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.

two people looking up at the milky way

The Condition of Wondering

What is the condition of wondering? For as long as humans have been alive, we have been asking questions. It is a part of us. It is what makes us unquestionably human. The following is an excerpt from Courting the Wild Twin by Martin Shaw. It has been adapted for the web. Prefer Audio? Listen…

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veggie mandala chervil

Veggie Mandala with Chervil Aioli Sauce: A Natural Spring Recipe

With the birth of spring comes its profusion of gifts—the warm sun, higher temperatures, and (best of all) fertile soil. With each day, more colors seem to burst forth—both in nature and on our plates. This veggie mandala is traditionally served directly on the surface of the entire length of the farm table, but, whether…

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jars of fermenting food

Fermentation 101: Just Add Salt

Fermentation isn’t just for highly skilled experts, at its core, fermentation is actually pretty simple. Once you’ve mastered the basics of fermentation, you’ll be on your way to creating delicious and unique dishes in no time! The following is an excerpt from Wildcrafted Fermentation by Pascal Baudar. It has been adapted for the web. For…

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stone face cut in half

Who Is the Wild Twin?

All of us have a wild twin––a part of ourselves that we generally shun or ignore to conform to societal norms. Inviting the wild twin back into our consciousness is crucial, for they have something important to tell us. The following is an excerpt from Courting the Wild Twin by Martin Shaw. It has been…

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worm

Vermicomposting: Why Venture Into It?

If you’re at all in tune to the agricultural news of late, you’re well aware that soil health is in decline all over the world –  an issue that is having a disastrous impact on our food systems. The answer to this international problem? Worms. Lots of them. But how, you ask? Well, vermicomposting, of…

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wild berries on purple background

On Foraging and Picking Wild Plants

Foraging for your own food limits your carbon footprint and helps to maintain the natural landscape. Done correctly, it reconnects us to nature while limiting our impact on our natural surroundings. Humans need to be an active part of changing the environment—even on this small scale. The following is an excerpt from Wildcrafted Fermentation by…

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man planting seeds in dirt

When to Plant: Determining When Crops Thrive

Most people know that different crops thrive in different seasons and climates and that each crop has ideal growing conditions. But, did you know that the moon also has a significant influence over the productivity and health of plants? Paying attention to the proximity, declination, and phase of the moon will help you determine when…

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A grove of trees on an island

Trees: The Fountains of Life

Trees. They are all around us. They come in all sorts of different shapes, sizes, and colors. They each have a unique scent, a unique feel, a unique purpose. But have you ever really thought about what immense life forces they are? How much power they hold and how much they give to us? The…

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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.

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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. The first step? Understanding the big picture.

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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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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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