The Real Food Collaborative of Cal Poly will host Joel Salatin on April 19 as the keynote speaker in a week-long series of Earth Day events put on by Cal Poly’s Empower Poly Coalition.
Salatin will speak at the Spanos Theater from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by an hour-long question-and-answer session. He will address how and why local, humane and naturally modeled food systems sustain animals, the earth and surrounding communities. The event is free and open to the public.
Joel Salatin runs the family-operated Polyface Farms in Swoope, Va., where he practices sustainable livestock and farming methods to produce what he calls “beyond organic” meat. He emphasizes chemical-free feeding and refuses to send his products to locations beyond a four-hour drive from his farm.
As an author, Salatin covers topics such as how to start your own farm and the differences between industrial and local food systems. His books include “Pastured Poultry Profits,” “Salad Bar Beef” and “Family Friendly Farming: A Multi-Generational Home-Based Business Testament.”
The Real Food Collaborative works to increase the availability of local, organic, fairly traded and humanely raised products on campus. The club aims to increase awareness and dialogue on sustainable food systems through meetings, events and collaboration with other clubs, and work with administration, faculty and other students.

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Author and ‘Beyond Organic’ Farmer Joel Salatin 4/19/2011 11:00 AM – 4/19/2011 1:00 PM