Rural initiatives
'Heretic' farmer visits
Green Ideas editorial team
Described by Time magazine as the most innovative farmer in the world, Joel Salatin of Virginia in the United States was in New Zealand during February for a speaking tour.
A self-described farming heretic, he is outspoken about the consequences of the “orthodoxy” of industrialised farming techniques. He calls American feedlots a “perfect breeding ground” for pathogens, and sees over-regulation as a tool to stifle alternative farmers who threaten the norm.
On the Wanaka leg of his tour, Joel ran a two-day farming workshop at Glendhu Bay station and spoke at an evening session attended by over 100 locals, afterwards donating the profits from the event to a fledgling local food group.
Anyone interested in finding out more about Joel and his Virginia property, Polyface farm, can read about him in Michael Pollan’s book The Ominvore’s Dilemma.