The Farm That Inspired a Food Revolution (Polyface Farm)

Joel Salatin is a name that everyone knows in the homestead, small, regenerative farm space. He has been in magazines and articles, countless videos, and written many books. But I was curious, what's the difference between homesteader and farmsteader? After a walk down memory lane where I learn just how Polyface was built, I get to ask him my most pressing question. But his answer might surprise you.
Polyface Farm
Swoope, Virginia
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[@אליאלבן-דן]

I knew his father. He was a truly wonderful man. When we’d pick up our chickens from Joel, his dad, who was already debilitated and would sit in his lounge chair would talk for hours. He had spiritual depth; something that he passed on to Joel.

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Oh I love that! Thanks for sharing!

[@AllanaRiesenberger]

This is one of the best interviews of Joel I have ever heard. Thank you!

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Thanks for that great compliment! We appreciate it so much!

[@matthewkramer8578]

100% Agree

[@BreakingNewRoots]

@@matthewkramer8578 thank you!! ❤️❤️

[@devinatusi5035]

Joel is the man! Ever since I watched "Food Inc ", I thought this man knows what he's talking about and I loved it!

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Could sit and listen to him for hours! Such a great person! We are lucky he wanted us out!

[@devinatusi5035]

@@BreakingNewRoots Actually, I can't wait to meet him myself, you were blessed to do so 😊

[@janetwestrup411]

Thank you so much for the interview with Joel and hearing all about his success. My dream was always to have a small farm/ homestead. My husband wanted nothing to do with that. He was a fireman and his interest was always rebuilding vintage cars. When his parents bought some property in Oregon upon their retirement, they had more land then they could handle and eventually started selling off some of it. His dad asked my husband if he wanted to purchase the remaining portion connected to their home. I saw that farm and my husband saw a place to build his barn/workshop for his toys. My father in-law saw someone to care for them in old age. We said yes, because the plan worked out for all of us. Prior to this we’d spent our summer vacations camping on their property and getting to know all the neighbors. So we built his barn/workshop first then the year my husband retired from the fire dept we put our house in California on the market and built our new home on the property. We moved to Oregon, the following Autumn. Twenty years latter I’ve planted an eighteen fruit tree orchard, have a flock of chickens and two gardens. My husband has a collection of cars to tinker with, my mother in-law is still living and we are all happy.

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Wow!!! What an incredible story!! Thank you so much sharing!!! I love that it all worked out for everyone! So great! ❤️

[@barbaravickroy7563]

This is one of THE BEST interviews with Joel that l have EVER seen. He was in conversation mode instead of lecture mode.....anyway, really enjoy your videos....such a variety of experiences......Best regards from the Ozarks

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Hi!! Thank you so much!! Yes! It was so great to talk one on one with him! I’ll be forever grateful for that opportunity!!

[@Grandma_NC]

You are learning so much on your journey. When you are ready, you will be better prepared. Joel Salatin is a person with a good heart.

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Yes he is! We think we are preparing ourselves as best we can for when we farm again!

[@amandar7719]

@@BreakingNewRoots I’m thoroughly enjoying your current vocation! It’s so inspiring and educational. By the time you’ve documented the ups, downs, successes and failures of such a broad range of farms you’ll be the best ever representative to lobby or advise at Congress. Have you considered interviewing people at extension offices, politicians, accountants, lawyers, water companies, multinational executives etc? Now THAT would be epic! You’re not confrontational and wouldn’t pose questions that might annoy anyone. It’s a thought….. baby steps.

[@BreakingNewRoots]

@@amandar7719 absolutely!! Thank you!! And we haven’t really tried to talk to public office types but might be an option one day.

[@Loraine71]

This is by far the best interview of Joel Salatin. Great job and very interesting to listen to!

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Hi!! Wow! Thank you so much!! I really appreciate that!! It was such a joy to talk with Joel one on one!

[@gman323232]

here we go..............! THE MAN !!

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Yes!!!

[@JK-jf7xq]

Great conversation with stories I had not yet heard.

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Thank you so much!

[@dhansonranch]

Good discussion. A different view of Joel and the operation than normally portrayed. Enjoyed it. It does take time and effort to make dreams come true...this I know to be true. Thank you!

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Thank you!! Yes!! It was so cool to chat with him on such a personal level! I’ll forever be grateful for this visit!

