Farming on the Wild Side

"This is the future of farming." – André Leu, author of Poisoning Our Children

Nancy and John Hayden have spent the last quarter century transforming their livestock grazing operation into an agroecological fruit farm, nursery, and pollinator sanctuary.

Both expert guide and inspiring narrative, this book offers new ways to manage old farms while also documenting the Haydens' unique and evolving relationship with their ecosystem and its inhabitants. It's a small-farm success story about the things each of us can do to heal the land and ourselves. 

Table of Contents

1. The Lay of the Land
2. The Early Years
3. Pathways to Resilience
4. It's All About the Soil
5. Adapting to Climate Change
6. Agroforestry in Action
7. Our Fruit and Nut Trees
8. Uncommon Berries
9. A Walk on the Wild Side: The Pollinator Sanctuary
10. Rethinking Pests, Invasive Species, and Other Paradigms
11. The Bees' Needs
12. Sharing the Farm and Farm Products
13. Bringing It Home

#7569 • Softcover • 272 pages 

Praise for Farming on the Wild Side

"I love this book, which is an incredible and inspiring ray of hope. Farming on the Wild Side shows both experienced and aspiring farmers how to build a highly productive, biodiverse, and profitable family farm and have a fulfilling lifestyle. This is the future of farming."

– André Leu, author of Myths of Safe Pesticides and Poisoning Our Children, international director of Regeneration International

"As a fellow farmer and longtime member of the organic community, the journey Nancy and John Hayden take us on with their new book resonates in my mind and carries me back through similar transitions with my own farm. While the book touches gently on many topics, I appreciate the realistic view of farming and rural life and their very real commitment to the concepts of soil health."

– Jeff Moyer, author of Organic No-Till Farming, executive director of Rodale Institute

"Good farmers learn how to listen to the land. Nancy and John Hayden work with Nature to produce wholesome food for their family and community. Life doesn't get better than this. Farming on the Wild Side provides plenty of practical advice and green inspiration to up your growing game."

– Michael Phillips, author of The Holistic Orchard and Mycorrhizal Planet