Analysis of VIII) All Flesh is Grass

This chapter serves an introduction to all the buzz around the word "organic" and its recent phenomenon in the supermarket.

The author immediate takes us to a lively scenery the polar opposite of the processes of the previous section. Green pastures as far the eye could see, Cows running free on farms eating grass, a variety of other animals present. Many different specie of plants are also present: plantain, dandelion, and Queen Anne's lace.

The soil here is rich with fungi worms, and other bacteria that helps to feed the grass.

Located in Swoope Virginia, this farm of many faces is essentially a self sustaining, closed system. Everything is reused in the natural process, even the cow pies are left on pastures as fertilizer. All animals take part in making the grass greener.

Everything on this farm aligns with the image of a farm that most people commonly imagine it as.


source: Tox Town

Yet, the head of the farm, Joel Salavin does not call himself an "organic farmer", instead preferring his goods as "beyond organic" and his preferred title "grass farmer"

Salavin's philosophy is that one does not need all the science to be a good farmer that sells quality goods. In other words, he believes in what works, not what is the truth (which is the essence of science). He believes that the farming nature is infinitely complex.

Comparing this style of farming, this looks like minimal petroleum is used. Hence the calories consumed from this farm is closer to ratio of 1:1 input VS output (eaten) calories. (As compared to 4000+ calories of petro to 90 calories of the processed food).

Farmer Salavin is a stubborn man, he isn't even willing to FedEx his beef to the author, insisting that it is against his principles. Perhaps it's because Flying on the beef on the plane makes it "industrialized". He insists that the term "industrial Organic" is contradictory. I can understand why he thinks this: using transportation adds to the petroleum-to-eaten food ratio, hence "processing" it.

In my opinion, he is almost taking an Amish philosophy: anything to do with industry, technology and oil is seen as evil.

The original meaning of Organic goes like: "nature rather than the machine should supply
the proper model for agriculture"

So what separates Salavin's "Beyond Organic" farm from just an "organic" farm?


source: University of Guelph


The author sets out to investigate.