Born-Again Dirt: Farming to the Glory of God

by Joel Salatin (Foreword), Noah Sanders

Do you desire to glorify God through the way you farm? Are you tired of reading books on farming and food production that ignore God as Creator? Have you ever wondered what agriculture would look like if it was based on the Bible instead of on evolution, Mother Nature, or the latest manipulations of life by science? In Born Again Dirt, Noah Sanders encourages Christian farmers to evaluate their farming methods in light of Scripture. This book looks at various Biblical principles related to agriculture and provides examples of practical application. Topics covered include: -Designing farms as beautiful, fruitful homes. -Honoring God's design in farm production -Growing crops that honor the Lord -Marketing as ministry -The idolatry of modern agriculture -Advantages of the farming lifestyle -Starting a farm and making a living. Without claiming to have all the answers, Born Again Dirt seeks to inspire you to develop a vision for God-glorifying agriculture . This book is a must read for any Christian who is a full time farmer, backyard gardener, or for anyone who desires a more Biblical view of agriculture.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Agriculture, Theology, Outdoors

206 pages, Paperback

First published February 11, 2012

About the author

Joel F. Salatin is an American farmer, lecturer, and author.
Salatin raises livestock on his Polyface Farm in Swoope, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley. Meat from the farm is sold by direct marketing to consumers and restaurants.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that should be read by any Christian who is interested in gardening and in taking responsibility for developing and improving care of your land, small or big. I like that Noah Sanders focuses on principles with limited application. He gives enough applications that it helps the reader know where to go, but he doesn't spell out every detail.
I loved this book.

[Rick Presley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does Mr. Biology Teacher's heart good. Especially since I was a biology teacher in a Christian school. Sanders takes Joel Salatin's principles and extends them into a devotional treatise about the topic of farming. I will be handing this out to folks new to the sustainable farming movement as an exercise in thoughtful consideration of all that one is doing.

[Jill Courser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick re-read to refresh my inspiration to continue developing our family property. It’s a good, basic book for the person dabbling with the idea of farming/homesteading as a means of living. Start with this book as an introduction…but don’t miss the excellent resource list in the appendix!

[Noah Kellum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good. It’s a good take on Christian agriculture with practical advice on how to start farming and gardening.

[Peter Bringe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read much of the book out-loud to my family on our way back from the Family Economics Conference where Noah spoke. I like it where he recognizes some faults in both conventional farming and the alternative/organic farming, seeking solid biblical principles for farming. Another great thing about the book is Noah's humility in his writing, which I think I could learn from. A very practical book, whether you are a full time farmer or a gardener.

[Book Seller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Born-Again Dirt by Noah Sanders
Published by Rora Valley Publishing. 2013.
To purchase, visit www.bornagaindirt.com

--Reviewed by Craig Soderberg

Is it possible to farm in a Biblical way? Noah thinks so. Moreover, the current agriculture system is flawed: (1) unprofitable farmers are kept in business by huge government subsidies - making it difficult for other farmers (who don't receive subsidies) to compete with them, and (2) lack of replacement farmers (America has gone from around 70% of its workers being farmers in 1830 to only 0.05% in 2008), (3) unhealthy food because large scale industrial agriculture depletes soil of micronutrients, (4) unsustainable farming methods which are completely dependent on imported oil, (5) fragile, centralized production which could be easily interrupted with the slightest disturbance.

Noah mentions the dangers of Monsanto's Roundup which decreases the nutritional quality of fruits and vegetables. Also Leviticus 19:19 "...do not mate different kinds of animals" seems to suggest that we should not mix species that normally do not mix. The unnatural gene manipulation of GMO violates the natural order of God's creation. Although Noah initially fed GM feed to his chickens at the time he wrote his book, I am happy to report that he no longer does so. GM soy contains high residues of glyphosate, a known carcinogen, and its breakdown product AMPA. Conventional and organic soybeans contained neither of these chemicals. Fagan et all (2014) list other health hazards related to consuming GM food. But GM food is harmful in many ways; the glyphosate used to produce GM feed causes nutritional deficiencies, reproductive issues, increased risk of thyroid disease, kidney failure, cancer, tumors, and early death. Glyphosate exposure also leads to an increased risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (Samsel & Seneff 2013). Fortunately, Mikkelson (2005) describes how we can create non-GM feed.

Noah mentioned that when he was preparing to farm, he worked for several farmers without pay in return for the opportunity to ask questions and learn from them. This is a good suggestion for us to consider as we start our farming business.

However, if I were Noah, I would have chosen a different title for his book, something like "Farming God's Way" or "Glorifying God in how you farm". The term "born again" generally refers to a person who has made the decision to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This is based on the words of Jesus, who said, “I tell you the truth unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:3 NIV). The author would probably agree with me that 'dirt' can not make a decision to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Christians who think that the Bible has nothing to say about agriculture or farming should consider reading this book in order to have their eyes opened a bit.

