The term "agriculture" covers a vast array of topics—and so do agriculture books. Whether you're seeking books on animal husbandry, horticulture, aquaculture or agronomy, there are books available to help you improve your business. Hot topics include sustainable agriculture, genetically altered crops, organic controlling of pests and the timeless question of which crops are most profitable.

When searching for agriculture books, there are several general sources you should be sure to look at. Before heading off to your local bookstore:

1. Look first at large bookstores and publishing houses with books about agriculture that may help your business,

2. Don't neglect smaller sources, which may provide the best sources for organic agriculture books,

3. And also check out government sources—many of them free—for agriculture books and publications.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find general books on agriculture to improve your business

To make up the base of your business-related agriculture library, look for agriculture book publishers or distributors offering a wide variety of books on the topic. Whether you're seeking books about controlling pests or titles on improving certain varieties of crops, there are plenty of good sources available to you.

I recommend: Science Publisher offers a wide line of books on agriculture, including titles like "A Handbook of Rice Seedborne Fungi" and "Breeding of Neglected and Under-utilized Crops, Spices and Herbs." Harvard University Press also publishes a line of agriculture books to help you improve your business. Successful Farm Books publishes practical titles on preserving your farm and equipment. For an excellent, larger distributor of both new and used agriculture and farming books, Powell's Books can't be beat.

Seek out organic agriculture books

There's little doubt the popularity of growing green is on the rise. The movement toward sustainable farming (defined as protecting the environment while keeping a prosperous and profitable farm) is the newest trend in agriculture. Most sources for general agriculture also have some books on organic farming, but more and more publishers and bookstores are developing larger lines of green agricultural books for commercial farmers.

I recommend: Eco Books distributes books on organic and ecological agriculture; the books cover topics such as maintaining a profitable farm while staying organic. Acres USA carries books such as "Eco-Farm, The Non-Toxic Farming Handbook." CheapestTextBooks.com offers general and "green" agriculture textbooks at reduced prices.

Select inexpensive and free government agricultural books

The United States Government publishes a vast array of books and publications, including those on agricultural topics, designed for farmers large and small. Many are free. The rest are available at reasonable prices.

I recommend: U.S. Government Bookstore sells agricultural books such as "The Agricultural Fact Book," in addition to various publications on government codes related to commercial agriculture and farming. The U.S. Government Printing Office offers--at no cost--many publications related to agriculture.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When buying books on farming and agriculture, it's always smart to check several sources for the same titles. Prices can vary considerably between large and small sources, and you can often get used copies at a fraction of the cost of new.