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50th out of 56 books
—
19 voters
The Sheer Ecstasy of Being a Lunatic Farmer
by
Joel Salatin
Foodies and environmentally minded folks often struggle to understand and articulate the fundamental differences between the farming and food systems they endorse and those promoted by Monsanto and friends. With visceral stories and humor from Salatin's half-century as a "lunatic" farmer, Salatin contrasts the differences on many levels: practical, spiritual, social, econo...more
Paperback, 300 pages
Published
September 8th 2010
by Polyface
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I hereby nominate Joel Salatin for President. Though it's hard to wish such a terrible job on such an intelligent and accomplished true patriot, and though he'd have to leave his farm, the good that would result for our nation would be worth it. Maybe just one term, Mr. Salatin? Please?
Here I am, going along in life feeling like the lone crazy one, calling my representatives to ask for a true free market (no federal subsidies for any industry or business, ever, whether corn, defense contractors,...more
Here I am, going along in life feeling like the lone crazy one, calling my representatives to ask for a true free market (no federal subsidies for any industry or business, ever, whether corn, defense contractors,...more
Joel Salatin raises animals on his farm with the integrity that used to be the norm in the American rural farm lifestyle. He believes in leaving his land better than he found it. You can tell he LOVES his farm. And that includes the chickens, cows and pigs. He believes in allowing the pig to enjoy the very "pigness of the pig." The cows are chickens are pasture fed and allowed to roam. The cow chews the cud that most cows don't even know exists anymore and the chickens delight in big juicy earth...more
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Who could resist a book entitled, The Sheer Ecstasy of Being a Lunatic Farmer, by Joel Salatin?
The Bottom Line
The author’s joy in farming and in life are woven throughout the book. Why does he call himself a lunatic? Many of the philosophies and practices employed at Polyface Farm are not accepted by industrial agriculture. I am thankful for lunatics like the Salatin’s and other farmers following a similar path.
Prior to writing The Sheer Ecstasy of Being a Lunatic Farmer, Salatin had written 6 o...more
The Bottom Line
The author’s joy in farming and in life are woven throughout the book. Why does he call himself a lunatic? Many of the philosophies and practices employed at Polyface Farm are not accepted by industrial agriculture. I am thankful for lunatics like the Salatin’s and other farmers following a similar path.
Prior to writing The Sheer Ecstasy of Being a Lunatic Farmer, Salatin had written 6 o...more
I loved this book. Salatin has a wonderful sense of humor and shares his completely biased opinion with gusto. Whether you agree with him or not you have to appreciate his passion and admit that perhaps the conventional world view can use some shaking up. I believe in much of what Salatin stands for (local, ecological, land-healing, small-scale farming) but I still found my paradigm to be challenged in many area. The only negative thing I can say is that the book could have used some editing. Sa...more
"Preserve the pigginess of pigs"... Once again the visionary Joel Salatin, the "lunatic" farmer from Virginia, has written a cohesive and diverse account and mini-handbook of a solar-driven, locally-marketed, synergistic farmer. With takeaway points, and anecdotes, nearly anyone could quickly absorb the ideas described here. Basically, while still considerably "righteous" this most recent book by Salatin is unlike his first goofier ones in that it is not as preachy, cheesy and/or blistering. Sal...more
This is my fifth or sixth Joel Salatin book, and every time around two-thirds of the book is a rehash of the rest of his work but I don't care as his books are always informative and entertaining.
In this book Salatin mostly writes about how farmers who don't use herbicides, artificial fertilizers, and CAFOs are considered lunatics by Big Ag. Salatin takes us through all the differences between his rolling meadows with happy pigs and chickens to the fecal ponds of industrial Concentrated Animal F...more
In this book Salatin mostly writes about how farmers who don't use herbicides, artificial fertilizers, and CAFOs are considered lunatics by Big Ag. Salatin takes us through all the differences between his rolling meadows with happy pigs and chickens to the fecal ponds of industrial Concentrated Animal F...more
Jul 05, 2012
Alice
is currently reading it
The lunatic farmer is an informative author, for sure. He is an admirable farmer, too, and I respect his lunacy. He is way out of sync with current agricultural practices and I really hope he can get lots of other farmers to adopt his approach. Readers are sure to learn something important from reading this book.
The first two chapters were really great...then it got too preachy. I think it is aimed more at other farmers, but more like the beginning would go farther, I think you get more listeners if its interesting and not preachy.
Of all the books in this arena, this is the BEST! Never has a book been so humorous and to the point. Great useful information that can be use on any size farm, mini or large.
Read this one first!
A fun read. If you have already ready several of Joel's books, then this one is still worth reading. There are stories I found here I did not find in other books as well as some new viewpoints. If you have not read a book by Joel yet, I do not recommend this as a first. I think perhaps "You Can Farm" is a much better introduction to Joel's writing.
Joel Salatin is a unique communicator and writer, and Sheer Ecstasy was both challenging and enjoyable to read. His writing is infused with humor and sarcasm, which serves him well when he taps a nerve with the reader when discussing agricultural issues bluntly and convincingly. I look forward to reading Salatin again soon.
Joel Salatin is always a little bit extreme for my taste. However, his enthusiasm and passion more than make up for his ranting. And, I must add, his ranting can be highly convincing at times.
Inspiring.
May 22, 2013
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Joel is a nationally renowned speaker on organic farming and "relationship marketing." He is on a mission to develop emotionally, economically and environmentally enhanced agricultural enterprises, and facilitate their duplication around the world. Part of that goal is to produce the best food in the world.
Joel espouses an agricultural paradigm shift that sees plants and animals as partners rather...more
More about Joel Salatin...
Joel espouses an agricultural paradigm shift that sees plants and animals as partners rather...more
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