[@myronsliles8970]

Lorraine, you have impressed me since your first interview but this one with Joel is exceptional. He is so awesome but you asked the right questions and the flow of this interview is fabulous. Intriguing man and all the God whispers he received has made him a visionary in this life. Thanks for this great interview. Praying for you all through this journey we call life.

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Hi! Thank you! I appreciate your wonderful comment!! I feel so fortunate to have been able to chat with him. It was a great conversation!!

[@KPVFarmer]

Another great interview and video! Keep up the awesomeness!!! 🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Thank you! Will do!

[@lbcustomleather]

I just found your channel today ! Now I'm going to binge watch this lazy Sunday ❤

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Hi!! Thank you so much!! ❤️ I hope you enjoy our farm tours! We have so many to come! And we are also doing a livestream tonight (June 2) at 7 pm est. I talk more about what we are doing and where we are going. We have so many more farms to see!

[@lbcustomleather]

I can't wait! Is Roots and Refuge on the list ? 🙏❤️ Thank you for the Instagram follow!

[@BreakingNewRoots]

@@lbcustomleather thanks! And yes, we would love to visit with them one day! And absolutely! I love your work!!! Absolutely beautiful!!! 😍

[@lbcustomleather]

Aww thank you it's been a fun journey for the last 15 years 😊

[@suburbanhomesteaderwy-az]

Great video and interview.

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Thank you so much!! It was so great to have such a deep conversation with Joel!

[@cynthiacassel]

I love hearing this man talk. What an inspiration for future farmers -

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Yes he is!

[@stokedlivin]

Thanks for the interview with Joel!

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@oldnndway4641]

Excellent interview !!!

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Thank you so much!!! ❤️

[@keithshumaker6402]

Best one you’ve did God Bless both of you and your families

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Thank you so much! We learned so much and are learning something from each farm we visit!

[@richardbruton5980]

Enjoyed all the new stories.

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Thank you so much!

[@joanncole9603]

I truly enjoyed this video, Thank You!

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Thank you so much!

[@Ardenise333]

Olivia, your one of our favorite interviewers, and seeing you with one of our other favorites made me smile. Thank you both for all of the inspiration that you continuously give all of us! 🙏

[@alterityregenerativeranchi7947]

Salatin 2024

[@cynthiacassel]

I frequently stop videos to ponder with a thought while I work on other things.

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Yes! I do the same!

[@BeldingHillFarms]

I want to say I only just recently found your channel and I’m absolutely captivated by your interviews! You ask the best questions I’ve ever seen on KZbin farm channels! I’ll watch everything you film! Tremendous job!

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Hi! Thank you! I really appreciate that! We are having so much with our travels and are excited to see more farms!

[@BeldingHillFarms]

@@BreakingNewRoots if you ever come to Canada, you are welcome here. We are a 5th generation on this farm and 9th generation on my wife’s family farm couple that is farming traditionally (I wouldn’t be brazen enough to say regeneratively, although we strive to be there) and funding our farming passion with agritourism educating our customers weekly about farm life and animal care and entertaining our digital followers with multiple videos per day. We also host an Outdoor European Style Christmas Market on our farm where we welcome 4000 people in 4 weekends to visit our farm and animals and Christmas shop while meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus (my wife and I).

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Wow! That's great! Thank you!!

[@staceyashley5560]

I have been living in a rural area for 13 years. It was 30 acers of woodland. We are currently having our trees harvested. This will open up our land so we can start our land management and I am looking to start my mosaic farming system on a small level. Thank you for your online post.

[@BreakingNewRoots]

That's great!! I love hearing how people using their land!

[@joesfarm]

Great interview!

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Thanks Joe!!! ❤️

[@kenn3805]

Lorraine - 1st time to your site. No idea who you are but interested in listening to Joel. I'm going to listen and based on the comments, should be a good interview. I hope to come back and listen to future videos / interviews. In the future, don't be afraid to introduce yourself and especially for me being a 1st timer (New Viewers that I'm sure you want), I want to get to know you the interviewer. A small Bio in the description would be great and as listen more, I will know BY NAME who I'm following. Thanks, Ken

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Hi Ken! That’s a good point. My name is Olivia. 😊 but I hope you still enjoy the video and the other farms we have visited! You can watch our introduction video on our home page that explains our story and what we are doing. 😊

[@kenn3805]

@@BreakingNewRoots Olivia - Thanks for the reply. I have listened to Joel on a few of my regular channels talking about 'today' and what his take regarding food related issues vs. yourself going thru the history. Sort of the 'Story behind the Story' which is great !!! I don't know why so many content producers 'Hide' to some degree. YOU ARE YOUR BRAND. I'm sure you are interested in growing the channel and YOU are still and will be the common thread of your channel's success. I look forward to viewing further.

