UPDATE – THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED – THE WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY!
Inspired by the culture of gifting at The Crunchy Chicken blog, and the giving and gifting at the core of permaculture itself, we decided to give away some books that have taught and inspired us.
The catch? Not really any catch. You just need to go to each of the blog links and leave a comment. Profound and witty, life changing comments are appreciated, but not required. You can just say, “hi” or preferably, start a conversation about what you’re doing, or are pondering.
Each of us four eco-friends come from different backgrounds, live in different places, and have a different approach to our personal sustainability goals – all reflected in our content and communities. I like to think of it like companion planting, like the whole Carrots Love Tomatoes thing. Incidentally, that’s also a great book, and not part of the giveaway.
Back to the point of the contest. This is a chance to get to know us and make some connections, with the potential for free books. What Could be better?
The links are at the bottom of the blog after the book list. Good luck and thanks for stopping by.
1st book. Urban Homesteading, Heirloom Skills for Sustainable Living, Rachel Kaplan and Ruby Blume
This book is like an instant classic on permaculture and homesteading. I had heard about it from so many sources that I had to actually buy one when I was wandering around like a kid in a candy store inside the Sustainability Pavilion at maker Faire. Tons of practical tips and enough “change your way of thinking about life” discussion to qualify for my Farm-o-losophy book category. I don’t agree with every farmolosophy concept in every book, but I appreciate having my thinking challenged and understanding what is inspiring and driving others to make completely mind-bending radical overhauls to their way of living.
Urban Homesteading covers every practical aspect (and then some) of turning your home into an oasis of sustainability. From goats to gardening, mulch to mushrooms, saving seeds, and (eek) humanure. Filled with beautiful color photos, thought provoking ideas, and absolutely practical wisdom. Um, plus the authors are from California, and like, I am too, so we have that in common.
Google the title and read the reviews.
2nd book. Edible Estates, Fritz Haeg
The owner of Chez Panisse, Alice Waters, said, “Edible Estates describes wonderfully how a garden in front of every house can transform a neighborhood, sprouting seeds not just of zucchini and tomatoes but of biodiversity, sustainability, and community.”
This book documents 8 projects where people tore up their front lawns and planted awesome gardens. I have to tell you that it really makes me smile to see the pictures of the neighbors all working together, making a radical change, taking on a tradition that no longer makes sense, and getting proactive on something we can all agree on – FOOD! This is more of an idea-a-rama book than a reference tome, but it’s also got a lot of great information, planning advice, and how-to.
Something unique that happened to me with this book. People who would ordinarily not think very highly of converting their front yard to a garden said, “wow that’s kind of cool.” I think that’s a testimony to the power of being able to visualize someone else go first and see the potential positive outcome.
3rd book. Getting Started in Permaculture, Ross and Jenny Mars
This is a really practical little handbook of “over 50 DIY projects for house & garden using recycled materials.” Sheetmulch, shadehouse, how to make soap, and the ever popular using recycled tires for planters. In this method, you use them in groupings to make a sun-trap. I love recycled tire projects. Although I don’t have any here at HighlyUncivilized, they always remind me of the amazing Earth Ship houses built by garbage warrior Michael Reynolds.
If you’re really serious, there is even a short chapter on finding the slope of a hill so you can properly design your swale. It’s not all practical though. There is a chapter on converting your circular garden into a double-mandala planted garden. That’s just cool.
————- The other blogs! ———-
Here are the other blogs to leave comments on, and remember to leave your comments before midnight on Friday, July 22nd.
Eco-Expert Clare has loads of free hints and tips on small, easy changes to make for a lifestyle that is kinder to the environment. Lots of information, discussion and advice on all aspects of being green and eco-friendly. PLUS there’s a free gift when you sign up for the weekly newsletter!
Chemical-free urban beekeeper and farmer Mil at Urban Farm and Beehives.
Jess Lundie writes about sustainable conscious living at Openly Balanced, and helps people incorporate mindfulness and sustainable choices into their busy modern lives.
UPDATE – THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED – THE WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY!
I am new to permaculture and would really like win a book to help me out
Hey lleovy books, lleovy contest!Btw I am super excited, got an email back today to source some grass-fed beef I have never even EATEN grass-fed beef, so I am pretty excited about that. We can even get some raw butter, I can only imagine !
Thanks for being one of the hosts of this giveaway! 😀 It’s very exciting.
about the front lawn:No trees, shrubs, hegeds, or bushes, or planting of any kind except grass shall be planted or maintained in any of the area known as street parking in front of the property lines as shown on the plat of Southmoor Park.Here was the death knell to my vision of chickens in our half acre backyard:No part of any lot or any improvement situate on any lot or lots shall be used for the raising of poultry or the housing of cows, horses, or other livestock.But one day we’ll move!
am new here so your plan is working – have been trying to track kike minded people down for ages, so difficult up here in cyberland – so hopefully beginning of a good time listening to your pearls
Yay, Permaculture! I’d love to win one of these beautiful books. As a side note, I love the idea of a group-blog giveaway — this is very cool.
How exciting! I don’t have these books yet but would love to add them to my collection! Thanks for the opportunity!
