Joel Salatin

                                                                     Photo Courtesy Farm Sanctuary

Third generation farmer Joel Salatin runs Polyface Farm in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. The farm's website describes its products as "salad bar beef, pastured poultry, eggmobile eggs, pigaerator pork, forage-based rabbits, pastured turkey and forestry products using relationship marketing." Polyface Farm was featured in the best selling book Omnivore"s Dilemma by Michael Pollan, and in the documentary Food Inc., achieving iconic status as a grass farm practicing principles of sustainable ecology. Joel is known for his entertaining and theatrical public speaking and his many books, and during my visit he was generous with his time and thoughtful reflections on topics ranging from the history of farming, stewardship of land and wildlife, evolution, plant-based diets, and religious beliefs supporting animal agriculture.

The Interview
 

Ecological principles that guide Joel's approach to farming.

Views About Animals In Contexts of Religion, Slavery and Evolution

Stewardship and Views of Animals and Getting Attached

Relationship Between Sin and Eating Animals 

Biblical-Based Beliefs About Animals

Protecting Livestock & Importance of a Balanced Ecosystem

Questions of Cruelty, Sentience, and Taking Lives 

Farming That Duplicates a Pre-European Landscape

Experience with the USDA and Its Alliances 

Perspective That Evolution Violates Scientific Laws & Religious Narrative

The "New Colonialism" How Industrial Farming Works

Human Health, Ecosystems and Veganism

How to Protect the Environment and Biodiversity 

The Need For Animals For a Healthy Ecology

Impacts of Food Regulations and Economic Subsidies