Homestead mailing list

[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

On Feb 24, 2008, at 8:01 AM, Clansgian AT wmconnect.com wrote:

> So three things need added to the formula:
>
> 1) How much space is really needed?  As Lynda has pointed out, if  
> you forego
> the beef and pork and eat chicken and rabbit, 90% of your diet can  
> come from a
> very small place.

Impossible to prove, but I suspect that far fewer than half of all red  
meat eaters are willing to give it up. This will change. She also  
mentioned dairy. The mind boggles at the implications.
> 2) Most of the land that could be cultivated like this is not  
> counted a
> potential farm land at all.

That's true. Much more than just acreage or square footage, though,  
are the realities of land use--think roads, airports, shopping malls,  
schools, stadiums.

Further reducing usable land is the factor of climate. Ask Rob how  
well his long-season veggies did in Minnesota. Ask southerners how  
well their apples and cherries do.

Yet more important: poll Americans and ask how many will grow food at  
their homes.

> 3) Horticultural cultivation is vastly more efficient than machine  
> based
> agribusiness in terms of resources needed for a given amount of  
> produce.

Hands down true. And pulling a hand cart is more efficient than  
driving a truck to get firewood. And cutting hay with a scythe is more  
efficient than using a tractor. And singing with your family is more  
efficient than watching television. You do these things. But surely  
you know that you are a tiny minority, that few Americans would not be  
perplexed or amused at your choice of lifestyle.