The No-Till Organic Vegetable Farm: How to Start and Run a Profitable Market Garden That Builds Health in Soil, Crops, and Communities

🌱 Build a Farm That Feeds the Soil and the Community

Daniel Mays didn’t start with a farming background or deep pockets, but he built Frith Farm into a thriving no-till market garden. This book shares that journey and the practical system behind it, offering a realistic path from bare ground to a productive vegetable enterprise.

Rethink Tillage, Build Living Soil

At the heart of the book is a simple but powerful idea: healthy soil grows healthy crops. Mays explains how minimizing disturbance protects soil structure, encourages beneficial organisms, and cycles nutrients naturally. You’ll learn how to establish permanent raised beds, jump-start soil biology, and use compost, cover crops, and mulching to keep the system resilient.

From Seed to Market with Confidence

The chapters move through the whole farm year:

• Crop planning and greenhouse seedling production
• Water-wise irrigation design and maintenance
• Weed management that focuses on prevention over reaction
• No-till bed flipping, compost spreading, and occultation methods
• Harvest workflow, wash infrastructure, and presentation

Designing a Farm That Works for People

Profitability isn’t just about yields. Mays covers direct marketing strategies, community-supported agriculture, hiring and retaining a crew, and keeping records that inform better decisions. He also asks deeper questions about labor, reinvestment, and the farm’s role in building a local food economy.

Who Will Find This Book Useful

Aspiring market gardeners will find a realistic, step-by-step framework, while experienced growers will discover new ways to reduce tillage and improve soil health. It’s also valuable for homesteaders, educators, and anyone curious about regenerative agriculture at a human scale.