Showing titles in Agricultural & Food Sciences

More than a decade after Michael Pollan's game-changing The Omnivore's Dilemma transformed the conversation about what we eat, a combination of global diet trends and corporate interests have put American agriculture into a state of 'quiet emergency', from dangerous drought in California - which grows more than 50 percent of the fruits and vegetables we eat - to catastrophic topsoil loss in the 'breadbasket' heartland of the United States.

Several years ago, ecologist Lauren E. Oakes set out from California for Alaska's old-growth forests to hunt for a dying tree: the yellow-cedar. With climate change as the culprit, the death of this species meant loss for many Alaskans. Oakes and her research team wanted to chronicle how plants and people could cope with their rapidly changing world. Amidst the standing dead, she discovered the resiliency of forgotten forests, flourishing again in the wake of destruction, and a diverse community of people who persevered to create new relationships with the emerging environment.

Neither an advocate nor a critic of cultured meat, Benjamin Aldes Wurgaft spent five years researching the phenomenon. In Meat Planet, he reveals how debates about lab-grown meat reach beyond debates about food, examining the links between appetite, growth, and capitalism. Could satiating the growing appetite for meat actually lead to our undoing? Are we simply using one technology to undo the damage caused by another? Like all problems in our food system, the meat problem is not merely a problem of production. It is intrinsically social and political.

Mason Bee Revolution explains how docile, hard-working, solitary mason bees (and their compatriots, the leafcutter bees) are even more productive pollinators than honeybees, and keeping them can be a fun, easy, backyard hobby for gardeners, conservationists, foodies, and families everywhere. While scientists search for answers to save the honeybee, Dave Hunter and his company, Crown Bees, are leading the effort to increase the population of other highly efficient pollinators.

Bombastic headlines about science and technology are nothing new. To cut through the constant stream of information and misinformation on social media, or grab the attention of investors, or convince governments to take notice, strident headlines or bold claims seem necessary to give complex, nuanced information some wow factor. But hype has a dark side, too. It can mislead. It can distract. It can blinker us from seeing what is actually going on.

With global population numbers projected to increase by two billion by 2050, a veritable food crisis is on the horizon. In this audiobook we examine some of the complex factors involved in the coming “food crisis” and the innovative ideas and technologies designed to increase food production sustainably. We also examine current industry methods to increase production and the controversies surrounding them, including not only hot-button issues like genetically modified (or GM) and processed foods but also food safety and the physical effects of the modern diet.

My Family and Other Animals meets The Secret Life of Cows: this rediscovered gem tells the charming tale of how a baby llama transformed a Welsh farming family forever. Ruth Ruck's family lives on a Welsh mountain farm, no strangers to cow pats on the carpet and nesting hens in the larder. When dark days strike, they embark on a farming experiment to cheer them all up - but raising a baby llama proves more of an adventure than expected.

We often consider dogs to be our enduring sidekicks, but the truth is domestic pigs have played a role in our lives for nearly as long. Pigs are highly social and smart. They like to play. They’re inventive, crafty and belligerent - and incredibly single-minded. Ultimately, we have far more in common with these creatures than we like to admit. Here is a charming ode to one of the most common yet surprisingly intelligent animals populating our landscapes.

Are you concerned about the impact of our consumption habits on the planet? Do you want to create a better future for yourself and future generations? If so, this book is for you!

Cultivating Ayahuasca: A Comprehensive Guide takes you on an in-depth journey into the sacred practice of growing and preparing Ayahuasca plants. Whether you are a novice gardener or an experienced cultivator, this guide offers everything you need to know about the cultivation, preparation, and cultural significance of Ayahuasca. This book provides detailed, step-by-step instructions on cultivating Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, the key plants used in traditional Ayahuasca brews.

In Eating the Ocean Elspeth Probyn investigates the profound importance of the ocean and the future of fish and human entanglement. On her ethnographic journey around the world's oceans and fisheries, she finds that the ocean is being simplified in a food politics that is overwhelmingly land based and preoccupied with buzzwords like "local" and "sustainable."

Why did the chicken cross the globe? To leave its mark on the story of human civilization. From its wild origins in the forests of Southeast Asia to its central role in modern food systems, the humble hen has journeyed alongside humanity for thousands of years, influencing agriculture, culture, and commerce across continents. This fascinating narrative explores how the chicken descended from ancient dinosaurs, spread through trade and empire, and became both a symbol of fertility and sacrifice as well as a cornerstone of global diets.

Avocado farming in Uganda takes you on a journey behind the scenes of avocado farming in Uganda. Discover the dedication and hard work of the farmers who cultivate these creamy fruits, from the initial planting to the careful harvest. Explore the unique challenges and triumphs of growing avocados in this East African nation, and learn how sustainable practices are shaping the future of this burgeoning industry.

Discover the Joys of Beekeeping with this Easy-to-Follow guide to Thriving Hives and Honey Rewards!

Imagine your backyard filled with the cheerful quacks of happy ducks, fresh eggs in the morning, and natural pest control—all while embracing the joys of homesteading. Raising Backyard Ducks for Beginners by Stewart Sawyer is your ultimate guide to turning this dream into reality. Whether you're new to raising poultry or looking to expand your homestead, this book provides all the tools and insights you need to care for ducks with confidence. Learn the essentials of duck care, from selecting the best beginner-friendly breeds to understanding their unique personalities and needs.

In the midst of ongoing news about Southwestern water scarcity, Martha Retallick sees an opportunity. For 20 years, she has been transforming her central Tucson home into an urban oasis. The secret to her success: Water harvesting. Since Retallick purchased her central Tucson home in 2004, she has incorporated two types of water harvesting – passive and active – into her landscape. Passive water harvesting is simply the act of sculpting the landscape to direct the water to where it should be – like plants – and away from where it shouldn’t be – like a home’s foundation.

Water Harvesting 101 introduces you to Passive and Active Water Harvesting. Passive Water Harvesting is the act of sculpting your land with basins, berms, and drainage swales. The goal? To channel rainwater toward plants and away from structures – like your house. Passive water-harvesting earthworks eliminate the need for landscape irrigation connected to municipal water systems. In arid regions, that spells substantial cost savings.

Master sustainable living—achieve self-sufficiency without breaking the bank, even if you're starting from scratch! Do you dream of transforming your living space into a thriving homestead but feel overwhelmed by where to start? Imagine the joy of growing your own food, the satisfaction of harvesting rainwater, and the peace of mind from energy independence—all within your reach. The Practical Guide to Homesteading is your roadmap to achieving this transformation, bringing you affordable, step-by-step strategies for living sustainably off-grid, catered specifically to beginners.

A água que brota das nascentes ou o calor do sol que nos aquece contam histórias de um sistema planetário delicado, interconectado e finito. Pensar em Nosso Futuro Sustentável é reconhecer que nossa sobrevivência está diretamente ligada à forma como gerenciamos a água e a energia, elementos essenciais e inseparáveis. Entender os ciclos naturais, as leis da termodinâmica e os impactos das nossas ações não é apenas ciência, mas um convite à responsabilidade coletiva para proteger o que sustenta a existência humana e a biodiversidade.

If you're looking for a way to become self-sufficient in terms of your food supply, then pay attention...Establishing a mini-farm in your backyard is an immensely beneficial and lucrative initiative. It will help you to become self-sufficient in terms of your food supply and also allow you to live a much more sustainable life. Regardless of how large or small your yard is, you can build a farm on it. You will learn how to get started with backyard farming; in addition to the mini-farm, you can raise bees and create a profitable honey business!