Book List for the Holistic Farmer

"You cannot open a book without learning something." - Confucius

We are often asked what resources we reference and recommend. In the age of technology, many people are straying away from actual books. Partly because we desire to hold onto a somewhat simplistic life, and partly because our daughter Mallory is a kinesthetic learner, we have books. Lots and lots of books! 


Up until recently, Mallory didn't enjoy reading, but she has always had an affinity for books. The smell, the sound, the feel of books has always been comforting. She enjoyed being read to or listening to an audio book from infancy. As a toddler, she'd often run her hands over the smooth pages of a new book, and she'd smile when it made that unmistakable sound of a virgin binding being opened for the first time. She'd giggle when I'd fan the pages blowing her wispy tufts of hair around her cherub face. And, she'd smell the books, the way one might smell a flower. Mallory's senses are still a large part of her experience of life.


I, on the other hand, just love to read. I don't remember a time in my life when I wasn't able to read. As a child I wanted to be Alice in Wonderland. I wanted to disappear down a rabbit hole and have an adventure. I quickly realized that books held the key to knowledge. As my passion for reading was cultivated and grew, so did my bookshelf!


My personal library expanded as I was working toward my veterinary technology certification, and has exploded even more with our quest to provide our family and our community with healthy and humanely raised meat and dairy and eggs.


I'm going to list a plethora of titles and will try to group by species; however, it's important to note that many of these books contain information for many animal types. Additionally, many of the titles for cattle can be of assistance with goats and vice versa.  Keep in mind that not all of these books touch on natural care. Over time, I've had to change my way of thinking from what was instinctive, to what was taught to me in allopathic medicine, and then back to natural, organic, holistic and humane. While this list is extensive, it's not exclusive. We love suggestions, so please feel free to pass along a title you recommend too.

• Storey's Guide to Raising Dairy Goats by Jerry Belanger
• Storey's Guide to Raising Meat Goats by Maggie Sayer
• Alternative Treatments for Ruminant Animals by Paul Dettloff, DVM
• Raising Goats Naturally by Deborah Niemann
• Small Scale Livestock Farming by Carol Ekarius
• Natural Goat Care by Pat Coleby
• Goats: Homeopathic Remedies by George MacLeod, DVSM
• Goat Husbandry by David Mackenzie
• Goats Produce, Too by Mary Jane Toth
• The Accessible Pet, Equine and Livestock Herbal by Kat Drovdahl

• The Complete Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable by Juliette de Baïracli Levy

• Keep Livestock Healthy by Dr. N. Bruce Haynes

• Grass Fed Cattle by Julius Ruechel

• The Cattle Health Handbook by Heather Smith Thomas

• Storey's Guide to Raising Pigs by Kelly Klober

• Managing Pig Health and the Treatments of Disease by Michael R. Muirhead and Thomas J.L. Alexander

• How To Raise Pigs by Philip Hasheider

• Storey's Guide to Raising Beef Cattle by Heather Smith Thomas

• Storey's Guide to Raising Rabbits by Bob Bennett

• Storey's Guide to Raising Sheep by Paula Simmons

• Natural Sheep Care by Pat Coleby

• Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens by Gail Damerow

• Storey's Guide to Raising Poultry by Glenn Drowns

• Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks by Dave Holderread

• Eggs & Poultry Made at Home by Dick & James Strawbridge

• The Yoga of Herbs by Dr. David Frawley and Dr. Vasant Lad

• The Complete Book of Homeopathy by Michael Weiner & Kathleen Goss

• The Joy of Hobby Farming by Michael and Audrey Levatino

• Hobby Farm by Carol Ekarius

• The Profitable Hobby Farm by Sarah Beth Aubrey

• Starting & Running Your Own Small Farm Business by Sarah Beth Aubrey

• Stable Smarts by Heather Smith Thomas

• Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners by Captain M Horace Hayes, FRCVS

• The Merck Veterinary Manual by E. Merck

• Quick Reference to Veterinary Medicine by William R. Fenner

• The Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats by Dr. Richard Pitcairn, DVM

• Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog by Wendy Volhard & Kerry Brown, DVM

• The New Natural Cat by Anitra Frazier

• The Natural Remedy Book for Dogs & Cats by Diane Stein

• Homeopathic First Aid for Animals by Kaetheryn Walker

There are also some wonderful Facebook groups that offer advice and knowledge for the holistically minded farmer.

• Totally Natural Goat
• Common Sense Holistic Goats & Goat Care
• The Natural Goat Discussions
• Natural, Holistic and Pastured Goat and Sheep Care
• Goat Facilities
• Caprine Conformation Clinic
• Learning About LGDs (Livestock Guardian Dogs)
• Pastured Pigs
• Herbal Hog Husbandry
• Botanical Bovines
• Common Sense Holistic Horses & Horse Care
• Plant Identification
• Plant Identification and Discussion
• Poultry Natural Living & Herbal Care
• Raising Livestock Naturally
• Essential Oils For Livestock
• Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism