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Helpful Books

This is a list of books that we have found helpful. 

Gardening

Growing vegetables 12 months out of the year in MAINE of all places, using unheated greenhouses, master gardener Eliot Coleman more than knows his stuff.
I am very fond of The Winter Harvest Handbook. While Eliot Coleman's books may have overwhelmed me a few years ago, I now find them to be an essential tool and refer to it often. In this book, he discusses the components of growing vegetable crops year round using unheated greenhouses, covering soil and structures, his planting schedules and even seed recommendations. A must have.
His other 'must have' book is The New Organic Grower. He covers everything else in this book, including the power and wonder of using soil blockers to start your plants.
Weedless Gardening is my top pick for a beginning gardener. I find it easy to easy to read, plus he covers a topic that is dear to my heart- MULCH!!
I first read Square Foot Gardening about 10 years ago when we first moved here, and it changed the way I think about space in the garden.  This book presents gardening to the reader one bite at a time. While we don't necessarily follow the author's formula, it was a helpful start into gardening, and for someone growing in 4, 8, or 12 square feet, the principles presented can help you maximize every square inch. This is the newer version.

Livestock

Chickens, turkeys, ducks, sheep, dairy cows...you name it, and someone has written a book on it. Here are a few that we have read and recommend.
While both of these books on The Family Cow are packed full of information, if you were to get just one, I would get the one by Joann S. Grohman. I have both though, and since Rita, my cow, is about to calve in March, 2013, I have been reviewing both of them. Both cover all aspects of keeping a family dairy cow.
Harvey Ussery is a farmer / author that Debbie is a big fan of. He has come up with very innovative ways to feed his flocks and integrate them into his mini-farm, putting them to work in his compost and more. Debbie has shared many tips with me from Harvey, and I hope to incorporate as many of them as I possibly can.
While farmer/author/speaker Joel Salatin shares on politics, food, farming, community and culture, this passionate farmer's sense of humor and delivery makes for an engaging read. We actually went to his farm in Virginia in 2010 when our son Sam tried out one wintry weekend for an apprenticeship there. Yes, you have to try out. Of over 100 applicants, about 10 were chosen. Sam made the try-outs (30 out of the 100+ did), but did not make the final cut. All in all, it was a great experience and at least one of my farming friends wanted to shake my hand that Joel shook. lol!
Pastured Poultry Profits is a great read not only on how you can raise your own meat birds, but why you would want to. Covers all stages of growing, from chick to processing day, and includes tips on marketing if you want to go that route.
 Everything I Want to Do Is Illegal tells how ridiculous the 'food police' (US government) has become regarding our food freedom and right to liberty and happiness. Just trying selling some sausage or homemade cheese to a neighbor and you will find out. An engaging and informative read from a man on the front lines of family farming in the traditions of stewardship over the land.