Feed Your Family on Zero Acres (ENCORE) | Joel Salatin

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• published: 15 Mar 2017
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(Originally published Aug 6, 2016) this is an ENCORE presentation of one of our classic interviews, for the benefit of recent subscribers! -------------- With our drinkable water sources tainted with agricultural runoff, while food allergies, asthma and birth defects are on the rise... as our population grows to record levels and the need for food production on shrinking farm area encroached by growing suburban sprawl - are we doomed to poisoning ourselves with chemical fertilizer, or starving if we return to organic faming? And is it even possible for an individual homeowner to raise enough food to feed his or her own family, let alone have enough to share with friends and neighbors? Nationally known activist farmer, author, lecturer, co-founder of teaching plantation Polyface Farms, Joel Salatin, returns to Reluctant Preppers to give a scathing yet witty analysis of how we’ve fallen off the hay wagon of logic, but can still turn to integrated permaculture to unlock almost unlimited potential from whatever area we have at hand. A positive and fact-filled message of practicality and hope for a hungry world. IN THIS INTERVIEW: Soil depletion is not a new challenge throughout the history of mankind The rise (and moral fall) of the chemical fertilizer industry Flawed government “research” on organic faming floods media and mindshare with prejudicial “science” and jaundices people’s opinions of food production Properly planned growing techniques can run circles around chemical agriculture Reaping violence against ecology has resulted in many of today’s rampant illnesses (food allergies, asthma, IBD, cancers, etc..) How much land does it take to fee one family? Amazingly small space is needed Sprouting (living) food kits take only a few square feet of space, can provide 30-40% of your greens High-tech stackable systems, vertical growing systems 55 gal plastic drum with dozens of pockets around the outside, central watering tube, wicks through soil & compost, raise: herbs, strawberries, tomatoes, cabbages, grow a small garden in the footprint of a chair! Disappointed by soilless systems (aeroponics), due to nutrition in food.. Want soil-based systems for full microbial life cycle 1 acre of vertical covert food tubes can produce 12 acres of food State-of-the-art solarium even on an old house: South-facing wall, stones for thermal mass, tubular plastic solarium panes grow mixed greens, Add a 6-foot solarium to your south wall “Venetian blinds” of food trays hanging from 2nd story windows on south side of house, shades and cools house through evaporative cooling Flat or shallow roof, garden or bee hive “Kitchen chickens” : Few animals are more productive than chickens: a small cage of chickens clean up your kitchen scraps, produce eggs, provide litter/manure to side-dress vegetables If a few acres: Portable chicken shelter, can run chickens throughout the yard If tiny yard: Under stationary coop with a deep (12-24”) of material under the chickens: use carbon medium, loose enough for chickens to move: sawdust, pine bark, layers at a time, becomes a living medium, bugs & worms can grow, chickens scratch/aerate, no smell! Fabric garden beds: Hugelculture (woody material in bottom, thin layer of soil, roots grow under woody base, highly productive, mobile raised bed) Michael Aleman (Vancouver BC) Plastic livestock watering tank, farming in asphalt driveways, portable farm is modular & mobile. Community outreach, healing on distressed areas. Build alliances with local growers: “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Future” Beef, pork, dairy are a challenge in the city. But you can form relationships with nearby famers who are building soil that will survive even if Wall Street collapses. Local-centric supplied and themed multi-species farms are running on real-time solar energy and innovation. Not dependent on supply chain of chemical fertilizers. Prep those local relationships to build a local fraternity that has the best chance of seeing you through hard times! Free Range Saturdays at Polyface Farms Grow It, Fix It, Make It! Subscribe (it's FREE!) to Reluctant Preppers for more ► http://bit.ly/Subscribe-Free Channel graphics by http://JosiahJohnsonStudios.com Promotion by http://FinanceAndLiberty.com