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annieb123's review against another edition
5.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
One Size Fits None is an exposition on agriculture and specifically what we as a society can do to change our systems and to what degree we can reverse the damage we've wrought to our biome. Author Stephanie Anderson grew up on a traditional midwest farm and began to question the agricultural production models during and after her college education. She makes a compelling case for the idea that not only is a sustainable paradigm necessary, we absolutely must also make changes to repair and compensate for previous damage by farming regeneratively.
Released 1st January 2019 by the University of Nebraska press, it's 312 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.
The book is split into four main sections. The first section describes and provides insights into the traditional large-scale agricultural model. Farms are 'factories' producing generally one or two specialized crops at maximum speed and volume. The farms are run on such a huge scale that mechanized production is a necessity and sowing, weeding, maintenance and harvesting rely on large industrial machinery. Soil fertility and crop production are dependent on artificially applied chemical fertilizers which leads to decreased soil function which in turn increases reliance on more inorganic fertilizers. The author makes a compelling argument for the unsustainability of the treadmill that is the current system of agriculture. The question, then, is how to make a change.
The second section deals with a shift in paradigm to a regenerative holistic system. The model she discusses in the book is based on buffalo and other large herbivores grazing grassland in the midwest USA. The studies she cites showed an increase of soil health and plant diversity when organic methods are utilized which allows for a more complete cycle, since the insects and birds aren't killed off by using pesticides. I enjoyed reading about the farmer documenting the insect activity of the poop left by the buffalo (dung beetles process and drag the nutrients from the poo into the soil where it continues the cycle).
The third section of the book covers plant based organic methods of food production. I enjoyed the way the author writes about the farmers she profiles in the book. There is an emphasis on their methods, true, but she manages to emphasize their creativity, problem solving, and humanity at the same time.
The fourth section of the book brings the second and third together with a balanced smallholding model which incorporates both animals and plants in a cohesive whole. There is a common catchphrase in agriculture today 'Get big or get out'! This book makes a very compelling case why that is absolutely the wrong model if we want to repair the catastrophic damage we've done to the planet we all call home.
Even for people who aren't directly interested in engaging directly in food production, educating ourselves about food security and diversity is critically important now, before it's too late.
This book provides a wealth of further reading in the bibliography.
I remember reading Silent Spring decades ago and being absolutely electrified. This book gives me the same feeling. This is a very important book.
Five stars
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
One Size Fits None is an exposition on agriculture and specifically what we as a society can do to change our systems and to what degree we can reverse the damage we've wrought to our biome. Author Stephanie Anderson grew up on a traditional midwest farm and began to question the agricultural production models during and after her college education. She makes a compelling case for the idea that not only is a sustainable paradigm necessary, we absolutely must also make changes to repair and compensate for previous damage by farming regeneratively.
Released 1st January 2019 by the University of Nebraska press, it's 312 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.
The book is split into four main sections. The first section describes and provides insights into the traditional large-scale agricultural model. Farms are 'factories' producing generally one or two specialized crops at maximum speed and volume. The farms are run on such a huge scale that mechanized production is a necessity and sowing, weeding, maintenance and harvesting rely on large industrial machinery. Soil fertility and crop production are dependent on artificially applied chemical fertilizers which leads to decreased soil function which in turn increases reliance on more inorganic fertilizers. The author makes a compelling argument for the unsustainability of the treadmill that is the current system of agriculture. The question, then, is how to make a change.
The second section deals with a shift in paradigm to a regenerative holistic system. The model she discusses in the book is based on buffalo and other large herbivores grazing grassland in the midwest USA. The studies she cites showed an increase of soil health and plant diversity when organic methods are utilized which allows for a more complete cycle, since the insects and birds aren't killed off by using pesticides. I enjoyed reading about the farmer documenting the insect activity of the poop left by the buffalo (dung beetles process and drag the nutrients from the poo into the soil where it continues the cycle).
The third section of the book covers plant based organic methods of food production. I enjoyed the way the author writes about the farmers she profiles in the book. There is an emphasis on their methods, true, but she manages to emphasize their creativity, problem solving, and humanity at the same time.
The fourth section of the book brings the second and third together with a balanced smallholding model which incorporates both animals and plants in a cohesive whole. There is a common catchphrase in agriculture today 'Get big or get out'! This book makes a very compelling case why that is absolutely the wrong model if we want to repair the catastrophic damage we've done to the planet we all call home.
Even for people who aren't directly interested in engaging directly in food production, educating ourselves about food security and diversity is critically important now, before it's too late.
This book provides a wealth of further reading in the bibliography.
I remember reading Silent Spring decades ago and being absolutely electrified. This book gives me the same feeling. This is a very important book.
Five stars
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
ceceliaconwayauthor's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most impactful and thought provoking books on the future of agriculture that I've read
conradc4's review against another edition
5.0
I, too, heard of and was introduced to this book as a member of the Miami University community. I borrowed it from a friend and I couldn’t be more glad that I did — as somebody studying in the sustainability and environmental earth science fields, I felt silly and maybe even guilty for not being more aware of how conventional agriculture is destroying not only our environment, but also our health AND our farmers. After reading, I feel even more compelled to use my dollar (and my vote) to support regenerative agriculture and a sustainable future! Anderson did an excellent job of writing in a way that was engaging and not over my head — unfamiliar terms were defined, and as it turns out, many conventional farmers (the majority of farmers, as it is today) are likely not familiar with them either. What I thought would be a ‘boring’ read was actually very fascinating, and I’ll be taking a closer look at what I choose to consume — especially produce — from here on out. Read!
brensbooks's review against another edition
4.0
this book drags conventional farming for its improper treatment of the environment and I’m here for it
kpeninger's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this clear, easy-to-read look at modern agriculture and the people who are working to change it. I read this because it was on my university's fall common book reading list (trying to narrow down books that might suit as a common book), and I think I'll recommend it for moving forward. It's an easy read in terms of clear language, and it ties into SO many different disciplines - there was business, biology, sustainability, political science, philosophy, English, etc. all in this one book, so a lot of different classes could find a hook into it. I also think it's a VERY different look at farming than most Ohioan kids would have gotten, and a valuable one, one that challenges the conventional paradigm. I see this one as a potential for moving forward, but we'll see if anyone else on the committee agrees with me. :-) At the very least, I am grateful for having the opportunity to read it; I'm deeply interested in food politics/food culture/American agriculture, and this book gave me a lot to ponder.
(Yes, I am using Goodreads as my notes on books for the committee; apologies to anyone who wanted a different sort of review on this book.)
(Yes, I am using Goodreads as my notes on books for the committee; apologies to anyone who wanted a different sort of review on this book.)
jordandarling's review
2.0
This isn't a book that I would usually read but it was assigned to me as a college reading assignment. Now I will say my actual rating is a 2.5 because I didn't personally find the book interesting. However, I know enough about gardening, science, history, nature, and english to know that what was written well written and thoroughly researched. While this book wasn't my cup of tea I know for many people who are big activists in the environment and agricultural fields would find this book interesting.
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