Omnivore's Dilemma: Chapters 11 & 13

In chapters eleven and thirteen of "The Omnivore's Dilemma," Michael Pollan revisits the Polyface Farm of Joel Salatin. He spends a few days working on the farm and observing its processes. He is amazed to see how well different elements of the farm work together and support each other. Joel explains to him the precise processes. He explains that they move their chickens every day so that they always have fresh grass to eat and so that they produce the right amount of maneur to fertilize the soil. Joel also uses the chickens to clean the cow maneur. The chickens eat fly larvae present the cow maneur which can prevent the growth of bacteria and disease. Joel also explains how his tress are planted in certain paterns so as to act as a cooling mechanism as well as to block wind from dampening plant growth. Joel also talks about the cost of his products, claiming that if you factor in tax payer expenses due to pollution and evironmental problems, his food is actually cheaper that most despite its higher retail price. He also claims that his food tastes better than most and complains that people care more about low cost than good taste.

Discussion Questions
1) Why are people willing to sacrifice quality for price when it comes to food but not commodities such as cars and clothes?
2) How is the government contributing to the domination of the industiralized farming?