardship Principles for Children of All Ages

In this excerpt from The Wild Path Home, Jacob Rodenburg and Cathy Dueck explore timeless stewardship principles that anyone—parents, teachers, grandparents, and mentors—can use to nurture kids’ natural curiosity and…

Child hikes in a forest, enjoying outdoor play with a walking stick.

Fun “Back-Pocket” Activities to Get Kids Outside and Learning Through Play

As the school year kicks off, The Big Book of Nature Activities offers simple ways for parents, educators, and caretakers to balance homework and screens with outdoor play and discovery.

The Benefits Of Using Hempcrete in Your Construction Projects

Hempcrete is a promising sustainable building material. It’s a green alternative to composites such as concrete, mortar and plaster. In this excerpt from Essential Hempcrete Construction: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide,…

Young child smelling flowers in a school garden, learning about pollinators among green leaves.

How to Teach Kids About Pollinators in the School Garden

n The School Garden Curriculum, author Kaci Rae Christopher shares Observing Pollinators, an activity that helps kids connect with bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. By watching these busy helpers in…

A hand connects two wooden figures with a yellow block, symbolizing mediation and agreement.

The S Questions Model And How To Use It In Mediation

In mediation, the right question can build bridges—or break them. In this blog excerpt from The Mediator’s Toolkit, Gerry O’Sullivan shares how strategic preparation and the S Questions Model help…

A close-up of a ripe red strawberry, showcasing innovative strategies in fruit cultivation.

Innovative Strategies for Small Fruit Growing

In The Berry Grower, Blake Cothron offers a practical guide to growing and marketing organic berries, perfect for beginners and experienced farmers alike. In this excerpt, he shares what inspired…

A hand holds a glass sphere reflecting trees, a cloudy sky, and an inner landscape.

Design From Within: The LUV Triangle In Permaculture

In this excerpt from Mulberries in the Rain, authors Ryan Blosser and Trevor Piersol introduce the LUV Triangle—a tool for navigating the human experience with clarity, compassion, and intention. They…

Indigenous dance outdoors, reflecting on the Indian Act’s ethical perspective, indian.

Challenging the Indian Act: An Ethical Perspective

This post, from The Rise of Indigenous Economic Power, challenges Indian Act economics by asking not what’s legal, but what’s right.

Hands transplanting herbs into terracotta pots, perfect for growing herbs indoors.

The Benefits of Growing Herbs Indoors

In this excerpt from Your Indoor Herb Garden, Master Gardener DJ Herda shares how growing herbs indoors offers flavor, beauty, and a simple path to greater self-reliance in uncertain times.

Young lettuce seedlings growing in trays—a market gardener’s guide to the paperpot system.

The Market Gardener’s Guide to the Paperpot System

Transplanting doesn’t have to be tedious—not with the right tools. In this excerpt from Vegetable Garden Tools: A Grower’s Guide, Jean-Martin Fortier introduces the Paperpot system, a game-changing tool for…

Cluster of ripe red tomatoes growing on a vine, unaffected by common tomato pests.

Learn to Spot The Tomato’s Common Enemies

In Tomatoes: A Grower’s Guide From The Market Gardener, Jean-Martin Fortier breaks down the most common pests and diseases that can wreak havoc on your crop—and how to fight back…

Assorted fresh fruits and vegetables for year-round food and easy food storage on a table.

16 Factors to Help Keep Good Food on the Table Year-Round

Planning is central to sustainable farming. In this excerpt from Sustainable Market Farming, Second Edition, Pam Dawling shares 16 key planning factors that support both sustainability and steady production through…

Close-up of hardy green kale leaves with ruffled edges glowing in garden sunlight.

Hardy Greens for Your Garden

In this excerpt from The Food Lover’s Garden by Jenni Blackmore, you’ll learn about some of the best hardy greens to grow (or to look for at your next market…

Bustling outdoor market with fresh produce, showcasing a sustainable food plan.

When The Trucks Stop: How To Build A Sustainable Food Plan

Growing your own food builds resilience and independence. In Grow a Sustainable Diet, Cindy Connor shares the challenges and rewards of eating only what you grow. This book sample offers…

Simplified mini library, surrounded by lush green foliage.

The Commons, Simplified

In Think Like a Commoner, David Bollier shows how commons-based systems—from local gardens to open-source software—help us share wealth fairly. But these shared resources are under threat. When corporations privatize…

Person transforming inner landscape while harvesting cabbage in a sunny garden.

Using Zone 00 to Transform Your Inner Landscape

In Human Permaculture: Life Design for Resilient Living, authors Bernard Alonso and Cecile Guiochon create a guide for taking principles of permaculture to redesign your life and create a sustainable…

People enjoying a picnic table with watermelon and drinks, embracing modern communal living.

