Book review, December 2005

"The Organic Companion" Producing food the organic way "The Organic Companion: Gleanings from Canadian Organic Growers" edited by Janet Wallace, 278 pages, soft-cover, bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-9695851-8-7. Reviewed by Anne Gray. $38. Available from RD, see page 48. About: A compilation of years of experience from more than 50 organic growers. In a Word: Reassuring The Canadian Organic Growers has put out a new book titled "The Organic Companion: Gleanings from Canadian Organic Growers." It's almost 300 pages packed full of information originally published in The Canadian Organic Grower, and its previous incarnations as EcoFarm & Garden and COGnition. RD readers know the book's editor, Janet Wallace, from her writing in our pages over the years. Others know her as the editor of The Canadian Organic Grower. She brings to this book the same energy and dedication shown in her writing, and in her life. The book is a compilation of essays on topics ranging from crop rotation to community supported agriculture. In the preface, Wallace says "Organic growing is not something one does by rote. There are no hard and fast rules." That is where this book shines. It doesn't offer rules, but it does offer the knowledge that only years of experience can provide. Add to that the experience is not from one person, or one area, or one component of farming. There are chapters on soil, vegetables, fruits, livestock, marketing, pests, and seed saving. You can learn of insect life cycles, optimum rotations, and recommended reading lists. Close to 60 people have contributed to this book, and they bring their experiences from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island, and all points between. Some of the writers' names will be familiar to RD readers, others will be new to us, but not for long. Once you start reading, the writers' style and voice clearly come through, giving us insight into their thoughts and character. This is the mark of a good editor: almost no mark at all. The book is heady. It has so much information it almost feels overwhelming. But it isn't. The essays are laid out in an easy to read style, and the book is set up to read one essay or a chapter, whichever fits your need. I like this book. It makes me feel good. In a time when everything is bigger, better, faster, I am reassured by hearing from people, many people, who care about food, and soil, and insects, and how they all are part of our existance.

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