All Flesh Is Grass: The Pleasures and Promises of Pasture Farming

by Gene Logsdon

Amidst Mad Cow scares and consumer concerns about how farm animals are bred, fed, and raised, many farmers and homesteaders are rediscovering the traditional practice of pastoral farming. Grasses, clovers, and forbs are the natural diet of cattle, horses, and sheep, and are vital supplements for hogs, chickens, and turkeys. Consumers increasingly seek the health benefits of meat from animals raised in green paddocks instead of in muddy feedlots. In All Flesh Is The Pleasures and Promises of Pasture Farming , Gene Logsdon explains that well-managed pastures are nutritious and palatable—virtual salads for livestock. Leafy pastures also hold the soil, foster biodiversity, and create lovely landscapes. Grass farming might be the solution for a stressed agricultural system based on an industrial model and propped up by federal subsidies. In his clear and conversational style, Logsdon explains historically effective practices and new techniques. His warm, informative profiles of successful grass farmers offer inspiration and ideas. His narrative is enriched by his own experience as a “contrary farmer” on his artisan-scale farm near Upper Sandusky, Ohio. All Flesh Is Grass will have broad appeal to the sustainable commercial farmer, the home-food producer, and all consumers who care about their food.

Genres: Agriculture, Nonfiction, Food, Environment

280 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2004

Reviews

[Emma Troyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous pasture farming resource! I really enjoyed Mr. Logsdon's perspectives and anecdotes. I was excited to learn his farm is only located about an hour from us, and then sad to learn of his death in 2016...which is a shame, because I would have loved to meet him and walk his pastures.
There is a LOT of information in this book. I skipped over some of the chapters on different types of grasses just because it's so in depth and not super applicable to me now, but I think we will be buying this book to use for reference when we live on our own land and are grazing animals.

[Robert Selzler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gene Logsdon is my hero. I feel a kinship to him because he, like me, is a contrary bastard; he readily admits as much. Most homestead books are marketed to the yuppie greenies, but Mr. Logsdon takes a realistic view of self-sufficiency and calls crap crap. In this book he mentions a familiarity with Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms, which just reinforces my love for this amazing technical writer. This book, like the others of his I have read--his "skills" book being the possible exception-follows a pattern where mr. Logsdon basically just writes what he has done, what has worked, and what hasn't. he doesn't posture to know things that he has no experience with, and tells the reader exactly when he is theorizing or guessing. Also, he provides rough estimates of his past successes or failures in statistical format, which most of the homestead books do not; my theory is that the authors of most of the others have about as much expereince as me, your common schmuck, which is to say little.

[Lmichelleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an excellently written book! I am simply researching what it would take to keep a dairy cow and a steer or two, and even as a total newbie, this humble yet learned farmer has taught me well. The humor just makes the dense and varied information on pasture farming that much more delightful to chew on!

[Erin Eckert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much of a "how to" more of a "it can be done" type of book. The author is very conversational and the book is based on personal opinions and observations.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Gene Logsdon's The Contrary Farmer, which was part how-to and part essay advocating for homestead farming. [Book: All Flesh is Grass] is largely a how-to book for the person who would like to raise animals mostly or wholly on pasture.

In my blog, I've written before about the benefits of grass-fed beef and other meats, as I understand them. In short, they tend to have more good fat (omega-3s) and less bad fat (omega-6s) than conventional corn-fed. There seem to be other health benefits as well, and not just to those of us eating them: they also tend to need fewer antibiotics and are just generally healthier and happier than their feed-lot counterparts. Logsdon echoes some of these things, though that's far from his focus. Nonetheless, this explains in part the initial appeal of this book for me.

After reading it, though, the appeal is even greater, because raising animals on a pasture diet seems exceptionally practical for the homesteading farmer. In the first place, pasture farming is relatively easy for the farmer. Certainly, crops for hay need to be sown and harvested, but with good pastures the animals can do a lot of the work themselves. And good pasture, in fact, improves the soil, building up topsoil (as opposed to conventional farming, which destroys it and relies on chemical fertilizers).