[@BreakingNewRoots]

@@kenn3805 oh absolutely! I completely agree. And we settle down one day and plan to bring KZbin into our journey of building a homestead so our brand is exactly what we want to build. I hope you enjoy our other tours! 😊

[@kellyglenn5897]

He is awesome

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Yes he is!

[@C.Hawkshaw]

This interview is good because when people become successful, often they talk just about what they’re doing now. Others who don’t like hard work or don’t have entrepreneurial spirit or knowledge will say “Oh, his dad gave him everything.” Not a huge fan of Trump or Elon Musk but if you read their books or their mom’s book (Maye Musk), you’ll find that it just wasn’t the case. Mabe they were middle class, but successful people are hard-working.

[@cornelorcremonaprimrose4347]

Thank you for your great interviews!! ❤ so glad I’ve met him and kept an autograph! What was hanging in his rafters behind Joel in the last part of the video? It looked like drying out beef hides? 😂😊 thanks again from Prince Edward Island, Canada. 🍁

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Oh! I didn’t even notice. I think that is exactly what those are 😅

[@andrewmcdonald7077]

What an awesome video. Like you I have followed Joel Salatin for a long time, and I too learned lots from this video.

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Thank you so much! Not our first time having a video with him. However, talking in person versus an online call was important and we learned so much that we can take away for us!

[@torceridaho]

cool hat , Joel

[@Cat-sv7zu]

Im not a farmer but i like to eat...thank you to all you farmers. God bless each of you with the wisdom to find what makes the most profit from your land and time. And may He protect you ftom the massive land grab the government is planning on for green energy. Saw a video on that its insane. Great interviewing. I enjoyed your video on pig pinwheel system. Subscribing to your channel .

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Thank you so much!!

[@dwighthires3163]

I have never seen any of your videos. You chose the right person to interview to catch my attention. Hopefully you will attract a following. I will poke around to see what else you have posted. Good interview.

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Thank you very much! We have visited several farms and plenty more to visit around the US!

[@johnthompson3606]

Another awesome video… Kathy 😊

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Thank you so much!

[@cynthiacassel]

I realize people put a lot of information in their videos. However, I like to “hear” a person.

[@BreakingNewRoots]

I agree!!

[@C.Hawkshaw]

I pruned trees for a living in the PNW, rain or shine, sleet and snow for 25 years. All year long, winter to 10 degrees , summer in the high 90’s, month after month rain in the high 30s- low 40’s. Was it “fun”? Well, compared to working in an office, which l did once for a week, yes. edit: Some people really like being outdoors, using their body to work. If that isn’t true for you, l wouldn’t start a farm. That’s what internships and apprenticeships are for, to see what you like to do, see what you are capable of. I’m a female and l did hard physical labor every day. For me being outdoors and my own boss was worth it. Plus, l like lifting heavy things. 😂

[@korradog81]

❤❤

[@LegacyFarmandHomestead]

Love the channel. Great content!

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Thank you so much!! We are really loving our travels and have so many more amazing farms to go to!

[@threeriversforge1997]

His point about the regulations and the embryonic stage doesn't just apply to farmers. I try to get this point across to people all the time, and it's like rolling a boulder up hill. Everyone has their pet project, their idea, that they want supported with government funds or laws or regulations or whatever. But they hate it when what they want to do is hampered by the law, regulation, tax, policy that someone else supports because it suits their thing. As a blacksmith, I've seen so many small shops crumble because it's just flat out impossible to make ends meet. And when you look into the details, it's always the IRS, OSHA, the EPA, etc. Always. Regulations and taxes and laws and policies.... Everyone talks about the straw that broke the camel's back, but they never think about the million straws that came before and how all those straws prevented the camel from being healthy and productive. In Western Nations, small businesses have always been the backbone of the cultures. Always. But we've priced them out of operation and nobody thinks twice about it. Just the other day, I went to the local hardware store just a few miles from my house to see what kinds of garden hoes they might have in stock. I bought one even though I'm a blacksmith with a shop full of tools just so I would have it as an example of what we've done wrong in out nation. Somehow we've made America so incredibly hostile to small businesses, that it's magically more economical to have the product made on the other side of the world, shipped halfway across the globe to that hardware store, than it is for me to make the very same thing just a few miles away. By rights, I should be able to make all the gardening implements that hardware store could want. My product serving the needs of customers in the area. And if my work is good, maybe I could branch out to hardware stores in the next county, or the next State. There should be a dozen blacksmiths in this region making those garden implements, but we've all been run out of business by ever increasing laws, regulations, taxes, and policies that pile the straws tall and wide on the camel's back.. People will often try to say that blacksmithing is antiquated and there's just no market for such stuff, but I found a slew of forged iron tools right in the hardware store down the road from me. The products are still being made..... just not by us. Just not here at home. And the same can be said for the farms. While it sounds like a great life, people are doing everything they can to drive up the costs of farming, to add more burdens to the small farmers. People complain about the smell of the farm even though they're the ones who moved in to the area. They drive up the cost of property, and the taxes, because they demand more and more services from the local government. On and on it goes, until finally you've got a situation where the local farmers and ranchers simply quit because it's no longer worth the hassle that the people of the area have made it into.

