Your Successful Farm Business: Production, Profit, Pleasure

by Joel Salatin

Twenty years ago Joel Salatin wrote You Can Farm , which has launched thousands of farm entrepreneurs around the world. With another 20 years of experience under his belt, bringing him to the half-century mark as a full-time farmer, he decided to build on that foundation with a sequel, a graduate level curriculum.
Everyone who reads and enjoys that previous work will benefit from this additional information. In those 20 years, Polyface Farm progressed from a small family operation to a 20-person, 6,000-customer, 50-restaurant business, all without sales targets, government grants, or an off-farm nest egg.
As a germination tray for new farmers ready to take over the 50 percent of America's agricultural equity that will become available over the next two decades, Polyface Farm in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley stands as a beacon of hope in a food and farming system floundering in toxicity, pathogenicity, nutrient deficiency, bankruptcy, geezers, and erosion. Speaking into that fear and confusion, Salatin offers a pathway to success, with production, profit, and pleasure thrown in for good measure.

Genres: Agriculture, Business

300 pages, Paperback

Published July 19, 2017

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

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're trying to make a go of profitable farming, read this book. Why reinvent the wheel? Learn from someone who is successful.

[Jek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could reread this every year and learn more each time

[jacob reyneke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sobering and inspirational

At times, reading this book, I almost gave up my life long dream. But Joel breaks down the ethos and myriad of challenges a regenerative farmer will face with strategic and creative thought, leading you to the glorious light at the end of the tunnel. I now realize what a huge challenge it may be to start farming at 40. I have been warned, but alas, I’m a stubborn old mule and I honestly know my place in this most wondrous creation that blows my mind every single day. The insights provided in this book will start to form your mind into the creative multi disciplinary muscle it needs to be, in order to give it a good go.

[Jillian Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for anyone thinking about going into any sort of farming. Joel Salatin is a very easy-to-read author, it's as if he's sitting across the table talking to you. He passes along information that the older generation of farmers would like to tell the next generation that is going to be taking over the farming market. He tells us to read as much as we can and gives many examples of authors and subjects. He talks about fears and how to handle them; how to assemble the best team to fit your needs; lots of advice on direct marketing, how to make the best out of your time, and how to analyze that time; he even has a whole chapter on new possible business ventures that are great ideas. This is the first book written by the author that I've read but I'm already looking forward to reading more of his books and the books he suggests. If you're trying to decide whether to start a farm then you should read his book YOU CAN FARM, it's a beginners guide from what he says. If you are already starting to build your farm, this is the book for you. He directs you to aspects you haven't thought of and gives sound advice.

[Macayla Fryc · Rating 4 out of 5]

The eleventh installment of wisdom from The Man. A whole host of information for farmers, be it young, old, or those who aren't even farmers yet. Some sections are skippable based on their application, but the entire book is filled with bite-sized tidbits that will make you want to have a notepad when reading. These are the kinds of books all farmers need to have on their shelves.

[David Saldana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great anecdotes to learn from, whether you’re currently farming, toying with the idea, or have a peripheral interest. It reads like a self help book, very easy. Salatin also provides other mentors to read, research, and learn. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and thinking about giving the book as gift.

[Emily Voeller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was shocked at how easy this book was to read. It is fully engaging and so very interesting. I read this after my brother bought it for me on a whim, thinking it wouldn’t be that interesting, but Joel Salatin’s passion and life experience comes through every word. Reading books written by people who absolutely love what they’re writing about is the best.

[Ida Keen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Helping answer to a lot

I loved it. It help me understand how to get started with out a large investmen. And understand how run a business successfully that has a lot of diversity

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Joel’s newest and an expansion of “you can farm”. Definitely better to read that first. It’s a good expansion. I highly recommend!

[Lori Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much info and insight

Bravo! I absolutely loved most of this book. There are great ideas and thought provoking sections. I’m glad I read it before putting up my new fence!

[Amie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good

I loved this book, it’s for anyone interested in farming. I highly recommend it and be prepared to take a lot of notes.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice description of different types of farm businesses including therapy farms

[Will G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel so much better about my backyard grapevines. Thanks Joel!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Joel's books. He's such an inspiration and fuels my desire to have a farm someday 😍

[Mary Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a Scribd subscription, and I’ve started going through my TBR audiobooks by descending average rating on GR. This is a OK idea, except sometimes the inflated average of about 30 ratings eclipses books it shouldn’t. This is the case here.

I read this mainly for professional curiosity and knowledge-building, which this didn’t really help me with. The occasional helpful piece of advice was buried under constant stereotypical “no one wants to work any more” diatribes, and by the end it got very old.

Again, I mainly blame myself for jumping in blind, but nonetheless I was disappointed.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid advice. Loads of great ideas and wisdom.