New from the best-selling author of The Market Gardener - a revolutionary approach to small-scale local agriculture

Microfarms is a comprehensive guide to establishing and maintaining profitable small-scale vegetable farms, utilizing organic, low-tech, and highly effective crop production methods that are grounded in ecological principles and lifestyle considerations.

Richly adorned with full-color illustrations, this resource vividly brings to life the core principles of Jean-Martin Fortier's time-tested approach. It includes eight comprehensive case studies showcasing successful regenerative farming projects that have implemented his biointensive techniques. Key features of the book include:

• An extensive outline of the Fortier Method's framework, rooted in agroecology, permaculture, and small-scale business principles
• An exploration of its four essential pillars: proper crop planning, low-tech/low-investment farm tools, organic fertility management, and a business sales approach
• Strategies for enhancing farm profitability through direct marketing channels like farmstands, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) boxes, and farmers markets
• Engaging and motivational stories of successful market gardeners, detailing their journey from initial setup and land procurement to crop planning, team coordination, and sales
• Proven techniques to boost crop yields while preserving biodiversity and improving the livelihoods of those working on the farm.

Microfarms champions a revolutionary approach to small-scale agriculture, advocating for a food system that honors the environment, nurtures communities, and supports farmers. This book is an essential read for aspiring small-scale farmers, market gardeners, homesteaders, eco-activists, and visionaries, promising to transform your perspective and actions toward local food systems.

Jean-Martin Fortier and his wife Maude-Helene Desroches are the founders of Les Jardins de la Grelinette, an internationally recognized micro-farm famous for its high productivity-profitability using low-tech, high-yield methods of production. A leading practitioner of biologically intensive cropping systems, Jean-Martin has more than a decade's worth of experience in mixed organic farming. He has written articles about his work for popular magazines such as Canadian Organic Grower, La Terre de Chez Nous and Growing for Market. He also contributes occasionally as a tool and equipment advisor for companies such as Johnny's Selected Seeds and Dubois Agrinovation. The original French language version of this book, Le Jardinier-Maraicher, released in Fall 2012, has sold more than 15,000 copies.

Jean-Martin Fortier's profile page

Aurélie Sécheret is a freelance author, journalist, and editor specializing in social and ecological issues with a particular interest in food security. A passionate urban farmer, she works with the noted grassroots French agricultural association Veni Verdi to develop local farming projects in the heart of busy city neighborhoods.

Aurélie Sécheret's profile page

Laurie Bennett's profile page