American Meat
Did I mention that I had a great time at the Polyface Farm Field Day?
Well, the awesomeness of my weekend didn’t stop there.
I was thrilled to be able to attend the premiere of American Meat, a new documentary, at the Visulite in Staunton, Virgina. From the film’s website:
American Meat explores the complexities embedded in the highly debated practices of the American meat industry. As the economy drives a contraction of conventional chicken, pork and beef operations, we hear the innovative methods of the charismatic, Virginia-based farmer, Joel Salatin.
At the Farm Day, I was able to meet the director and producer of the film, Graham Meriwether. One thing that really gets me jazzed is meeting people who are following their dreams and, even more, making things better for all of us. (In fact, the film’s production company is Leave It Better.)
Graham is young, humble and unassuming. And he made a great film. American Meat is a very positive, forward-thinking look at how to improve meat production in our nation. And by improve, I don’t mean more meat, faster. I mean producing better meat, healthier meat, and tastier meat, while restoring our small towns, economy and the dignity of America’s farmers. It doesn’t necessarily focus on the higher nutrient value of grass-fed and pastured meats, but instead helps to answer the question of whether or not these farming methods can feed America.
And the good news is: Yes, they can! Or rather, they could.
If more farmers used these sustainable methods, and new and younger farmers were able to join the party, American farmland could produce more than enough food. And these are big ifs explored in the movie. The movie also explores ways that we can support those who choose these methods of husbandry, such as buying clubs, farmers’ markets and CSAs. Perhaps one of the most important things consumers can do is patronize businesses who use and sell this kind of meat (such as Chipotle), while demanding it from other restaurants and markets.
In addition to profiling both conventional meat farmers and Joel Salatin, the film also tells the stories of individuals and couples who left their mainstream jobs – and lives – to tend the land using traditional means (one of whom attended the screening). It was inspiring.
I was inspired to hold the course and keep doing what I’m doing, and inspired to do more. (Just ask my husband, who had to talk me out of putting money down on a farm outside of Staunton. I tend to jump right into things.)
American Meat should be available for distribution in four or five months. I’d encourage you to view it, and more importantly, share it with your friends and neighbors. It is a very non-offensive, well-laid out apologetic for smarter, better, safer farming methods, giving us safer, yummier and healthier meat.
Graham Meriwether, Joel Salatin and Daniel Salatin answering questions after the premiere.
Believe it or not, this still wasn’t the end of my great experience this past weekend. Tomorrow I’ll share about the dinner following the film screening, and some of the great things Staunton has to offer, among them fabulous, farm-to-table restaurants. I was in heaven!
« previous post
Polyface Farm Field Day
Oh. My. Word.
What a wonderful day our family had out at the ACRES USA Field Day at Pol...
next post »
Documentary Launch Celebration....
This is the final installment in my What an Awesome Weekend series. :)
After last Satur...
Leave a Reply
No trackbacks yet.
Posts with similar tags
- Healthy Life Summit
Discount Ends Midnight 4.3.13!
Hopefully you've seen my posts on Facebook about the Healthy Life Summit. This collection of presentations by 35 different speakers was streaming live FOR FREE for seven days. I hope some of you were able to take advantage of that amazing learning opportunity!
If not, I am begging you to consider purchasing the download package to... - Sourcing Healthy Bacon (WLC-Compliant) & The Easiest Cooking Method
I've been fielding a lot of questions related to the Whole Life Challenge over the past few days. (A LOT.) But by far, the most common question is: Where can I find WLC-legal bacon?
Well, no worries. I've got lots of answers for sourcing healthy bacon for WLChallengers and non-Challengers alike.
US Wellness Meats
US Wellness Meats is... - Documentary Launch Celebration
And Staunton’s Great RestaurantsThis is the final installment in my What an Awesome Weekend series. :)
After last Saturday's Polyface Field Day and then Sunday morning's American Meat premiere, I was really blessed to be able to attend a supper celebrating the documentary's screening. The event, also attended by the Salatin Family and director/ producer Graham Meriwether, was held... - Polyface Farm Field Day Oh. My. Word.
What a wonderful day our family had out at the ACRES USA Field Day at Polyface Farm! For me and the kids, this was our second visit to the farm, and it was just as magical. In the time following, I've been trying to put words to the excitement. I felt like a...
- Free Webinar, Site Updates,
and Other Random Goodness
Happy Almost-Spring everyone! Let's jump right in...
Free Webinar
Don't you love free stuff? Me, too.
One of my very favorite mom-owned businesses, NaturoKits, is offering a FREE webinar: Introduction to Natural First Aid. Before I give you the details of that, let me tell you about the company.
The founders, Julie and Padeen, are licensed naturopathic physicians (and... - Weekend Roundup
No posts this week... I've been stretched a little too thin. Look for good stuff next week to make up. (Now if that's not throwing my hat over the fence, I don't know what is!)
In the meantime, check this out:
Just in time for Valentine's Day
We are all in relationships, whether it's with a spouse, our...
Posts in similar categories
- Sourcing Healthy Bacon (WLC-Compliant) & The Easiest Cooking Method
I've been fielding a lot of questions related to the Whole Life Challenge over the past few days. (A LOT.) But by far, the most common question is: Where can I find WLC-legal bacon?
Well, no worries. I've got lots of answers for sourcing healthy bacon for WLChallengers and non-Challengers alike.
US Wellness Meats
US Wellness Meats is...
- Documentary Launch Celebration
And Staunton’s Great RestaurantsThis is the final installment in my What an Awesome Weekend series. :)
After last Saturday's Polyface Field Day and then Sunday morning's American Meat premiere, I was really blessed to be able to attend a supper celebrating the documentary's screening. The event, also attended by the Salatin Family and director/ producer Graham Meriwether, was held... - Polyface Farm Field Day Oh. My. Word.
What a wonderful day our family had out at the ACRES USA Field Day at Polyface Farm! For me and the kids, this was our second visit to the farm, and it was just as magical. In the time following, I've been trying to put words to the excitement. I felt like a...
- Virginia is for Lovers…
And So is West Virginia!
The husband and I just returned from a night away visiting two local gems to celebrate the anniversary of when we began dating (cute, right?). I love when we get to support local businesses, and even more so when we can support local agriculture. And we had a delicious time doing it.
Delaplane Cellars
On the way...
Please support my affiliates!
I just have to trust God there was a reason I wasn’t there because ugh….I would have been so inspired and moved and talked up a storm!
It truly is my goal to eliminate The “grocery store” for most all of what we use and consume!
And we happen to belong on a farm and yet here I am in a suburb of Chicago~gonna get there!!!!
Thank you for this, I have a lot to learn from your site,
Carolyne
Carolyne – Thank you for the encouragement! I feel the same way. I love our home, and neighborhood, actually, but I’m realizing that we belong on a farm!!!