In his insightful new book, Holy Shit: Managing
Manure to Save Mankind, contrary farmer Gene Logsdon
provides the inside story of manure-our greatest, yet
most misunderstood, natural resource. He begins by
lamenting a modern society that not only throws away
both animal and human manure-worth billions of dollars
in fertilizer value-but that spends a staggering amount
of money to do so. This wastefulness makes even less
sense as the supply of mined or chemically synthesized
fertilizers dwindles and their cost skyrockets. In fact,
he argues, if we do not learn how to turn our manures
into fertilizer to keep food production in line with
increasing population, our civilization, like so many
that went before it, will inevitably decline. With his
trademark humor, his years of experience writing about
both farming and waste management, and his uncanny eye
for the small but important details, Logsdon artfully
describes how to manage farm manure, pet manure and
human manure to make fertilizer and humus. He covers the
field, so to speak, discussing topics like: How to
select the right pitchfork for the job and use it
correctly How to operate a small manure spreader How to
build a barn manure pack with farm animal manure How to
compost cat and dog waste How to recycle toilet water
for irrigation purposes, and How to get rid ourselves of
our irrational paranoia about feces and urine. Gene
Logsdon does not mince words. This fresh, fascinating
and entertaining look at an earthy, but absolutely
crucial subject, is a small gem and is destined to
become a classic of our agricultural literature.
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