book cover Title: Diary of a Compost Hotline Operator
Author: Spring Gilliard
Pages: 208
Publisher: New Society Publisher
ISBN: 0865714924
Genre: Non-Fiction (Gardening)

Synopsis: For over 25 years Spring Gilliard has been working the telephones for City Farmer in Vancouver, BC Canada. Diary of a Compost Hotline Operator reveals the fun and humor behind such a job. Each chapter focuses on a particular topic. They start with a story involving one of the many quirky days on the job. It then progresses through phoned in questions on the topic, solutions, and more fun stories. The chapters are as follows:
  • The City Farmer Compost Rap
  • Good Bugs, Bad Bugs, and Love Bugs
  • Garden Gatherings
  • Yard Waste Yarns
  • Water Wisdom
  • The Scoop on Poop
  • Critter Control
  • City Farmer on Tour
Review: At first I was somewhat disappointed in this book. Gillard is clearly trying to put a humerous spin on environmentalism but the book sometimes comes off as short on information, and long on would-be-humor. This book is best described as a starter book. It give enough information to get an individual going and keeps them chuckling in the process.

Perhaps the most valueable information presented is the lists of refernces at the end of each chapter. Most of these reference are for organizations located in the Northwest US and Canada. However, there should be more than enough to assist anyone seeking more information on a topic. Unless that topic is "how to build a compost toilet." I think I need to visit Vancouver BC for that one.

On a more personal note, This book had immediate attraction for me. As an apartment-dwelling plant-maniac I'm always looking for books to help me make the most of my meager space. As one who grows tomatoes, peppers and petunias on the balcony and lok on with envyat anyone with enough space for chickens you could say I was ripe for the plucking when I discovered a book on city farming. Diary of a Compost Hotline Operator covers worms, waste, water, persts, poop and more. The book is unique in that it intermingles suggestions with wild enoucters on these topics.