Why I picked up Folks This Ain’t Normal
Contents
As a young mom with big dreams of one day buying some land and turning it into a thriving homestead, I’m constantly on the lookout for inspiration—whether it’s YouTube channels about gardening, podcasts on self-sufficiency, or books by people who are already living the life I envision for our family.
That’s how I stumbled across Folks This Ain’t Normal by Joel Salatin. And let me tell you—this book made me think long and hard about not only the life I want for my family, but what I should be doing now.
I’m currently listening to it for the second time on audiobook, and I’ve even roped my husband into listening along with me. It’s been the source of so many eye-opening conversations in the car, and the more I listen, the more I find myself nodding, laughing, and yes—sometimes rolling my eyes just a little. Because let’s be real: Joel Salatin is intense.
But he’s also brilliant.
What Joel Salatin gets right (and sometimes a bit righteous)
For those unfamiliar with Joel Salatin, he’s a well-known regenerative farmer, author, and speaker who owns Polyface Farm in Virginia. He’s been advocating for local food systems, sustainable agriculture, and a return to traditional living for decades. In Folks This Ain’t Normal, Salatin takes readers (or in my case, listeners) on a passionate, unapologetic journey through everything that’s gone sideways in modern society—from our food supply to our values around work, education, and community.
He doesn’t hold back. Salatin’s voice is strong, sometimes a little self-righteous (okay, maybe more than a little), but you can’t deny his authenticity. He’s not speaking from theory—he’s lived this lifestyle for decades. He’s raising animals on pasture, growing his own food, and running a successful family farm. His passion is contagious, and it’s hard not to walk away from this book feeling both convicted and inspired.
One of the things I love most about Folks This Ain’t Normal is how it challenges our assumptions about what “normal” even means. For so many of us, “normal” is grocery stores full of packaged food, kids glued to screens, and complete disconnection from how anything we consume is actually made. Salatin argues—sometimes with a healthy dose of sarcasm—that this version of normal isn’t just broken, it’s dangerous.
How this book is shaping my Homesteading dreams
As a mom, his words hit me hard. I want my children to understand where their food comes from. I want them to get their hands dirty, to appreciate hard work, and to live in rhythm with nature—not just algorithms. Listening to this book has made me rethink so many things, from the way we shop to the way we cook, and even how we spend our time and money.
While I may not be on a full-blown homestead yet, I’m realizing that there are plenty of small steps we can take right now toward a more intentional, back-to-basics lifestyle. Whether it’s buying local produce, starting a compost pile, or just cooking a meal from scratch, every little bit counts. Salatin reminds us that change doesn’t have to be all or nothing—it can be gradual, imperfect, and still powerful.
Would I Recommend this Book to Other Moms?
If you’re a fellow mama dreaming of chickens, heirloom tomatoes, and a slower, simpler way of life, I highly recommend giving this book a listen (or a read, if that’s more your thing). Whether you’re just beginning your journey toward sustainable living or you’re knee-deep in farm chores already, Folks This Ain’t Normal will challenge you, teach you, and maybe even make you laugh.
Fair Warning:
Joel Salatin’s Folk’s This Ain’t Normal might make you tear up your lawn and replace it with a garden.
Until next time,
Another Homestead Dreamer
