Difference Between Polyface And Industrial Model Of Food Production

Modern day farming has transformed from the farming process of last century. Instead of farmers producing for their families, farmers are now similar to input/output managers supplying massive manufacturers that feed the country.

Michael says that grass “…is the foundation of the intricate food chain Salatin has assembled at Polyface, where a half dozen different animals are raised together in an intensive rotational dance on theme of symbiosis.” (pg. 126). The amounts that Polyface produces on its beef, chickens, and pork are remarkable considering they are only using 100 acres of land. The numbers are astounding because he can make $3,000 per acre in his crop rotation compared to the $150 per acre a monoculture can produce. If you were to ask Mr. Salatin what type of farmer he is, he would respond a “grass farmer”, and as Pollan points out, out of the many crops he produces and the many meats he is able to raise, the grass is the least obvious reason for Salatin to be in business. But indeed, the grass is the crop his farms depends on in order to keep the partnership between the animals, grass, and keep Polyface running. In an article called Mixed Crop-Livestock Farming, by the Agriculture and Consumer Protection, they state that these “…diversified systems are a combination of specialized subsystems that aim to reduce risk in conditions of variable but relatively abundant resources…resources such as fertilizer and fossil fuels are restricted because of problems with pollution.” This article I found was from the FOA (Food

These organic farming techniques were formed based upon the issues that industrial farming uses. In Michael Pollan’s article The Animals: Practicing Complexity, industrial farming techniques “follow a clear, linear, hierarchical logic” unlike Polyface’s system, which is more difficult to describe. Many see industrial methods as disrespectful to the lives of animals in which we harvest. The practices that Polyface Farms use present

At Polyface Farm they process their own chickens. Pollan writes “Joel insist on slaughtering chickens on the farm” (172) This shows how it is done efficiently by the farmer, Joel, himself versus Industrial food chains where they waste fossil fuels transporting the animals and products. Also everything starts with one plant, grass. “But if you ask joel salatin what he does for a living he’ll say ‘I’m a grass farmer’” This shows that it is economically efficient because Joel doesn’t purchas feed, it just naturally grows everywhere. Polyface Farms is a prime example of a perfect food source for

Considering the marketing segment, we choose the target market from small, medium and large farms. If products are sold to small farms, the sales revenues even can’t cover the cost,

FRESH is a documentary by Ana Sofia Joanes, she explores the consequences of our current agricultural system and documents the work of farmers, activists, non-profit organizations and business that advocate for sustainable agricultural practices to address the problem. The film presents the farmers from Shenandoah Valley that practice traditional farming by raising and keeping their chickens, pigs, cattle and soil in traditional ways that attempt to imitate the way in which nature naturally works on nutrient and energy cycling. These practices challenge the industrial agricultural model that use a high input of resources to produce large amounts of a single crops/species in designated areas known as monocultures. Monoculture agricultures relies

To expand its operations, Polyface will have to acquire new land. This would also require someone to manage the farm activities in a similar fashion to the existing farm. This would need intensive training and experience in the existing processes.

Nobody denies that the need for more food grows with the global population. Factory farms seem to be a solution to this problem since they produce mass quantities of food for cheap compared to their organic counterparts, which are forty-seven percent more expensive (Consumer Reports). The factory farming business, however, is not the best way to feed more people since it pollutes the environment. The factory

The article, “The Animals Place: Practicing Complexity”, by Michael Pollan discusses the benefits of natural farming and contrasts in industrial farming. According to Pollan, natural farming is the best way of agriculture. Pollan cites that not only does it provide organic supplies, but the taste of the products are more rich and tasty. Moreover, the article goes more in depth on his experience in an ecological farm called Polyface. I agree with author on the beliefs of farming and cultivating with an environmental method.

The Local Sustainable Food Chain creates a healthier environment because the farmers work with the land and animals in more natural ways and help the environment thrive. As shown by Polyface Farms, a prime example of Local Sustainable farming, regular farming practices had created soil that “was either no longer fertile or had washed away. (Pollan 161)” As Joel salatin, the owner of Polyface, switched types of farming, he

Pollan accompanied Salatin on Polyface Farm’s weekly delivery runs and was able to talk to some of the cooks and chefs that Polyface supplies. On the delivery run, Pollan noticed, “the chefs had uniformly high praise for the quality of Polyface produce (251). When asked about the difference in the eggs between Polyface and the supermarket, one chef replied, “The difference is night and day—the color and richness and fat content. … I always have to adjust my recipes for these eggs—you never need as many as they call for” (252). There is testimonial proof that Polyface Farms generates a quality product that is superior to that of the local supermarket. Salatin’s brother illustrates the quality of his product, “he’d crack one right into the palm of his hand, and flip the yolk back and forth from one hand to another to demonstrate its integrity” (252). Salatin claims that his product is better than that of industrial produce because his farm is as he refers to it, “beyond organic” (132). Meaning to truly develop a high quality meat product you can’t feed the animals industrialized corn and expect them to stand in feed lots or be confined to a cage their entire life. To truly produce food that is the best possible quality for you, the animals need to be raised the old fashioned way. Feed them what they are naturally meant to eat and give them

I was recently reading your book The Omnivores D(cite)ilemma when I came across a section about the farm at which I reside. I agree in that PolyFace Farm has the ability to change the way that many people see farming today. However, I noticed that you claimed that we, the pigs, are exploited by Joel Salatin. To me this seemed like an attempt to slight Joel Salatin even though he is trying very hard to create a successful sustainable farm.

Though considered by some to be deceptively simplistic and therefore prone to error in usage, the triple bottom line goals of economic, environmental, and social success will help to guide this business and ensure continued sustainability in operations. The economic goals for Greenhouse Organics are simple to state, if complex to actually achieve: this new farming company and the unique methods and model it

Agriculture in the United States has changed dramatically over the centuries. Since the 1960’s large commercial farms have been leading in sales. As a direct result of their success we, as a society, have access to affordable food. However, the success of large farms has lead to many negative impacts such as increased usage of resources and decreased diversity in crop fields. This begs the question, what can be done to reduce the negative impacts of large farms. One solution growing in popularity is sustainable agriculture. The idea of sustainable agriculture is to create farms that need little to no outside help from irrigation, pesticides, or fertilizers. Sustainability can be achieved in many way through

The National Organic Standards Boards defines organic agriculture is ìan ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. The primary goal of organic