I had hoped by this time of year we would have found land for community or would have settled on to a piece with like minded people. I wanted to be prepared for the impending storms. However, the winter storms have arrived and I must prepare for another winter. However, this winter will be a bit different. It may take a bit more preperation and understanding. Since 2002 I’ve been trying to talk to folks about the challenging times ahead not only for our country, but the global community. For the most part I have felt unheard, but that has changed in the last few weeks with the stock market crash. It goes far beyond our economy here, but I think people are finally starting to really understand the countries/Global way of living is unstainable.
I have to admit, sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the issue at hand even though I’ve been trying to prepare for the last 6 years. I guess the biggest impedance for me is the lack of land. A way of really supporting myself, family, friends and the animals we rely on. Sure, we live on some land now, but it is not farm land. In fact it is the side of a steep north slope and it won’t be long before the sun slips behind the mountain, not returning till the spring of next year. I can’t support myself let alone anyone else here. It makes me heavily reliant on buying food for my animals and myself. For example, I must reduce my chicken flock to near nothing this week to make it through this winter. Feed has skyrocketed to $15 a bag. The monthly feed bill far outstrips the cost of chickens. An unprecedented number of horses and other animals are being abandoned or sold at unheard of numbers due to the cost of this country burning corn for fuel.
If I had land to work I could have grown everything I need for these animals and have it put away in the barn for the winter. Of course I need not only the land, but the community to help is this endeavor. Sure, I can do it on a smll scale, but my chances of doing well increase greatly within community. If you have ever worked a small garden you know what I mean. Now imagine growing enough food for your family and all your animals. I tell you on this small piece of land it seems I never get a chance to rest. I have a much greater respect for farmers of days gone by who worked many acres.
So it comes down to land. It is so frustrating, we have met those with plenty of land. Unused land in fact, but they didn’t seem committed to understanding the importance their land could make with their familys or others. Many sit in a place they feel is untouchable (until recently) and the ideas of sustainablity seem backward to them. When their eyes do become open it will be to late. It takes years to develop a piece of land in the good times when resources are plentiful. The soil alone can take 3-5 years before it becomes healthy sustaining decent size crops.
So what do I do? How do I paint a canvas that does not stand before me? I have the body, the knowledge, the animals, fruit trees (in pots) and seed bank to paint an amazing mural of a sustainable farm life, but no land. I have answered the call of the flood to come, but have no ark. I really don’t see this as a dooms day thing, but more of an amazing oppurtunity to reinvent ourselves to live in harmony with the land and each other. The challenges we have before us as a race CAN be overcome, but it will take time and it will take a place to nourish us while we do the work. We all need a warm place to sleep, a belly of food and someone to share our experienses with. This starts with a piece of land.