What do you think?
Rate this book
The Marvelous Pigness of Pigs: Respecting and Caring for All God's Creation
From Christian libertarian farmer Joel Salatin, a clarion call to readers to honor the animals and the land, and produce food based on spiritual principles.
What on earth is THE MARVELOUS PIGNESS OF PIGS? It's an inspiring call to action for people of faith . . . a heartfelt plea to heed the Bible's guidance . . . .
It's an important and thought-provoking explanation of how by simply appreciating the marvelous pigness of pigs, we are celebrating the Glory of God.
As a man of deep faith and student of the Bible, and as a respected and successful ecological family farmer, Joel Salatin knows that God created heaven and earth and meant for all living organisms to be true to their nature and their endowed holy purpose. He intended for us to respect and care for His gift of creation, not to ravage and mistreat it for our own pleasure or wealth.
The example that inspires the book's title explains what Salatin means: when huge corporate farms confine pigs in cramped and dark pens, inject them with antibiotics and feed them herbicide-saturated food simply to increase profits, they are not respecting them as a creation of God or allowing them to express even their most rudimentary uniqueness - that special role that is part of His design. Every living organism has a God-given uniqueness to its life that must be honored and respected, and too often that is not happening today.
Salatin shows us the long overlooked ethics and instructions in the Bible for how to eat, how to shop, how to think about how we farm and feed the world. Through scripture and Biblical stories, he shows us why it's more vital than ever to look to the good book rather than corporate America when feeding the country and your family.
Salatin makes a compelling case for Christian stewardship of the earth and how it relates to every action we take regarding our food. He also opens our eyes to a common misconception many Christians may have about environmentalism: it's not a bad thing, and definitely not just the province of secular liberals; it's really a very good thing, part of heeding God's Word.
With warmth and with humor, but with no less piercing criticism of the industrial food complex, Salatin brings readers on a fascinating journey of farming, food and faith. Readers will not say grace over their plates the same way ever again.
What on earth is THE MARVELOUS PIGNESS OF PIGS? It's an inspiring call to action for people of faith . . . a heartfelt plea to heed the Bible's guidance . . . .
It's an important and thought-provoking explanation of how by simply appreciating the marvelous pigness of pigs, we are celebrating the Glory of God.
As a man of deep faith and student of the Bible, and as a respected and successful ecological family farmer, Joel Salatin knows that God created heaven and earth and meant for all living organisms to be true to their nature and their endowed holy purpose. He intended for us to respect and care for His gift of creation, not to ravage and mistreat it for our own pleasure or wealth.
The example that inspires the book's title explains what Salatin means: when huge corporate farms confine pigs in cramped and dark pens, inject them with antibiotics and feed them herbicide-saturated food simply to increase profits, they are not respecting them as a creation of God or allowing them to express even their most rudimentary uniqueness - that special role that is part of His design. Every living organism has a God-given uniqueness to its life that must be honored and respected, and too often that is not happening today.
Salatin shows us the long overlooked ethics and instructions in the Bible for how to eat, how to shop, how to think about how we farm and feed the world. Through scripture and Biblical stories, he shows us why it's more vital than ever to look to the good book rather than corporate America when feeding the country and your family.
Salatin makes a compelling case for Christian stewardship of the earth and how it relates to every action we take regarding our food. He also opens our eyes to a common misconception many Christians may have about environmentalism: it's not a bad thing, and definitely not just the province of secular liberals; it's really a very good thing, part of heeding God's Word.
With warmth and with humor, but with no less piercing criticism of the industrial food complex, Salatin brings readers on a fascinating journey of farming, food and faith. Readers will not say grace over their plates the same way ever again.
288 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 2016
164 people are currently reading
1712 people want to read
About the author
Joel Salatin
59 books669 followersJoel 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
July 14, 2016
I have taught my kids to always ask the question, "What does the Bible say about that," as a first approach to any issue because not only is God, um, GOD, but God's ideas are good ideas and humanity could save itself a lot of grief if we tried God's plan for life, rather than our own innovations. As always when teaching my kids I realized pretty darn quickly how rarely I ask that question myself. Every time I turn around I am finding yet another area of life where I've just been cruising along on auto-pilot, going the way of culture, giving absolutely NO thought to what I'm doing at all, much less asking if God has spoken and realigning myself where He has. Now, I thought I had given food a good worldview think-over, but reading Joel's latest book, I realize that I barely gave it a moment's thought.
Even if you aren't ready to agree with all of his theology, or ideas about sentience--wow--take some time to think about how neighborliness relates to food production and animal husbandry. Seriously consider what the moral implications are to horking down Ding-Dongs and be willing to consider that there might be implications and that you might have to change.
As a homeschooler, a couple of decades ago I read through my Bible and copied down (long hand, no less!) everything the Bible said about teaching, training, instructing, wisdom, learning, children, parents, etc. and I had filled several legal pads. Reviewing my own little systematic theology notes on education I was stunned by what I found; I undertook the exercise thinking, "It's all good. . .just a matter of personal choice," to having an entirely changed worldview because the Bible did, in fact, answer the question about how to educate a child. I think it's time I did the same thing with regard to food and agriculture and animals.
Even if you aren't ready to agree with all of his theology, or ideas about sentience--wow--take some time to think about how neighborliness relates to food production and animal husbandry. Seriously consider what the moral implications are to horking down Ding-Dongs and be willing to consider that there might be implications and that you might have to change.
