Hi, Folks!
Last book review until February -- too much to do! Let me know if you are
interested in using it -- I retain copyright.
Dorene
Diary of a Compost Hotline Operator: Edible Essays on City Farming by
Spring Gillard, New Society Publishers, 2003. ISBN: 0-86571-492-4, $15.95.
When folks ask questions on the American Community Gardening Association
listserve (join at
<http://www.communitygarden.org/listserve/index.html>http://www.communitygarden.org/listserve/index.html),
the regulars usually advise them to:
1) Ask Adam Honigman (Clinton Community Garden Volunteer, New York City)
or
2) Check the City Farmer website
(<http://www.cityfarmer.org/>http://www.cityfarmer.org/, Vancouver, BC)
Diary of a Compost Hotline Operator gives you everything the City Farmer
website is known for: top-notch information and resources/links for every
problem an urban (and not so urban) grower faces: water issues, critter
control, natural lawn care, alternatives to pesticides, edible landscapes,
doggy doo, good and bad bugs and of course, extensive information on urban
composting. Every chapter ends with a Contacts and Resources section that
lists the best websites, organizations and publications for the chapters
topics. And, its funny, too.
As the Compost Hotline Operator for City Farmer Canadas Office of Urban
Agriculture (a 26 year old organization that really does have a life
outside its website!) since 1991, Spring Gillard has heard it all and
enjoyed every minute of it. An advertising refugee, Gillard uses her
considerable wordsmithing talents to leaven the serious information she
imparts with a generous dollop of humor and all around joie de vie about
the life she now lives.
The biggest advantages of the book over the website are that its portable,
its better organized and you get the real dirt about the dedicated (The PR
materials which came with the book use such terms as eccentric, motley
crew and crazed, but I guess Ive been in urban agriculture too long
everyone at City Farmer sounds downright normal to me!) people who work,
learn and/or are resources for City Farmer.
If youve been in urban agriculture for any amount of time, this book will
ring true. If youre thinking about serious growing in an urban area or
are just starting your first compost heap, read this book. Youll find
both the information you need and a warm welcome to one of the most
frustrating, yet rewarding endeavors in North America.
Reviewed by Dorene Pasekoff, Coordinator
St. Johns United Church of Christ Organic Community Garden
Phoenixville, PA
