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Everything I Want To Do Is Illegal: War Stories from the Local Food Front Paperback – September 17, 2007

4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 579 ratings

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Drawing upon 40 years' experience as an ecological farmer and marketer, Joel Salatin explains with humor and passion why Americans do not have the freedom to choose the food they purchase and eat. From child labor regulations to food inspection, bureaucrats provide themselves sole discretion over what food is available in the local marketplace. Their system favors industrial, global corporate food systems and discourages community-based food commerce, resulting in homogenized selection, mediocre quality, and exposure to non-organic farming practices. Salatin's expert insight explains why local food is expensive and difficult to find and will illuminate for the reader a deeper understanding of the industrial food complex.

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joel Salatin and his family own and operate Polyface Farm in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. The farm produces pastured beef, pork, chicken, eggs, turkeys, rabbits, lamb and ducks, servicing roughly 6,000 families and 50 restaurants in the farm’s bioregion. He has written 14 books to date, is editor of Stockman Grass Farmer Magazine, and lectures around the world on land healing and local food systems. Polyface Farm operates a formal apprenticeship program and conducts many educational workshops and events. 

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Polyface; First Edition (September 17, 2007)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0963810952
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0963810953
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 579 ratings

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Joel Salatin
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About Joel

Joel F. Salatin (born 1957) is an American farmer, lecturer, and author whose books include You Can Farm and Salad Bar Beef.

Salatin raises livestock using holistic methods of animal husbandry, free of potentially harmful chemicals, on his Polyface Farm in Swoope, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley. Meat from the farm is sold by direct-marketing to

consumers and restaurants.

In high school, Salatin began his own business selling rabbits, eggs, butter and chicken from his family farm at the Staunton Curb Market. He then attended Bob Jones University where he majored in English and was a student leader. He graduated in 1979. Salatin married his childhood sweetheart in 1980 and became a feature writer at the Staunton,

Virginia newspaper, The News Leader, where he had worked earlier typing obituaries and police reports.

Tired of “having his stories spiked,” he decided to try farming full-time after first getting involved in a walnut-buying station run by two high school boys. Salatin’s grandfather had been an avid gardener and beekeeper and a follower of J. I. Rodale, the founder of regenerative organic gardening. Salatin’s father worked as an accountant and his mother taught high school physical education. Salatin’s parents had bought the land that became Polyface after losing a farm in Venezuela to political turmoil. They had raised cattle using organic methods, but could not make a living at farming alone.

Salatin, a self-described “Christian-libertarian-environmentalist-capitalist-lunatic-Farmer” produces high-quality “beyond organic” meats, which are raised using environmentally responsible, ecologically beneficial, sustainable agriculture. Jo Robinson, the author of Pasture Perfect: The Far-Reaching Benefits of Choosing Meat, Eggs and Dairy Products From Grass-Fed Animals (2004) said of Salatin, “He’s not going back to the old model. There’s nothing in county extension or old-fashioned ag science that really informs him. He is just looking totally afresh at how to maximize production in an integrated system on a holistic farm. He’s just totally innovative.”

Salatin considers his farming a ministry, and he condemns the negative impact on his livelihood and lifestyle of what he considers an increasingly regulatory approach taken by the agencies of the United States government toward farming. Salatin now spends a hundred days a year lecturing at colleges and to environmental groups.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
579 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and entertaining. They appreciate the insightful content and the author's clear, concise writing style. Readers describe the character as intelligent, brave, and honest. Opinions differ on the pacing - some find it interesting and engaging, while others consider it outdated and harsh.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

59 customers mention "Readability"59 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and enjoyable. They find the content informative and entertaining, especially for those who support freedom and alternative farming practices. The book provides useful information about rules and regulations that can hamper farming success.

"I loved this book from the first page and still love it as I continue to read it now...." Read more

"...The book as a whole is a delightful and fun read, some things you have to take with a grain of salt but that all a matter of perspective...." Read more

"...For people who believe in individual liberty, his book will read well...." Read more

"This book is wildly entertaining. Although I’m not a farmer I do work in an industry closely monitored by the USDA and got a kick out of this book...." Read more

47 customers mention "Insight"47 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and entertaining. They say it opens their eyes to the struggles faced by small-scale organic farmers. The book presents a topic along with a story and commentary, providing good reference material. Readers find the content inspiring and relevant, even though the topic is serious.