As a homeschooler, a couple of decades ago I read through my Bible and copied down (long hand, no less!) everything the Bible said about teaching, training, instructing, wisdom, learning, children, parents, etc. and I had filled several legal pads. Reviewing my own little systematic theology notes on education I was stunned by what I found; I undertook the exercise thinking, "It's all good. . .just a matter of personal choice," to having an entirely changed worldview because the Bible did, in fact, answer the question about how to educate a child. I think it's time I did the same thing with regard to food and agriculture and animals.
October 2, 2024
I believe every American Christian ought to read this book and, as Joel Salatin urges his readers, whether you ultimately agree with him on everything or not: "dare to wrestle with these things."
This is a call to view all of life through a Christian lens, respecting the Creator by learning from and respecting what He has created. This is solidly within Christian orthodoxy. Not out in left field. Joel knows farming. And he knows his Bible. What's more, he knows and loves God and his neighbor. He's a well-qualified and much-needed guide to lead us in rethinking the way we relate to creation and to our food.
My oldest son read Folks, This Ain't Normal leading up to taking high school biology this year. I will add The Marvelous Pigness of Pigs to his reading, as well. Christian homeschoolers ought to make sure their kids read at least one Joel Salatin book before graduating high school--he offers an incredible wealth of practical and philosophical depth to a Christian understanding of biology and ecology. The Marvelous Pigness of Pigs is probably the best entry point for most Christians and their teens to this end.
Parents, preview for age-appropriateness. Some topics covered are mature enough that you might rather your children encounter them closer to the end of high school (despite our family being fine with them in 9th grade).
This is a call to view all of life through a Christian lens, respecting the Creator by learning from and respecting what He has created. This is solidly within Christian orthodoxy. Not out in left field. Joel knows farming. And he knows his Bible. What's more, he knows and loves God and his neighbor. He's a well-qualified and much-needed guide to lead us in rethinking the way we relate to creation and to our food.
My oldest son read Folks, This Ain't Normal leading up to taking high school biology this year. I will add The Marvelous Pigness of Pigs to his reading, as well. Christian homeschoolers ought to make sure their kids read at least one Joel Salatin book before graduating high school--he offers an incredible wealth of practical and philosophical depth to a Christian understanding of biology and ecology. The Marvelous Pigness of Pigs is probably the best entry point for most Christians and their teens to this end.
Parents, preview for age-appropriateness. Some topics covered are mature enough that you might rather your children encounter them closer to the end of high school (despite our family being fine with them in 9th grade).
June 10, 2024
Very enlightening and entertaining! I would recommend for any Christian to read for a better understanding of how to be good stewards of our earth and bodies. I want a little farm now 😊
January 17, 2018
I have to admit I started this book with a bit of an eye roll and a little skeptical. But I finished it grateful for Joel Salatin , his insights, his knowledge, and his courage in writing such a provocative book.
Mr. Salatin is a Christian, Libertarian, environmentally friendly famer. He advocates for a wholeness approach to farming and for a wholeness approach not only in what we eat but being mindful of where our food comes from.
His principles rest firmly on a biblical foundation. One, which he thoroughly structured throughout this book.
I found his thoughts on cheap food, sugar consumption, and awareness of our food supply challenging. Hence the eye roll.
However, his reasoning is sound. Honestly, difficult to argue with.
I appreciated his insights ino the mega farming industry and the methods utilized to produce mass quantities of nutrient lacking food.
I also found his approach to farming intriguing. Mimicking a natural ecosystem and creating diversity, he has managed to produce nutrient rich, high quality food, without the use of chemicals or antibiotics. He has been able to feed those in need with the overflow, yet earning nice profits, enough to support 4 families, and a few paid staff.
What Mr. Salatin has accomplished is truly remarkable. His life is a testimony of the blessing available when we do things God's way and then trust Him for the results.
Mr. Salatin is a Christian, Libertarian, environmentally friendly famer. He advocates for a wholeness approach to farming and for a wholeness approach not only in what we eat but being mindful of where our food comes from.
His principles rest firmly on a biblical foundation. One, which he thoroughly structured throughout this book.
I found his thoughts on cheap food, sugar consumption, and awareness of our food supply challenging. Hence the eye roll.
However, his reasoning is sound. Honestly, difficult to argue with.
I appreciated his insights ino the mega farming industry and the methods utilized to produce mass quantities of nutrient lacking food.
I also found his approach to farming intriguing. Mimicking a natural ecosystem and creating diversity, he has managed to produce nutrient rich, high quality food, without the use of chemicals or antibiotics. He has been able to feed those in need with the overflow, yet earning nice profits, enough to support 4 families, and a few paid staff.
What Mr. Salatin has accomplished is truly remarkable. His life is a testimony of the blessing available when we do things God's way and then trust Him for the results.
May 24, 2020
What a waste of my money... The whole book was preaching to American conservative Christians about the evils of mass food production and the conditions the chickens are living in with a chapter thrown in about the pigs. As an afterthought. And most of it was about mass-produced pigs.
To say I was disappointed is to say nothing. If you want philosophical rants with heavy Bible use, go for it. If you want something practical for your smallholding, there is nothing in this book you'll be able to use. He also repeats himself ad nauseum, and if it wasn't for an audio format which I left speaking in the background, I would have closed it and walked away after the first few chapters.
