New book on sustainable farming from Fleming faculty member
Sustainable Agriculture faculty member Harry Stoddart has authored a new book aimed at educating consumers about sustainable agriculture.
Released on Sept. 26, Real Dirt: An Ex-industrial Farmer’s Guide to Sustainable Eating is a groundbreaking book for any reader interested in learning more about where food comes from. Stoddart shares years of experience and knowledge in his quirky dissection of agriculture and what we eat. He skilfully educates eaters about how they can individually participate in and demand sustainable agriculture. Real Dirt challenges consumers to choose a better future for food production.
Stoddart, a sixth generation farmer, bought his parent’s swine farm, a confinement animal feeding operation, two decades ago. He has since converted the farm to certified organic, and then to a new system he feels will transform the way we raise and grow our food. His family farm pioneered the use of the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) style of selling meat in Canada and now uses CSA share programs for meat, eggs, and wool. The Stoddart Family Farm, located in Little Britain, has the largest 100% grass-fed cattle herd and sheep flock grazing on certified organic pastures in Ontario.
Stoddart holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics. He sits on the advisory board and teaches for Fleming’s Sustainable Agriculture Co-op program, and he has completed agricultural policy analysis for the federal government as well as several provincial governments. He is an associate at the George Morris Centre, Canada’s foremost agri-food industry think tank.
Real Dirt: An Ex-industrial Farmer’s Guide to Sustainable Eating is now available from Iguana Books and all on-line book stores.
Iguana Books: http://iguanabooks.com/books/real-dirt-print-edition/
Amazon.ca: http://tinyurl.com/k2z4mly
Praise for Real Dirt
“I found it very persuasive on many points. Also well written and clear and funny. Congratulations– it’s an important contribution to the conversation,” says Michael Pollan, Author of Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation (2013) and New York Times bestseller Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual (2010).
“(Real Dirt) provides the casual reader with a thoughtful and deeper understanding as to how society can have an impact on the way our food is produced… Read it – you will be informed, entertained and find a personal role for your involvement in our food production practices,” says Dr. Frank Ingratta, Retired Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ontario.
“The most important person to read the message contained in these pages is every consumer, and that’s you! Your life will be better for it… You may be shocked but you won’t be disappointed,” says Elwood Quinn, La Ferme Quinn, Rare Breeds Canada.
About Sustainable Agriculture at Fleming College
The Sustainable Agriculture program, located at the Frost Campus, is designed for new and beginner farmers seeking an intensive, applied learning experience in sustainable, ecological or natural farming methods. This one-year graduate certificate program includes a 21-week on-farm co-op. Students learn the principles and practices of sustainable agriculture and small farm operations while they develop their own business case and farm plan. Farming practices are based on the principles of environmental stewardship, farm profitability, social responsibility and community health.
About Fleming College
Located in the heart of Central Ontario, Fleming College has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 100 full-time programs in Community Development and Health, Continuing Education, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Justice and Business, Skilled Trades and Technology, General Arts and Science and Visual Arts. Fleming College has more than 5,900 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and more than 65,000 alumni.
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For more information:
Emily Niedoba
VP, Marketing and Communications
Iguana Books
416-214-0760 (9am-5pm)
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Emily@iguanabooks.com