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If you live near a river or stream, Microhydro, a Mother Earth News Book for Wiser Living, explains everything you need to know to produce electricity for your home. This book outlines the basic requirements and approximate costs of home-scale hydroelectric systems that let you create clean, off-grid independent power.

Hydroelectricity is the world's largest — and cleanest — source of renewable energy. But despite lively interest in renewables generally, there is an information vacuum about the smallest version of the technology dubbed "the simplest, most reliable and least expensive way to generate power off grid."

Highly illustrated and practical, Microhydro is the first complete book on the topic in a decade. Covering both AC and DC systems, it covers principles, design and site considerations, equipment options, and legal, environmental and economic factors.

About the author

Scott Davis has decades of experience operating, installing, designing, selling and teaching about microhydro technology. An award-winner in the field, he currently works as a system designer and retailer with an alternative energy company for whom he has authored an online microhydro course.

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Enjoy guaranteed organic produce with this comprehensive plant-by-plant reference for how to select, grow, harvest, and store more than 765 varieties of vegetables, herbs, fruits and nuts. Also included are more than 100 up-to-the-minute organic remedies for 201 diseases and pests. This is the book to demystify the complex organic systems of the garden, and make healthful vegetable gardening easier and more fun.

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Practical information and more than 250 inspiring photographs explain how to use stone and plants together to create contrasting textures and colors in the garden. Stone projects are clearly described and gardeners will appreciate Barbara Pleasant's helpful tips on growing plants in paths and stone walls.

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This comprehensive guide provides detailed information on three natural plasters-earthen, lime, gypsum and natural finishes. Extremely well-illustrated with drawings and photos, this book teaches the principles of plastering and plaster techniques, and describes the tools you'll need for a successful plaster job.

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In the '60s it was called the "back to the land" movement, and in Helen and Scott Nearing's day, it was "living the good life." Whatever the term, North Americans have always yearned for a simpler way. But how do you accomplish that today?

Blending inspiration with practical how-to's, Rural Renaissance, a Mother Earth News Book for Wiser Living, captures the American dream of country living for contemporary times. Journey with the authors and experience their lessons, laughter and love for the land as they trade the urban concrete maze for a five-acre organic farm and bed and breakfast in southwestern Wisconsin. Rural living today is a lot more than farming. It's about a creative, nature-based and more self-sufficient lifestyle that combines a love of squash, solar energy, skinny dipping and serendipity.

Among the many topics explored in Rural Renaissance include:

• "right livelihood" and the good life
• organic gardening and permaculture
• renewable energy and energy conservation
• wholesome organic food, safe water and a natural home
• simplicity, frugality and freedom
• green design and recycled materials
• community, friends and raising a family
• independence and interdependence
• wildlife conservation and land stewardship

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Whether you want to raise one or two animals or run a full-scale beef production operation, this definitive handbook has the information you need. Helpful to both beginners and experienced livestock owners.

Recommended Product for Wiser Living: Today, more than ever before, our society is seeking ways to live more conscientiously. To help bring you the very best inspiration and information about greener, more sustainable lifestyles, MOTHER EARTH NEWS is recommending books to readers. For 40 years, MOTHER EARTH NEWS has been North America’s “Original Guide to Living Wisely,” creating books and magazines for people with a passion for self-reliance and a desire to live in harmony with nature.

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This is the first book to describe in depth the timber framing methods used by most contractors, framers and owner-builders — methods that use modern metal fasteners, special screws, and common-sense building principles to create post and beam structures in much less time. The book includes everything an owner-builder needs to know about building strong and beautiful structural frames from heavy timbers.

Recommended Product for Wiser Living: Today, more than ever before, our society is seeking ways to live more conscientiously. To help bring you the very best inspiration and information about greener, more sustainable lifestyles, Mother Earth News is recommending books to readers. For 40 years, Mother Earth News has been North America’s “Original Guide to Living Wisely,” creating books and magazines for people with a passion for self-reliance and a desire to live in harmony with nature.

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This guide to garden bugs shows you how to work with nature to reduce pests while producing bountiful, environmentally safe and chemical-free harvests. Includes a list of pests commonly found on 72 vegetables and fruits. Written by contributing editor Barbara Pleasant.

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A great overview of green building techniques, materials, products and technologies that are either currently available or will be in the near future. Author Dan Chiras provides practical information for home buyers, owner-builders and anyone interested in building for a sustainable future.

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An invaluable resource for everyone who raises sheep. The small-scale sheep-raiser's bible contains the most comprehensive information available on breeds, feeding, housing, breeding, diseases and health.

Recommended Product for Wiser Living: Today, more than ever before, our society is seeking ways to live more conscientiously. To help bring you the very best inspiration and information about greener, more sustainable lifestyles, MOTHER EARTH NEWS is recommending books to readers. For 40 years, MOTHER EARTH NEWS has been North America’s “Original Guide to Living Wisely,” creating books and magazines for people with a passion for self-reliance and a desire to live in harmony with nature.