Joel Salatin...a messy discussion

[Ldychef2k]

Spent most of the afternoon reading about Dorothy Ainsworth. Decided to set some more significant goals... I am about her age, twice her size, so there ought to be some real oomph behind me!

First goal: Finish the cob oven.

Second: Make raised beds.

Third: Repair the fence.

Fourth: Be more than I think I can be.

 

[bibliophile birds]

B. Feels that his apprentices should be the future leaders of agriculture, someone who will actually apply this to a piece of land big enough to sustain themselves and a community, etc. Usually this is a man. Not always....but usually. He's pretty serious about educating others to his ideology.

i think this is the one that rankles the most. those of us who actually WANT to be the future leaders of agriculture, have more than enough land to do it, and HAPPEN TO BE WOMEN, already have a big enough mountain to climb. it's very disappointing to see another man who wants to place obstacles in our way.

Joel actively farms 100 acres out of his 400-and-something. i have thousands of acres i am trying to transition from industrial to sustainable. and, of course, i'm the only woman in the family who is interested in ag. i've got to prove myself and my methods to the men in my family AND the whole world.... that is a mighty big job. sure would be nice to feel like the men who are carrying the banner of this "movement" would acknowledge the hard work of women (and all other groups that Joel doesn't approve of).

i'm not looking to apprentice with anyone, i've got enough work to do here, but the policy still annoys me.

 

[Beekissed]

From the sound of it, his apprentices get a first class look into his practices....but they also slave like dogs and only get paid $100 a month and room and board? I think that was the figure he mentioned in his books....sure this has changed with the times but it couldn't have changed much.

He does mention that he works his apprentices like field hands and the work is very physically demanding. Now, when I was 18 I could have outworked any boy he has on the place....but not now, when I would actually be interested in it. Too old of a back, too weak in the poop for 12 hour days of lifting square bales and such.

I am going to look into his free tours days, though. Should be quite interesting! If I get a chance, I'll ask about this policy.

ETA: OOPS! Just looked and didn't find free tours anymore....seems this has been changed to Lunatic Tours, which costs $10.50 per and include a 2 hr. hay ride type tour around points of interests on his place. Oh, well....it would be worth it!

 

[noobiechickenlady]

Bee, I totally agree with you, from A to D, it's probably a combination of all those factors. Plus, the man (from what I've read) believes in serious freedom, from individual & private property rights to free (unimpeded) local commerce. "My land, my legacy, I can do what I want" type of attitude, only he applies it in a positive way, unlike the factory farmers.

I'm in the middle of reading Everything I want to do is Illegal. He describes himself as a Christian Libertarian Environmentalist Capitalist and says that he's pretty sure everyone who has read the book or talked with him for more than a few minutes thinks he's a kook. And he couldn't care less.

I gotta respect that.

So Bee, about that apprenticeship program...?

Ldy, you ARE more than you think you can be.

 

[Buster]

I have a feeling it has to do with accommodations, but since I know a former apprentice for Polyface, I think I will just ask him about it. That way I will know, and you will know.

This guy just came back from a one year apprenticeship, where he met his bride to be, who was also an apprentice.

"Polyface Romances" are not all that uncommon.

 

[Beekissed]

Where else ya gonna meet a gal like that?

 

[grady_phelan]

Hey gals,

I'm that former apprentice that just moved home and is going to marry a wonderful girl that he met at Polyface. Finished my apprenticeship in October, headed home and currently farming.

About women apprentices:

I CAN"T speak for Joel, but here is what I saw at Polyface.

Unknown to most, Polyface has had a female apprentice. It was several years ago when they were only doing one apprentice at a time (had to be at the beginning). This allowed for women because they only have one cottage (single room cabin type) and housing a man and a woman in the same one room cottage just doesn't work for most of the young men that come, not to mention Joel's faith, which for the record, I share. The doorway to the bathroom is a curtain, so I would be uncomfortable sharing that living quarters with a woman that I'm not married to... not to mention the potential for romance. Two young people... one room... no TV... night comes early in the winter... its cold... you get the picture. I know for a fact that when you put people together that have common dreams, romance blooms.

Joel loves to see women excel. He started accepting women interns for that reason. He has even hired one of these past women interns to run one of his rental farms. Thats right... she runs about 320 acres ALONE... No man in her life and she does GREAT. She ran 20 broiler pens and about 1800 laying hens last season and moved the cow herd when they were on her farm. He also LOVES his wife and daughter. It was very clear he knew that he would be NOTHING without the undying love and support from his wife. She is like a mother to me now and is VERY respected by everyone. I hope to treat my wife as well as Joel treats his.

If you gals have any others questions... ask Joel. If you can't get him, feel free to ask me. I can't speak for him, but I might be able to shed light on something that might seem so dark.

Grady Phelan
Phelan Ranch Company LLC
grady@phelanranchcompany.com
www.phelanranchcompany.com (Not complete but its there)

 

[miss_thenorth]

Hey gals,

I'm that former apprentice that just moved home and is going to marry a wonderful girl that he met at Polyface. Finished my apprenticeship in October, headed home and currently farming.

About women apprentices:

I CAN"T speak for Joel, but here is what I saw at Polyface.

Unknown to most, Polyface has had a female apprentice. It was several years ago when they were only doing one apprentice at a time (had to be at the beginning). This allowed for women because they only have one cottage (single room cabin type) and housing a man and a woman in the same one room cottage just doesn't work for most of the young men that come, not to mention Joel's faith, which for the record, I share. The doorway to the bathroom is a curtain, so I would be uncomfortable sharing that living quarters with a woman that I'm not married to... not to mention the potential for romance. Two young people... one room... no TV... night comes early in the winter... its cold... you get the picture. I know for a fact that when you put people together that have common dreams, romance blooms.

Joel loves to see women excel. He started accepting women interns for that reason. He has even hired one of these past women interns to run one of his rental farms. Thats right... she runs about 320 acres ALONE... No man in her life and she does GREAT. She ran 20 broiler pens and about 1800 laying hens last season and moved the cow herd when they were on her farm. He also LOVES his wife and daughter. It was very clear he knew that he would be NOTHING without the undying love and support from his wife. She is like a mother to me now and is VERY respected by everyone. I hope to treat my wife as well as Joel treats his.

If you gals have any others questions... ask Joel. If you can't get him, feel free to ask me. I can't speak for him, but I might be able to shed light on something that might seem so dark.

Grady Phelan
Phelan Ranch Company LLC
grady@phelanranchcompany.com
www.phelanranchcompany.com (Not complete but its there)

What, that's it?!?!?!?

We're not letting you go that easy!!

You need to start a thread about life as an intern on polyface Farms.



Welcome and I'm sure there will be lots of questions.

 

[miss_thenorth]

Oh, and congrats on finding love. It's great that you found someone who has the same dreams, etc. May you have many years ofhappiness together. tomorrow is my 14th anniversary to the man of my dreams.

 

[big brown horse]

Welcome!! We are definintely going to pick your brain!!