DIG IN

The latest articles from Chelsea Green and our authors: offering tips and techniques about how you can bring our books to life in your kitchen, backyard, or community.

NOFA-VT 38th Annual Winter Conference: Celebrating Our Interdependence

NOFA-VT seeks to convene, to reunite, to connect, and to imagine how we might come together to build a food system for the future. This February 15-17th join NOFA-VT and several of our authors for the 38th Annual Winter Conference at the University of Vermont. Each year, the NOFA-VT Winter Conference provides a valuable opportunity…

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wind turbines

Road to Regeneration: Starting point

In order to save the Earth from environmental collapse, we need to move toward total sustainable energy usage and cut greenhouse gases very soon. We’ve already made huge strides in reducing our carbon footprint and using better farming practices, but it’s important for us to keep taking steps towards energy conservation. The following is an…

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winter road through trees

Sap Moon Recipes for Sweet Treats

This time of year we always seem to get a hint of spring in the air for a moment, whether it’s the snow storms starting to taper off or a glimpse of grass in your yard. The lure of sweetness calls from the maple trees and we begin daydreaming about all of the wonderous treats…

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massive small

Making Massive Small Change

For generations, we’ve worked collectively as a society to build our cities into vibrant communities where we can progress and flourish together. Over the years, however, we’ve lost the art of collective and community evolution as our governments step in with their big ideas for urban growth – many of which come at a steep…

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power lines

The Birth of Electricity

Electricity has shaped the modern world. But how has it affected our health and environment? Scientist and journalist Arthur Firstenberg tells the story of electricity in a way it has never been told before—from an environmental point of view—by detailing the effects that this fundamental societal building block has had on our health and our…

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willow tree composting

How We’re Helping to Close the Food Waste Loop

By Jill Kiedaisch, Content and Brand Manager In July 2020, Vermont’s Universal Recycling Law will go into effect. It calls for a full ban on food waste scraps being sent to Vermont landfills. This is the final step transitioning food wastes out of the waste stream—a changeover that began in 2014. In light of this…

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oil rigs

Oil, Power, and War: Our Complicated History

When we reflect on the history of the world and the progress of human society, it’s incredible to think about where we started and where we are today. We’ve innovated, we’ve discovered, we’ve grown, we’ve developed. But at what cost? Oil, Power, and War to be released in paperback February 4, 2020. The following is…

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four wind turbines

Rules for Regenerators: Search Out and Emphasize the Positive

Positive news stories about the state of our environment are few and far between. More common are stories that we’re almost at the point of irreparable damage, that if we don’t act now, it will be too late. While this may be true, it’s also important to recognize the positive steps nations have taken to…

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protesters

What We Need To Achieve

With the climate crisis closing in, we need to consider what we need to do to make permanent, sustainable change for the better. We need a list of specific and realistic goals, and we need to push that list on those in power. The result will not be immediate, but if we follow through, we…

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factories with emissions

Regeneration: The Big Picture

Humans are impacting the environment at a rapid rate, and the Earth can’t keep up to reset the balance. In order to prevent irreversible damage, we must cut carbon emissions. The first step? Understanding the big picture. The following is an excerpt from Grassroots Rising by Ronnie Cummins. It has been adapted for the web.…

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healthy food

The Science Behind Food Preferences: More Than a Matter of Taste

You might remember being a little kid and refusing to eat the broccoli that was put on your plate. But now you can’t get enough of the delicious green veggies. Why is it that your food preferences change over time? Why do you love some foods and despise others? What causes one person to love…

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man holding stomach next to pancakes on counter

The Science of Hunger: Answering Hunger with Fastercise

Weight management isn’t the easiest thing to achieve—you have to find the right balance of eating right and exercising for your body. By working with your body’s biological mechanics, you can make your body work for you, not against you. The following is an excerpt from The Power of Fastercise by Denis Wilson. It has been adapted…

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Lynn margulis and connor habib

Dr. Lynn Margulis: The Last Conversation

Lynn Margulis was an evolutionary theorist, biologist, and science author. Two of her most significant achievements are the development of a new evolutionary theory, symbiogenesis, and the development of the Gaia Theory with James Lovelock. Margulis also wrote several books in collaboration with her son, Dorion Sagan. Lynn Margulis passed away in late November 2011.…

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Flemish Giants

Staying Warm with Rabbit Wool

If you’ve ever received a hand-knit sweater, you’re probably thinking you have a sheep to thank for that warm wool. However, you may actually owe your gratitude to a rabbit. Humans have been using their fur for wool for hundreds of years, creating a booming fur trade. Each rabbit has a different textured coat that…

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soup joumou

RECIPE: Soup of Independence and Remembrance

For most people, traditional foods and family recipes are often thought of in the simple terms of comfort foods or those dishes that only make an appearance at the holidays. However, for many, traditional foods are so much more than that. They are a gateway to health and wellness and offer an opportunity to reflect…

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person reaching

Look to a Brighter Future

When looking to the future, it can feel impossible to make a difference as just one person in a world of millions; but when like-minded people join together for the common good, change is always possible. We can ensure a brighter future by telling our stories, learning from the stories of others, and then working…

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top blog posts of 2019

Our Top Blog Articles of 2019: A Look Back

Ah, 2019 – how the time flies! The end of the year is always a little bit nostalgic, and as the year comes to an end, we’re taking stock of what our community has found most useful. If there’s one thing (or two) we know about our readers, it’s that they love growing food and…

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woman holding glass ball

We Become More Human as We Become More Mindful

Connections drive our society forward. When we connect with others we come to a better understanding of what it means to be human. It’s important to take a moment, slow down, be mindful, and look inward, especially during times of great stress. The following is an excerpt from The Art of Leading Collectively by Petra…

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body diagram

Conscious Eating: What Our Bodies Are Trying to Tell Us

When our stomachs growl, we eat. When we feel like we’re about to burst, we stop eating. These are just two examples of our bodies’ incredible ability to recognize and adjust to changes within our environment and ourselves. Sometimes our bodies even know what’s best for us before we do. The following is an excerpt…

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chef cutting

Preparing and Cooking Rabbit

Ever wonder how you can mix up you or your family’s meal routine? How about substituting in some rabbit instead of conventional meats! The idea of eating a rabbit for dinner may feel overwhelming, but here are some quick tips and tricks to get you started on preparing and cooking one of your own. The…

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gardening

10 Great Gardening Books: Gift Guide for Growers

Are you scrambling to find the perfect gift for the gardener on your list? How about a new book featuring insight from our expert roster of authors? From building a garden plot in the backyard to crafting indoor growing containers for small spaces to incorporating organic practices we’ve got the perfect gardening books for the…

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seattle space needle

The Battle of Seattle and the Power of Going to Jail for Justice

On November 30th, 1999, thousands of protestors descended on the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, where the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference was being held to discuss economic globalization, a controversial set of negotiations. Several groups of protestors ranging from students to civilians, took control of the city blocks surrounding the building, deterring…

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soil cycle

Soil to Soil: Our Environmental Impact

When you think of the impact you have on the environment, your first thought may be the waste you produce or the emissions from your car; but have you ever taken a step back and thought about the clothes you wear? A lot of the clothing produced in today’s society is just as harmful to…

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artisan cheese

Artisan Cheesemakers Unite!

Over the past 35 years, the US Food and Drug Administration has pushed for a mandatory requirement for the use of pasteurized milk in cheesemaking, claiming a public health risk for raw milk cheese. This scenario is playing out abroad as well, where creameries are collapsing because they can’t comply with EU health ordinances. In…

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keto crackers

Miracle Crackers: Grain-Free, Low-Carb, and Keto-Friendly

If you’re anything like me, you know how hard it can be to resist the delectable crunch and pure happiness that comes from enjoying your favorite snack cracker. Unfortunately, when you need to cut carbs it can be hard to find a substitute that truly quenches the cravings. Until now. The following is an excerpt…

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