Friday – Sheri

My name is Sheri Salatin. I’m married to Daniel Salatin (Joel’s son) and we have 3 kids – Travis, Andrew and Lauryn. I’m a full-time Mommy, home teacher and the Marketing Director for Polyface.  I’m very active in our church as an Awana Sparks Director and Nursery Director.

I grew up in Texas and am the oldest of six children. Never a dull moment in that family!  I was home-schooled from 2nd grade through high-school and went to college for an EMT Paramedic degree in my early 20′s.  I like to think on my feet and make quick decisions.

     I’m a people-person.  I don’t get energized by a crowd like Joel and Daniel do, but I love to spend time with friends and meet new people.  One of my most favorite things to do is help people, whether that be physically by fixing a meal, emotionally by offering a hug and listening ear or mentally by talking out problems with them.

     People inspire me.  People who do the right thing when doing nothing at all is easier. I am always amazed at the strength and courage that some folks have to step up to the plate in hard times. These folks have an inner strength that I greatly admire.

Secondly but certainly not least, my husband inspires me. I have never seen or known a man more dedicated to his family and work. To borrow the expression, he rolls with the punches.  Daniel has a lot riding on him. He works quietly behind the scenes supporting his dad as he goes out to spread the farm gospel around the world. A day on the farm without Daniel is a day on the farm when everything is in chaos. Ask any of the apprentices, they can tell you it’s true. So many of us depend on him. He’s the go-to man whenever there is a problem. He organizes everything from what cuts of meat we need to keep in the freezer to ordering feed for the animals to when the cows should be moved from one farm to another. He deals with every aspect of the farm, all the nitty-gritty details. If you want to know what is really happening around here, ask Daniel.

2. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

    I always have a hard time with these types of questions. I don’t think about that many years in advance. It’s just too hard for my feeble mind to comprehend.  So I’m going to answer it this way, I’ll just keep on doing what I’m doing now and wait and see.

3. What is one of your most fulfilling hobbies?

    Wow, I have so many hobbies. Most fulfilling for me would be reading. I love to read.  Books, both fiction and non-fiction alike inspire me to think new thoughts and dream new dreams.

4. What do you like to cook/favorite foods?

    This is a two part answer for me. My favorite thing to bake is bread. I love all of the steps with kneading, rising and then baking. My favorite food is chips and salsa. I grew up in Texas and love the spicy foods. I’ve finally gotten my family switched over and they are now tolerating the heat! Woohoo!

    Sitting on my sofa in my house or on the porch in warmer weather talking with my hubby. We talk over the days’ events or just sit and say nothing at all.Sometimes I read in the evenings. It helps my mind to process all of the days events or just forget about them before drifting off to sleep.

     I grew up on a farm. The first time my family processed chickens, I was eight years old. I think that when you start out at such a young age, there is nothing to “deal with”.  We have noticed that when families come to watch us process the chickens, parents are always more squeamish than their children. I think that innately, children don’t have a problem with killing animals for food. It’s a learned response. I never questioned why an animal had to die as a child, it was simply a way of life. If I wanted to eat meat, that was the way it is.

7. Who do you hope to share farming skills with?

     My children, first. Interns and apprentices, second. And finally the world. Big dreams, huh?

    Christian fiction would be right up at the top of my list of favorites. I also love to read books about people’s journey in lives. Whether it be something they have learned or where they are going.

    Hm, this is a hard question. I guess I would have to say that I’m a good learner. I tend to pick up things fairly quickly and apply them to all aspects of my life. I enjoy researching new ideas, but only things that pertain directly to me, my job or my family. I don’t enjoy research, just to research.  Everything I research must have an application or it feels like a waste of time to me.  It helps that I’m also an extremely fast reader.