People who want practical tidbits for their own farm and are already raising your own animals don't need this book. People who are searching for an answer as to why they shouldn't eat standard American diet and who are Christians, this one was for you.
To say I was disappointed is to say nothing. If you want philosophical rants with heavy Bible use, go for it. If you want something practical for your smallholding, there is nothing in this book you'll be able to use. He also repeats himself ad nauseum, and if it wasn't for an audio format which I left speaking in the background, I would have closed it and walked away after the first few chapters.
People who want practical tidbits for their own farm and are already raising your own animals don't need this book. People who are searching for an answer as to why they shouldn't eat standard American diet and who are Christians, this one was for you.
January 24, 2018
This is the book I have been waiting for someone to write - this will almost certainly be my best book of the year.
Second reading: just as good the second time around, if not even better. What a tremendous book!
Second reading: just as good the second time around, if not even better. What a tremendous book!
October 13, 2021
Joel Salatin is AMAZING! He is so incredibly articulate and if you ever have the opportunity to hear him speak in person - GO! In this book Joel "comes out" as a Christian, although I doubt that's really been a secret, and shows how Biblical principles can apply to food and farming. I had the opportunity to hear Joel speak at Duke University a few years ago at a food and faith conference (I wish I could have gone to the whole conference) and there was a lot of what he spoke about at that conference in this book. He explains that this book is more geared toward Christians, but obviously it's open to anyone. I don't think anyone who hears Joel speak or reads is books can be unchanged. Each chapter he has two opposite terms and explores those specific terms/issues in that chapter both in the matter of Christian faith and how it can be played out in food and farming. I will say as both a Christian and a proponent of Joel's way of eating/growing food/supporting my local farmers it was a convicting book - you can always do more and better in everything. I would highly recommend this one to anyone!
Some quotes I really liked:
"It dawned on me that the biblical narrow way that leads to truth and the broad way that leads to destruction are not just spiritual: they're all-encompassing." (p. 7)
"As if pigs are no more special than extruded plastic dolls or polyethylene pipe fittings. I would suggest that a culture that views its pigs as just mechanical objects to be reprogrammed and manipulated will view its citizens the same way, and ultimately God the same way." (p. 20)
"We're the first culture in the world that routinely eats things that have never lived. In spiritual parlance, we're ingesting things that are an abomination to our bodies - and then requesting prayer for the ailments that result." (p. 29)
"Our modern techno-sophisticated culture has absolutely abandoned domestic culinary arts. An integrity food system requires that people using it be informed through participation. When people abdicate kitchen and home-centricity in food preparation, processing, packaging, and preserving, they withdraw accountability. The more people are ignorant about an issue, the easier it is for unscrupulous participants to succeed." (p. 80)
"At sustainable agriculture conferences, most of the workshops are positive how-tos. I almost never hear much discussion about sickness and disease. The overriding desire is how to work with nature as a benevolent friend. This is completely opposite of the theme at industrial agriculture conferences - the kind put on by mainstream agribusiness. Nearly all the discussions center around diseases and sicknesses. The overriding desire is how to beat nature, how to win, as if nature is the enemy that must be subjugated like a military conquest." (p. 89)
"I know segregation is a strong word, but I use it on purpose in order to capture the degree of separation in America's current food and farming system...Perhaps the most segregated thinking of our day rears its ugly head toward the farm sector specifically, and the food sector generally. What happened to the Jeffersonian intellectual agrarian? It's been replaced by a nearly universal notion that smart, white, creative people don't get their hands dirty. While this applies more egregiously to farming, I see it in virtually all of the trades - plumbers, electricians, masons, carpenters, mechanics, welders. You name it, smart white kids aren't supposed to do those things." (p. 106)
"Why are many state governments passing laws criminalizing picture-taking at industrial farms? Because seeing the ugliness incriminates the system." (p. 116)
"The whole idea of pornography, which of course the Christian community universally condemns, is instant and expedient gratification of a sacred act sanctified by marriage. Where is the Christian who dares to identify the pornographic food system that revels in death-inducing, sickness-encouraging, and creation-destroying orgies of self-indulgence? Strong language? Have you walked into a confinement factory chicken house lately? How about a confinement hog factory? Just like pornography disrespects and cheapens God-given and -sanctioned specialness of sex, factory-farmed hog houses disrespect and cheapen the God-sculpted specialness of pigs." (p. 133)
"Folks, a food system that pollutes the neighbor's land, buildings, and people is not a neighbor-friendly system and therefore not a biblical system. Let's call it what it is: wrong." (p. 180)
"For decades the USDA romanced farmers to freebie dinners in order to teach them how to feed dead cows to cows. Because it violated the most fundamental herbivoreness of herbivores, it eventually created mad cow disease. At least, that's the official belief. Cows are herbivores, and herbivores in nature do not eat dead cows, chicken manure, grain, or fermented forage. A host of regulations and government agencies now surround combating this disease that never would have occurred had we simply followed God's template. Virtually all of our diseases reflect a departure from God's patterns." (p. 246)
Re-read/listened to the audiobook notes:
My husband and I listened to this book mostly driving to and from vacation in the Outer Banks because we had a 7 hour drive. Somehow we didn't finish it on that trip and finished the last 2 hours on our way to the Homesteaders of America conference where we got to hear Joel Salatin speak as well. I doubt we would have enjoyed this book as much if it wasn't narrated by Joel. He is such a phenomenal speaker (and author) so listening to him this long was really a treat. I will say because we listened to it over a few weeks it wasn't as compelling as when I read the print book. I think if we had listened to it over 2-3 days it would have felt more cohesive, but that's not a knock on the book rather on our way of listening to it. It was definitely an enjoyable listen and made for a lot of good conversation in the car.
