One-Cow Revolution

Achieving Food Independence with a Grass-Fed Family Cow

By: Shawn Dougherty, Beth Dougherty

Narrated by: Shawn Dougherty

Essential experience-based advice and instructions from the authors of The Independent Farmstead for raising a grass-fed milk cow as the heart of a successful low-input, low-cost homestead.

For more than three decades, Shawn and Beth Dougherty have honed their frugal methods for managing a small-scale farmstead on marginal land. In One-Cow Revolution, they share their wisdom and affection for the blessing that is the human-dairy cow partnership, addressing key questions with clear answers for those who have just moved back to the land (or are still planning and dreaming).

The Doughertys begin at the beginning, advising listeners on how to find a reliable dairy cow, move her to the homestead, and settle her in. They take listeners on the round of daily chores, including managing their cow’s grazing patterns and monitoring pasture health, milking a cow, and handling the milk. They explain how a solar-powered cow becomes the heart of a diversified farmstead, providing food for calves, pigs, and other livestock; milk and meat for the family; and manure for high-quality compost to build healthy garden soil.

The book’s exemplary how-to content is framed by an introduction and conclusion that describes their life philosophy as “cow people” and the many benefits that manifest in communities where small, food-independent farmsteads thrive as models of sustainable human land-use.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2025 Shawn Dougherty and Beth Dougherty (P)2025 Chelsea Green Publishing Company

great philosophy and practicality

This book is so encouraging both on a philosophical as well as a practical level. I am deeply grateful for the ministry of Shawn and Beth