New Book Calls for Return to Small-Scale Farming

A newly released book is encouraging a renewed focus on small-scale regenerative farming as concerns grow over supply chain disruptions, climate impacts and food security.

Published June 9, "Garden Earth: Grounding Ourselves in Nature on Small Farms" by Canadian author Elizabeth M. Woodworth argues for a shift away from industrial globalization and a return to smaller, self-reliant farming systems. According to the release, the book explores the role of regenerative agriculture, local food production and small farms in addressing environmental and economic challenges.

Woodworth writes that the book is intended to serve as both a philosophical perspective and a practical guide for restoring small farms, which she says have declined significantly since World War II.

“We have reached the end of a global experiment that objectifies the natural world,” says Woodworth. “To rescue our future, we must recover our ability to listen to the Earth and restore the small, self-reliant farming communities that once defined our humanity.”

The book discusses how disruptions tied to conflict and climate conditions have increased concerns about the reliability of global supply chains. It also examines historical and cultural perspectives on agriculture and land stewardship, including examples of traditional approaches to working with natural systems.

According to the release, Garden Earth highlights several themes related to regenerative farming and rural self-sufficiency. Topics include crops intended to support reduced dependence on global trade, such as fruits, soybeans, oilseeds, hemp products and bamboo. The book also explores specialty crops including saffron, goji berries, ginger, ginseng, gourmet mushrooms and culinary herbs as potential tools for economic diversification.

Additional topics include regenerative soil management practices inspired by composting and deep-humus methods developed by Sir Albert Howard, along with discussions about biodiversity and ecological approaches to economic development.

Dr. Peter Carter of the Climate Emergency Institute commented on the book’s perspective, writing, “Woodworth suggests that we ‘look at Nature through a long-lost lens,’ distinguishing ‘between our prevailing state of mind towards Nature, and the ancient, harmonious states of nature-mind which prevailed during earlier times when we were immersed in Nature and integrated with it.’”

Woodworth spent 30 years working in information science and has written on topics including climate change, food security, international justice and nuclear disarmament. According to the release, Garden Earth is available worldwide.