JRE #1478 – Joel Salatin

21-May-20

This Joe Rogan podcast features Joel Salatin, a renowned American farmer, author, and advocate for regenerative agriculture. Salatin argues for a radical shift in how we think about food production, promoting a decentralized, integrated, and ecologically sound approach. Topics explored include the vulnerabilities of the industrial food system, the importance of building healthy immune systems, the need for a carbon economy, and the potential for large-scale change through individual action.

Major Topics in the Podcast

1. The Pandemic and the Industrial Food System

   1. The pandemic has exposed the fragility of the industrial food supply chain, highlighting the dangers of large-scale meat processing plants.
   2. Salatin contrasts the vulnerabilities of mega processing facilities with the inherent resilience of smaller, community-based farms and slaughterhouses.
   3. He emphasizes the importance of decentralization and regionalized food production to create a more resilient system.
   4. Salatin argues that a more localized, integrated approach, with fewer intermediaries between farmer and consumer, allows for greater transparency and trust in food production.

2. Strengthening Immune Systems

   1. Salatin believes that a robust immune system is essential to combat diseases like the coronavirus.
   2. He advocates for a holistic approach to immune system health, emphasizing a balanced microbiome, a healthy diet, regular exercise, and emotional well-being.
   3. He highlights the dangers of fear and stress on the immune system, advocating for a shift toward hope and resilience.
   4. Salatin suggests that over-sterilization and a lack of exposure to natural elements may be contributing to weakened immune systems.

3. Regenerative Farming and a Carbon Economy

   1. Salatin passionately advocates for regenerative farming, a system that focuses on building soil health, promoting biodiversity, and improving ecosystem resilience.
   2. He argues that regenerative farming methods are more sustainable, producing healthier food and reducing environmental impact compared to industrial agriculture.
   3. Salatin emphasizes the importance of carbon as a key ingredient for soil fertility, advocating for a shift toward a carbon economy.
   4. He proposes a future where forest management, grazing, and composting work together to build soil health, mitigate wildfires, and create a more abundant food system.

4. The Importance of Decentralization

   1. Salatin argues that decentralization is crucial for creating a more resilient and equitable food system.
   2. He envisions a future where local communities are empowered to produce their own food, reducing reliance on centralized processing facilities and long-distance transportation.
   3. He suggests that decentralized food systems can foster stronger connections between farmers and consumers, creating greater transparency and trust in the food chain.
   4. Salatin believes that decentralization can lead to more equitable distribution of resources and economic opportunities, empowering individuals and communities.

5. Addressing Food Waste and Land Use

   1. Salatin highlights the staggering amount of food waste generated by the current industrial food system.
   2. He advocates for a more integrated approach to food production, using food scraps and other organic materials to build soil fertility and reduce waste.
   3. Salatin believes that integrating animal production with crop production, rather than separating them, can significantly reduce waste and improve resource utilization.
   4. He argues that a shift toward a more integrated system can lead to more efficient land use, reducing the need for large-scale monocultures.

6. The Role of Individual Action

   1. Salatin emphasizes the power of individual action, encouraging people to take ownership of their food choices and their connection to the land.
   2. He advocates for creating small-scale food systems in backyards, urban spaces, and local communities.
   3. Salatin encourages people to connect with farmers, learn about food production, and prioritize a healthy diet.
   4. He believes that individual actions, when multiplied across communities, can create a powerful wave of change.

7. The Impact of Fear and Anxiety

   1. Salatin highlights the detrimental impact of fear and anxiety on physical and mental health, particularly in the context of the pandemic.
   2. He argues that a constant focus on fear can weaken the immune system and create a self-fulfilling prophecy of negativity.
   3. He advocates for a shift toward hope, resilience, and a focus on building immunity rather than dwelling on fear.
   4. Salatin suggests that the current pandemic is a wake-up call to reexamine our values and priorities, and to embrace a more balanced and holistic approach to life.

8. The Future of Food and Our Relationship with Nature

   1. Salatin proposes a future where food production is decentralized, integrated, and ecologically sound.
   2. He envisions a future where individuals and communities take greater responsibility for their food systems, fostering a more direct relationship with the land.
   3. He argues that this shift requires a fundamental change in our mindset, moving away from a dominant-submissive relationship with nature toward a more caring and respectful partnership.
   4. Salatin believes that a future where we care for the land and its resources will lead to a more abundant, resilient, and sustainable future for all.

Memorable Quotes

• “The pandemic is the best marketing strategy we’ve ever seen. We’re having the best season we’ve ever had.” – Salatin describes the surge in demand for local, directly-sourced food during the pandemic.
• “We want all those bugs, all that diversity. We live in the most amazing microscopic soup.” – Salatin emphasizes the importance of a healthy microbiome for immune system health.
• “What have we done to ourselves as a culture? That every single person we come in contact with is a might be my killer.” – Salatin expresses concern about the fear and suspicion that permeate our society.
• “The way to solve this is to stop eating shit and become a healthy person.” – Salatin advocates for a proactive approach to health, encouraging people to prioritize a healthy diet.
• “Our food is the cheapest aggregate food there is, we just put all the costs in. All our all our costs are in. We’re not asking taxpayers, society, the planet. We’re not asking them to pick up the tab for, you know, for cheating. For for cutting for cutting corners.” – Salatin explains the true cost of cheap, industrially-produced food.