Some quotes I really liked:
"It dawned on me that the biblical narrow way that leads to truth and the broad way that leads to destruction are not just spiritual: they're all-encompassing." (p. 7)
"As if pigs are no more special than extruded plastic dolls or polyethylene pipe fittings. I would suggest that a culture that views its pigs as just mechanical objects to be reprogrammed and manipulated will view its citizens the same way, and ultimately God the same way." (p. 20)
"We're the first culture in the world that routinely eats things that have never lived. In spiritual parlance, we're ingesting things that are an abomination to our bodies - and then requesting prayer for the ailments that result." (p. 29)
"Our modern techno-sophisticated culture has absolutely abandoned domestic culinary arts. An integrity food system requires that people using it be informed through participation. When people abdicate kitchen and home-centricity in food preparation, processing, packaging, and preserving, they withdraw accountability. The more people are ignorant about an issue, the easier it is for unscrupulous participants to succeed." (p. 80)
"At sustainable agriculture conferences, most of the workshops are positive how-tos. I almost never hear much discussion about sickness and disease. The overriding desire is how to work with nature as a benevolent friend. This is completely opposite of the theme at industrial agriculture conferences - the kind put on by mainstream agribusiness. Nearly all the discussions center around diseases and sicknesses. The overriding desire is how to beat nature, how to win, as if nature is the enemy that must be subjugated like a military conquest." (p. 89)
"I know segregation is a strong word, but I use it on purpose in order to capture the degree of separation in America's current food and farming system...Perhaps the most segregated thinking of our day rears its ugly head toward the farm sector specifically, and the food sector generally. What happened to the Jeffersonian intellectual agrarian? It's been replaced by a nearly universal notion that smart, white, creative people don't get their hands dirty. While this applies more egregiously to farming, I see it in virtually all of the trades - plumbers, electricians, masons, carpenters, mechanics, welders. You name it, smart white kids aren't supposed to do those things." (p. 106)
"Why are many state governments passing laws criminalizing picture-taking at industrial farms? Because seeing the ugliness incriminates the system." (p. 116)
"The whole idea of pornography, which of course the Christian community universally condemns, is instant and expedient gratification of a sacred act sanctified by marriage. Where is the Christian who dares to identify the pornographic food system that revels in death-inducing, sickness-encouraging, and creation-destroying orgies of self-indulgence? Strong language? Have you walked into a confinement factory chicken house lately? How about a confinement hog factory? Just like pornography disrespects and cheapens God-given and -sanctioned specialness of sex, factory-farmed hog houses disrespect and cheapen the God-sculpted specialness of pigs." (p. 133)
"Folks, a food system that pollutes the neighbor's land, buildings, and people is not a neighbor-friendly system and therefore not a biblical system. Let's call it what it is: wrong." (p. 180)
"For decades the USDA romanced farmers to freebie dinners in order to teach them how to feed dead cows to cows. Because it violated the most fundamental herbivoreness of herbivores, it eventually created mad cow disease. At least, that's the official belief. Cows are herbivores, and herbivores in nature do not eat dead cows, chicken manure, grain, or fermented forage. A host of regulations and government agencies now surround combating this disease that never would have occurred had we simply followed God's template. Virtually all of our diseases reflect a departure from God's patterns." (p. 246)
Re-read/listened to the audiobook notes:
My husband and I listened to this book mostly driving to and from vacation in the Outer Banks because we had a 7 hour drive. Somehow we didn't finish it on that trip and finished the last 2 hours on our way to the Homesteaders of America conference where we got to hear Joel Salatin speak as well. I doubt we would have enjoyed this book as much if it wasn't narrated by Joel. He is such a phenomenal speaker (and author) so listening to him this long was really a treat. I will say because we listened to it over a few weeks it wasn't as compelling as when I read the print book. I think if we had listened to it over 2-3 days it would have felt more cohesive, but that's not a knock on the book rather on our way of listening to it. It was definitely an enjoyable listen and made for a lot of good conversation in the car.
July 28, 2020
Passionate, sobering, and helpful. If you are a Christian whose biblical understanding includes some responsible stewardship of Creation, this is a must read. It exposes a glaring blind spot in most of our most basic living out of that stewardship, our (dis)connection from the source of our daily bread. Salatin contrast the radical differences between typical industrial farming which supplies most of our (Americans) food and responsible, sustainable farming models. He advocates for Christians to recognize the vast benefits to our health, Creation (both land and animal life), and our witness as God's stewards. He advocates for consumers to look to local sourcing of food as much as possible as the most practical way to support farms and farmers who are practicing these models of food sourcing.
May 24, 2019
I’m not a Christian and this book is VERY religious heavy. Normally I would have put it aside because I don’t enjoy spending my free time steeped in Christian theology, but Mr. Salatin continuously offered questions and viewpoints that piqued my curiosity. I like that he wasn’t afraid to call out his Christian brethren on their apathy toward factory food production and earth stewardship. His perspective is unique and as someone who considers herself a “budding homesteader” and is actively trying to farm the land in a way that is earth saving vs earth killing, it was worth it keep reading for those gems of information. While I certainly do not agree with Mr. Salatin on everything, I’m not going to pass up on his expansive wisdom on permaculture farming.
April 6, 2025
Ready to start my farm!🤠
Allie and I read this aloud with each other.
Allie and I read this aloud with each other.
September 13, 2025
This is going to be in the top ten books that have profoundly shaped my thought.
December 30, 2022
Carried this book around and started to get called pig girl.
Salatin approaches his farming practices with Christian theology and philosophy that caught me off guard and challenged me. My perspective on stewardship of the earth is very much changed.
Couldn’t always agree with his concepts, but overall a huge fan of what he does and his passions. I think this book made me more crunchy and I am glad for it.
Salatin approaches his farming practices with Christian theology and philosophy that caught me off guard and challenged me. My perspective on stewardship of the earth is very much changed.
Couldn’t always agree with his concepts, but overall a huge fan of what he does and his passions. I think this book made me more crunchy and I am glad for it.
April 6, 2025
Such a wonderful and delightful read.
I didn’t agree with every word on every page, but I was overwhelmingly humbled and challenged by Joel Salatin’s worldview. The beauty and wonder of the Gospel really is visible in all of creation when you look.
We’ve been on a slow journey of changing the way we eat, spend our time, and care for our bodies for the last three years, and Salatin’s words encouraged us to press on. Our culture, and our churches, are so far from how God intended us to steward the earth, eat, and even protect ourselves and our families from avoidable illness.
His concluding words put wind in my sails -
(After quoting Hebrews 12:1-2) “Notice the two things that hold us back in this race: Sin and weights. I would suggest that we can have weights that aren’t sin. They aren’t black and white, but they’re weights nonetheless that hamper us in our ability to run with clarity and focus that race with eternal consequences. So even if it’s not a sin to eat junk food, to patronize ungodly food systems and evil farming methods, could we agree it’s a weight? It hampers our ability to witness. It hampers our bodies and brains from functioning at full strength. It hampers our spiritual acuity and the visceral object lessons God wants us to appreciate. To be sure, releasing all these things will not be easy. If you embark on a serious creation care journey, you’ll be laughed at by family. You’ll be the butt of the jokes…You might be ostracized by friends. They say you’ve fallen off the deep end, joined the tree huggers…. But as Jesus promises, it’s a lighter yoke than the weight that keeps us from running a God-honoring race.”
I didn’t agree with every word on every page, but I was overwhelmingly humbled and challenged by Joel Salatin’s worldview. The beauty and wonder of the Gospel really is visible in all of creation when you look.
We’ve been on a slow journey of changing the way we eat, spend our time, and care for our bodies for the last three years, and Salatin’s words encouraged us to press on. Our culture, and our churches, are so far from how God intended us to steward the earth, eat, and even protect ourselves and our families from avoidable illness.
His concluding words put wind in my sails -
(After quoting Hebrews 12:1-2) “Notice the two things that hold us back in this race: Sin and weights. I would suggest that we can have weights that aren’t sin. They aren’t black and white, but they’re weights nonetheless that hamper us in our ability to run with clarity and focus that race with eternal consequences. So even if it’s not a sin to eat junk food, to patronize ungodly food systems and evil farming methods, could we agree it’s a weight? It hampers our ability to witness. It hampers our bodies and brains from functioning at full strength. It hampers our spiritual acuity and the visceral object lessons God wants us to appreciate. To be sure, releasing all these things will not be easy. If you embark on a serious creation care journey, you’ll be laughed at by family. You’ll be the butt of the jokes…You might be ostracized by friends. They say you’ve fallen off the deep end, joined the tree huggers…. But as Jesus promises, it’s a lighter yoke than the weight that keeps us from running a God-honoring race.”
February 25, 2024
Excellent! Changed my diet/lifestyle for a couple years till old bad habits slowly crept back in.
November 17, 2024
GO READ THIS BOOK🫵🏼
May 30, 2023
I really enjoyed the first several chapters of this book, but found the remaining chapters redundant. This is not a scholarly book - Salatin doesn’t cite the studies he mentions and doesn’t always explain his terminology. However, it’s an interesting introduction to the concept of creation care and raises a basic awareness of the problems of industrial farming and modern American food culture. I would recommend it to a curious but not a critical reader.
Read
April 28, 2024This one took awhile to get through…there some really good points! Very challenging but also eye opening of our food
February 7, 2017
This is a controversial book. This is also a book that I would normally never read. But I think it is a helpful book that will assist you in taking a look at your eating lifestyle and, perhaps, help you change some of your outlook on healthy food and proper land care.
What stood out to me the most about this book is the fact that there are so many problems in our modern farming industries - not the least of which being unethical treatment of animals. While the author is very clear about how he has no problem with killing and eating animals, he wants us to see that the mega farm method is not only providing food that is unsanitary and probably pretty unhealthy for us to eat, but also that the animals on these farms are not allowed to live in a way that respects them as creatures. The poignant moments when he talks about how pig tails and chicken beaks are cut off and the animals are forced to live that way for the service of efficiency are particularly saddening to hear about.
And thankfully, he doesn't stop there. He actually provides alternatives for people who want to embrace a healthier lifestyle. While not everybody can actually put all of these methods into practice, there are small parts of your life that you can change in order to embrace a lot of the principles talked about in this book. I found the particular section where he was talking about how impactful it is for homes to even have just a few chickens really interesting.
