Building Soils for Better Crops

by Fred Magdoff

Building Soils for Better Crops is a one-of-a-kind, practical guide to ecological soil management, now expanded and in full color. It provides step-by-step information on soil-improving practices as well as in-depth background from what soil is to the importance of organic matter. Case studies of farmers from across the country provide inspiring examples of how soil and whole farms have been renewed through these techniques. A must-read for farmers, educators and students alike. Written by University of Vermont plant and soil science professor emeritus Fred Magdoff and Cornell University soil science professor Harold van Es. Produced by Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE).

Genres: Agriculture

294 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 2013

About the author

Fred Magdoff is Emeritus Professor of Soils in the Department of Plant and Soil Science at the University of Vermont. He received his degrees from Oberlin College (BA) and from Cornell University (MS and PhD). Magdoff was Plant and Soil Science Department Chair for 8 years (1985-1993), a member of the National Small Farm Commission (1997-1999, USDA), and is the Coordinator in the 12-state Northeast Region for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy.

Magdoff's area of specialty is soil fertility and management. He has worked on problems of sodic and saline soils, acid soils, use of manures and sewage sludges, phosphorus soil tests, nutrient cycling, and he developed the first reliable soil test for nitrogen availability to corn for the humid regions of the U.S. This test, called the Pre-Sidedress Nitrate Test (PSNT) and the Spring or Late Spring Nitrate Test, is now used throughout much of the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwestern states as well as in eastern Canada. It has also been adopted for use with a number of vegetable crops.

Magdoff has oriented his outreach activities to explaining how to apply ecological principles to agricultural production. His book, Building Soils for Better Crops (2000, Harold van Es, co-author), is an ecologically-based approach that explains how to work with and enhance the inherent built-in strengths of plant/soil systems. Magdoff is also interested in political and economic issues surrounding agriculture and was senior editor of Hungry for Profit: The Agribusiness Threat to Farmers, Food, and the Environment (2000, Monthly Review Press, NY).

Reviews

[Shannan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book on a website discussing cover crops. In 2020, I’ve been on a mission to renovate and revive my new in-ground garden’s soil. It’s 70% red clay but I’m convinced we can turn it around. This book is a FANTASTIC source. The first half of the book is somewhat technical in describing and demonstrating the mechanics of soil. But the good stuff starts in the second half, where they get into what you can do to reinvigorate soil using green manure, compost, cover crops, no till methods. I only used two methods this summer (green manure and gypsum) and I saw a GIANT improvement. Next summer I look forward to using the living mulch and cover crop techniques as described in the book. I’ve seen these techniques in gorgeous, successful organic farms and can’t wait to try it. Highly recommend to anyone looking to be more educated on soil and organic gardening/farming.

[Kinnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciated this book. It wasn't a forced writing, like From Dirt to Soil, but rather a wholistic set of information and approachs that could or could not be useful to you in your situation.

I purchased land to have a tree farm as well as live, grow veggies and create an oak savanna. Part of the land was previously rotating corn and beans and I wanted to be sure inwas taking proper approaches to increase Soil health across the board. This book helped me determine that.

Thank you!

[Wsa Arledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource