The Wilkes Team

(First read The Conventionalism of Agriculture)

It twas a fortress.

It twas unique

It twas Polyface farm.

Instead of a drawbridge it had a car bridge over a creek.

Instead of walls there were fences.

Instead of soldiers there were farmers.

Instead of chariots and horses there was a hay ride and a tractor.

Though perception makes it out to be more of a farm then a fortress, it is a bulwark in the war of ideas. With mainstream American agriculture plummeting towards highly sophisticated farming, demanding huge cost and debt,  Mr. Salatin is advancing with a different approach. One which we as a family were able to experience after a short road trip and during a information packed tour.

At 10:00 am (or close to this time), a hay ride started with Joel Salatin directing it on the tractor. At this time, we embarked with around 50 other individuals on a fantastic tour with Mr. Salatin being the tour guide.

His 650 acre farm is situated with mountains surrounding and forests covering two-thirds with the remaining being pasture land.

Something Mr. Salatin spoke of quite frequently while giving the tour was the need for diversity. One of his goal is to create a very diversified landscape using forest, pasture land, water, and animals. Some of his ways of doing so we were able to experience while others were only mentioned. Many modern farmers live on solitary faced farms. As examples; They have acres and acres of  land for only one crop, or they are dairy farmers only. Mr. Salatin doesn’t see this method as effective. That’s why he named his farm Polyface (the farm of many faces). He doesn’t just have cows but also chickens, turkeys, pigs, and rabbits. He has pasture land for animals, forest lands and many ponds dotting the landscape.

This is just the beginning of his diversity plan. For example:

1. His cows move through a field, and then he has the chickens come through afterwards in their mobile shelters eating the parasitic bugs and spreading the cow patties. 

2. Instead of leaving the woods to only wildlife he is taking dominion of it by fencing off areas with a single strand of electrical wire wrapped around trees and has his pigs eat the nuts on the ground and dig for grubs. Then on a frequent basis he moves this simple fence with the pigs to other parts of the forests. This creates a two fold benefit: Pigs our living the way they were made to and the forests are becoming healthier with the upheaval of the ground.

3. Both turkey and chicken youngsters grow up together in the same building. Conventionalism states this is horrible and counter productive but Mr. Salatin has found that the difference between turkeys and chickens actually worked together smoothly.

Polyface farm is now producing food for hundred’s of restaurants and families. There is an incredible movement in America to obtain food locally. Mr. Salatin is meeting the need and he is encouraging other farmers to do the same.

Mr. Salatin speaks about utilizing the great technology and information available but not to the point where incredible money expenditure and debt is necessary and where God’s creation is totally severed from the natural ecosystems they were made to be a part of.

After seeing his farm, we as a family have become proponents of many of his ideas and hope to implement them in the near future. If you ever have a chance we recommend visiting this Polyface fortress and truly experience an incredible way to farm; using technology and inventions while never compromising the God given ecosystems. It truly is a unique experience!

Go to www.Polyfacefarms.com to learn more about Mr. Salatin’s farm and books he has written.

4 Comments » | posted in Family News, Farming 101

OEI came to a close Friday (August 22). That evening many of the students’ families joined us for a review and presentation what God did during OEI. Testimony after testimony were shared. I saw young people who came to OEI fearful but with a desire to learn and draw out their souls to spiritually hungry children. During the week of clubs, I saw them rise to the occasion utilizing the skills they had been equipped with and through the power of the Holy Spirit present the Good News of salvation through Christ Jesus. Joy filled my heart as I saw & heard the testimonies of young person after young person who caught the joy that lies in reaching the lost.

Following OEI, the staff stayed together for a couple extra days and toured the spectacular Oregon coast & countryside. David graciously allowed me the use of his secondary digital SLR (Canon 20D) and what fun I had! After some key pointers from David, a professional photographer, I was able to experiment and test out the camera Saturday and Sunday. Thank you David!

Rich in lush vegetation, towering mountains, undisturbed coastline, and panoramic views, Oregon stands out as a truly breathtaking portion of God’s extraordinary Creation. During our time together, we visited several waterfalls including what used to be the world’s largest waterfall (Multinomah Falls), Horse Tail Fall, the dramatic Oregon coastline, and Mirror Lake.

How Great Thou Art O Lord! He truly showed Himself powerful. A specific prayer request for all students and staff is that OEI would not be simply a mountain top experience but a launch pad into ministry within the locations each one has been called unto. May Operation Eternal Impact continue on the home front.

5 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports, Photography

Conventionalism is sweeping the agricultural landscape. The small farmer is dwindling in significance while the grandiose mega farms are dominating and being modeled with their chemically pumped, genetically engineered, and denatured animals and crops. It is thought that in modern times we are definitely better educated and therefore don’t need to learn from the past as much as focus on the future. Furthermore, we’re extremely capable of developing an incredibly vast panorama of new ideas. Such as:

Pump your farm animals with antibiotics and other important chemicals; it will bring better sanitization and less death.

Get rid of ponds. They are problematic because of their possibility of attracting a bird flue carrier.

End your other agricultural pursuits and become a soybean/corn producer, because there is the $$$.

The chickens grow best when fed dried poultry pellets,

The cows are easily sickened creatures and demand incredible vet bills

The larger the building or machine = greater efficiency

The greater the governmental involvement = a guarantee of greater success.

Now this is just the top of ice berg! The incredible list of innovative ideas and theories are endless and it just continues to grow. In magnificent proportions, this army of mighty conventionalism is breaking down barriers and infiltrating all levels of farming.   As this army moves in, bringing its message and results, there are certain fortresses situated in places which are close to impregnable. They stand in  opposition to this moving army, have prepared for battle, and are actually in the conflict. One of these fortresses occupies a space in the Bread basket of the Southern Confederacy also known as the Shenandoah Valley. It’s a farm run very efficiently and unconventionally by a farmer named, Joel Salatin. You will hear more about him soon as we give account of our recent visit to his farm!!

Oh, how needful these fortresses are. For, in the end, the conventionalizing of American Agriculture is bringing some serious problems. The dire results will not be truly realized for a couple more years.  It was thought excellent to convene upon certain venerated ideas but it has turn into a  conventionalizing of agriculture which will not bring an enjoyable conclusion. Why so? The answer for this question will be shared in a following post entitled:

A Solution – The Farm of many faces.

6 Comments » | posted in Farming 101

What form of light are you – an individual flashlight or laser? What is the key to overcoming depression? How can you conquer the fear of man? Do you know and appreciate the role God has you fulfilling? What should come first in our life – love or sacrifice (the order is important)? How can sacrifice (denial of self) be a natural response vs. painful striving?

These were a few of the questions that were answered and that served as a foundation during the week of Bible Clubs. The days of training were few but full. Each student learned how to weave the gospel message into almost any Bible story, keys for effectively teaching memory verses, techniques on singing with children, tips on counseling, and the process of presenting the wordless book. Everyone diligently applied themselves to the training and the result was an army of equipped soldiers, ready for battle the following week.

God’s mercy was shown time and time again. When it seemed we would be lacking enough vehicles to transport each team to club, at just the right time God provided both a van and an SUV. At one point, we discovered that a club was suddenly canceled. We wondered (Sunday afternoon before clubs began the following day) how the Lord would work. Once again, in His perfect timing, He raised up a dear sister in Christ who helped arrange three different clubs.

When God’s people step out by faith to do the work He’s called us to, what results? Testimonies! Every night following a day at club, each team had testimony after testimony to share. This left a profound impact of what happens when God’s people reach out to the needs of a hopeless world with the power of Christ. We heard a child exclaim after playing a simple game of wuffle ball with us, “this is the most fun I have ever had.” When a key to a vehicle suddenly broke in between clubs thus causing a set back for the team, God reigned Sovereign and allowed a child to call upon the Lord for cleansing from sin while the new key was obtained. After hearing a little girl discuss her involvement in fortune telling and other satanic activities, we made her a point of prayer. During the final day of club, she asked Jesus to cleanse her heart from sin. 29 precious souls called upon the Lord for salvation that week. We realized once again that the fields are indeed white unto the harvest. Oh may the Lord give us a burden for the lost that supercedes any fear. Perfect love casts out all fear (1John 4:18).

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved (Romans 10:13).

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name (John 1:12).

8 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports