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Folks, This Ain't Normal

A Farmer's Advice for Happier Hens, Healthier People, and a Better World

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About this listen

 Virginia farmer Joel Salatin, who has been offered a prominent role in President Trump's Department of Agriculture, has become the new voice of clean, local, healthy eating.

From Salatin's point of view, life in the 21st century just ain't normal. In FOLKS, THIS AIN'T NORMAL, he discusses how far removed we are from the simple, sustainable joy that comes from living close to the land and the people we love. Salatin has many thoughts on what normal is and shares practical and philosophical ideas for changing our lives in small ways that have big impact. Salatin urges people to take a better look at their food: What's in it, where is it coming from and how did it get the table?

Salatin, hailed by the New York Times as "Virginia's most multifaceted agrarian since Thomas Jefferson [and] the high priest of the pasture" and profiled in the Academy Award nominated documentary Food, Inc. and the bestselling book The Omnivore's Dilemma, understands what food should be: Wholesome, seasonal, raised naturally, procured locally, prepared lovingly, and eaten with a profound reverence for the circle of life. And his message doesn't stop there. From child-rearing, to creating quality family time, to respecting the environment, Salatin writes with a wicked sense of humor and true storyteller's knack for the revealing anecdote.

Salatin's crucial message and distinctive voice--practical, provocative, scientific, and down-home philosophical in equal measure--make FOLKS, THIS AIN'T NORMAL a must-read book. Diets, Nutrition & Healthy Eating Fitness, Diet & Nutrition Hygiene & Healthy Living Sustainable & Green Living Witty Nutrition Gardening Sustainability Healthy Diet Ecosystem

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His no nonsense take on farming, culture and politics is incredible.
The delivery is calm and well paced.
All in all a very enjoyable, entertaining and enlightening listen.

A deeply interesting insightful and inspiring listen

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I really enjoyed this. it is a very American book and the author was certainly coming from a different fundamental life perspective from my own, but as Joel himself says you should read books that you don't agree with!
Having said that, there was a lot that made total sense, the perspectives on how taking cheap energy for granted shapes our society and how it has totally transformed agriculture and inverted the costs of beef, pork and chicken for example. if you are interested in where food comes from and ideas on the bigger environmental picture this is a great listen. there are loads of ideas for further reading and things to think about implementing in your own life. some of the things like food security might have sounded paranoid last year, but I think in the perspective of COVID suddenly seem very reasonable. hmm, could I get a mouldering toilet?

thought provoking

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Just listened to 25 excellent, thought provoking and real heart felt hours of reality wake up. I can’t say how enthused I am at listening to Joel spout his years of wisdom bought about from his real life experience. He sounds like my father and I’m hooked. I was already part way along this path of real food realisation and now I’m set to promote my raw milk in a far more informed and confident manner

Listen to Joel practically solve the worlds problems. Shame government won’t listen to his answers. Can’t rate this book highly enough. So much information it demands listening to numerous times!

Thought provoking. This ain’t normal!

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A prophet who advocate s profit.....but in a way that builds community, saves the world and gives people much higher levels of life satisfaction. This call for 'normality' provides inspiration for anyone who thinks the state of the world (in particular food production) is in a precarious mess

Salatin is a true prophet for our times

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This book was inspirational.
Joel Salatin has a unique view of the world and helps the listener to see things through the eyes of just a few decades ago and makes them question what they take for granted as normal.
Everyone from the farmer to eco-activist should read this book and will get something out of it.

I challenge you to read it and not come away thinking "maybe I should get a chicken or 2 for my back yard."

Amazing book. Everyone needs to read this.

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