Growing a Revolution, David R. Montgomery
Growing a Revolution, David R. Montgomery
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Growing a Revolution
Bringing Our Soil Back to Life

Author: David R. Montgomery

Narrator: Eric Michael Summerer

Unabridged: 10 hr 32 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 05/09/2017


Synopsis

The problem of agriculture is as old as civilization. Throughout history, great societies that abused their land withered into poverty or disappeared entirely. Now we risk repeating this ancient story on a global scale due to ongoing soil degradation, a changing climate, and a rising population.

But there is reason for hope. David R. Montgomery introduces us to farmers around the world at the heart of a brewing soil health revolution that could bring humanity's ailing soil back to life remarkably fast. Growing a Revolution draws on visits to farms in the industrialized world and developing world to show that a new combination of farming practices can deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions to problems farmers face today.

Montgomery explores why practices based on the principles of conservation agriculture help restore soil health and fertility. In addition, he discusses how these practices translate into farms that use less water, generate less pollution, and lower carbon emissions. Combining ancient wisdom with modern science, Growing a Revolution lays out a solid case for an inspiring vision where agriculture becomes the solution to environmental problems.

About David R. Montgomery

David R. Montgomery is a professor at the University of Washington, a MacArthur Fellow, a finalist for the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award, and an internationally recognized authority on geomorphology. His books have been translated into ten languages. He lives with his wife, Anne Bikle, in Seattle. Their work includes What Your Food Ate: How to Heal Our Land and Reclaim Our Health, and a trilogy of books about soil health, microbiomes, and farming-Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations, The Hidden Half of Nature, and Growing a Revolution.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Cory on June 18, 2017

Now I want to be a farmer. I've been interested in gardening for a few years now. My dad gardened when I was young, but only recently have I owned land to garden. I first heard of this book from an Urban Farming podcast, and I was intrigued. Soil science has been a new interest of mine, and I had ne......more

Goodreads review by Stephen on April 14, 2019

Nearly everything that nourishes terrestrial biota grows in a micro-thin layer of the earth’s surface that is fast running out -- topsoil. Yet while people of good will march by the many thousands for clean air or clean water, no one marches about the ongoing loss and impending disappearance of a re......more

Goodreads review by Glen on March 27, 2017

I won an ARC of this book in a goodreads drawing. An important book about returning fertility back to our soils, without becoming dependent on artificial fertilizers. Two aspects elevate this above the usual book about environmental concerns. First it isn't written in apocalyptic overtones. It doesn't......more

Goodreads review by Adam on August 08, 2017

It’s safe to say that something is wrong with our agricultural system when neighbors collectively sue those who feed them for poisoning their water. In its own way as damning as Dark Money. The agricultural business is in trouble because so many farmers are in debt to the companies like Koch Industr......more

Goodreads review by Grace on November 07, 2017

I heard an interview with the author on one of my favorite podcasts, You Bet Your Garden, a few months back and I was so fascinated by what he was proposing that I had to read this book. Well, I'm convinced. The health of our soil directly impacts how we all live and how we will continue to live in......more