A year in the life of an organic farm feeding us Low Tox

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Where does our food come from? What role do farms play? What’s it like to be a farmer? In this charmingly illustrated book, follow a farm throughout the year to discover how the farmer grows fresh and tasty food for us to eat in a sustainable and natural way.

Explore the workings of a small-scale, organic family farm and experience the rhythm of farm life. In the spring, visit the chicken coop, till the fields, and tour the farm machinery. When summer comes, plant corn, meet the pollinators, and head to the county fair. In the fall, make pies and preserves, harvest pumpkins, and put the fields to sleep. Winter activities include trimming and pruning the orchard, seed shopping, and baking bread.

To conclude your year on the farm, learn what you can do to support the farmers who pick our carrots and raise the cows for our milk. A glossary defines key sustainable farming terms.

Through this colorful and intimate look at life on a small-scale farm, children will learn not only how the farm feeds us, but how the farmer must feed and care for the farm.

From the Publisher

FARMING AND FEEDING

Hurray for farms that supply us with the food we eat! Some farmers grow crops like corn, tomatoes, and wheat. Some farmers raise animals, like pigs, chickens, and cows. Some do both.

Farming has changed over the years. In the past, farmers used to run small farms with enough animals and crops to feed their family. Today, there are more large farms owned by corporations, which often farm in just one type of crop or animal. But small family farms still exist and many are helping to keep our planet, and the species that live here, healthy and thriving for many years to come.

Some farmers bring their foods to markets to sell and share with their communities. They sometimes grow and raise heritage and heirloom breeds, which look and taste like they have done for hundreds of years. These farmers help to keep our food varied and yummy.

Farmers, whether they grow vegetables or provide us with the milk we drink or the meat we eat, keep us healthy and strong.

Let’s take a look at a farm that feeds us all year round.

AT THE ORCHARD

During the spring months, the orchard comes to life. Beautiful blossoms arrive, filling the apple tree branches with soft pink and white flowers.

Beautiful blossoms arrive, filling the apple tree branches with soft pink and white flowers. The trees will grow quickly as they have lots of energy in the spring from sugars stored in their roots.

Checking the bee hives

As soon as the days grow warmer, it is time for the farmer to check the honey bees in the hives. Peeking in, the farmer can see all shades of pollen, from pale yellow to bright orange, from all the early spring flowers. The bees have been busy. They use pollen for food, but as they gather it, they also pollinate the plants, helping them to grow, breed, and produce food. This important process is key to maintaining a healthy environment, as well as providing habitats for other creatures.

Thanks to the bees, soon there will be all kinds of fruits and vegetables on the farm. But not everything has been planted yet… First the farmer must prepare the soil.

OFF TO MARKET

Everyone is eager for fresh food from the farm in the spring. For many farms, it’s the first chance to have fresh, local greens after a long winter. Farm markets help farmers sell their produce and products they have made, like tangy cheese or sweet, sweet honey. Markets can also be a wonderful place to meet neighbors and enjoy tasty, fresh food. Buying locally helps everyone. It reduces transportation, which is better for the planet and provides us with healthy food choices. The farm gets busy. Eggs are gathered. Blue, white, and brown. Lettuce is picked. Leafy green, red, and spiky. Crunchy radishes are washed. Red, white, and pink. The farmer packs up the truck. Time to head to market.

DOING OUR BIT

Farmers help us to stay healthy. Local farmers care for animals and the planet, provide food that helps us live well, and give us a choice of tasty products all year round, whatever the weather. We can all do our bit to support farmers who grow our carrots and raise the cows that put the milk in our oatmeal.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ words & pictures (July 21, 2020)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 80 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0711242534
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0711242531
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 – 8 years, from customers
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ IG920L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 2 – 6
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.5 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.05 x 0.6 x 11.9 inches