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  • Dirt to Soil

  • One Family’s Journey into Regenerative Agriculture
  • Written by: Gabe Brown
  • Narrated by: Gabe Brown
  • Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (183 ratings)

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Dirt to Soil

Written by: Gabe Brown
Narrated by: Gabe Brown
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Publisher's Summary

Gabe Brown didn’t set out to change the world when he first started working alongside his father-in-law on the family farm in North Dakota. But as a series of weather-related crop disasters put Brown and his wife, Shelly, in desperate financial straits, they started making bold changes to their farm. 

Brown - in an effort to simply survive - began experimenting with new practices he’d learned about from reading and talking with innovative researchers and ranchers. As he and his family struggled to keep the farm viable, they found themselves on an amazing journey into a new type of farming: regenerative agriculture. Brown dropped the use of most of the herbicides, insecticides, and synthetic fertilizers that are a standard part of conventional agriculture. He switched to no-till planting, started planting diverse cover crops mixes, and changed his grazing practices. In doing so, Brown transformed a degraded farm ecosystem into one full of life - starting with the soil and working his way up, one plant and one animal at a time. 

In Dirt to Soil, Gabe Brown tells the story of that amazing journey and offers a wealth of innovative solutions to our most pressing and complex contemporary agricultural challenge - restoring the soil. The Brown’s Ranch model, developed over 20 years of experimentation and refinement, focuses on regenerating resources by continuously enhancing the living biology in the soil. 

Using regenerative agricultural principles, Brown’s 5,000-acre ranch has grown several inches of new topsoil in only 20 years! The key is how we think, Brown says. In the industrial agricultural model, all thoughts are focused on killing things. But that mind-set was also killing diversity, soil, and profit, Brown realized. Now, he channels his creative thinking toward how he can get more life on the land - more plants, animals, and beneficial insects. 

“The greatest roadblock to solving a problem,” Brown says, “is the human mind."

©2018 Gabe Brown (P)2018 Chelsea Green Publishing

What listeners say about Dirt to Soil

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Nothing Short of Excellent

When I first started to listen to this audiobook I was taken aback because of the raw nature of Gabe's voice. The saying "He has a face for radio" doesn't apply here, so perhaps "He has a voice for silent films" does. Gabe's voice is an acquired taste, so if you're looking for a soothing expert orator you won't find it here. That being said, his voice grew on me and I found it quite charming and authentic. I would happily keep Gabe's voice for this story given the opportunity to trade it for Scarlett Johansson's.

As for the subject matter, Gabe marries decades of hard-earned experience to scientific knowledge for the kind of informed teachings that I dream of absorbing. People like Gabe are the kinds of experts the world needs more of. He is humble, eager to learn, and eager to share what he's learned.

I emailed him on Easter Sunday, not expecting a reply for at least a few days or weeks. A mere hour or two later, Gabe's reply was in my inbox. This is a person who cares deeply for the world, his trade, and passing on what he's learned.

Thanks to Gabe and everyone else who made this audiobook a possibility.

Most of all, thanks for persevering and fighting the good fight sir.

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A must reàd

Loved the hope that spills over the pàges. As a gardener I have learned much from the wisdom within. 25 years ago began my psticide and chemical free lawn and gardeñ after my neighbor, newly diàgnosed. with bilateral breast cancer, linked to the chemicals spread on our lawns and gardens. Thank you Gabe for spreading the word!

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Changing the planet 1 farmer at a time

Every Farmer or Rancher needs to hear Gabe Brown speak. This man has shared his wealth of experience and knowledge for the cost of dollars... basically free. I am so thankful for this book, as well Gabe has great presentations on YouTube. I really hope to go visit their ranch one day, and he's inspired me, in how I run my own. Thank you Gabe Brown and the whole family.

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tilling is killing

Excellently done. Keeps me riveted from the moment I turn it on.. The information in this audio is hands down the most obviously factual farming technique/information that I have ever listened to. Good job Gabe.

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blew my mind

Content is spectacular. Narrators tone can be a tiny bit distracting but since it's the author I let it slide.

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Simply Amazing

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It taught me a lot about the importance of soil health and that it is possible (and more so than conventional) to profit from a regenerative method of farming. I don’t have a farming background but I’m very interested in it and I couldn’t stop listening to this. The author narrates himself and does a fantastic job.

