Folks This Ain't Normal

Look out folks, this April 16th, Joel Salatin is back and we're going to be shaking things up more than ever!  If you're unfamiliar, Joel Salatin owns Polyface Farms in Virginia.  Joel and his beautiful style of farming have been featured in such films as Academy Award Nominated Food Inc., Fresh the Movie, and Farmageddon.  He is also the star farmer mentioned in Michael Pollan's New York Time's Best Seller Omnivore's Dilemma.  Joel has emerged over the last decade to be a superstar among gastronomes and food activists alike.  However, Joel has been a long time leader to farmers who want to opt out of conventional chemical based agriculture.  He's authored many books including You Can Farm, Pastured Poultry Profits, Salad Bar Beef, and Everything I want to Do Is Illegal.

Joel's newest book, Folks, This Ain't Normal speaks to consumers about how far we've gotten away from common sense and what really works in the natural world.  It talks about the trade-offs we've made for the conveniences of our modern society.  So while I think Joel will spend a brief amount of time recapping his farm and all the amazing work he does, this year his lecture will be completely different and dive to a whole new level of depth surrounding food, farming, and culture.  I saw part of his new lecture recently and I have to admit it's funnier than ever.  If you know Joel, than you know you get lots of humor mixed into his sobering message.  I think you'll leave not only educated but also inspired to create change and support our local community in new ways.    

Here's an excerpt of Joel in FRESH The Movie 

POLYFACE FARM - Joel Salatin

Here's a clip from KHSL Action News on his visit to Chico last year 

Story on Joel Salatin by Britt Carlson KHSL

Now here's the real meat of the issue.  Joel is always fantastic, but we're bringing Joel back for a VERY important reason.  I think the general public would be shocked to realize the level of bureaucracy and the ludicrous number of hoops farmers just selling at a farmers market are made to jump through.  And the number of different agencies that regulate food is growing all the time.  At this point it's extremely difficult for new producers to enter the marketplace and those that are already established are constantly struggling to make it work. 

We've partnered with THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT...ya you read that right, the very same health regulators that up until this point have been seen as the enemy.  Some very influential people in that organization reached out to us to co-host a Local Food Summit with the design of finding common ground with food law enforcers.  We all recognize that obesity, diabetes, and a wide variety of auto immune diseases are plaguing this nation.  Both sides recognize that for the sake of our next generation we have to remove the road blocks from getting healthy, farm fresh local foods into the hands of families of all socio-economic backgrounds.  Failure is not an option!  So Joel is going to be speaking at a private lunch event with public officials from all over the state working towards building bridges and opening doors.

We'll have folks from California Dept of Public Health, California Dept of Food and Agriculture, USDA, The University of California, The Grange, county Ag Commissioners from around the north state, state level and local Farm Bureau staff, local county supervisors and city council folks, farmers market managers, and more.  I really believe that this event is going to be something great and have a game-changing impact for a long time to come!

So by attending the evening event you'll be helping to financially support that change.  Joel is a very busy guy and is booked to speak to consumer and farmer groups all over the world.  Due to his high demand he's understandably expensive, and all the other costs that go into hosting an event of this size aren't cheap either. So the purchase of your ticket will help pay Joel's way to be here and help fund the opportunity for a regulator to hear the farmer's point of view in a healthy open discussion.  Even if you can't make it to our public evening event but you'd like to donate to the cause and help see the Local Food Summit happen it would be so appreciated.  Unfortunately though as we're not a 501c3 this would be a non-tax deductible donation.
 

Last time Joel was here we sold out the 700 seats at the Masonic Hall in about 3 weeks of pre-selling tickets. This year we have rented the Neighborhood Church which seats a lot more people in comfortable tiered seats that will make it easier for everyone to see. It also has ample parking so everyone will be able to easily access the venue without hassle.   We'll also have an army of ticket takers to eliminate the lines and waiting we experienced with the flood of people last year.

The best part is the price: Only $12 a ticket, $2 cheaper than last year. I've paid $50 many times before to see Joel speak so this is really a steal.  So please help us spread the word and lets continue creating positive change towards a healthy, fair, and just world.   Don't wait to get your tickets, there's already a buzz about how important this event is. Doors will open at 5:15 and Joel will start speaking at 6 pm.  

Location:  Chico Neighborhood Church
2801 Notre Dame Boulevard, Chico, CA 

Co-Sponsored by the Butte Valley Weston A. Price Foundation Chapter