About
Josh Volk, author of the best-selling Compact Farms, offers small-scale farmers an in-depth guide to building customized equipment that will save time and money and introduce much-needed efficiencies to their operations.
Volk begins with the basics, such as setting up a workshop and understanding design principles, mechanical principles, and materials properties, then presents plans for making 15 tools suited to small-farm tasks and processes. Each project includes an explanation of the tool's purpose and use, as well as the time commitment, skill level, and equipment required to build it. Projects range from the super-simple (requiring a half-day to build) to the more complex, and include how-to photographs and illustrations with variations for customizing the finished implement. Along with instructions for building items such as simple seedling benches, a mini barrel washer, a DIY germination chamber, and a rolling pack table, Volk addresses systems design for farm efficiency, including how to design an effective drip irrigation system and how to set up spreadsheets for collecting important planning, planting, and market data.
This publication conforms to the EPUB Accessibility specification at WCAG 2.0 Level AA. From Josh Volk, author of the best-selling Compact Farms, these inventive tools and step-by-sep instructions for making and modifying them, help small, diversified farms simplify and streamline their operations for less wear and tear on human workers and for greater efficiency overall. Josh Volk is the best-selling author of Compact Farms and the proprietor of Slow Hand Farm in Portland, Oregon. He has been working on and managing small farms around the country for the last 20 years, studying the systems that make them efficient. He travels in the United States and abroad, consulting with farmers and researchers, teaching farm apprentices and new farmers, presenting workshops at agricultural conferences, and writing articles for publications, including Growing for Market magazine. SMART TOOLS FOR SMALL FARMS
Save time, money, and energy with efficient tools and systems designed specifically for small-scale growers. Using clear instructions and detailed illustrations, author Josh Volk shows you how to build the creative and practical farm tools he's relied on for more than 20 years. Volk also shares his design principles and helpful tips so you can customize his methods to meet your unique needs.
Boost Efficiency with Tools for Every Purpose
GREENHOUSE
• Simple Seedling Bench
• Germination Chamber
• Potting Bench with Mixing TubFIELD
• Hoop Bender
• Rolling Bed Marker
• Hand CartIRRIGATION SYSTEM
• Drip Winder
• Drip Irrigation System
• Easy-to-Move Sprinkler SystemWASH AND PACK AREA
• Glove Drying Rack
• Hand Truck Pallet
• Onion Bag Filling Stand
• Simple Spray Table
• Mini Barrel Washer
• Rolling Packing Table
• CSA BoxesOFFICE
• Spreadsheets for Seasonal Planning
• Useful and Usable Data Collection Sheets
• Hacking Photos and Video for Data Introduction: Why Build Your Own Tools?
1 Setting Up a Basic Shop
General Tool Safety Notes
Basic Mechanic's Tools
Basic Woodworking Tools
Basic Metalworking Tools
Workbenches and Toolboxes
Treating Your Tools Right
PROJECTS
2 Greenhouse Tools
Simple Seedling Benches
Germination Chamber
Potting Bench with Mixing Tub
3 Tools for the Field
Hoop Bender
Rolling Bed Marker
Hand Cart
4 Irrigation Tools
Drip Winder
Drip Irrigation System
Easy-to-Move Sprinkler System
5 Wash and Pack Tools
Glove Drying Rack
Hand Truck Pallet
Onion Bag Filling Stand
Simple Spray Table
Mini Barrel Washer
Rolling Pack Table
CSA Boxes
Volk begins with the basics, such as setting up a workshop and understanding design principles, mechanical principles, and materials properties, then presents plans for making 15 tools suited to small-farm tasks and processes. Each project includes an explanation of the tool's purpose and use, as well as the time commitment, skill level, and equipment required to build it. Projects range from the super-simple (requiring a half-day to build) to the more complex, and include how-to photographs and illustrations with variations for customizing the finished implement. Along with instructions for building items such as simple seedling benches, a mini barrel washer, a DIY germination chamber, and a rolling pack table, Volk addresses systems design for farm efficiency, including how to design an effective drip irrigation system and how to set up spreadsheets for collecting important planning, planting, and market data.
This publication conforms to the EPUB Accessibility specification at WCAG 2.0 Level AA. From Josh Volk, author of the best-selling Compact Farms, these inventive tools and step-by-sep instructions for making and modifying them, help small, diversified farms simplify and streamline their operations for less wear and tear on human workers and for greater efficiency overall. Josh Volk is the best-selling author of Compact Farms and the proprietor of Slow Hand Farm in Portland, Oregon. He has been working on and managing small farms around the country for the last 20 years, studying the systems that make them efficient. He travels in the United States and abroad, consulting with farmers and researchers, teaching farm apprentices and new farmers, presenting workshops at agricultural conferences, and writing articles for publications, including Growing for Market magazine. SMART TOOLS FOR SMALL FARMS
Save time, money, and energy with efficient tools and systems designed specifically for small-scale growers. Using clear instructions and detailed illustrations, author Josh Volk shows you how to build the creative and practical farm tools he's relied on for more than 20 years. Volk also shares his design principles and helpful tips so you can customize his methods to meet your unique needs.
Boost Efficiency with Tools for Every Purpose
GREENHOUSE
• Simple Seedling Bench
• Germination Chamber
• Potting Bench with Mixing TubFIELD
• Hoop Bender
• Rolling Bed Marker
• Hand CartIRRIGATION SYSTEM
• Drip Winder
• Drip Irrigation System
• Easy-to-Move Sprinkler SystemWASH AND PACK AREA
• Glove Drying Rack
• Hand Truck Pallet
• Onion Bag Filling Stand
• Simple Spray Table
• Mini Barrel Washer
• Rolling Packing Table
• CSA BoxesOFFICE
• Spreadsheets for Seasonal Planning
• Useful and Usable Data Collection Sheets
• Hacking Photos and Video for Data Introduction: Why Build Your Own Tools?
1 Setting Up a Basic Shop
General Tool Safety Notes
Basic Mechanic's Tools
Basic Woodworking Tools
Basic Metalworking Tools
Workbenches and Toolboxes
Treating Your Tools Right
PROJECTS
2 Greenhouse Tools
Simple Seedling Benches
Germination Chamber
Potting Bench with Mixing Tub
3 Tools for the Field
Hoop Bender
Rolling Bed Marker
Hand Cart
4 Irrigation Tools
Drip Winder
Drip Irrigation System
Easy-to-Move Sprinkler System
5 Wash and Pack Tools
Glove Drying Rack
Hand Truck Pallet
Onion Bag Filling Stand
Simple Spray Table
Mini Barrel Washer
Rolling Pack Table
CSA Boxes