Paul cited several books about sustainable farming in his California speech. Paul preaches sustainability

Meet Rand Paul, Senator Sustainable?

The Kentucky Republican intriguingly introduced himself as a crunchy environmentalist in a Friday night speech at the Ronald Reagan presidential library.


He pronounced himself supportive of well-thought-out regulations on oil pipelines and touted his own eco-friendly lifestyle choices.

( PHOTOS: Rand Paul’s career)

“I am a libertarian-conservative who spends most of my free time outdoors,” Paul said during his 30-minute speech in Simi Valley, Calif. “I bike and hike and kayak. I compost. I plant trees. In fact, I have a giant Sequoia I’m trying to grow in Kentucky.

“Republicans care just as deeply about the environment as Democrats but we also care about jobs,” he added. “We want common sense regulations to be balanced with economic growth and jobs.”

To be sure, Paul also offered strong support for fracking in his speech. He said California’s economy would be in much better shape if it did not restrict the controversial practice.

“So while California languishes, economies in states like North Dakota and Texas are booming,” he said.

But Paul, a likely 2016 candidate for president, said “to win in California and other bluish states, Republicans will have to change current perceptions.”

The senator praised Barbara Kingsolver’s book “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle,” which he read last year, about growing and harvesting one’s own food and buying locally. He said his family tries to buy as much as they can from a local farmer’s market, but they still shop at the supermarket, too.

Paul also cited Joel Salatin’s “Folks, this Ain’t Normal,” another book about sustainable farming.

Paul said he took his son, Robert, to visit the author’s farm in the Shenandoah Valley last year, where he grass feeds his cows, chickens and hogs.

“He collects rainwater from the slopes of the mountain,” said Paul. “Manure is his fertilizer. He avoids vaccines, antibiotics, and hormones. His farm is idyllic and he trains interns on sustainable farming. He also sees the government as a troublesome meddler in the life of the small farmer.”

“Like many libertarians, he sees government regulations written to benefit the large corporate farmer but nearly impossible for the small farmer to follow,” Paul said of Salatin. “I hear the same stories from small banks, small medical practices and small retailers.”

( Also on POLITICO: Paul calls for inclusivity)

His sermon for sustainability served as a broader point about politics.

“When we as Republicans wake up and tell voters that we want to be the champion of the small farmer and the small businessman or woman, then we will thrive as a party,” he said.