Josh Volk Livres

Author of the best-selling Compact Farms, Josh Volk, offers small-scale farmers an in-depth guide to building customized equipment that will save time and money and introduce much-needed efficiencies to their operations. Volk begins with the basics, such as setting up a workshop and understanding design principles, mechanical principles, and materials properties, then presents step-by-step instructions for making 15 tools suited to small-farm tasks and processes. Each project includes an explanation of the need for the specific tool and how it will be used, as well as the time commitment, skill level, and equipment required to build it. Projects range from the super-simple (requiring a half-day to build) to the more complex, and include how-to photographs and illustrations with variations for customizing the finished implement. Along with instructions for building items such as simple seedling benches, a mini barrel washer, a DIY germination chamber, and a rolling pack table, Volk addresses systems design for farm efficiency, including how to design an effective drip irrigation system and how to set up spreadsheets for collecting important planning, planting, and market data.

Focusing on the practicalities of small-scale agriculture, this book offers insights into sustainable farming practices and the benefits of local food systems. It emphasizes the importance of community involvement and environmental stewardship while providing guidance on crop selection, soil health, and farm management. Through real-life examples and expert advice, readers are encouraged to embrace small farms as vital contributors to food security and biodiversity.