The Truth About Modern Communal Living

From bustling urban co-housing neighborhoods to eco-friendly villages, communities attract people from all walks of life seeking connection, sustainability, and a shared vision. This excerpt from Finding Community by Diana…

Person resting head on desk with open notebook and pen, lost in schooling thoughts.

Schooling and Education in a Complex, Globally Connected World

In this excerpt from the new book The End of Education as We Know It, author Ida Rose Florez explores how schooling and education must evolve to meet the demands…

Close-up of corn plants in a field, showcasing their growth cycle under a clear blue sky.

Understanding The Garden Operation Cycle

In this excerpt from The Garden Tool Handbook, author Zach Loeks explores how, by breaking the gardening year into stages like planning, planting, and harvesting, you can learn to use…

A man in a plaid shirt and wide-brimmed hat stands in a field, embodying essential lessons of farm management.

Five Essential Lessons to Better Manage the Workforce on Your Farm

In this excerpt from Microfarms, discover five essential lessons that will help you streamline team coordination, boost productivity, and create a positive working environment on your farm.

A hand planting seeds in soil with lush green plants in the background embodies the essence of a thriving market garden.

How to Grow Seed Crops in Your Market Garden

Packed with practical advice, The Seed Farmer by Dan Brisebois is a guide to everything from choosing seed crops to harvesting and resale. In this excerpt, Brisebois shares smart strategies…

Hands typing on a laptop keyboard with digital AI icons and data graphics overlaying the image, illustrating the seamless connection between human touch and advanced technology.

When Not to Use Technology for Connection

Social media can feel isolating and draining for many. In The Joy of Missing Out, Christina Crook explores how our tech-focused lives impact real connections and offers insights on finding…

Greenery and red berries are thoughtfully arranged on a white surface, perfectly capturing the vision of festive holiday season decor.

This Holiday Season, Choose Vision Over Planning

In this excerpt, we explore Kumar’s view of elegant simplicity—how being present in the moment creates a sense of abundance, regardless of what’s under the tree. With a little intention,…

Shoppers with bags declare "Every Dollar Makes A Difference" and "SALE SALE SALE," as they unlock a world of smart buying decisions this season.

How to Unlock Smart Buying Decisions this Season

In The Better World Handbook, Ellis Jones makes it easy to shop more consciously by focusing on sustainability, fair labor, and community impact. This excerpt offers simple, practical tips to…

A snow-covered landscape with pine trees and a cozy cabin under a clear blue sky sets the perfect scene for festive outside family activities during the holidays.

Take the Holidays Outside with these Family Activities

Even in winter, the outdoors helps manage stress and energy, especially during the holidays. Explore ideas from Everyone Wins and The Big Book of Nature Activities—because the best gift is…

An elderly person, shackled by the invisible chains of poverty, searches through a large green dumpster outside.

Unpacking Poverty: The Invisible Chains Holding Back Low-Income Nations

In Earth for All, the authors explore systemic barriers like heavy debt and a complicated trade system, emphasizing the urgent need for innovative solutions to empower nations facing poverty and…

Resilient Agriculture in the Face of Global Challenges

In this excerpt from Resilient Agriculture, author Laura Lengnick describes moving away from a traditional “bounce-back” approach of agriculture to a broader, more innovative view rooted in social-ecological resilience.

A vibrant array of organic food, featuring fresh vegetables and fruits, beautifully arranged on a wooden table outdoors.

What You Need To Know: Is Organic Food Really Better?

In this excerpt from Robert Pavlis’ Food Science for Gardeners, Pavlis clarifies what organic really means, addresses common myths, and explores the differences between local and larger-scale farming.

A hand touches water near a floating flower, creating ripples.

From Me to We: Embracing Systemic Change for a Better Climate Future

In How to Talk to Your Kids About Climate Change, author Harriet Shugarman provides a thoughtful guide for parents on how to discuss climate issues and systemic change with their…

A clock foregrounds a hazy skyline with large smokestacks emitting smoke, reminiscent of an auto draft from yesteryears' industries.

Climate Action vs. Personal Priorities: How To Find Harmony In Your Eco Journey

Even with widespread awareness of the urgent need to cut carbon emissions, many people continue to travel frequently. Sami Grover, author of ‘We’re All Climate Hypocrites Now’, explores this contradiction,…

A person in a winter coat and beanie smiles while harvesting crops in a greenhouse, beautifully illustrating the blend of nature's warmth with the efficiency.

Winter Farming: Using Simple Shelters to Protect Crops

Welcome to the world of winter gardening. As winter’s frosty blanket covers the landscape, growing and harvesting vegetables presents both a unique challenge and a rewarding adventure. In this excerpt…