TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword by MaryJane Butters, MaryJanesFarm
Preface: Land — a Love Story
Introduction: About this Book
PART 1: UNDERSTANDING OUR ROOTS
Origins and polyculture dreams
1: Fertile Ground
Condensed history of women growing food
Invisible work and grass ceilings
Big ag and women’s role
Crisis, community, and CSAs
Reclaiming the farm and new domesticity
Back to the future: women farming today
Reality check: history of discrimination
Mantras of meaning
2: You as a Farmer
Gardener to farmer: hobby versus business
Soil test: skills assessment
Farm transplants: the right fit
PART 2: GLEANING KNOWLEDGE
Farm smarts
3: Organic Trends
Certifiably organic
Trending now
Local markets with moxie
4: Key Ingredients for Success
Build your knowledge base: what you need to know
Access land: finding your on-ramp
Cash crops: loans, grants, and crowdfunding
PART 3: PLOWING AHEAD
Supplying the bank account and
sustaining the soul
5: Farm business varietal
Grow it: field production and tree fruits
Raise it: livestock
Create it: value-added products
6: Complementary On-Farm Enterprises
Diversify it: risk management
Sleep it: farm stays
Taste it: farm-to-table meals
Experience it: agritourism
Teach it: workshops
Write it: article and books
Work it: independent contract projects
7: Business-Planning Boot Camp
Plan it: business planning
Sell it: marketing
Tech it: Internet, social media and
the Internet of Things (IoT)
Do it: getting down to business
8: Your Body
Live it: body care
Work it: tools for women
Wear it: wearables that work
PART 4: CULTIVATING QUALITY OF LIFE
Nurturing your body, mind, and spirit
9: Sister Share
Improving communication with men
Fitting in
Finding your local tribe
Integrating family and kids
10: Crafting Balance
Time management
Yin and yang of controlling chaos
Food as fuel
Epilogue: Plate to politics — lead the change you seek
State of the field
Leadership ideas