Carving Out a Living on the Land

Lessons in Resourcefulness and Craft from an Unusual Christmas Tree Farm

De: Emmet Van Driesche

Narrado por: Emmet Van Driesche

New Exclusive Content: The author in conversation with editors Michael Metivier and Nick Kaye on site at his Christmas tree farm.

When he first envisioned becoming a farmer, author Emmet Van Driesche never imagined his main crop would be Christmas trees, nor that such a tree farm could be more of a managed forest than the conventional grid of perfectly sheared trees. Carving Out a Living on the Land tells the story of how Van Driesche navigated changing life circumstances, took advantage of unexpected opportunities, and leveraged new and old skills to piece together an economically viable living, while at the same time respecting the land’s complex ecological relationships.

From spoon carving to scything, coppicing to wreath-making, Carving Out a Living on the Land proves that you don’t need acres of expensive bottomland to start your land-based venture, but rather the creativity and vision to see what might be done with that rocky section or ditch or patch of trees too small to log. You can lease instead of buy; build flexible, temporary structures rather than sink money into permanent ones; and take over an existing operation rather than start from scratch. What matters are your unique circumstances, talents, and interests, which when combined with what the land is capable of producing, can create a fulfilling and meaningful farming life.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 Emmet Van Driesche (P)2019 Chelsea Green Publishing

Awesome

Great book about learning to make a living with whatever land you have. It is very inspirational to see somebody continue to work hard and achieve results. Thank you!

Practical farming

Practical and practiced farming. Great to have the unvarnished side of the life read by the farmer himself. Well thought out and well read. A treat as I work outside in my own farm.