Beyond Organic

“All Flesh is Grass” by Michael Pollan describes Joel Salatin’s approach to sustainable farming. Even though he raises beef, chicken and turkey, he refers to himself as a “grass farmer.” He views grass and the foundation of his farm, and his methods of farming has made his farm one of the most “productive and influential alternative farms in America.” His farm, Polyface, is run in a manner where animals are raised together and work in a symbiosis manner. Salatin tries to create a natural ecosystem with interdependence between the animals. He doesn’t need to use chemical parasiticides on his farm, by having hens on his farm they act as his “sanitation crew.” But it needs to be emphasized that none of this could happen without grass.
Even though Polyform isn’t technically organic, it is much more sustainable than many other organic farms. He is so strict about his beliefs, he refuses to ship his product. Pollan was intrigued by these values, forcing him to visit the farm himself. When the media discusses organic foods, farming without chemicals comes to my mind. But it is much more than that to Salatin. What started off as a healthy way of farming has turned into an industrial empire. It has become this new fad that is defined by rules created by the USDA. After reading this chapter, do you think that these USDA rules for federal organic certification should change? I do. Salatin believes that farming is much more than avoiding certain chemicals, it should include everything the farmer does. He explains that his farming methods are an “extension of his worldview.” This is why he refers to himself as “beyond organic,” and considers “industrial organic” as a contradiction in terms. Do you agree that the term “industrial organic” is really a contradiction in terms? Is it possible for organic farmers to keep their ideals and expand into the American supermarkets?