Have you ever desired, deep within your soul, to make a comfortable full-time living from a farming enterprise? Too often people dare not even voca...
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Jan 17, 2009
John
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I first heard mention of Joel Salatin and his Polyface Farm in an interview with Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma, and I was fascinated from the start. Central to Polyface Farm was a carefully controlled rotation of animals grazing on the land, with chickens following cows to break up their manure and eat the grubs laid in it, reducing fly problems and providing food for the chickens. You Can Farm gives not only an overview of Salatin's farming methods for raising high-quality po
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Jan 14, 2009
Jenni
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The value of this book for me lies not in Joel Salatin's prose, which is painful to read, but in a simple question he asks. From my open book post about Wendell Berry's Unsettling of America:
If we can’t return ourselves and our nation to our agrarian roots, what can we do to heal the cultural wounds he describes – wounds that are as much ecological, communal, and personal as they are agricultural? As I read The Unsettling of America, my own answer came in the form of a question: “Wha More...
If we can’t return ourselves and our nation to our agrarian roots, what can we do to heal the cultural wounds he describes – wounds that are as much ecological, communal, and personal as they are agricultural? As I read The Unsettling of America, my own answer came in the form of a question: “Wha More...
Nov 14, 2009
Keith
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The crazy sustainable pastured beef and poultry farmer featured in Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma has some books of his own. This is one of them. It's chock full of advice and ideas for actually turning a profit in agriculture, long considered a fiscal black hole ("if I had a million dollars I'd farm until it was all gone"). He's been doing it, and he's seen others do it, and he's seen a lot of folks go broke following the conventional wisdom and the best advice of the USDA
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Aug 26, 2011
Scott
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Good reminder of the level of ignorance we have in our food system. He has some good down to earth approaches and clearly shows a passion for what he believes and recognizes he is on the fringe. His methods show a clear focus on what makes a successful farm (making money) and how to best leverage synergistic approaches (don't just sell corn, sell cornbread!) and using animals that make money to perform tasks that typically cost the farmer (hogs to breakup cowpies, not a tractor implement costi
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Oct 21, 2009
John
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This book was not only a great pleasure to read, I found it exciting and wonderfully engaging. Salatin is an entrepreneurial farmer in Virginia that raises cattle, chicken, rabbits, and turkeys using all natural methods--specifically on the pasture. Each animal fits a unique role in the farm ecosystem. The result is healthy, beyond organic meat and eggs.
The book is all about how to succeed as a farmer using techniques that the government and the industrial food corporations long More...
The book is all about how to succeed as a farmer using techniques that the government and the industrial food corporations long More...
Aug 11, 2009
Jennifer
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Whew, thank goodness I found this book before I bought a farm. I stayed on my grandparent's farm during the summers of my youth. Those were some of the happiest times of my life, along with family vacations and days on the lake in Dad's boat. It was easy for me to romanticize the idea of having a farm. I greatly appreciate Joel's methods - we need more farmers like him. But alas, I am not one of them. This realization dawned on me after reading about the difference between a backyard viney
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Mar 15, 2009
Travis
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So this guy is the one who runs polyface farm that was made famous in The Omnivore's Dilemma. Though not as good a writer as Polan, he does elaborate on many of his ideas here, as well as taking a very entrerpreneurial approach to farming. I read this while working in a little rural town in Nebraska, where all the nurses were married to farmers and were chagrined to see this city guy reading a book about how to succeed in a farming enterprise, when they has spent their lives hearing about how
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Jan 18, 2011
Melanie
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i have to start out by saying that i'm not the hugest salatin fan. since his appearance in the pollan book, folks bow down to him like a god. meanwhile, he is a pretty sexist guy.
all that said, i found this book to be a good source of cheerleading/advice/wisdom for aspiring or land-seeking farmers looking to start out on their own. he knows what it takes--lots of sacrifice and discomfort--and he lays it out pretty honestly. it's laced with a good dose of his goofy humor and heavy ha More...
all that said, i found this book to be a good source of cheerleading/advice/wisdom for aspiring or land-seeking farmers looking to start out on their own. he knows what it takes--lots of sacrifice and discomfort--and he lays it out pretty honestly. it's laced with a good dose of his goofy humor and heavy ha More...
