Polyface Micro: Success with Livestock on a Homestead Scale

by Joel Salatin

"I love your ideas, but I only have a few acres. How do I do this at my scale?"

Success with domestic livestock does not require large land bases. Joel Salatin and his family's Polyface Farm in Virginia lead the world in animal-friendly and ecologically-authentic commercial pasture-based livestock production. In POLYFACE MICRO he adapts his ideas and protocols to small holdings (including apartments)! Homesteaders can increase production, enjoy healthy animals, and create aesthetically pleasant livestock systems, Whether you're a new or seasoned homesteader, you'll find tips and inspiration as Joel coaches you toward success and abundance,

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Rabbits

402 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2021

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

[Wolf Fortenberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who is homesteading or is interested in homesteading. Joel covers a wide variety of topics in relation to permaculture homesteading. So, inevitably he mentions lots of other books that go into much more detail on specific subjects. This is the biggest reason for my four stars instead of five. Not that he mentions so many other books (I love when books like this offer additional reading suggestions), but because there is no section in the back of the book to consolidate all his additional reading suggestions. To me, this is paramount any book like this with so many otter books mentioned. Be prepared to either write down all the book suggestions as you read or add them to your GR and Amazon lists as you read.

[Granger Stimpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got me dreaming about the possibilities! Good mix of practical ideas and heart behind it!

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for someone who is just starting at homesteading or has been at it a while.

[Lori Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good general-information book for small homesteaders or those just starting out. There's not a lot of detail, but it's a good starting point for those who desire to learn. Many topics and ideas to ponder even if you've been homesteading a while.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book. I learned a lot, and will revisit it.

[Michael Everson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good.

[Follis Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Salatin has a clear vision of what farming could and should be. While I don't necessarily completely share that vision now that I've finished the book, I feel that he communicated it effectively. He has a humorous style that is easy to read, and there are a lot of helpful nuggets as a think and rethink what I want my farm to be.

While it sometimes felt like a "read this other book for details about how to do this thing at a much larger scale than you're interested in," many of the books are not written by him, and the "micro" book is already pretty macro in size and scope, so it's understandable.

I very much appreciated his focus on helping nature to heal itself - something very much needed on my property that has been occupied since 1850. I wish he did more with goats, but it's clear that goats are an incredibly niche animal. Perhaps that's a book I'll need to write someday.

[cellomerl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practical guide to conducting small farm operations where the main objective is lifestyle rather than making a living (although there are several practical considerations for the latter as well). It’s also a fun read. Joel Salatin is the kind of disruptive farmer that we need nowadays. His ideas seem radical, when in fact they are more of a return to a forgotten way of doing things. He is very focused on getting there through economy of input rather than maximizing output. He’s a straight talker about pros and cons of different animals and their management, presenting lots of details based on his own personal experience. He has the admirable and rare gift of being a deep thinker with a folksy demeanour that doesn’t seem put on.

[Melissa Koser · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many books that give you a straight-up how-to on raising animals. This is not one of them. This book is Grandpa telling you everything those books leave out, based on his 40+ years of experience. Learn how to farm smart, to understand the way an animal thinks, and how to make it work no matter your size of yard. I recommend this book for every homesteader whether you have animals or not, and for anyone with just the barest curiosity considering if they might “someday but probably never” own animals. It’ll open up your mind to all sorts of possibilities!

[Sharie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very readable and very detailed handbook of useful information for raising animals on a small scale. Every aspect is given practical consideration: efficiency, layout, water, sanitation, fencing, grazing, pitfalls, regulations, etc. Salatin knows his stuff and his conversational style is truly enjoyable. His politics are a little whackadoo but if you know that going in, you’ll really enjoy this book.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to multi-species rotational grazing, and how to achieve it on a small holding. Left me with many ideas of how to improve how our homestead works. The chapters on efficiency, fencing, and water capturing were worth the price of the book even if it contained no other information, which it certainly did!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! This book covers every topic you need to know to run a successful homestead. If we don’t start taking back control of where our food comes from, we’re going to have a lot more issues in our hands than which political person disagrees with me today.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed by this book, to be honest. There's some good info in there, but for so many things he just refers readers to other books. He also didn't totally seem to grasp the audience of homesteaders, and stayed primarily focused on herds of cattle.

[Michael Hirsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun to read as a left-brained thinker who does not own a farm. Lots of good info and analysis of how to raise livestock on a small farm. I don't know what would have happened if my mom had read this 50 years ago. Would she have been encouraged or discouraged.

[Lacey Addis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book for those who want to homestead or for those who have been homesteading, but want to follow the Polyface model more closely. This book gives lots of things to think about, like water sources and fencing options, that will save the potential homesteader many headaches down the road.

[Stephen Heiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joel is an absolute wizard when it comes to getting back to our roots and ways of homesteading. Raising animals in the only way it should be done. I respect Joels ways and all of his knowledge and i think you will too. Very easy read.

[Billy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helped me prioritize my to do list. An easy enjoyable read that will certainly save me time and money

[Nicholas Valente · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hell yes. All the libertarian livestock homesteading info one could dream of. Thank you Joel.

[PottWab Regional Library]

SM

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read if you're interested in homesteading.

[Olivia Koschara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read. Any new homesteaders or aspiring homesteaders should read this book

[NonFiction 24/7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book written for someone my size.

[Brian Koser]

Don't have to read because Melissa read it

[Casey Biederman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A realistic view on how to start, operate and grow a homestead. From super basic and things that are so common sense we wouldnt normally think about; to some weird odds and ends that we didnt know to think about. Great book all around.

[Jack Haefner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good read. Enjoyable.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing body of work. If homesteading or small farming is your life's passion, don't miss this book.