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.

people protesting

The Power of Nonviolent Direct Action

Some acts of nonviolent protesting put the message out for the public and brings attention to the issue. However, this strategy doesn’t always capture the attention of the people who have the power—the government. Adding strategy to nonviolence brings the attention it needs directly into the face of those who can change the rules and…

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farmland with structure in ground

Why Isn’t Farming Enough?

Years ago family farms were an abundance. Generations of farmers passed the land down in hopes of it continuing to prosper. However, these farms are a rarity; smaller ones are put out of business by large corporations and the cost of maintenance yields no profit. Many farmers have to find other means of making a…

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farm land

Resilience and the Lost Art of Agricultural Inventiveness

After twenty years in academia, Michael Foley began farming first in southern Maryland, and then in Willits, California, where he, his wife, and oldest daughter currently operate the small, diversified Green Uprising Farm. Foley is cofounder of the School of Adaptive Agriculture, a farmer training and education program where he is a board member and…

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test tubes on table

DIY Fecal Transplant – Pretty Close to Miraculous

After suffering from an antibiotic-resistant infection in her bowels, Catherine Duff contracted Clostridium difficile (C. diff). This bacteria can result in damage to the colon and intestines, which may lead to other fatal complications. Though there are remedies to cure C. diff, it doesn’t work for everyone. Fecal transplants are a relatively new procedure that transfers…

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compost pile

The Insatiable Call of Composting

James McSweeney is a composting consultant and educator who has been an ardent proponent and collaborator in the community composting movement in the United States. Through his work at the Highfields Center for Composting and current consultancy, Compost Technical Services, James has worked with hundreds of composters, large and small, on everything from site planning,…

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japanese beetle on flower

Rethinking Pests, Invasive Species, and Other Paradigms

At the first sight of small chew marks on leaves or fruit mysteriously disappearing, you’ll want to get rid of the pest to protect your crop. Your first instinct might be to use pesticides or other forms of extermination. You can save yourself and your crops from using harmful methods by preparing and managing your…

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desert

Hope for a Thirsty World

Judith D. Schwartz is a journalist whose recent work looks at soil as a hub for multiple environmental, economic, and social challenges and solutions. She writes on this theme for numerous publications and speaks at venues around the world. Her 2013 book Cows Save the Planet was awarded a Nautilus Book Award Silver Prize for…

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lias frithian preparing people for action

So, You Want to get Arrested?

Change will come only at the hands of unflagging creativity, standing up, never backing down, making yourself heard, accepting risk, and embracing direct non-violent action. Lisa Fithian’s Shut It Down offers a first-person look into some of the most significant social movements over the past four decades and how they have been powered by people…

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woman with measure tape around stomach

Flawed Studies, Misleading Advice, and the Real Science of Human Metabolism

Richard David Feinman, PhD, is a professor of cell biology at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, where he has been a pioneer in incorporating nutrition into the biochemistry curriculum. Dr. Feinman is the founder and former coeditor-in-chief (2004–2009) of the journal Nutrition & Metabolism. He’s currently researching the application…

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rainbow beet and carrot salad with garden herbs

Recipe: Rainbow Beet and Carrot Salad with Garden Herbs

What’s better than eating food that tastes delicious? Eating food that tastes AND looks delicious! Beets and carrots are the secret ingredients to liven up your salad. Combine these colorful vegetables and fresh herbs to create a salad that tastes like spring. This excerpt is fromThe Occidental Arts and Ecology Center Cookbook by The Occidental…

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carving out a living

A Bid for the Sky

Your land is only as productive as you allow it to be, and believe it or not, it does know when you spend time appreciating what it has to offer. You might find yourself zoning out while you walk around your property or do daily chores, thinking about nature and your relationship with it. Taking…

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carrots raspberries tomato

Making Delicious Recipes on a Restrictive Diet —With Love!

