This compendium of best practices brings together practical ecologically sound and nutrition-sensitive approaches to improving the productivity of backyard, community, and family farms. 

It has four main sections:

1. The first section is an overview chapter which provides a conceptual understanding of the value of agroecological approaches. It has articles on climate-smart agriculture approaches which the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction(IIRR) has been promoting as part of its engagement with the global Climate Change Agriculture and Food Security(CCAFS) network and the Philippine Department of Agriculture AMIA 2 Program.

2. The second section is on Intensive Organic Gardening. This section includes the very best of the articles that IIRR has produced in its Bio Intensive Gardening program which it has adapted and refined over three decades and is now being promoted nationally through the Department of Education of the Philippine government. The section on organic gardening is comprehensive and, can serve as the basis for designing a training program and field-level interventions.

3. The third section is on Family Farming. Here IIRR relied on its own experiences as well as that of other agencies (UPLB, Phil Rice, MBRLC, PRRM, World Neighbors, and others) which have contributed articles to previous sourcebooks. Crop production is emphasized mostly by those relying on regenerative agriculture approaches. Special efforts were made to include climate-smart agriculture ideas (agroforestry, conservation agriculture, mitigation opportunities in agriculture, etc). Diversification and sustainable diversification characterizes the approach to family farming.

4. The fourth section highlights Small Livestock and Fish Production. The concern about hormones and antibiotic use in meat production is surfacing as a major health concern. Rural communities can meet their own needs (or even supply local markets) with animals produced in backyards and small farms. Alternative (improved) feeding systems are highlighted in this section (e.g. pig rations formulated from locally secured products). 

This compendium highlights ways of producing food with a small carbon footprint. Diverse systems of food production are environmentally sound and as long as climate change remains a threat, there will be a role for these systems. Moreover, as long as a third of the population (in developing countries) remains poor, and malnourishment prevails, there will be a special role for community-level food production.

This compendium features one hundred simple ideas each of which, in a small way, can contribute to climate-smart and nutrition-smart ways of producing food.