Jan 06, 2010
Julie
rated it:
Bruce and I bought this book a little over 2 years ago. We’re re-reading it for some inspiration. Joel is sometimes referred to as “The High Priest of Natural farming.” He and his family run Polyface Farms. He has inspired many families in their farming endeavors. Several of our friends and family have been to his workshops and we hear great things about Polyface. The book is honest in it’s outlook of what is realistic to expect from farming and has very good information including things to avoi
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Dec 22, 2008
Salatin is not a good writer but his ideas are excellent. Moreover, he makes them feel accessible in a way that Small Farmer's Journal does not. Brian and I were truly inspired to farm by this book. Perhaps not on a scale to make a living--but at least enough to feed our family. Tidbit: while Salatin is not a good writer, it is apparent in my reading of his testimony to Congress over "transparency in the meat-packing industry," that he is an excellent speech-writer. But he won't be tea
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Dec 14, 2008
Megan
rated it:
Interesting concept which deals with the overall Salatin workings. Comes across as easy to read as though he is talking to you. Very optionated but he has a message to put across and a very valid one about the logistics of modern farms and the model he has used to make the farm financially sucessful. Hell of a lot of regumentation involved in his system and not for everyone but it does work.The overall concept contains a lot of christian references but very worthwhile. Everyone will get somethin
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Jan 03, 2010
Scott
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I can hardly contain my excitement. Started it on the bus ride in this morning and it was the quickest bus ride ever!
This book was everything I'd hoped it would be. Practical advice.
I am sure I will come back to it many times in the years ahead. The most interesting this to me about Salatin's advice on becoming a farmer is that you don't need land, at least not right away. He advocates renting land first to make sure you can actually make money from a piece of land be More...
This book was everything I'd hoped it would be. Practical advice.
I am sure I will come back to it many times in the years ahead. The most interesting this to me about Salatin's advice on becoming a farmer is that you don't need land, at least not right away. He advocates renting land first to make sure you can actually make money from a piece of land be More...
Jan 03, 2010
Wayne
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Jan 04, 2011
Ami
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So smack dab in the middle of my farming obsession, I read Joel F. Salatin's "You Can Farm." And I must say he is an enthusiastic farm cheerleader. With definite opinions. And.... I don't agree with all of them.
That being said, his book is very informative, smart, and easy to follow. Salatin encourages his audience to think outside the traditional farming box. If someone wanted to live on a farm and make their entire living off of it, I would whole heartedly recommend this bo More...
That being said, his book is very informative, smart, and easy to follow. Salatin encourages his audience to think outside the traditional farming box. If someone wanted to live on a farm and make their entire living off of it, I would whole heartedly recommend this bo More...
Jun 02, 2009
Danny
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I cam across Joel Salatin in Michael Pollan's book "The Omnivore's Dilemma" and I thought he was such an intersting character that I thought I'd check his books out.
This is a very well written 'How to' book with plenty of 'why you should' philosophy.
He gets a little preachy at times and strays significantly off-topic quite a few times, but all and all an interesting read and a good window into what the new, sustainable farm model looks like and what livi More...
May 10, 2010
Iris
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Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms writes a tell it how he sees it, in your face wake up call as to why we should not be eating cows that are fed chicken guts and chicken that is steeped in fecal matter. He lays out a good plan and advice for starting your own farming business and learning to get along with your neighbors.
It is an enjoyable read, both funny and informative, whether you are planning on starting a farm, or just interested in why you really should be eating better food.
It is an enjoyable read, both funny and informative, whether you are planning on starting a farm, or just interested in why you really should be eating better food.
Jan 31, 2012
Laura
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Too bad I am only really looking at this on the day it is due back at the library. Lots of simple advice in plain English. About what I can take in at any given moment. An example - 10 ways to succeed at farming - # 1 = Stay At Home.
So nothing earth shattering but rather confirming stuff I know and need to bear in mind. And I suspect that if I actually read the book I might new ideas as well.
So nothing earth shattering but rather confirming stuff I know and need to bear in mind. And I suspect that if I actually read the book I might new ideas as well.
Apr 03, 2009
Sharon
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Yay for moving small-scale farm enterprises out of the poorhouse and into the realm of money-making ventures.
The main thing that was helpful in this book was his breakdown of the economics of farming and how creatively a farm can be badly managed and lose money. Likewise, he explains simple ways to keep costs down and productivity up.
