Last night, while preparing for an upcoming shindig that will feature poets, musicians, actors, and more, I noticed this poster (pictured left) on our hostess's wall. I was reminded of some of the conversations we have had in R.A.W. about the pertinence of growing our own food.
This is something I would like to discuss further. I know that there are many people, locally, nationally, and globally working on this, practicing this, teaching others, etc. I would especially like their input, ideas, and expertise. How can this be done? Is it feasible?
Also, what are we giving up if we are not participating in the creation of our own foodstuffs? Some of this is evident to me, but I want to hear from others on this! Let's talk. Let's continue this conversation:
I'll respond to the latter question and leave the former to the experts:
ReplyDelete"What are we giving up if we are not participating in the creation of our own foodstuffs?"
We give up our independence from the Capitalist system, and the freedom that comes with that independence. And we lose something health wise, too. But more importantly, we lose our connection to place and the psychological stability and intimacy with others that comes with it. In other words, I think we lose our connection to the rest of the natural world. Not seeing where our food comes from, we forget too easily that we are animals--that we're part of the food chain. And without that awareness, we lose our sense of interdependency and our humility--prerequisites for authentic human connection. You could say, then, that we give up a big part of our humanity.
Three of my favorite terms- grow your own, grassroots, and defiance! Growing your own food is truly revolutionary, and it can be as simple as growing sprouts in a jar. Once you begin growing food you realize farmers are the true heros. I don't grow all of my food, but the food I do grow makes me feel very confident and self-sufficient, and I know exactly what's in it!
ReplyDeleteI would like to echo what has been already mentioned in the above comments. Politics around agriculture and food affect us all. It pains me to see the ways in which capitalist ideals have really damaged traditional agriculture practices. Monsanto, the multinational agricultural biotechnology behemoth, sues small scale family farms for participating in the traditional practice of saving seeds. The corporation is also responsible for contaminating and essentially poisoning many people and refusing compensation to families. Monsanto has also affected agriculture in other countries, such as India where thousands of farmers committed suicide after buying Monsanto GMO seeds which failed to produce crops. Sadly Monsanto is everywhere. Whole Foods just made a business deal with Monsanto agreeing to sell their produce in the stores. This is only one corporation which has devastated traditional healthy agricultural practices globally. Supporting local foods at the very least is absolutely the way to go. I have no way of growing food out of my little basement apartment so I belong to a local CSA, or Community Sustained Agriculture group. With the CSA I can volunteer to assist in growing my own food. This summer I will be WWOOFing, working on an organic farm in return for room and board. We are very fortunate as there are many projects in Colorado surrounding sustainable organic agriculture. I apologize for the lengthy response, this is something I feel very passionate about.
ReplyDeleteShane, someone just told me that you can't have egg laying hens in the city of Denver legally. I think this is balls. I was just thinking of something we were talking about earlier on the subject. . . . What is the city afraid of? Why would something like this be so heavily regulated?
ReplyDeleteI agree that we loose something healthwise. Any regular grocery store, and everything at eye level and in the way (impulse buys besides) make me feel as though someone is trying to kill the majority of us, or at least make us all sedated or sloth-like so that we don't really feel like doing a whole heck of a lot. I remember in *gradeschool* reading about city kids who had never seen animals other than squirrels and birds, who didn't know where their food came from, etc. and thinking this very, very strange and sad. The disconnect is evident. How many people have harvested any of their food?
I agree with everything you put up there, Shane. We are out of balance, out of sync with nature and our nature. We have set ourselves apart, even if the rebalancing quakes occurring and coming . . . . Let's just say what my Dad used to say here: "People don't believe shit stink til there nose right up in it."
Asante! It's true. Sprouts are so, so simple, too. I am getting back to that this spring, I think. I already have a bunch of seeds. It doesn't matter what people think of my little sprout bag. :P
ReplyDeleteSavvy, thank you for posting here! No worries about the long post. I would actually like to see a longer post, if you are willing to post it on the blog, or even repost from your blog.
ReplyDeleteI am dismayed about Mansanto. Enraged, really. A lot of times I feel really helpless.
I would personally like more info about your CSA. This sounds amazing!
Love the quote from your dad! That's a great question about what the city might be afraid of in prohibiting egg laying hens. I mean, I'm sure monopolistic food producers have played some role in lobbying efforts--but I wonder what the city's rationale is.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what would happen if there were large groups of people all of a sudden having their own egg-laying hens? I am tempted. I don't have a yard, though, so possibly some sort of city cooperative. I love the idea so much of being able to get my own eggs. Hens lay eggs something like four months after their chick stage (?) and lay for up to four years. Thats....self sufficiency, man, and great protein!
ReplyDeleteI keep going back to this because another friend of mine has gotten four little chicks for him and his beau. . . . I admire that so much!
Ah, and my Dad has a lot of great sayings. :P
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