5 Ways We Can Scale Sustainable Farming

By Joel Salatin
Published on January 8, 2015
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Scalable systems, such as these multipurpose structures, enable producers to expand incrementally.
Scalable systems, such as these multipurpose structures, enable producers to expand incrementally.
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The author’s portable broiler pens require minimal investment and can be easily replicated.
The author’s portable broiler pens require minimal investment and can be easily replicated.
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One tractor can perform multiple duties: just add implements.
One tractor can perform multiple duties: just add implements.
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These do-it-yourself eggmobiles keep startup costs low.
These do-it-yourself eggmobiles keep startup costs low.
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Movable hoophouses, such as these turkey shelters, can be useful for farms of various sizes.
Movable hoophouses, such as these turkey shelters, can be useful for farms of various sizes.

Those of us dedicated to sustainable agriculture have distinct ideas about how to define it and what it should look like. We use adjectives like “soil-building,” “water-conserving,” “air-cleansing,” “people-respecting,” “nutrient-enhancing” and “animal-honoring.” Adhering to these attributes is a great litmus test for Earth-friendly agriculture.

But I’d like to add another measure to the mix: “scalable.” Some 25 years ago, when sustainable farming folks had first begun asking me to speak at their conferences, I’d finish with my song and dance, and inevitably the first question would be, “That’s dandy, Joel, but does it scale up?”

It was a fair question. At that time, Polyface Farm was 100 acres of open land that my parents had owned since 1961. They had worked outside jobs to support the farm, but I was determined to make my living farming full time. We were serving only about 200 families with products from our animals. Our family was the only labor force. We didn’t make deliveries, serviced no restaurants, and required customers to order in advance and drive out to the farm for scheduled pickups.

It was quaint, family-scale, highly profitable — and more fun than we could have imagined. A lot of work, yes, but it was noble, sacred, family-centric work. The past 25 years have brought enormous changes. These days, when I finish a presentation, the first question most often is, “That’s dandy, Joel, but does it scale down?

Scaling Up Your Sustainable Farming Practices

What happened in those 25 years to change the question? Our farm grew, that’s what happened. Today, we lease nine properties, manage 1,200 acres of open land, and graze pigs on acorns and other goodies in the forest, which leverages an additional 800 acres. We’re running nearly 1,000 head of cattle, 1,000 hogs, 4,000 laying hens, 25,000 broilers and 2,000 turkeys. Our 20-person staff includes delivery drivers, marketers, accountants, subcontractors, apprentices, apprentice managers, interns and office workers, and we now serve 5,000 families, 50 restaurants and 10 retail outlets.

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