References
Fagan, John, Michael Antoniou, and Claire Robinson. 2014. GMO Myths and Truths. http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-mo...
Mikkelson, Keith O. 2005. A Natural Farming System For Sustainable Agriculture In the Tropics. Palawan, Philippines: Aloha House Inc.
Samsel, A., & Seneff, S. 2013. Glyphosate, pathways to modern diseases II: Celiac sprue and gluten intolerance. Interdisciplinary Toxicology, 6(4), 159–184. http://doi.org/10.2478/intox-2013-0026.
Seralini, Gilles-Eric, Emile Clair, Robin Mesnage, Steeve Gress, Nicolas Defarge, Manuela Malatesta, Didier Hennequin, and Joel Spiroux de Vendomois. 2014. Republished study: long-term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize. Environmental Sciences Europe 26:14.

[Teri Tatom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unabashed Profound Challenging

Excellent treatise on being, or becoming a Godly, and God minded, farmer. A keeper, a steward, a shepherd of all the good things He gives us, through our submitted heart and willing hands. I found many thought provoking, and even profound statements in this book. Some of which radically changed my approach to my own “Tiny Farm.” My favorite was the author’s suggestion to invite the Lord on a tour of your farm one morning. Telling Him things, showing Him things, asking Him things. And listening to His guidance and answers. I did that. I found myself rapidly scribbling notes, flipping one page over another! Both of my columns (Which I’d labeled, “fruitful” and “Pretty”) are now teeming with a plethora of great ideas.

Vision. It’s a thing. Read this book. Pray. And get to work. And be joyful in your abundance of purpose.

I heartily recommend this book. Not to become a a better farmer (although that will inevitably happen), but to become a better, more fruitful, more diligent, intentional Steward. Of whatever He gives you.

[chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I loved reading the book. The author has a very humble attitude and has some great thoughts for challenging the way we think about being a steward of the land we are blessed to have. He poses a medium between nature worship and science factory farming. Like many things in life people tend to go too far in one direction, but when you look to the bible and see how God wants us to view the world you find that medium. I feel this perspective is not one commonly written about so I was really excited to read the book. Thanks for the time and effort put into this book! I feel challenged to become a better farmer for the glory of God!

[Joey Hungerford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is exactly what I was looking for. Getting involved in the Permaculture community as a minister I was struggling to figure out how to share share the gospel with people who farmed organically and viewed Christians as the ones poisoning the Earth. I found other attempts to involve scripture with these practices to be a stretch, but Noah’s book is solid theology. He balances discipleship and stewardship in an inspiring way and I can’t wait to read more.

[Bre · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked it up after running across the author's website, and figured I'd give it a shot and see if I learned something new. "Born-again Dirt" is more of a world-view thing than a how-to thing, which is probably for the best.

I liked it well enough. I likely learned more about myself than about farming, but that's the way of things.

[Lisa Harkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great advice for one seeking to farm God's way

As a Christian and a farmer, I often ask God for wisdom to grow His way and for His glory. This book has practical advice as well as philosophical reasoning one should think through when trying to do it right. Thanks Noah

[Vanessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good info. Not very detailed. It was worthwhile.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a super helpful and interesting book. I really enjoyed reading about farming and agriculture from a Christian perspective. I would recommend this book for anyone who is interested in farming ( I am 14) for the glory of God!

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written in simple, refreshing language and is easy to read. The first half of the book has Biblical principles applied to farming, land owning, and general living. I found it helpful for every area of life and a wonderful reminder and help for many things going on in my present life! The second half talks about biblical principles applied directly to farming practices. In other words, it gets down to the practical stuff. I think every Christian should read this book. If you are not familiar with applying God's word to EVERY area of our lives, this is a must read. For Christians who are trying to do this continuously, it will be a breath of fresh air.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book on farming and agriculture with a biblical worldview. Sanders understands the high calling of farming and doing it under the authority of Christ. It is a wise, practical perspective that our culture needs to witness. It is a quick read with very good insights.

[Lanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look at food production from a Christian perspective. This is not a book for farmers-only, I would recommend to gardeners too. Thought provoking, but the quality of writing is not at the same level as, say, Forrest Pritchard's "Gaining Ground".

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome book of basics for focusing and centering yourself on the big picture. I disagreed with the author on one or two theological points, but overall the book is full of the kind of oh-duh wisdom that we often miss.

[Ryan M Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that provides a foundation for A Christian farming worldview. I highly recommend that everyone reads this book

[Dez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the Christian perspective on gardening/farming.

[AaronH · Rating 4 out of 5]

necessary read for Christian farmers.