Library

Most of these books I own or have read, so you may borrow them. Some are available from the library. Others have been recommended.

10 Acres Enough by Edmund Morris (Dover Press)
A classic from 1864 where a man moves out of the city and starts a farm. Most of the lessons still ring true.

Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens by Gail Damerow (Storey Publishing)
Goes over breeds, coops, and care from chicks to hens. A great overall guide

King Arthur Baking Company Big Book of Bread (Simon Element Publishing)
Great resource for trying various types of bread: sourdough (of course), flat, desserts, artisan, everything.
https://shop.kingarthurbaking.com/items/king-arthur-baking-companys-big-book-of-bread

Audubon Birdhouse Book by Barker and Wolfson (Voyageur Press)
Lots of birdhouse plans and information on breeds. Want to attract birds to eat the bugs eating your garden? This shows you which one to build.

Life from Our Land by Marcus Grodi (Ignatius Press)
Marcus Grodi’s story of moving from the city to a 25 acre farm. Reassessing priorities and better understanding our relationship with God and nature.

The Family Cow Handbook by Philip Hasheider
This is all about how to keep a milk cow. It’s one of the best I’ve seen. Lots of details without drowning you in it. Feed, milking, calving, diseases, breeds, what to do with the milk.

Advanced Masonry by Time-Life Books
Brickwork, blocks, stone, etc. Doing arches, laying foundations, concrete, footings, cutting, drilling, fasteners….

Liturgy of the Land by Craig and Van Horn (TAN Books)
Living on the land according to the ideals of the Catholic land movement. General homesteading, niche-marketing of farm products, and ordering households around an agricultural life.

MiniFarming: Self-Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre by Brett Markham (Skyhorse Publishing)
This goes through some basic soil health, garden planning, compost, and food preservation.

Hobby Farms Magazine
It has info on breeds, niche market ideas, articles on practical things like fencing. It can be a bit hit or miss if each issue is good, but it’s a pretty cheap subscription.
https://www.hobbyfarms.com/

Backwoods Home Magazine
Project plans, recipes, animals, and self-reliance.
https://www.backwoodshome.com/

Sally Fallon’s books
(called cookbooks but are much more than that) explain how to prepare foods traditionally according to Weston Price’s research

Joel Salatin books

The Independent Farmstead by Shawn and Beth Daugherty
Growing Soil, Biodiversity, and Nutrient-Dense Food with Grassfed Animals and Intensive Pasture Management
https://www.chelseagreen.com/product/the-independent-farmstead/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20956811929&gbraid=0AAAAAD-HT7TMMCYCuqIrknWeGsk12137v&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkILEBhDeARIsAL–pjxM5VaIrXkdFORQRyfwrA3A39YJLKeG6G7eihdkaCLgoax7B5WWM04aAt8wEALw_wcB