Page 60 - Spring2008

All Thumbs Book Reviews

to preserve a farm. To divorce a farm from its but for this country’s citizenry as well. Salatin’s stories remind us of our
neighbors, its customers, the body of knowl- freedom and power as citizens to act without the hobbling shackles of fear,
edge regarding ecological land stewardship and and to be suspicious of government laws enacted “for our security” that
earthworm activities, is to destroy the farm. It restrict our freedoms and impoverish our health. “On every side, our pa-
cannot exist separated from the rich cultural soup ternalistic culture is tightening the noose around those of us who just want
that sustains it. . . . A farm includes the passion to opt out of the system. And it is the freedom to opt out that differentiates
of the farmer’s heart, the interest of the farm’s tyrannical from free societies. . . . When faith in our freedom gives way
customers, the biological activity in the soil, to fear of our freedom, silencing the minority view becomes the operative
the pleasantness of the air above the farm—it’s protocol.”
everything touching, emanating from, and sup- Perhaps even worse than the viciousness of the regulators is the
plying that piece of landscape.” complacency of the populace, Salatin believes. The matters he airs in this
Polyface Farm has managed to prosper book are emblematic of an autocratic government allied with the mili-
in spite of ongoing run-ins with institutional tary-industrial complex; Salatin is merely describing the scene from his
oppression, and over the years has blossomed perspective as an entrepreneurial farmer. He clearly wants to involve all of
into a veritable oasis of healthy food production, us in fi nding another way: “. . . the goal of this book is to give Americans
innovative land management, and out-reach edu- an insatiable appetite for something they don’t have. I want folks to leave
cation as the next generation of Salatins becomes these pages angry that they’ve been denied something righteous, something
established. Innovative thinking, study, and healthful. I want folks incensed that their government has sold our collec-
devising elegant solutions are clearly pleasur- tive freedom birthright for a bowl of global corporate pottage.”
able pursuits for Salatin and his family, and one A bright development that emerged just after the publication of
wonders where they and other farmers like them Salatin’s book has been The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (www.
might be if they had been actually encouraged, ftcldf.org). Formed in response to the need to protect small farmers from
supported and championed rather than brutally excessive government interference as well as preserve consumers’ rights to
ambushed at every turn by autocratic govern- clean food purchased directly from the farm, the Fund has already provided
ment agencies. More important, where might our legal counsel in several cases around the country. For anyone concerned
society be? Our communities would be dotted about the corporate-owned, industrialized food supply, the spectre of
with numerous small farms, made prosperous GMOs, consumer rights to food choices, and other food, farming and health
by the close proximity of their customers. These freedoms, joining the Fund is a fi rst priority. The existence of the Fund is
customers would keep their communities robust surely one strong means for the will of the people to unite to recover, as
by investing in their local food systems, and keep Salatin suggests, their “appetite for something they don’t have.”
themselves and their families healthy by choos- “We should all dream for such a day,” Salatin urges. “Let the revolu-
ing food they can see being grown by farmers tion come quickly.” Reviewed by Katherine Czapp
they know and trust. Further, Salatin points out,
“without the expensive labeling, packaging and NEW EDITION OF NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL DEGENERATION!
processing infrastructure requirements, this food
could be sold at regular supermarket prices, and Good news! The Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation has

it would be infinitely better. Virtually all of the just issued the 8th edition of Dr. Price’s classic work Nutrition and
processed foods currently sold at the supermar- Physical Degeneration. This new edition includes many never-before
ket could be supplanted with community-based published photographs—they are wonderful! Plus, PPNF has added a
collection of his letters as an addendum, including a most interesting
entrepreneurial fare. Does your heart ache for letter to his nieces and nephews summarizing his dietary suggestions
this? Mine does.” for cash-strapped families. (Note well: he says most vegetables should
As someone who “makes his living by be cooked!) We’re also glad to see the emphasis on the fat-soluble
thinking,” Salatin is an inspiration not only for activators in the new introduction. Order from PPNF by calling (619)
other small farmers with entrepreneurial dreams, 462-7600 or visit www.price-pottenger.org.
60 Wise Traditions SPRING 2008