EVERYTHING I WANT TO DO IS ILLEGAL:  War Stories from the Local Food Front

Although Polyface farm has been glowingly featured in countless national print and video media, it would not exist if the USDA and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services had their way.  From a lifetime of noncompliance, frustration, humor, and passion come the behind-the-scenes real stories that have brought this little family farm into the forefront of the non-industrial food system.
                   
Asked recently   where he thought America's food system was on a continuum of history, Joel Salatin responded: “We're at Wounded Knee.  For all the foodie fluff and eco-local buzz, in the final analysis the imbedded, heritage, transparent, truthful food system is in danger of annihilation. The Seventh Cavalry wears blue pinstriped suits and sits in posh government office buildings. The Native Americans are farmers trying to heal their land, their neighbors, and their food.”

Using the stories as a springboard to the broader philosophical issues surrounding food choice and entrepreneurship, Joel comes across as both evangelist and lover.  You may not agree with all of his conclusions, but this book will force you to think about things that most people didn't even know existed. 338 pgs.

You Can Farm

For all the wannabes and newbies, this book is subtitled:  "The Entrepreneur's Guide to Start and Succeed in a Farming Enterprise."  A veritable compendium of information, Joel pulls from his eclectic sphere of knowledge, combines it with a half century of farming experience, and covers as many topics as he can think of that will affect the success of a farming venture.  He offers his 10 best picks for profitable ventures, and the 10 worst.  He covers insurance, record keeping, land acquisition, and equipment.  Some people have suggested the title should just be "You Can," meaning that really the book is about succeeding in life.  A hard hitting, practical view from a successful farmer, if this book scares you off, it will be the best reality check you ever spent.  480 pgs.

Salad Bar Beef

Fishing for a phrase to describe this ultimately land-healing and nutrition-escalating production model, Joel realized that he was offering the cows a salad bar.  He coined the phrase to describe the farm's beef, and thereby stimulate questions from potential customers.  Eventually he incorporated the phrase into the title of a book that describes herd effect, mobbing, moving, field design, water systems, manure monitoring, soil fertility, and even pigaerating.  A fundamentally fresh way to look at the symbiosis between farmer, field, and cow, this book is now a classic in the pasture-based livestock movement.  368 pgs.

Pasture Poultry Profits

Joel began raising chickens when he was 10 years old and serendipitously fell into the pastured poultry concept a couple of years later when a pair of unused portable rabbit runs became available.  Still the centerpiece of the farm, and the engine that drives sales, notoriety, and profit, pastured poultry has revolutionized countless farming endeavors around the world.  A hard core how-to book, this includes all the stories and tips, from brooding to marketing.  Centered around meat chickens, it includes a section on layers and turkeys. Many would say this book started the American pastured poultry movement.  371 pgs.

Holy Cows & Hog Heaven

Written for food buyers to empower them in their dedication to food with integrity, this book changes people's lives.  Farmers who give it to their customers say that folks who have read it have a new level of understanding and a delightful attitude about the farmer-consumer relationship.  A short, easy read, this book will make you laugh and cry, all in a matter of minutes.   The foreword is by internationally renowned author Michael Pollan, whose "Omnivore's Dilemma" has catapulted the local food movement to a new level.  Any consumer wanting to peek in to the life behind the local food farmer will be delighted at the insights and real-life stories Joel shares from his own marketing experience.  Don't let the size fool you.  This book says a lot in a few pages.  135 pgs.

Family Friendly Farming

Joel calls this his soul book.  Right now, four generations live at Polyface.  That requires vision, grace, and an attractive farming and business model.  The subtitle, "A Multigenerational Home-Based Business Testament" delineates the far-reaching implications discussed in these pages. 
It's worth reading just for the 10 chapters titled "10 Commandments for Making Your Kids Love the Farm."  Whether you're a butcher, baker, or candlestick maker, these principles and the accompanying stories will renew your commitment to all the values that matter most. This book even tackles numerous taboo topics, like inheritance and fussy dads.  Known in his speeches for the statement:  "unless we romance the next generation into farming, we aren't sustainable," Joel addresses those family business characteristics that glue parents and siblings together.  402 pgs.

Polyface Farm DVD 

This is the official, comprehensive video about the farm.  If a picture is worth a thousand words, this video is worth a library of writing.  Carefully filmed and edited by Moonstar Films, this is a first class, professional work.  Filmed over the course of a year to catch the multi-faceted seasons and enterprises at Polyface, this was a monumental effort and a delightful artistic piece.  You will see Joel and Daniel in each section, talking and working in everyday settings.  110 minutes