So, speaking of critters, the guru of pastured poultry has a speaking engagement in Puyallup this next Monday. Joel Salatin runs Polyface Farm, and was featured in the recent book 'the Omnivore's Dilemma' by Michael Pollan. He has written many books on his very observation-based ecology-minded animal husbandry and refers to himself as a 'Christian-libertarian-environmentalist-lunatic farmer'. Should be a good time. Puyallup High School. Mon. 28 5-7pm. RSVP with Pierce Conservation District. If full, he'll also be speaking at UW-T earlier that day.
They sent me an e-mail letting me know that things have changed. They say the time is later - salatin will start speaking at 7. I'm going to show up before 5. I picked up some reading material in case I'm too early.
For all those who couldn't make it, the summary is:
I'm reading 'you can farm' right now, and so most everything he talked about, (plus the jokes!) i'd just read in his book. It was cool to see the pictures and of course, to hear a fella tell his own jokes.
It was awesome to see the Puyallup community come out, and Joel even had a nice comment to make about what a nice gov't agency and how heartfelt the Pierce Conservation District is. His book is full of loathing gov't agencies. Noone must have told him that the PCD is non-regulatory, and totally kick-ass folks. Especially Sarah for getting him out here!
Anyway, to sum up his approach for permaculture folks. Um, Permaculture with an Animal Husbandry focus. Some permaculture is forestry focused, some is social justice focused, most is Plant focused. His is animals. Careful observation of what herding animals do and how they interact with ecosystems and how birds interact with that, and how the seasons work, etc. , and ta da: exquisite eggs, chicken, turkey, pork, and beef for eating. The tight grazing rotations look like they're heavily influenced by the Holistic Management approach. He also mentioned biodynamics, also in his book, but he doesn't say what preps or techniques they use.
I think we all wanted to ask him lots of questions, and i should have picked up on his unwillingness instead of hounding him, BUT no reason not to ask those questions Now. To see if anyone else has the answers.
hmmm. this question belongs elsewhere in this forum. but paul, why don't you post Your questions to him?
and here's a small one for Joel: Why don't you hire women? Yes, we've all noticed. And nearly every time you refer to food-growers you use the pronoun 'he'.
![[Logo]](/templates/default/mobile/images/mobile-permies-2015.png)