Love the book give away. Like your blog too.
I am in the process of making a complete overhaul of my life…retiring and moving to another country…it is an interesting journey…saying goodbye, saying hello,..saying what next…
Sonya Lenzo
http://www.oldbooksmarket.com/thekindledebatecontinues/
Sonya – thanks for the comments. You might also enjoy Sonja’s blog, Minimalist Packrat. Here is her All Star List of 101 Minimalist blogs for 2011. Lot’s of downsizing tips and philosophy, but it sounds like you are ALREADY DOING IT!!! Is there a story here??
http://minimalistpackrat.com/2011/02/25/the-2011-all-star-list-of-minimalist-blogs/
Great blog, thank you for hosting the book giveaway…I love the front yard as garden idea!
I love Fritz Haeg and the way he bridges multiple worlds. Probably not many of the people who read this know that he is also a rather famous artist. He does a great job connection art and farming/gardening.
I did not know that Aria. I will have to check that out!
Aria – i just read through some stuff about him and his site – he looks like a total creative genius – thanks for the tip, I would not have even thought to check that.
Edible Estates sounds great. I love to wild craft. My favorite are dandelion roots. Once dried, you can grind them and put them in a coffeepot, tastes and smells just like coffee and full of vitamins and minerals (especially B vitamins). I collect them in the fall, after the first frost. Greens are good to eat/in teas in the early spring, before they get bitter.
Cheyenne, that’s great, and I actually have added them to my supercoffee recipe and am growing them in my backyard for edibles! Do you do anything special to dry them??
http://usdirectnet.com/2011/04/16/super-coffee/
http://usdirectnet.com/2011/03/06/i-am-organic-weed-control/
Shamelessly entering melsyf to win a free book, hahaBut definitely awesome blog, I’ve been trying to pick up some books on urban farming/gardening/sustainable living lately,I just can’t get enough!I’ll be following all three blogs from now on, glad I stumbled upon them
We have a little suburban rental, swale marked, cardboard accumulated, waiting on a trailer to get our mulch at the local city recycling center
Hi! Pick me! Pick me! [that’s how this works, right?]
LOL – Hi Roxanne, you never know, that ~might~ help…
Wow, I stumbled across this site while blogging about my own urban homestead dreams and I am excited at the possibility for some resources! Thanks for hosting the giveaway! I am signing up for your email list!
This is a great gifting contest and even if I don’t win I’m picking up the permaculture book. Thanks
Las Vegas Air Conditioning Service & Repairs
I’m not sure if this is open to Canadians, but just in case:
I don’t have land of my own yet, but I’d love to start collecting ideas for when I do.
Canadians are welcome.
Hi, I love your site, and would love to be considered in the giveaway!
Recycled tires for planters??
I would love to learn more about that :)!
Shamelessly entering myself to win a free book, haha
But definitely awesome blog,
I’ve been trying to pick up some books on urban farming/gardening/sustainable living lately,
I just can’t get enough!
I’ll be following all three blogs from now on, glad I stumbled upon them
I would love any of the books listed. I’ve been making a lot of changes in my life…books that have inspired me include The Soil and Health by Sir Albert Howard, The One-Straw Revolution by Masanobu Fukuoka, and The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey. I am always looking for the next good book–so thank you for sharing not only these titles, but an opportunity to win the books themselves!
Abbey is great. I just read ‘A Fools Progress’ and ‘Confessions of a Barbarian’. I recommend them both, but mostly Confessions.
This book looks incredible. I’ve been helping my parents out with their gardening and we’ve decided permaculture is the road we’d like to take from here on out.
Great idea this, great way to draw more attention to the importance of re-establishing a sense of immediacy with our surroundings. As an urban farmer of sorts in Brooklyn NY, so happy to see how many of us care.
I’d love to win and read the book, then share the knowledge!
Yes, someone saying “crazy book giveaway” will get my attention. 🙂
yeah – that’s my crazy marketing skills paying off. just add the word, “crazy” and watch what happens.
This is my first visit to your site! I saw this giveaway posted on Kat Whites facebook. I look forward to following your blog, Fantastic stuff here! All these books sound Rad! Hope I win, good luck to all!
Yes! This is a great idea, and I’ve bookmarked all four of your sites for future reference! Thanks for the book giveaways, from an HOA prisoner planning her escape!
I would love any of the books listed. I’ve been minakg a lot of changes in my life books that have inspired me include The Soil and Health by Sir Albert Howard, The One-Straw Revolution by Masanobu Fukuoka, and The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey. I am always looking for the next good book so thank you for sharing not only these titles, but an opportunity to win the books themselves!
I am a newb to the garden blogger scene but have been following GardenRant for a couple months. Stumbled upon the Beekeeper’s review of M. Owens’s Good Life = such a good book. I’m also a newb to garden books in general – although I’ve taken a course in permaculture. Very cool that you all are doing a giveaway. I look forward to checking in on your blog soon.
THANKS ALL – THE CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED – WE WILL POST THE WINNERS SHORTLY!!!
I already found out I was chosen for one of the books! Thank you so very much for picking me!!