A review by naturalistnatalie
Folks, This Ain't Normal: A Farmer's Advice for Happier Hens, Healthier People, and a Better World by Joel Salatin

3.0

I really enjoyed some parts of this book, but I felt Salatin went on a long rant in the second half of the book. It seems that Salatin is a staunch libertarian and strongly believes the government should get out of the regulation business. I’m not so sure that would be as safe as he believes it will be. Salatin certainly has some strong opinions about where society’s gone wrong in terms of food (at least on the production side of things, Michael Pollan covers the food we’re eating), and he’s not afraid of expressing those opinions. He finds most elements of food production to be too big or too far away. Small-scale, local production is the way to go. He makes it sound simple to solve those problems, and even provides solutions to the problems he brings up. I appreciate that list of steps to take. I find it frustrating when you read all about a problem, and then there’s no discussion of what to do next. However, Salatin makes the solutions sound simple, and I distrust simple solutions. Sure, there are actions anyone can take, and I am re-inspired to preserve more of my food. But, I don’t feel that removing regulations will make everything better. However, the book did make me think, even if I don’t agree with it all.