One of the weaker parts of this book, however, has to be some of the theological conclusions drawn. I found his subtle jabs at Reformed theology a little tiring, and I feel that some of his illustrations and phrases he takes from the Bible are somewhat out of context (I'm still not entirely sure what a "Whosoever Will Farm" is). However, by and large, he makes a good case for why we should care for the land and draws interesting insights out of the examples set by the Old Testament and Israel as an agrarian culture, so I did appreciate much of what he had to say.
I think this is an important book for Christians to read. I believe he makes good points regarding our modern lifestyles, what we eat, and how we can change the way we farm for the benefit of future generations. It is good for us to reflect on our daily practices and see how we might be causing ourselves and our families harm due to an unexamined lifestyle. If nothing else, it might cause you to think twice about bringing those cases of Mountain Dew and Doritos to the church potluck!
What stood out to me the most about this book is the fact that there are so many problems in our modern farming industries - not the least of which being unethical treatment of animals. While the author is very clear about how he has no problem with killing and eating animals, he wants us to see that the mega farm method is not only providing food that is unsanitary and probably pretty unhealthy for us to eat, but also that the animals on these farms are not allowed to live in a way that respects them as creatures. The poignant moments when he talks about how pig tails and chicken beaks are cut off and the animals are forced to live that way for the service of efficiency are particularly saddening to hear about.
And thankfully, he doesn't stop there. He actually provides alternatives for people who want to embrace a healthier lifestyle. While not everybody can actually put all of these methods into practice, there are small parts of your life that you can change in order to embrace a lot of the principles talked about in this book. I found the particular section where he was talking about how impactful it is for homes to even have just a few chickens really interesting.
One of the weaker parts of this book, however, has to be some of the theological conclusions drawn. I found his subtle jabs at Reformed theology a little tiring, and I feel that some of his illustrations and phrases he takes from the Bible are somewhat out of context (I'm still not entirely sure what a "Whosoever Will Farm" is). However, by and large, he makes a good case for why we should care for the land and draws interesting insights out of the examples set by the Old Testament and Israel as an agrarian culture, so I did appreciate much of what he had to say.
I think this is an important book for Christians to read. I believe he makes good points regarding our modern lifestyles, what we eat, and how we can change the way we farm for the benefit of future generations. It is good for us to reflect on our daily practices and see how we might be causing ourselves and our families harm due to an unexamined lifestyle. If nothing else, it might cause you to think twice about bringing those cases of Mountain Dew and Doritos to the church potluck!
May 12, 2021
This was the non-fiction I needed. Salatin is unfiltered in his version of a “Creation Care” book. 10 pages in and I was already recommending it to anyone who would listen. Now that I’m finished, I still highly recommend it; it’s written to Christians, by a “Christian Libertarian Farmer.” So I recommend it specifically to Bible believers. Those who cannot relate in that way may not get as much out of it, but please let me know if you try- I’d fully appreciate your perspective!
You don’t have to agree with everything Salatin writes in this book. You likely will not. But it will raise many questions and perhaps a lot discomfort, and maybe give you insight on truths you wish you could be ignorant of. Once you learn, there’s no turning back. And that’s a good thing.
The topics in this book ring true to passions of mine that already existed. And reading it has further cemented those passions. This should not dissuade people who aren’t passionate about animal care, earth care, farming, pesticide-free food, horrifying feed lots, and everything that goes with all that. The point of this book is that we should care: “I don’t expect every reader to come down on every side of every issue with me. But I beg the Christian community to dare to wrestle with these things.” (pg 236-237)
You don’t have to agree with everything Salatin writes in this book. You likely will not. But it will raise many questions and perhaps a lot discomfort, and maybe give you insight on truths you wish you could be ignorant of. Once you learn, there’s no turning back. And that’s a good thing.
The topics in this book ring true to passions of mine that already existed. And reading it has further cemented those passions. This should not dissuade people who aren’t passionate about animal care, earth care, farming, pesticide-free food, horrifying feed lots, and everything that goes with all that. The point of this book is that we should care: “I don’t expect every reader to come down on every side of every issue with me. But I beg the Christian community to dare to wrestle with these things.” (pg 236-237)
August 25, 2022
The Marvelous Pigness of Pigs (such a fabulous title) is well-written and conversational, with its arguments clearly articulated. But for all that, it's a hard book to read. Salatin, a Christian and a farmer, argues that our farming and food systems are fundamentally broken, and that believers should care, that we should feel a responsibility to take action, to steward well, to honor God in the way we think about food and feed their families.
It's an excellent read, and while readers will likely reach the end of the book in various degrees of agreement or disagreement with Salatin's assertions and recommendations, it's a subject worth wrestling with. Highly recommended.
Update, 8/25/22:
Another quick re-read of a food-related book while on the hunt for something to read for our next Books and Bourbon meeting. While the first book I looked at didn't have enough content to share, Marvelous Pigness of Pigs has too much. I think I marked about half the book as possible passages to read.
It's an excellent read, and while readers will likely reach the end of the book in various degrees of agreement or disagreement with Salatin's assertions and recommendations, it's a subject worth wrestling with. Highly recommended.
Update, 8/25/22:
Another quick re-read of a food-related book while on the hunt for something to read for our next Books and Bourbon meeting. While the first book I looked at didn't have enough content to share, Marvelous Pigness of Pigs has too much. I think I marked about half the book as possible passages to read.
