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Growing a Revolution

Written by: David R. Montgomery
Narrated by: Eric Michael Summerer
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Publisher's Summary

The problem of agriculture is as old as civilization. Throughout history, great societies that abused their land withered into poverty or disappeared entirely. Now we risk repeating this ancient story on a global scale due to ongoing soil degradation, a changing climate, and a rising population. But there is reason for hope. David R. Montgomery introduces us to farmers around the world at the heart of a brewing soil health revolution that could bring humanity's ailing soil back to life remarkably fast.

Growing a Revolution draws on visits to farms in the industrialized world and developing world to show that a new combination of farming practices can deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions to problems farmers face today. Montgomery explores why practices based on the principles of conservation agriculture help restore soil health and fertility. In addition, he discusses how these practices translate into farms that use less water, generate less pollution, and lower carbon emissions. Combining ancient wisdom with modern science, Growing a Revolution lays out a solid case for an inspiring vision where agriculture becomes the solution to environmental problems.

©2017 David R. Montgomery (P)2017 Tantor

What the critics say

"Montgomery's fascinating exposé of how our food is grown will convince readers that soil health should not remain an under-the-radar issue and that we all benefit from embracing a new philosophy of farming." ( Kirkus)

What listeners say about Growing a Revolution

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Practical material

Excellent content! Thorough research presented in an entertaining written form and in laymen's terms from a variety of farms where regenerative soil building principles have been used successfully for decades. This is a practical guide to building profitable soil within a few years and reaping the benefits.

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1 person found this helpful

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This book is a must

Our current population are products of food science. We’ve scienced and shortcutted our entire food system which has created detrimental effects to our civilization. Look and listen to Mother Nature, grow a garden, buy some livestock, feed the soil. If you can’t do that, but from people who do. Support the truly sustainable/regenerative way.

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Informative and engaging

A great look into the principles, structure, economics of conservation agriculture! Gives an uplifting potential future of the human relation to soil and food.

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Soil, the original black gold!

This story and its contents regenerate my spirit…now to find ways to internalise and put into action the information. I will begin by sharing the title with people. This book was wonderful to listen to yet by the number of times I needed to go back and relisten, or wanted to write down facts and studies and ideas, I think it’s a good book to have a physical copy of. Thank you, David Montgomery, for collecting, processing and sharing this information (and Dr. David Burton for the recommendation). Highly recommend!

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Content mostly OK

The basic content of this book is great, As far as the regenerative agriculture content, i agree with most everything. The part that really bothered me was the idea that the earth was created several hundred million years ago, Which is a complete hoax. Than in the next chapter he would refer to the Bible and the garden of Eden. I almost stopped listen to the book because of this misinformation, but i figured I would continue to listen and take out the information that I could. It takes a lot more faith to believe in evolution, than what is stated in the Bible about the creature.

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  • option31AW
  • 2018-11-22

Disappointing

Disappointing, This book is far too preachy/ political on global warming, and big ag to the point I almost stopped listening. I ranch and really could care less about global warming scam and how big ag runs the show ( I already know big ag runs things) . I am trying to make a living and looking for ways to improve my soil and profitability without going broke doing so or reinventing the wheel. Solid ideas and solutions not politics is what was looking for. If you live in town and want to.be lectured this is the book for you.

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27 people found this helpful

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  • Elan Sun Star
  • 2017-05-10

An ecological educational treasure!

What did you love best about Growing a Revolution?

This book is the best of the genre I have ever read. The complete story of the critical aspects of returning carbon to the soil and protecting soil fertility and the situation we are in now
which is destroying good soil at an unprecedented rate.
This book is important for ecologists as well as farm and food individuals and groups and activists.
our soil its our foundation and physical and mental health depends on food nutrients
I suggest this book to anyone wanting to understand the broad spectrum of soil fertility and food protection and also the critical need for us to all contribute to reversing the soil through diligence and networking

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16 people found this helpful

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  • Karina/Kyle Adams
  • 2017-12-01

Quite redundant, but good information.

Don't till, don't till, don't till and compost, compost, compost. That pretty much sums up the whole book, plus plant cover crops like legumes to help build the nitrogen in your soil.

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12 people found this helpful

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  • Elias Hellstrom
  • 2017-09-06

A little dry. A little repetitive. 100% worth it.

I'm not sure there's a narrator out there that could make soil health sound particularly captivating, and however dry, the book's message has to be repetitive to get through to us. So, the narrator may sound a little dry and the book may seem to repeat a lot, but I think both are necessary evils to really push the importance of soil health in modern agriculture. Overall a great audio book. I think this book is enhanced in audio form, because you can gloss over every now and then when it's no your cup of tea (especially the more scientific jargon-y areas), but not lose interest. I'm not an active farmer, but hope to become one soon. No matter what, though, this book opened my eyes to the reality that is soil health, and that makes all the difference.

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10 people found this helpful

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  • The Newmans
  • 2018-01-09

excellent and thorough

I completely changed my cover crop plan and ordered new seed (multi-speciated) today. Enough said.

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7 people found this helpful

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  • Kyle Thomas
  • 2018-01-11

Amazing data is reported well.

This information could save many farms, those farms' soils, and ecosystems containing those farms from the current standard practices of supplementing soils with deleterious additives. The data is in. Let us regenerate soils.

Note there is a regenerative organic certification being developed by the Rodale Institute with the NSF.

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  • Simon Walker
  • 2017-12-17

Very repetitive

Interesting and important topic, excellent argument, but superficial on the science, and highly repetitive. Worth the listen, but requires patience.

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  • PEMO
  • 2017-11-26

Progressive

Good book for up and coming farmers and something to consider for the seasoned conventional farmer looking to better the land for the next-generation.

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2017-11-05

Thank you David Montgomery!

Insightful and informative perspective on the importance of re-evaluating our agricultural practices. Inspiring and hopeful!

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  • Shannon
  • 2017-09-28

Imperative.

I hope that his ability to communicate so clearly on the topic allows for widespread understanding and adoption.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 2022-08-15

cpnservation / reg ag Agriculture

Great book to learn more about regeneratove agriculture practices. Clear and compelling narrative. Great examples.

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  • MokhtarC
  • 2022-01-24

insightful and hopeful

A little repetitive but the author's message is clear. conservative agriculture is possible, especially for small farm that needs to cut cost on pesticide, oil and fertilizer.

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