Farmers don’t typically have a national platform…but Joel Salatin isn’t your typical farmer (and he doesn’t want to be). He’s described himself as a: “Christian, libertarian, environmentalist, capitalist lunatic farmer.”
Christian, libertarian, environmentalist, capitalist lunatic farmer.
That’s just Joel’s way of signaling that he’s not playing by anyone’s rules but nature’s. He’s spent his life taking on the industrial food system, using regenerative farming techniques that focus on what matters: the health of the soil, the animals, and ultimately, the food we eat.
I had a chance to sit down with Joel as part of my Made for Health series.
He’s become one of the most well-known voices in regenerative farming, and there’s a reason for that. His farm shows us a path forward that doesn’t rely on synthetic chemicals and factory farming practices.
Controversial but Effective
“Some people called me a bioterrorist,” Joel says, reflecting on the strong reactions his methods have sparked. “They said I was going to starve the world with my crazy ideas.”
Joel’s approach has drawn plenty of criticism over the years, but he’s not just rebelling for the sake of it. He’s challenging the status quo because he’s convinced there’s a better, more sustainable way to farm.
A Farm in Harmony with Nature
At Polyface Farm, the results speak for themselves. The Salatins have:
- Restored degraded land.
- Raised animals according to nature’s rhythms.
- Produced high-quality, nutrient-dense food for thousands of customers.
Joel’s methods revolve around working with natural systems, not against them. Unlike industrial farms, which often degrade the environment, Polyface is a living, breathing ecosystem. It proves we can maintain productivity without sacrificing the health of our soil and our planet.
Regenerative for Generations
A Family Legacy of Organic Farming
“My farming journey didn’t start with me. It’s a family legacy,” Joel says proudly.
Long before “organic” became a buzzword, the Salatin family was practicing what would later be called regenerative farming. Joel’s grandfather made a crucial decision back in 1945, one that set the course for generations to come.
At a time when most farmers were switching to chemical fertilizers and pesticides, Joel’s grandfather bucked the trend. He was one of the earliest subscribers to Rodale’s Organic Gardening and Farming magazine and committed to a biological approach to agriculture.
“It wasn’t just about rejecting synthetic fertilizers; it was about standing for a healthier, more sustainable way of working with the land,” Joel says.
This decision influenced Joel’s father and eventually Joel himself, instilling a commitment to farming that heals the land, rather than harms it.
Reviving the Land: A Lesson in Soil Health
Imagine watching your family’s dreams disintegrate in front of your eyes, as machine guns fire through your home’s front door. This was the reality for Joel Salatin’s father, who lost everything when a political rebellion erupted in Venezuela in 1959 and forced them to evacuate from the 1,000-acre farm they had built from scratch.
Starting Over in Virginia
Returning to the U.S. with nothing, they bought a worn-out, eroded piece of land in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. It was a rock-strewn, barren wasteland, but Joel’s father saw potential.
Over the course of 40 years, the Salatins restored 14 inches of topsoil using regenerative methods. The success of Polyface Farm isn’t just a story of resilience—it’s a testament to what’s possible when we farm with nature instead of against it. “We didn’t use chemicals. We mimicked nature,” Joel says, describing how they breathed life back into the land.
We didn’t use chemicals. We mimicked nature. —Joel Salatin
Techniques of Regeneration
Joel’s farming success comes down to a few core principles:
- Controlled Grazing: Moving animals across pastures to naturally fertilize and aerate the soil.
- Composting: Rebuilding soil health with organic material.
- Multi-Species Farming: Allowing different animals to graze, each contributing to ecosystem health in unique ways.
Industrial Farming & Soil Health
What if the very methods designed to make farming easier are actually destroying the land?
This is the paradox Joel Salatin warns us about. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides promise high yields, but they come with a hidden cost: the destruction of the soil.
“It’s like a drug addiction,” Joel explains. “The land needs more and more chemicals just to stay productive, but the soil is dying underneath.”
With each passing season, the soil becomes more dependent on chemicals, depleting its natural nutrients and vitality. Joel’s critique is clear: if we continue down this path, the soil will no longer support healthy crops. Widespread food insecurity will follow.
“We have to rebuild soil health, or we’re all in trouble.”
From Soil to Human Health
Here’s something to consider: Soil health isn’t just about crops—it’s directly connected to human health.
Healthy soil is teeming with microbes, fungi, and bacteria that extract essential minerals like:
- Chromium
- Silica
- Molybdenum
“Healthy soil is nature’s original nutrient extractor,” Joel explains. When animals graze on nutrient-dense plants grown in healthy soil, those nutrients are passed on to us. It’s a chain reaction that starts in the soil and ends on our plates.
Biodiversity for Nutrient-Rich Food
Joel’s approach to farming emphasizes biodiversity. When animals graze on diverse, nutrient-rich pastures, they produce better-quality meat, eggs, and dairy. In contrast, industrial farms feed animals simplified, grain-heavy diets, stripping the food we eat of vital nutrients. When soil isn’t healthy, food isn’t healthy—and neither are we.
When soil isn’t healthy, food isn’t healthy—and neither are we.
Conclusion: A Blueprint for a Healthier Future
Joel Salatin’s story isn’t just about farming—it’s about rethinking the entire way we produce and consume food. His family’s journey, from Venezuela to Virginia, shows what’s possible when you work with nature instead of against it.
“The industrial approach to agriculture isn’t the only way,” Joel says. “Regenerative farming heals the land—and it heals us too.”
Joel’s approach offers a way forward—a blueprint for a future where:
- Food is more nutritious.
- Farming is more sustainable.
- And the soil is as healthy as the people who rely on it.
His methods prove that it’s possible to reverse the damage caused by conventional farming and build something sustainable and productive. And for consumers? It’s a reminder that the choices we make about what we eat can directly impact our own health—and the health of the planet.
What’s Next?
In part two of this series, we’ll dive deeper into Joel Salatin’s views on Real Food, Grass-Fed Beef, Dairy, and what the future of food should look like. Stay tuned for more insights into building a food system that truly works for everyone.
