The New Homesteader: How to create a self-sufficient home farm, grow your own produce and raise livestock

This is a really beautiful book. I'm about a third way through reading the book and while I can't say that there is any groundbreaking information, it is refreshing to see an honest approach to the homesteading movement. Their approach from my view focuses on traditional techniques (aesthetics playing a vital role) when they can but are realistic enough to admit to shooting predators and using a little chemical pest control when all else fails. I was also glad to see some photos of the house interior - a beautiful home that looks "lived in".

Nice pics. Read

This is a visual feast, as well as a very practical introduction for those wanting to include sustainability into their lives. It isn't for those with acres and acres of land; the authors are specific to say that anyone can produce agricultural crops - for some, that's in pots on terraces. It is a very encouraging invitation to return to our roots as gatherers and enjoy the fruits and yield of this earth. The book is divided into neat chapters that touch on specific subjects -- bee keeping, raising soft fruits, etc. You can simply thumb through and find the topic that you are most interested in and glean some wisdom without having to necessarily read the whole book, although you'll want to. :)

This is a lovely book. Beautiful photography and very well written. You don't have to have a farm or smallholding to enjoy this book. I just have a normal sized garden and an allotment and found it very informative and useful. It covers their way of growing fruit and veg, bee keeping, livestock and poultry, recipes and even how to decorate your home with what nature has to offer, and much more. There are some lovely photographs of the inside of the farmhouse and the outbuildings which I found especially useful as I'm renovating a cottage in the country. It's a real insight into the authors natural idyllic way of life. Fans of Country Living Magazine will recognise Bella and Nick Ivins from their monthly feature in the magazine. I read it cover to cover in a couple of days. Couldn't put it down.

Beautiful photography and very inspirational but also incredibly frustrating! The level of detail is so low - for example:- do they really only have 1 source of income to continually invest in livestock etc?- how big is the kitchen garden to sustain a family of 4?- how did they fund the initial investment in the property?- how did they fund the kitchen garden? (I know from experience it isn’t cheap!!)Had hoped for a bit more substance if I’m honest!

This is a really good book. It's got great pictures and is aimed at people who fancy having a small holding but have no illusions of being completely self-sufficient nor working harder than they have to.Feedback for Amazon - not the authors - this package was again noted in your delivery records as "handed to resident". In fact it was left on the doorstep in the rain. Fail. Again.

Beautifully photographed book with very little new practical information. I was a little disappointed for the price. What you would do if you had very skilled DIY or plenty of money.

A beautiful book. Practical and realistic information for anyone. You can take as much or as little as you need from Nick & Bella's experiences. But the book is a joy to read and the photos are a feast for the eye, not to mention full of inspiration for inside and outside of a country home! Also love the word Homesteader. So much more apt and meaningful than Smallholder. The book would make a lovely gift for someone moving to the countryside.