Writing > Book reviews > Book reviews - lifestyle > The Smallfarming Revolution - New beginnings in rural New Zealand
 |
The Smallfarming Revolution - New beginnings in rural New ZealandThe Smallfarming Revolution – New Beginnings in Rural New Zealand by Ian and Diane Grant, published by Penguin Books (NZ), RRP $34.95
Thinking of trying the “good life”, taking in Wwoofers (willing workers on organic farms)? The Smallfarming Revolution by Ian and Diane Grant offers an instructive insight. Extensive research and the addition of 21 real life “case histories” is combined with their personal experience of over 14 years’ smallfarming, plus involvement with the New Zealand Association of Small farmers and the editorship of the association’s magazines.
Defining smallfarming as a state of mind that permeates your whole life, the authors go on to provide practical advice under comprehensive subheadings giving “25 Secrets of Successful Smallfarmers”.
The list of pointers includes the right land, enough land, location, watching cost, proximity to nearest town and time management together with the need for team work and enough youth on your side to cope with the hard labour.
A wide range of possible land uses are suggested to tempt would-be small-holders, from breeding goldfish or worms and growing truffles, lavender or chestnuts to farming exotic cattle, alpacas, llamas or ostriches.
The information is New Zealand based, with the bulk of the book devoted to actual smallfarming partnerships throughout the country. The collection of lifestyle descriptions both challenge and inspire with tales of triumphs and not so successful ventures.
Although not all the people interviewed come from a “large farm” background, all share the desire to realized their dreams, which cover a diverse range of activities. We learn about permaculture principals (“a permanent self-sustaining system of land use, where everything gardens”, the growing of a variety of vines and crops, specialized calf rearing requiring a four-hour continuous routine very day fro five months, the development of “fruit leather” and tackling the building of your own home from scratch as time permits – to mention a few.
The book contains useful advice, suggesting using sheep as lawnmowers, taking in traveling Wwoofers in return for help and ensuring you take a holiday. It abounds with the rich descriptions and honest comments of those interviewed and offers an in-depth coverage of this lifestyle choice. Enthusiasts call on determination and tenacity, boundless energy, a well-developed sense of humour and a healthy involvement in the local community to survive.
Invaluable reading for anyone contemplating following this path where readers gain the opportunity to decide for themselves if this is for them and if so, if a property will provide a supplement to income, total livelihood or complete self-sufficiency.
©2008Linda Donald
All rights reserved
Appeared in NBR
|