Joel Salatin, a local food advocate and author of “The Sheer Ecstasy of Being a Lunatic Farmer,” will speak at an event Wednesday titled “Local Food Talk and Taste.”

The event is sponsored by the University’s Sustainability Office.

Salatin will speak about the differences between his approach to farming and that of today’s average farm.

The event is free and will be held at 5 p.m. in the Hanes Art Center Auditorium. It is one of several events leading up to Earth Day on April 22.

Salatin’s family’s farm — Polyface Inc. — is featured in the book “Omnivore’s Dilemma” by Michael Pollan and the documentary “Food Inc.”

The presentation will be followed by a book signing and food tastings.