Illustrated step-by-step instructions explain the techniques for canning, freezing, drying, and pickling. 179,000 copies in print.

Discover the homegrown goodness of putting up your own fruits, vegetables and herbs.

Do you . . . . . . love harvesting juicy heirloom tomatoes--but are at a loss for how to extend their shelf life? . . . dig up buckets full of robust potatoes--but don't know how to store them to resist rot? . . . dream about growing vibrant, crisp greens into the colder months--but can't come up with a system that works? If so, this book is for you. Inside, you'll find all you need to grow and store an abundance of fresh food that will leave you wanting more! Complete with variables to consider given your own growing situation, this one-stop guide features illustrations and trusted advice for getting your hands dirty and planting with preservation in mind. In addition, you get 150 recipes--from Roasted Red Pepper Pesto and Dried Tomato Risotto to Lavender Blueberry Jam and Fresh Mint Chutney--that help you make your just-picked, homegrown harvest work for you in the most delicious and satisfying way. With this valuable resource, you can forget limp grocery store offerings and instead enjoy your very own bright, flavorful--and nutritious--produce that's in season every season!

Preserving food can be one of the most intimidating aspects of homesteading and cooking. Luckily, no one makes it as easy and as much fun as farm-girl-in-the-making Ann Acetta-Scott. For a beginner new to the world of preserving, the ideal tool is a detailed reference guide, and in The Farm Girl’s Guide to Preserving the Harvest, Ann covers all the basics on canning, dehydrating, freezing, fermenting, curing, and smoking, including how to select and use the right tools for each method. This guide takes home preservers through the beginning, moderate, and advanced stages of preserving. Newcomers can start with a simple jam and jelly recipe using a hot water bath canner, while others may be advanced enough to have mastered the pressure canner and are ready to move onto curing and smoking meat and fish. With more than 30 delicious and healthy recipesand Ann's expertise and encouragement, the home preserver will build confidence in the most common methods of preserving.

Looks at partnerships between local small farms and nearby consumers, who become members or subscribers in support of the farm, offering advice on acquiring land, organizing, handling the harvest, and money and legal matters.