Leah M. Webb, MPH, obtained her health coach certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She has worked in nutrition and gardening education since 2009 with a focus on engaging children in healthy eating habits through experiential learning and discovery. Leah started and runs the Deep Rooted Wellness blog, on which she posts stories and…

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factories

Cool It Down: Using Fire to Cool the Earth

Albert Bates is one of the founders of the intentional community and ecovillage movements. A lawyer, scientist, and teacher, he has taught village design, appropriate technology, and permaculture to students from more than sixty countries. Kathleen Draper routinely collaborates with biochar experts from around the globe as a board member of the International Biochar Initiative…

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holding strawberries

Sweet Fermentation: Strawberry Kvass

Fresh fruit is a great source of nutrients and flavor, especially when it’s berry season–specifically strawberry season. Take this sweet fruit and make it bubbly with this recipe for strawberry kvass. Let the natural sugars do most of the work for you (besides the essential stirring, of course), and enjoy this refreshing drink. The following…

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woman running

The Sports Revolution: The New Science of Athletic Performance

“Peak is a masterpiece of nutritional science from one of the world’s leading authorities on athletic health and performance. It’s a fantastic resource that provides a road map to reaching true wellness.” —Dr. Rocco Monto Dr. Marc Bubbs, ND, CISSN, CSCS, is the Director of Nutrition for the Canadian men’s national basketball team, a speaker,…

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strawberries in a basket

Vanilla Strawberry Beet Smoothie

Eating healthy doesn’t always taste the best, but combining your favorite treats with nutritious foods is the perfect balance! Though strawberries and beets may not seem like a good mix, combined with vanilla and cinnamon, they create a smoothie that’s not only healthy, but tastes delicious as well. The following is an excerpt from The…

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tick on leaf

The Tick-Born Epidemic

Summer is a time for taking hikes, walks, going camping, or sitting under a tree enjoying the outdoors. You might think that your biggest enemy is the sun, but there’s another one crawling around–ticks. These parasites can infect you and cause a wide variety of symptoms that interfere with how you live your life, and…

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emmett working in a field

Lessons From An Unusual Christmas Tree Farm: Resourcefulness and Craft

Emmet Van Driesche and his wife, Cecilia, operate the Pieropan Christmas Tree Farm in Western Massachusetts. When he’s not working on the tree farm or editing scientific manuscripts, he spends his time carving wooden spoons and teaching others to do the same. You can learn more about him at www.emmetvandriesche.com. The following is an interview…

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pile of okra

A Guide to Okra: Ok-RAH-RAH-RAH!

Expert okra enthusiast Chris Smith writes regularly for The Heirloom Gardener, the Mother Earth News blog, and the Farmers’ Almanac blog. His presentations on the versatility of okra have delighted audiences at food and farming festivals and fairs throughout the Southeast. He is the Communications Manager for Sow True Seed in Asheville, North Carolina, and…

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seagulls on a stone wall

Notes on Gull Watching and Trash Picking in the Anthropocene

“An important and entirely brilliant book.  It’s a love letter to gulls and their charged relationship with humans, but it’s also a deep meditation on difficulty and waste, on the beauty of the disregarded, and on what we make of matter out of place. There’s love and death here, fear, fascination, hope, and the breaking…

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kombucha in pitcher and glass

Make Your Own Kombucha: The Tea Beast Lives

Kombucha. The tea beast. The new and trendy health drink. The combination black tea and bacteria ball that is known to cure ailments, heal emotional wounds, and impress houseguests who happen upon it by accident when looking for the dog treats. What’s better than drinking this wonderful tea? Making your own. The following is an…

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Apple on cutting board

The Apple: America’s Fruit

Did you know that the apple traveled to North America the same way the Pilgrims did in the 1600s? Though apple trees are abundant all across the country, they aren’t native to these lands. Apples have a fascinating and complex history that lead them to become an American symbol. The following is an excerpt from…

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okra fries

Okra Recipe: Fabulous Fries

Ever think about eating fries that aren’t made out of potatoes? Why not try okra fries! These easy to make and fun to eat treats are the perfect side to your meal, or you might be tempted to have a whole bowl full. Author Chris Smith pulls this fabulous recipe from Chef Viviane Howard. The…

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swale

How to Design Swales for Optimum Water Flow

Swales are small earthen embankments used to irrigate trees, plants, and pastures. They also capture runoff to help protect soil and plants from excessive rainfall that might otherwise cause flooding and erosion. In the below Q&A, author and permaculture designer, Shawn Jadrnicek, answers questions about assessing your land, building swales near your home, and logistics…

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pigs

Feeding Your Pigs: Tips and Techniques

Feeding your animals is a daily and time-consuming activity on a farm. You need to take into consideration the types of animals and their individual needs, along with general best practices. This can seem like a big task to take on, but let’s start with feeding the pigs first! The following is an excerpt from…

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