August 9, 2017
I was excited to read this book, because I believe in what Joel Salatin does and because I believe that conservative Christians should care more about the environment and the food system than they generally do. However, my excitement faded with each logically unsustainable, theologically inaccurate statement Salatin made. He made some really good, thought-provoking points—but I felt that they were overshadowed by his over-the-top rhetoric. (Also, what was with his occasional jab at Calvinism?? What does that have to do with farming and food??) I also felt that the book dragged on and repeated itself.
Listened to this on audiobook narrated by the author.
Listened to this on audiobook narrated by the author.
October 14, 2021
There is a great deal of thought provoking, challenging, and keen insight in this book.
There is also a great deal of misapplied scripture and wearyingly poor rhetoric.
Still, I believe that mans relationship to the earth and the profound absence of truly sustainable practices is, if not the challenge of my lifetime, then certainly will be the challenge of my children and grandchildren.
I disagree with some of Salatins societal solutions, but he’s talking about the right issues. And too many people in his target audience won’t even acknowledge the very real problem that he is seeking to remedy. For that reason, I’m very glad that this book exists.
There is also a great deal of misapplied scripture and wearyingly poor rhetoric.
Still, I believe that mans relationship to the earth and the profound absence of truly sustainable practices is, if not the challenge of my lifetime, then certainly will be the challenge of my children and grandchildren.
I disagree with some of Salatins societal solutions, but he’s talking about the right issues. And too many people in his target audience won’t even acknowledge the very real problem that he is seeking to remedy. For that reason, I’m very glad that this book exists.
May 9, 2016
Very thought provoking book written for Christian farmers, foodies, consumers. I would highly recommend it if the these phrases mean anything to you: "you are what you eat" ... "eating is an agricultural act" or "If you think organic food is expensive, have you priced cancer lately?" Also, please read it if you are a Christian who believes some things just don't matter like what we eat, how our food is produced and where are food comes.
September 15, 2021
Much to like and implement from this book once one gets past the theological idiosyncrasies.
June 4, 2025
Heard about Joe Salatin through Justin Rhodes' YouTube channel, then found out he has written several books. Read this one first, since the "Folks, This Ain't Normal" book didn't get to the library until several days after this one. This is very pointedly written to fundamental Christians, is a call to wake up and do something about the conditions of our soil and "normal" meat and crop raisers. He states that this is a call to awareness in the first few pages of the book, so understand that this is where he is coming from. This isn't a heavy-handed book, but at times you can hear his frustration coming through the text, as his farm is a prime example of how things work well, when we aren't trying to strip the soil of its nutrients, all in the name of progress and greed.
If you aren't a Christian, or maybe considered "liberal", there's still a lot here to be gleaned, and it will probably warm your heart to see that there is a fundamental Christian who "gets it". It's encouraging to me to know that there are up-and-coming new small farmers who are following Joel's teachings and doing what they can to replenish their areas of very depleted soil.
He is encouraging. He is unbelievably knowledgeable. He isn't afraid to share what he knows, mentor new farmers, have interns on his farm, is doing what he can to encourage the movement back to taking care of our earth, so the generations following us have something to work with.
I'm still thinking about what I've read. Still looking at my plot of land on the north side of the hill, which has very little soil, but a ton of red clay, and thinking about how to remedy that; right now our little "garden" is a Bucket Brigade, each bucket with a vegetable plant growing in it. The compost pile has been in place for several years...how do we make it work better in our favor?
Thinking......thinking......thinking.........
Would I read it again? Most definitely! I'm QUITE sure I didn't get all I could have out of it, and being challenged again by his call to action won't hurt me in the long run. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. If Christianity isn't your thing, this may be a hard "no" for you, but if you can work past the Scripture quotations, even realizing how much Scripture can be used to call Christians to be accountable, repent, and do what we can to repair the damage already done, you'll find good stuff here. For those who ask: nothing offensive here, unless you would prefer to stay asleep and let things drift along as they have been.
If you aren't a Christian, or maybe considered "liberal", there's still a lot here to be gleaned, and it will probably warm your heart to see that there is a fundamental Christian who "gets it". It's encouraging to me to know that there are up-and-coming new small farmers who are following Joel's teachings and doing what they can to replenish their areas of very depleted soil.
He is encouraging. He is unbelievably knowledgeable. He isn't afraid to share what he knows, mentor new farmers, have interns on his farm, is doing what he can to encourage the movement back to taking care of our earth, so the generations following us have something to work with.
I'm still thinking about what I've read. Still looking at my plot of land on the north side of the hill, which has very little soil, but a ton of red clay, and thinking about how to remedy that; right now our little "garden" is a Bucket Brigade, each bucket with a vegetable plant growing in it. The compost pile has been in place for several years...how do we make it work better in our favor?
Thinking......thinking......thinking.........
Would I read it again? Most definitely! I'm QUITE sure I didn't get all I could have out of it, and being challenged again by his call to action won't hurt me in the long run. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. If Christianity isn't your thing, this may be a hard "no" for you, but if you can work past the Scripture quotations, even realizing how much Scripture can be used to call Christians to be accountable, repent, and do what we can to repair the damage already done, you'll find good stuff here. For those who ask: nothing offensive here, unless you would prefer to stay asleep and let things drift along as they have been.
March 9, 2024
I very much enjoyed this book. It was convicting, inspiring, and enlightening. I’m now wanting to garden and raise chickens more than I have probably ever before.
