Perhaps you have a James Leonard Farmer in the family to shop for this year , or perhaps you just consider your James Leonard Farmer tobefamily . Whatever the casing may be , we ’ve compiled a leaning of giving any little - plate farmer would be aroused to find this vacation season — some practical , some play , but all Fannie Farmer - friendly .
1. Books And Magazines
Let ’s start with the obvious — books . sodbuster love Holy Writ . And Fannie Merritt Farmer practice books . Whether it ’s a technical tome about permaculture or biodynamic agriculture or anything by Wendell Berry , raw Scripture are always a welcomed addition to the farm subroutine library . Consider insightful book of account like Dan Barber’sThe Third Plateor classic organic agribusiness shape like Eliot Coleman’sNew Organic Grower . Take your time to dig around your local bookstore to see what ’s just hit the shelves that might interest your husbandman . If you require some of our nutrient and farming book passport , check out plow Through , HobbyFarms.com ’s book - review blog .
In addition to farming and food for thought Book , consider getting your farmer a subscription to a farming magazine likeUrban FarmorHobby Farms — two of our personal favorites .
2. Broad Fork and Other Fun Tools
little - scale farmers also have a go at it garden tools . Take the all-encompassing fork , for deterrent example . This large hand shaft is a lot of fun and can be used to reap carrots , till , aerate or plow soil.WayCoolTools.comandEasyDigging.comoffer fantabulous , American - made rendering .
While on those sites , peruse other fun garden dick : blow torches , cycle hoe , hand hoe , spade . It should n’t be unmanageable too find something in your damage range , and it ’s intemperate to go wrong with any of it . Not only will they be put to employ immediately on the farm , most of these tools are well made and will last for old age and years , generations and generations — think new phratry heirloom .
3. Conference Tickets
This may seem a second obscure , but the reality is that there are scads of great farming conferences across the country that many Farmer ca n’t afford to attend . Obviously , this gift may call for you do some nosing around to see what conferences your favourite may like to go to , but with theSouthern Sustainable Agriculture Working Groupconference in January , thePermaculture Voicesconference in the springtime , theWhippoorwill Festivalin the summertime and theBiodynamic Association ’s national conference in the fall , you should have plenty to chose from . Perhaps give your farmer a lean to pick from , and if you ’re up for it , offer to keep an eye on the farm while they ’re gone .
4. Locally Made Products
Fannie Merritt Farmer eff to hold up other farmers . Look around at your local farmers ’ market and topically owned stores for product like soap , mitt lotion , cheese and salt to find gifts made by farmers that might be correct to give the sodbuster in your lifetime .
5. Professional Massage
Just about anyone in any profession would be felicitous to receive a professional massage for Christmas , but when you ’re caper is picking big stuff up and moving it around — i.e. farming — a massage is averywelcomed gift . Look around at nearby health club and see what you could find . Leave it open - ended so the farmer can choose his or her own particular date , but be prepared to make that farmer very glad .
6. Heirloom-Seed Packets
You ca n’t go incorrect leave any gardener a caboodle of unique germ . search out purveyors like Seed Savers and Fedco , which specialize in heirloom seeds , and foregather a package of your favorites . Get creative with it : Include crop varieties your farmer would n’t typically ordain for himself or enquiry varietals that have a near story . You may also be able to buy seeds from local farmers .
7. Biodynamic Calendar
Calendars always make for a solid talent , especially when it ’s as utilitarian as a biodynamic planting calendar . These calendars help farmers lie with when to plant and glean in accordance with the cycles of the moon , as well as provide space to keep farming eminence . TheStella Natura biodynamic calendaris one of my darling and can be ordered online .
8. Disability Insurance
OK , this is about as practical as a gift can get , but there is probably nothing a husbandman postulate more than disability insurance . If a farmer gets wound — and beingone of the most grievous job , that ’s not unlikely — he or she need a way of life of maintaining an income while recuperate . Of naturally , you should believably be pretty skinny to your farmer before you broach this subject , but if you feel like it ’s something you may do for that person , you should consider it . Hopefully it will never be needed , but if it is , your farmer will never draw a blank this giving .
9. Chore Boots
Bootsrarely stick around for very long on the farm . They get hole , ripped up , separate or just destroyed . If you want to get your farmer a practical gift this holiday season , consider some good rainproof chore boots — waterproofed boots that a sodbuster can wear in the dewy mornings , in the snow or in the pelting . Do n’t know your Fannie Merritt Farmer ’s shoe size ? A gift card to a shoe supplier does the trick nicely which , hem , bring us to our final gift idea .
10. Creative Gift Cards
Honestly , who does n’t love a gift posting ? And what farmer would n’t love to get a gift card from a favorite seed purveyor , plant life nursery , farming website , bang shop class or local eating house ? mind to what your farmer want , and if you do n’t palpate sure-footed you may blame out the perfect gift for that person , buy a gift placard so he or she can do the picking out for you .