It was true for me before this, but as I drive around western Pennsylvania, I find the rolling hills of pasture to be just about the most beautiful landscape there is. There's a spot in Pennsylvania that I drive past whenever I go to Greensburg, PA that I wish I could take a picture of, but there's no wide-angle lens or panoramic camera setting that will do the sheer gorgeousness of this pastured hills and valley justice.

Back to the book though: this is a great practical book for the aspiring pasture farmer--especially the prospective homesteader. It also has some lyric passages celebrating such a life, but first and foremost the book gives good information and advice. It doesn't hurt that it was published in 2004, so the information herein is very up-to-date. Although Logsdon is himself a small-scale farmer who draws more on traditional methods than on modern, conventional "wisdom," though he does discuss the merits of different methods and frequently cites the latest agricultural research.

[Emily McCune · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gene Logsdon is one of my favorite authors. He is Wendell Berry's eloquence and poeticism with the humor of, well, Gene Logsdon. He makes SUCH (common)sense out of most things 'practical', and I very much enjoy reading his books. I'd recommend him to people who are newly-interested in sustainable agriculture/pasture-based farming, as his books are equal parts 'easy-to-understand' and 'technical'.

Combined with all this semester and last, I have a much clearer understanding of grass-based livestock management - everything from what type of fence to put up, to which pasture mixtures are the best for your region, to how to introduce ponds (and aquaculture) into your pasture. I will definitely be referring back to this book when I obtain land of my own. Loved it!

[David Rudin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The old “Contrary Farmer” is in fine form in this book from 2004. Combining home spun philosophy, practical advice and his famous iconoclastic bombast, Logsdon holds forth on the joys of pasture farming. As might be expected, Logsdon attacks the orthodoxy of grain farming for livestock feed, while also explaining how he operates his pasture-centric farm in northern Ohio.
For those looking for detailed “how-to” info, there is plenty of that, covering topics from fencing, various livestock, pasture plants, trees and weeds to wild creatures. A great and fun read and one that had me taking notes for my own future endeavors. This is not just a book for farmers but for gardeners and anyone interested in connecting with the earth!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never been a fan of Logsdon's writing style (too anecdotal and argumentative), but he usually has some interesting information that gets me thinking. All Flesh is Grass is no exception. I got bogged down in the middle for...two months...but the beginning and end were good. (See my blog for highlights.)

[Fernleaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed overview of pasture farming (i.e. year-round grazing) in northern Ohio. The take on permanent pasture while not the most entertaining read at times brings up some very interesting observations and made me think about some things I wouldn't have thought about without trying this out on my own.

[William Waller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating material about pasture life for both the intrigued beginner and experienced grazier. Logden's genius lies in his informal style of anecdote and sheer volume of intimate knowledge that does not overwhelm with statistics or numbers, but draws the willing reader in through candid force of character...

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a very good overview of some of the basics of pasture-based farming. Some of the chapters were very detailed, especially the ones discussing types of forages. This is a must for any grass farmer's library.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good info - but a slow read for me. Found myself jumping around, not finishing chapters. Lots of good data on the benefits of raising pasture meat - including alot of actual quoted studies to "prove" the health benefits.

Maybe read again someday. Before we raise cows!

[Lauren Flesher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good book. Very informal writing style but with a ton of information packed into it, and very readable. I look forward to reading more of his work, and to incorporating some of these principles into my own pasture farm in the future.

[Sherri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gene Logsdon writes about what he loves... animal husbandry, nature and living on a small farm. His philosophy is thoughtful and responsible and inspires one to make similar choices.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review posted at the Ethicurean ("Grass act")

[Ethicurean Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ethicurean review: Grass act: Gene Logsdon's "All Flesh Is Grass"

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book everyone should read whether or not you are on the land, About small scale grass farming but with incredible turns of phrase on the philosophy of farming

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite Logsdon book. Very good even if you're not planning on owning livestock.

[Chad Waite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book about pasture management and optimization.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like the early chapters much, but the material on the various grasses was interesting and very relevant to me.