"...The man is brave. He is honest. He is passionate about the things he believes...." Read more

"...The book as a whole is a wonderful illustration on how a local food system could benefit all concerned and how it has become almost crippling to try..." Read more

"I really love this family's work. They have a ton of know how that can only be acquired by being the hardworking, God-fearing, non-partisan people..." Read more

"...Joel tells his stories in a witty and easy to follow way...." Read more

13 customers mention "Writing quality"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing engaging and easy to follow. They appreciate the author's clear, concise, and knowledgeable style. The sidetrack rants are also seen as endearing. Overall, readers describe the book as an easy read that provides food for thought and laughter.

"...A great bonus is that he goes off on these sidetrack rants in his writing that makes it so endearing to me as I am military and so is my husband so..." Read more

"...Joel tells his stories in a witty and easy to follow way...." Read more

"...Beyond the subject matter, the writing is engaging for the most part and I think most everyone will find it as such...." Read more

"...I gave it 5 stars because I felt it was well written, funny, the content was good and informative; and bottom line - I really enjoyed it." Read more

3 customers mention "Character development"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development. They find him intelligent, brave, and honest.

"...The man is brave. He is honest. He is passionate about the things he believes...." Read more

"...He is quite a character...." Read more

"...with everything someone else says, but this is a fascinating, highly ntelligent man whose words are well worth reading and implementing if you are..." Read more

6 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book. Some find it interesting and a great read on food and other crazy things. Others find it outdated, harsh, and bitter.

"...Nobody agrees with everything someone else says, but this is a fascinating, highly ntelligent man whose words are well worth reading and..." Read more

"...indictment of inspectors federal or local is pretty spot on, again somewhat harsh...." Read more

"Very readable and interesting to see how hard it can be to get healthier food to people who are trying to eat closer to nature." Read more

"...Instead, I was greeted with a long-winded, bitter outburst that provided few real solutions for what Salatin deems to be the e.coli to his beef:..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2011
    I loved this book from the first page and still love it as I continue to read it now. ( not finished yet, but I only started it this afternoon) I am so moved by it that it made me curious to see what the other readers think and how they have reviewed the book. Once I started reading reviews I simply had to add my own thoughts.

    The man is brave. He is honest. He is passionate about the things he believes. So sad that people who are afraid to know (or show) such passion have given it a few poor reviews. Whether you agree with every word or not makes no difference. The main premise of the book is that there seems to be a law against almost everything natural, these days. Most of these things were just normal a century ago. It would have been inconceivable to people to imagine that one could not slaughter an animal on one's own land. The regulations about dwellings and construction are silly in the context of the writer's way of life and his personal wishes.

    We put up with these things and just keep going, but we are wrong to do so. The TSA is a travesty. The FDA is totally corrupt. But only a few people speak up. Why is this? Are they afraid? Are they asleep? Are they stupid? Or are they just sheep?

    I hear all the time "The Government should do something " about this or that. NO! We should do something about it. NOT the government. When did we become such wimps? We have been brainwashed into believing we cannot change things. But we can. And we must. Joel is taking a lot of flack, but he is essentially correct.

    We need an organization such as the NRA to protect the right of farmers to grow what they like. It will also protect our right to eat and drink as we please. It is hard for me to believe that (lethal) MacDonalds is legal, but (healthy) raw milk is not.

    Women go to the hospital to have babies because they believe they will be safe there, when in fact they would be safer at home amoung their own germs, their own things, surrounded by people who actually care for them. Birth is natural and not a medical event at all. However we have become programmed to believe we need professional medical help. Rediculous! The AMA did a great job with propaganda when it comes to birth.

