Everything I Want to Do Is Illegal by Joel Salatin (2007, Paperback)

Joel Salatin is the authority on small, local farming. I had heard of him in a hobby farming magazine. This is a must read for anyone wanting to get into local hobby farming or interested in why it is so hard to find locally grown food. He addresses all the issues with government regulations with his characteristic wit and humor and seeks to find solutions.

Anyone interested in producing their own food, or producing food for local sale, or buying/eating local food, needs to read this book! Well-written, humorous while getting the point across about government regulations being slanted to make life easy for the big corporations, but nearly impossible for the independent local farmer, or small local processor (slaughterhouse). Also useful information on how to grow your own--leading to other good sources.

This is a great book for those of us who want to farm "outside" the conventional agrifarm. It's filled with wonderful personal stories throughout to illustrate the author's point. This is one of those books I just couldn't put down until I finished reading it!

I think everyone should read the book. Joel Salatin knows how to survive, and make a living doing it. Just a good read with good life skills and some good humor.

I have been learning about farming for beginners. An organic magazine said this book was a "must have" in your farming library. Not only is the book full of information, it is witty and funny. Can't wait to finish it.