He also gives great ideas for how to actually start up and stay solvent all the way through to completely supporting yourself from your farm.
I do More...
The main thing that was helpful in this book was his breakdown of the economics of farming and how creatively a farm can be badly managed and lose money. Likewise, he explains simple ways to keep costs down and productivity up.
He also gives great ideas for how to actually start up and stay solvent all the way through to completely supporting yourself from your farm.
I do More...
Apr 03, 2010
Rob
rated it:
A great book to get you motivated for a farming enterprise. It doesn't sugar coat the challenges but give you encouragement that you can find solutions.
I recommend watching "Food, Inc." BEFORE reading this book. The more information you have, the more motivated you will become.
I recommend watching "Food, Inc." BEFORE reading this book. The more information you have, the more motivated you will become.
Oct 19, 2011
Brad
rated it:
Should be required reading for anybody who wants to start a farm. Realistic and down to earth; not romantic. Chapter 8 was especially helpful: the top ten recipes for failure when starting a farm
#10. Being too independent/self-sufficient
#9. Impatience
#8. Not enough 'why' and too much 'how'
#7. Production before marketing
#6. Lack of capital
#5. Too much time spent in non-farm offices
#4. Spending ahead of management
#3. Inability to view the farm as a busi More...
#10. Being too independent/self-sufficient
#9. Impatience
#8. Not enough 'why' and too much 'how'
#7. Production before marketing
#6. Lack of capital
#5. Too much time spent in non-farm offices
#4. Spending ahead of management
#3. Inability to view the farm as a busi More...
May 06, 2010
Amber
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Nice philosophical overview of how to approach farming. No specific how-to info, but nice concepts.
Jun 03, 2008
Jeremy
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I have such a strange fascinatination with agriculture so I started reading a few books on it. This guy is a pretty successful guy and his philosophy on farming is totally different than what our country is moving toward. His way is totally natural and extremely efficient. In the book he lays the basics out for you and elaborates further in some of his other texts. The only reason he didnt get 5 stars is that he is so set in his ways that he basically shits on anything that is not within his sco
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Apr 01, 2008
Megan
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Not super interesting for those not interested in farming, but since we are considering buying an acreage and growing our own food, it was quite interesting for me! Joel Salatin is a successful small farmer, a rarity in these days, and featured in Omnivore's Dilemma (another fav of mine). Although Joel shouldn't quit his full time job of farming to become a writer, it was an enjoyable read, very dense, something I will probably end up buying to be able to reference it later on.
Sep 24, 2011
Kelley
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Was very excited to read this after hearing about it in Omnivore's Dilemma, but it's more a theory of what farming should be rather than a step by step guide. No real advise, lots of rambling, and poor formatting. Ok in principle, but a little too heavy on his own personal and religious values which don't have anything to do with farming in my opinion.
Jan 20, 2011
Trase
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Another stellar book from Joel Salatin. This is full of great ideas and advice that we will be implementing here on our farm!
Dec 11, 2007
Laura
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Mr Salatin is a quirky and very innovative farmer, and when he gets off his anti government soapbox he has a lot of very useful and fiscally sound advice for the agricultural wannabe. He makes no bones about how much work it will be and how many sacrifices one will have to make to succeed, so a good dose of reality for the starry eyed back-to-the-lander. His politics may not be for everyone but he has some excellent advice and experience to share.
Nov 07, 2011
Steve
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He is more practical, as a farmer must be, and I am more philosophical, as I must be, but overall he accomplished his goal. I think with the right neutral or positive financial start I could do the small farm thing. That is only a dream at the time, but this book would make such a better reality if I move in that direction. Worth someone's time who is interested in the alternative or "old" farming idea. Wendell Berry fans will find a common place.
Nov 03, 2011
Elizabeth
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It's hard to tell people what to do and how to do it. For Joel, this rule still holds true. I'm glad he's not my neighbor. Our community would have chunked him out long ago for not being neighborly for all his talk of fostering relations with the neighbors.
He has some good ideas and his farming methods sound terrific. It's interesting to read all of his books consecutively to see how he had evolved over a fairly short period of time.
He has some good ideas and his farming methods sound terrific. It's interesting to read all of his books consecutively to see how he had evolved over a fairly short period of time.