    The same is true of food. I once read a funny story, but a true one about an outraged 'anti hunting' person who ranted that hunters were barbaric. He said people should go to the supermarket to buy their food because that was the civilized way to get meat. I guess he never read about how commercial beef is raised and finally slaughtered. ( I would rather eat a wild animal that had a fighting chance to get away or get shot). The sad, pathetic, unhealthy animals that make up our commercial meat supply is frightening.

    Please read this book. It will open your eyes. And please don't think he is exaggerating the stupidity of regulations and of the government inspectors who enforce them. He is not. Yes, some of his passions seem to be a "rant" and that is OK, too. Why should he tamp down his emotions just to please the sleeping public? I wish he would shout them from the roof tops. Even the things I disagree with are simply his beliefs. We are all entitled to our own beliefs. No one has the right to criticize us for voicing them.

    I bought a couple of extra copies of this book and plan to send it to some people who may be able to help.
    77 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2015
    Mr. Salatin writes a wonderful narrative on whats inherently wrong with the "system", from local to federal. The thing is if you don't have any insiders experience with some of the subject matter he can come across a bit......... harsh, shall we say. His indictment against illegal immigrants is not against them but more against the giant corporations that exploit them. I know because I worked at an industrial chicken processing center, they are decent hard working people, its not their fault they are trying to make a better life for themselves and their families by working jobs most American won't do. Or that the companies can work the system in their favor or pay the right individuals to make things go their way.
    His indictment of inspectors federal or local is pretty spot on, again somewhat harsh. We need to remind our selves that these are individuals that are doing their job, right or wrong, to the best of their abilities. Some are great people, some are enamored with the power their positions give them. Either way they are bound by their rules. Anyone whom has ever built anything or had anything built around their house can attest to that.
    But I digress these are my clarification points on some points he makes in the book.
    The book as a whole is a wonderful illustration on how a local food system could benefit all concerned and how it has become almost crippling to try to do so. The ideas expressed on food miles, direct sales, community supported agriculture and the obstacles facing them are very insightful. The book as a whole is a delightful and fun read, some things you have to take with a grain of salt but that all a matter of perspective. On the whole a great primer of whats wrong with how food gets from producer to consumer and how to fix it.
    I have been looking forward to reading this book for some time and am not at all disappointed. I look forward to reading other books Mr. Salatin has written and rereading this book soon.
    If you are interested in why a pound of local free range beef, pork, chicken or whatever costs so much read this book.
    13 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Madilynn
    5.0 out of 5 stars My Farm Hero
    Reviewed in Canada on October 17, 2018
    Joel writes the best books. He is very insightful and has a great way of explaining stories. Love all his books
  • JMM
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amacing
    Reviewed in Spain on May 29, 2020
    Interesting. A book to be read if you want to steel freedom and to use your wrigth to eat what you want.
  • Anne Taylor
    5.0 out of 5 stars If you eat, you need to read this book!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 16, 2012
    This is the first book of Joel Salatin's that I've read, but it certainly won't be the last. If you care at all about the food you eat, and about the food that will be available for your children/grandchildren to eat, you must read this. It's based on the situation in the USA, which is dire, but it applies equally to the UK, since there are many equivalent situations, challenges and crazy regulations which are already in place here, and the vice-like grip of the lobbyists on our politicians is tightening.

    Joel's book is a highly entertaining, but frightening expose, which reveals time and again the madness that 'food safety' policy creates more risks than it prevents. At times he'll make you laugh, at times you will find your jaw on the floor at the - perhaps unintended, perhaps not - consequences of the latest regulatory directive.

    The word "sustainable" has been hijacked by the agrichemical and industrial seed businesses. At every turn we're told that the planet is going to be over-run by billions of extra humans, who will starve unless we have mega-farms, massive industrial units with thousands of short-lived over-bred drugged animals, fed on GM-crops to provide 'cheap' food. If that were the case, why is it that our politicians happily re-zone good agricultural land each year to be built over? What will we do once Monsanto and Syngenta own every plot of land in the world, and have a complete monopoly on the seeds and chemicals that their tenant farmers will be forced to grow? Where lies choice and freedom in that megafarm nightmare? Britain's green and pleasant land will indeed be a thing of the past, and you won't see any animals roaming the fields of grains grown to produce cheap meat and milk.