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  • Sam
  • 2020-02-19

Amazing... ecology for the win 🙏🏻✨❤🌿

#readlearnshareapply... And please, from this mum to all the others out there... let's get this to all our farmers and legislators so we can change how we do things on a mass scale and #savetheeverythings 🙏🏻🌱❤. #growhabitatnotlawn #makemulchnotwar #growfoodnotlawns #regenarativeagriculture #letfoodbethymedicine #eachoneteachone #ifwewanttogofarwegotogether

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Highly Recommended.

I loved histening to Gabe share his story and his knowledge of regenerative farming. Lots of great iniformation there. I highly recommend this book. 5 stars on all counts

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excellent!

loved it and had no trouble going through it. almost wished it was longer and had more chapters. thanks Gabe, this will change my farm

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The world needs more Gabe.

Mr Brown has learned through observation and trial and error how to rebuild soil and farm sustainably. The book is incredibly important and gives humanity a shot at redemption from our agricultural sins. Thank you Gabe for sharing this information.

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2019-01-29

loved it.

I hope every farmer, gardener and lawmaker reads it. I think it should probably be required reading in every conservation and agricultural course.
I am almost done listening to it for the 4th time. Gabe Brown should be nominated for Person of the Year on Time Magazine!

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  • Jason Roberts
  • 2020-11-21

Going for it

I am a fifth generation farmer in New Mexico and I am going for it. Mainly a cattle operation with grazing. Can’t wait to go on this adventure

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  • david
  • 2019-05-25

Good knowledge

I think this book gives good knowledge from his experience. It is very motivating. It does NOT give you the formula for you to do it though, you need to research afterwards. That is why I gave it 4 stars.

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  • Patti Armbrister
  • 2019-10-28

Must read if you grow food!

Dirt to Soil is a book every farmer, ranchers, grower, gardener, extension agent and NRCS employee should read. In fact if you eat food you should read this book. You will gain a better understanding of food and nutrition. Plus gain a much larger respect for agriculture and the soil microbes that you and your health is dependent upon if you eat food! I teach school and believe that the book should be getting read in middle school so all students can gain knowledge about the future of agriculture and our food production system.

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  • Layne
  • 2019-10-30

Everyone should know this information

This book can and will actually change your life if you take action with the practices described. I have been doing regenerative agriculture for 7 years and can see major changes in soil health.
I have been to the authors ranch and met him. The information is legitimate and the authenticity is real. What a great book!

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2019-08-17

Happy to hear someone is doing something

The author is the narrator, he has and accent and unusual reading style. To be honest I almost stopped listening in the first few minutes. I'm glad that I didnt. If your interested in farming with the help of nature instead of against it, you need to listen to what this man has to teach you!

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  • lizardWV
  • 2019-06-20

Inspiring

If you’re looking for a different (better) way to do things this may be your saving grace. If someone is telling you there is only one way to do something and all the while they are profiting from you doing it that way, chances are they are either lying to you or are uninformed about alternatives. There is more than one way to skin a cat, and if you look hard enough you’ll find in most cases the “cat” didn’t need to be skinned in the first place.

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  • option31AW
  • 2018-12-07

Full of real and practical ideas.

Beyond a doubt the best book I have read/listened to. Real ideas that are of great help no matter where you live. It is not a technical scrib, it lays it all out in simple terms. Several changes I am going to make spring 2019, buy a soil temperature meter, mix a more diverse cover crop get soil tests that include carbon amounts in soil.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 2019-01-30

informative and to-the-point!

I enjoyed listening to this book and my version is full of bookmarks. Thanks Gabe Bown!

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  • Farrah
  • 2021-04-11

Great story and insight

If you’re a newbie like me though you’ll have to do a lots of supplemental reading in order to truly learn the lessons

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2021-09-17

Very interesting

Thought provoking, first-hand case study from Gabe Brown about his work and steps going from conventional to regenerative agriculture.

I’ve been interested awhile in this type of farming, mostly via Joel Salatin’s work, so this was very cool to listen to.

Read by Gabe in his Farmer’s voice.

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  • M GUILLAUME
  • 2019-05-09

Practical and most insightful

Gabe is passionate pragmatic and factual and knowledgeable. In this book, he is lays the foundation for a viable alternative to chemistry-based agriculture. A model he experienced and lived with successfully. Another agricultural model is possible at scale; a more viable alternative is not only desirable it is essential and urgently need. Please read, challenge, apply and promote this book and teachings. We will all be better off.

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