I do have two criticisms. Theology proper is not his strong suit. That’s not a huge deal, but when he delved into that, it almost always ended up being cringey. Where he’s good, he’s great. But where he’s not, it’s rough.
My other criticism is that he seems to have an idea that one of the main reasons Christians don’t buy better food is so they can put more money in the offering plate for missionaries elsewhere. That may be true somewhere, and it may have been more true in 2016 when this was written, but in general, the reason I see for Christians not buying better food is simply because the choice is raw milk or the electric bill. I will say this made me want to do what I can to make better food more affordable, but the point he made seemed to fall flat, at least at this point in time.
Oh, and a third, minor, criticism is that he’s very repetitive. If I read the phrase “commie liberal pinko” one more time, my eyes might have gotten stuck from rolling so hard.
All that being said, I think this book fills a void. I’m very glad I read it, and I’d like to have a physical copy on my shelf to refer back to. I’m very interested to read further information on the subject, and I feel like I’ve been given some really helpful parameters for when I’m finally able to garden and raise animals.
I do have two criticisms. Theology proper is not his strong suit. That’s not a huge deal, but when he delved into that, it almost always ended up being cringey. Where he’s good, he’s great. But where he’s not, it’s rough.
My other criticism is that he seems to have an idea that one of the main reasons Christians don’t buy better food is so they can put more money in the offering plate for missionaries elsewhere. That may be true somewhere, and it may have been more true in 2016 when this was written, but in general, the reason I see for Christians not buying better food is simply because the choice is raw milk or the electric bill. I will say this made me want to do what I can to make better food more affordable, but the point he made seemed to fall flat, at least at this point in time.
Oh, and a third, minor, criticism is that he’s very repetitive. If I read the phrase “commie liberal pinko” one more time, my eyes might have gotten stuck from rolling so hard.
All that being said, I think this book fills a void. I’m very glad I read it, and I’d like to have a physical copy on my shelf to refer back to. I’m very interested to read further information on the subject, and I feel like I’ve been given some really helpful parameters for when I’m finally able to garden and raise animals.
March 3, 2018
I’ve been well ware of who Joel Salatin is for the past couple of years as I learn more and more about the homestead and agrarian lifestyle. I’ve seen several videos and talks/interviews of his, and I’ve always been pleased anytime I hear what the man has to say.
This book was recommended to me from someone who is also familiar with this permaculture and homestead scene and said I ought to check out this particular piece because it highlights Salatin’s Christianity. Indeed it does.
I would probably give this a 4.75 if I could, as there are some theological discrepancies coming from his Protestant background, but overall, his vantage point is sound and his perspective is clear and for the most part, represents Christianity well. There are a couple of places throughout the book that I thought were stretched a little thin in regards to tying some farming or food principle to something biblical, but the effort is there.
Salatin does have it right though; God uses farming and food as a means of understanding for our minds between our relationships to creation and ultimately to Him. The Old Testament is chalk-full of examples of food, dining, feasts, farming, harvests, etc... and then of course amplified in the Eucharistic offering of Jesus Christ Himself.
I think this is a fantastic read for anyone who would like to get a general understanding of what a Christian farmer ought to bear in mind, what the perspective ought to be for the ethical and Christian farmer. We are stewards of God’s grand creation, and what we’re given is a gift from God. Salatin does a superb job of identifying the ways we should be (as all people) as Christians in relation to the land, animals, and food.
Definitely a recommendation.
This book was recommended to me from someone who is also familiar with this permaculture and homestead scene and said I ought to check out this particular piece because it highlights Salatin’s Christianity. Indeed it does.
I would probably give this a 4.75 if I could, as there are some theological discrepancies coming from his Protestant background, but overall, his vantage point is sound and his perspective is clear and for the most part, represents Christianity well. There are a couple of places throughout the book that I thought were stretched a little thin in regards to tying some farming or food principle to something biblical, but the effort is there.
Salatin does have it right though; God uses farming and food as a means of understanding for our minds between our relationships to creation and ultimately to Him. The Old Testament is chalk-full of examples of food, dining, feasts, farming, harvests, etc... and then of course amplified in the Eucharistic offering of Jesus Christ Himself.
I think this is a fantastic read for anyone who would like to get a general understanding of what a Christian farmer ought to bear in mind, what the perspective ought to be for the ethical and Christian farmer. We are stewards of God’s grand creation, and what we’re given is a gift from God. Salatin does a superb job of identifying the ways we should be (as all people) as Christians in relation to the land, animals, and food.
Definitely a recommendation.
July 28, 2022
I almost never read books like this, much less about farming but, my mom had this out and I was bored and decided to read it. And I'm so glad I did! Joel Salatin's view on creation is beautiful and he keeps pointing back to the Bible and the gospel and how the way we as Christians should treat our animals and even plants and dirt should reflect the way God cares for us.
August 30, 2022
I agreed with his views on caring for Gods creation, but his scripture application was pretty cringy. Also, he condemns big Ag pretty severely comparing it to rape and pornography. We should be careful to correctly label sins. Poor stewardship and animal cruelty are different from rape and pornography.
July 31, 2024
Love Joel Salatin’s work! It was cool to read through the approach he takes to caring for creation as he farms. This book was enlightening as to how we should view food and farming in light of God’s design. Some spiritual connections he made were a bit of a stretch in my opinion, but definitely food for thought.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews