Science & technology

摘要

DeWitt, aka the "Pope of Peppers," is an industry unto himself: an authority on chile peppers and spicy foods, radio producer, best-selling author (of gardening guides, food histories, and cookbooks), and professor (agriculture, consumer and environmental sciences) at New Mexico State University. He has also long been a microfarmer-i.e., one who farms on land between 1/4 to five acres in size, and who's growing to make money. He thinks the business might be a good fit for retirees, those who already work at home, or people with an entrepreneurial streak-folks looking to supplement their income. He offers crop suggestions, profiles several successful microfarmers, discusses his own operation, and finishes with some hard business realities (e.g., it's about selling, stupid!). The author dispenses lots of sage advice: grow what you love; use raised beds; diversify your crops; develop value-added products; write a business plan; learn the selling game; and, amid the toil, "Don't forget to take a break for a beer." VERDICT As a guide for those who are wondering if they want to farm or not, this is a solid start, sure to energize and entertain. A more detailed discussion of microagricultural practice can be found in Jean-Martin Fortier's The Market Gardener (2014).