Folks, This Ain't Normal

A Farmer's Advice for Happier Hens, Healthier People, and a Better World

By: Joel Salatin

Narrated by: Joel Salatin

Length: 15 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

From farmer Joel Salatin's point of view, life in the 21st century just ain't normal. Here, he discusses how far removed we are from the simple, sustainable joy that comes from living close to the land and the people we love. Salatin has many thoughts on what normal is and shares practical and philosophical ideas for changing our lives in small ways that have big impacts.

>Salatin, hailed by the New York Times as "Virginia's most multifaceted agrarian since Thomas Jefferson [and] the high priest of the pasture", and profiled in the Academy Award-nominated documentary Food, Inc. and the best-selling book The Omnivore's Dilemma, understands what food should be: wholesome, seasonal, raised naturally, procured locally, prepared lovingly, and eaten with a profound reverence for the circle of life.

And his message doesn't stop there. From child-rearing to creating quality family time, to respecting the environment, Salatin writes with a wicked sense of humor and true storyteller's knack for the revealing anecdote.

Salatin's crucial message and distinctive voice - practical, provocative, scientific, and down-home philosophical in equal measure - makes Folks, This Ain't Normal a must-listen book.

©2011 Joel Salatin (P)2011 Hachette

Powerful and Eye-Opening

I have suggested this book to so many people, even before I finished listening. Joel is intelligent, masterful, down to earth, and the important things he talks about are delivered in a way that is easy to absorb and understand. He's also a talented orator/narrator, which makes a huge difference when it comes to audiobooks. Not only did I enjoy the material (and actually learn), I enjoyed listening to his voice.

Please listen to this book!! It is SO important and relevant now more than ever. Maybe it will open your eyes too, or cause you to think about something differently maybe even change your own perspective entirely. Please listen even if you don't necessarily agree with everything he says. Although, it's great if you do agree. I started listening because I already agreed with him on quite a lot, but I learned so much more than I really thought I would.

A timely eye-opener!

in a similar vein to Food, inc, Salatin highlights the effects of lobbying (I call it legalized bribery) on the small family farm. It is done in the name of "safety" and "health" but the effects of our industrial food system are likely anything but. A fabulous read and well worth the investment of time, especially if you have family to feed.

Truly Inspiring for a Wannabe Farmer

I haven’t finished the book yet but I’m already extremely certain that this will be one of my favorite books of all time.

I highly recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in sustainable farming and sustainable food systems for the health of both humanity and Earth.

As a Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems student from South Texas with a family history in both sharecropping and indigenous Mexican agriculture, the first quarter of the book especially spoke to me.
The storytelling of the author and his voice felt like I was getting a lecture from my own uncle encouraging me to farm the way I know is right for my community and land; to embrace the roots of agriculture and move away from the system that destroys communities and tribes in my ancestral land and all over the world.

Outstanding book! Must read.

Re-orient yourselves to what is historically normal with an introduction in this great book

Eye opening

This should be mandatory reading for everyone whether you agree or disagree. Joel brings a lot of common sense to light.

An important book

This is easy to listen to, and it opens the conversation on many issues that we, as a nation, need to consider. We are under a frightening number of restrictions on what we are allowed to buy, sell, or eat, and that needs to be changed.

The author argues from the point of view of a small farmer and shows how things are organized in favor of the "big guys" who probably don't have our best interests at heart. It's really eye-opening.

There are a few areas where I really wanted someone to debate him, to see all sides of certain issues, but this book is a good place to start to study the problem of getting good, healthy food in a way that is also good for the planet.

A "MUST READ" for any thinking American ...

... it is jolting - and confirming that we have drank the purple juice of comfort and convenience in America. I have! Therefore, I have determined to make a few steps in the right direction:
(1) have my wife read it so we are on the same page with information and knowledge base
(2) encourage my colleagues to read it
(3) encourage my closest three neighbors to read it (we have a commitment to help each other as 'good neighbors' and practice that with lending, sharing of produce, etc.)
(4) and make a plan to be more community-sufficient and more self-responsible for my family and community

I hope you will take Labor Day or your late Summer vacation to ponder this work :)

The brightest amoung us seem to be too smart to

The brightest among us seem to be too smart to run for office, Senator Salatin sounds good. Imagine a gov’t filled with more Salatins and the like. Too bad, if only we could put a copy of this on every seat or smartphone of our state & federal legislators. The simplest things are just too much for most within our gov’t. to absorb or maybe it’s their wallets that keep them from what might be common sense to the rest of us.
This book is a must read.
ps. Loved that Joel himself reads this book!!!! It truly would have lost sooooo much read by anyone else.

Thanks government... we ain't normal anymore

Joel Salatin ranges on a variety of subjects concerning how America has deviated from its roots and common sense. The more I listened to this book the more I enjoyed it. Even many of the subjects that I was aware of were explained in a very clear manner and I saw them in a different light. Most of these problems have either been caused by or greatly aggravated by a government gone out of control. I believe we need another revolution if America is to continue as the land of the free.

VERY thought provoking...inspiring! A must read!!

Would you listen to Folks, This Ain't Normal again? Why?

Yes! He has SO many good points, too many to count. I agree wholeheartedly that the way Americans live today makes no sense and is definitely NOT normal!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Folks, This Ain't Normal?

I like when he tells real life stories about the hassles he has encountered in our backwards society. It's hard to believe how distorted and crazy our thinking has become in this country!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I love the suggestions he makes in this book. Although he acknowledges that not everyone can have and maintain a farm such as his - there are little things we all can do that ADD UP! It makes so much sense, too much sense in fact. Of course our government can't have us doing anything that makes sense though!

Any additional comments?

Joel Salatin should be president and cut the size of government by 90%- I would certainly vote for him!