    In some things, we do have a choice - at the moment - but that choice is vanishing as the industrial agricultural juggernaut gains momentum. As a recent convert from 20 years of vegetarianism to meat-eater, I made the decision that the only meat I will eat is that which is ethically reared, organic/biodynamic (whether certified or not), and free-range. I am shocked to find how difficult it is to find such meat, which means that it's a very rare item on my dinner plate!

    In other cases, choice has been wiped out already. Here in Scotland, it is illegal for a farmer to sell raw milk to the consenting adults who wish to buy it. In England and Wales, it's still possible, if enormous hoops are jumped through, and I envy you that choice. I can choose to smoke, drink, and junk-food myself to death, but not drink fresh raw unpasteurised milk from cows still raised on organic pastures in a relatively unpolluted country. Where's the sense? I understand the risks. I'm prepared to pay a hefty price to the farmer for that unprocessed, zero food-miles milk, which will help him/her to stay in business and is the epitomy of sustainability. That law was designed to remove power and control from the farmer, and hand it to the processors and retailers, which is why dairy farmers are going out of business every week - it is not about food safety, on which almost every mis-directed policy is blamed. Don't be fooled!

    It's time to give control back to the small family farmer, give choice back to consenting adults, and preserve the landscape and traditional farming skills to ensure a steady supply of ethical, top quality food to local people - the only way to preserve food sovereignty in the global industrial economy. And by the way, I studied agriculture, carried out plant science research for 12 years - including GM techniques - and now have a small 'beyond organic' farm, and will never knowingly consume GM foods or the animals which have been fed on them.

    An excellent book! Don't hesitate!
  • Carbayo M.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Salatin es un grnajero adelantado a su tiempo
    Reviewed in Spain on January 20, 2020
    Un autentico placer leer a este hombre.
    Report
  • Mrs. Ingrid Wilson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Taking the lid off of food safety.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 18, 2015
    Although this book is based on Joel Salatin's experiences of being a small farmer in the U.S most of it is equally relevant to farming to produce real food in the EU. For anyone who is interested in eating food that's fresh, has taste and texture and wonders why this food is not available in supermarkets this book explains very well the reasons why, 'The Food Police'.
    The Food Police are the inspectors that enforce the laws made by people (FSA) who represent big food corporations. These people seem to have no understanding that farming should be a soil based occupation, or that food produced by farming should be healthy. The food that most people buy has travelled hundreds if not thousand of miles, has changed hands many times leaving it wide open for contamination of various types before reaching the supermarket shelves. This type of food is deemed safe, yet the local farmer who sells to local people is deemed a criminal who's sole intention in life is to poison his customers.
    The sad fact is that most meat whether it's produced in the US or the EU is fed an entirely un-natural diet, produced by animals who seldom if ever see the light of day and are kept in entirely unnatural and cramped conditions. Poultry and pigs are omnivores, which means like humans they are designed to eat meat as well as vegetation, however the powers that control food production have decreed that these animals can be fed no meat products. Bovines are ruminants, they eat grass yet they are fed grains, mainly maize and are fed silage ( fermented grass) this is not a normal diet, for bovines. For animals who are kept and fed in this way there is good reason to have FSA regulations, after all they are being massed produced in what is essentially a factory. However to inflict the same 'one size fits all' regulations on the farmer who rears his animals in a natural way, has them slaughtered in a local abattoir and deny him access to the local markets is absurd.
    Highly process fast food is deemed safe, yet most people know it's bad for them, factory made cakes and bread which contain so many additives many of which the average consumer cant even pronounce let alone know what they are deemed safe, however the neighbour who makes excellent bread, cakes, jams or pickles with just a few basic ingredients is not allowed to sell these products unless they have jumped through every hoop the Food Police can dream up .
    If you choose to smoke or drink to excess that is your choice even though you know it is bad for you, all responsibility for acquiring real food should be your choice yet is largely outlawed by the Food Authorities.
    This book gives the real reasons why such bodies such as the FSA and the USDA exist, and it has nothing to do with making sure, you, the consumer is kept from harm.