Recommended Reading

The Three Bibles

Dr. Arden Andersen, Science in Agriculture: Advanced Methods for Sustainable Farming

Gary Zimmer, The Biological Farmer: A Complete Guide to the Sustainable & Profitable Biological System of Farming
Two very comprehensive texts outlining the entire process principles and products behind a coherent soil building system. Zimmer's presentation is simpler and perhaps more readable; Andersen integrates sophisticated understandings in presenting a complete picture. Together these two books clarify everything involved in the process of building soil from the biological perspective.

Dr. A. F. Beddoe, DDS, Biological Ionization as Applied to Farming and Soil Management
This book is the source text for all serious students of Reams's Biological Theory of Ionization as it applies to farming and soil chemistry. It is based totally on Dr. Carey Reams's technique of using his approach to mathematics and physics for ideally managing soil chemistry and energy to regulate plant growth and development in order to produce the highest quality food possible for human consumption. The only text of its kind.

The Next Three

Charles Walters, Eco-Farm, An Acres U.S.A. Primer: The definitive guide to managing farm and ranch soil fertility, crops, fertilizers, weeds and insects while avoiding dangerous chemicals

Dr. Dan Skow, Mainline Farming for Century 21

Philip A. Wheeler and Ronald B. Ward, The Non-Toxic Farming Handbook

After reading all six of the above books the student will have a very coherent understanding of the principles in play behind biological soil management and maximizing the potential of our crops.

Mineral Balancing

Steve Solomon with Erica Reinheimer, The Intelligent Gardner

Michael Astera with Agricola, The Ideal Soil v2.0: A Handbook for the New Agriculture
How to read a soil test, balance 11 important minerals, and grow the healthiest possible food for people and animals. Completely revised and expanded from the 2010 edition. The secrets of soil mineral balance that create ideal soil, plant, and animal health are revealed here for the first time. The amazing results that can be achieved by balancing the major cation minerals Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium and Sodium in the soil according to the teachings of Dr. William Albrecht and Dr. Carey Reams have changed the world of agriculture. This knowledge has taken the focus away from merely trying to achieve high volume yields to achieving the highest yields of the highest quality and nutritional value, while building optimal health in the soil, the crops, and the people and animals that rely on them for food. Learn how to be your own agronomist or start a new career doing this for others.

A Coherent Picture Through A Set of Stand Alone Chapters

Graeme Sait, Nutrition Rules: Guidelines from the Master Consultants, 22 Inspiring Interviews
An extremely valuable text that is a compilation of interviews from specialists in the field of biological soil management. Full of insights. Numerous 'ah-ha' moments in each interview. The digital version is available through Graeme Sait's website:

Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird, Secrets of the Soil: New Solutions for Restoring Our Planet

Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird, Secret Life of Plants
The two classics follow a line of experiences with striking individuals and their stories to paint a coherent picture far outside of the norm. Each chapter holds a unique insight that greatly enhances ones perspective on life and agriculture.


Jay L. McCaman, Weeds and Why They Grow
A comprehensive documentation of specific soil mineral levels and their correlations with weed presence. Ever wonder why specific weeds grow in specific spots and not in others? Every weed grows in a somewhat narrow window of allowable soil conditions. For the first time, hundreds of weeds of commercial importance are detailed along with the chemical analysis of accompanying soils. For example, burdock grows in soils with very high levels of iron and sulfate, very low levels of calcium and manganese. Balance the soil, lose the weed. (This is the 2nd edition of the book formerly titled Weeds and Why They Grow)

The "Far Out"

Philip Callahan Ph.D., Paramagnetism: Rediscovering Nature's Secret Force of Growth
Not as detailed as it should be because all of his formal research is classified military secrets, but still very illuminating.

Professor C. Louis Kervran, Biological Transmutations
The seminal text by a member of the French Academy of Science very rigorously documenting shifts in mineral levels not conventionally explainable. Very convincing.

Sophisticated Science

Horst Marschner, The Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants, Second Edition (Special Publications of the Society for General Microbiology)
A sophisticated handbook for understanding micronutrient needs and uses in plants.

Thomas E. Bearden, Energy from the Vacuum: Concepts & Principles
Not really an agriculture book unless you want to answer some pesky questions about energy and elements, and how exactly it is that plants grow. A very sophisticated analysis of energy and how it works and where it comes from. At the root of what is going on in the soil, and in plants.

Fritz-Albert Popp, ed., & L.V. Beloussov, ed., Integrative Biophysics: Biophotonics
Again, at the essence of the barrier between matter and energy, form and light. The more essential our understanding of what is going on in life, i.e. our plants and soil life, the better job we can do in understanding how to feed our soil and plants. Not a critical read for sure, but extremely intriguing.