[@davidacosta8060]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@BreakingNewRoots]

❤️

[@gonzaloseoane5712]

André Voisin books are hiding in universities

[@reneebulkley1333]

Love the new info. (Please, Quit interupting).

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Thank you!

[@reneebulkley1333]

I love what you are doing♡♡♡ and am very greatful for all your hard work.

[@BreakingNewRoots]

@@reneebulkley1333 thank you so much!!! We are having a blast traveling and learning so much!! ❤️

[@peterellem849]

Joe, the govt killed mixed farming in Australia in the 1970 to 2000 years.

[@gonzaloseoane5712]

Sadly in all world the people more hard to change are farmers.

[@stevealldred4424]

What a wonderful interview! You need to call Al Lumnah @ lumnah Acres and see what he has going on. He's very interesting

[@BreakingNewRoots]

We may have called him, have to be on the look out for that one 😊

[@walterhiegel3020]

Well that was a great conversation that you had. Was your husband with you? I really do wish you guys the best in your endeavors. What I heard the most from Joel was efficiency, economies of scale, and finding ways to make all phases of the farm work together to create even more efficiency. Mastery takes time.

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Hi! Thank you so much!! Yes, Paul and the kids were there, they just stay off camera while I’m talking with farmers. I loved talking with Joel and getting his input! We are really enjoying the journey we are on but are also excited for the day when we settle down again. ❤️

[@devinatusi5035]

As Sean, from the modern yowman channel, says at the end of every video "slowly, slowly "! Actually, many people starting out or have been in it for awhile, have stated the same thing, take it slowly.

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Going slow is the hardest part! We get so excited when we learn something new and want to implement it immediately, we tend to forget that farms aren't built overnight!

[@devinatusi5035]

@@BreakingNewRoots Slowly, slowly, I am looking forward to seeing you and your family and on a farm doing what you do best and patiently 😊

[@Plan_it-Farm]

Stumbled onto your channel today at "work" the in town job I wish I didn't have but have golden chains still. I cant get enough I'm really impressed with what you are doing and where you have been.

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Hi! Wow!! Thank you so much!! That means a lot!

[@saeedkanuga8374]

I had only limited exposure to raising chicken and growing tomatos but I adore stalin and wish I can live like him

[@1rstjames]

When I was a General Manager and Operations Team Lead for Downtown Manhattan at Regus (411 Lafayette was my command center of operations ), I would watch Joel's videos on my down time, plotting the rapid production of hummus and nutrient cycling incorporating Meishan pigs (Complete with perimeter fencing and apparatus required for the pigs to live abundantly) into my syntropic espaliered agrofoodforestry native-dominant silvopasture forage/pasture rotational paddock system. I have yet to find a State where Federal water statutes are not the supreme law(s) of the land(s)/air space(s)/outer-spa e(s), which is why I stumbled into off topic case reviews on Geneva laws during my brief stint in law school. At least in my County, it is illegal for a single family residence in semi rural areas to raise more than three pigs at a time. It is illegal to dispatch and slaughter animals. Blood mixed with organic matter, black soldier fly, aerobic roots reaching en perpetuity to the core... Fire mitigation in a high fire threat area in North County San Diego requires owners to have no vegetation above 6 in within 30 ft of the house, and no vegetation higher than 18 inches within 100 ft of the house. Ironically today, there are many administrative real estate holdings and hubs of operations where it is readily observational where agents enabled via taxation are actively violating the very mandates, codes, and statutes maliciously barnacled into the synovial joints of the middle class American.

[@BreakingNewRoots]

Wow! That is crazy!