Homestead mailing list

[Jerry B <liberty AT kaballero.com>]

Sage wrote:
> In our area most people live on large ranches and their 
> only community is their church. We are trying to build 
> community and just started a local group called Healthy 
> Harvest to focus on food issues.
>
> We held our first meeting a couple of weeks ago and 
> discussed rising food costs, food scares, loss of the old 
> timer's knowlege of farming and storing food, 
> environmental impact, nutrition for the elderly and school 
> children. We also spoke of seed saving and sharing, 
> growing organic, cooking healthy, community gardening, 
> finding local sources for food, raising food awareness, 
> etc. Eleven people showed up and the local newspaper 
> covered it. We expect more this month.
>
> A historic ditch irrigated 800 acres of local river bottom 
> croplands here from 1860-1960. We know these former 
> residents had to provide food for the community because 
> there were no grocery stores in those days. The grain mill 
> was across the street from us. Food is a subject that cuts 
> across all party lines, and pride in the pioneer ancestors 
> who farmed this area runs deep around here. If it was once 
> accomplished, it can be again.
>
> --Sage
> Way Out in Texas
>   
Sage,

I can't let this post pass by without comment.  To emphasize how great I 
think is the venture you and your neighbors are undertaking, I must say 
I think it is representative of the next step, even the new economic 
order of tomorrow!  That's all.  :-)

Totally free and voluntary association for the joint production, 
distribution, and consumption of goods not only "cuts across party 
lines", but lines of culture, education, financial status ... in short 
all human differences. The focus on food,  in this case, works as well 
for any type of economic activity ... building, selling and buying 
houses, raising chickens, or even manufacturing automobiles. (Note: If 
such things are done by and for oneself and/or one's family  then this 
limited definition of 'economic' as a *social* activity, does not apply. 
However, it is rare that even such private activity does not include 
some element produced, distributed and consumed by others, known or 
unknown. And yes, James, 'do-it-yourself' has social implications as well.)

Though it is the product that is the goal, a very important 'by-product' 
of these endeavors is the meeting and rubbing-shoulders with very 
different persons, learning to cooperate in a neighborly manner. The 
common need and desire for the product provides motivation, but the 
process can lead to, what to call it? ... brotherhood? fraternity? (sure 
need more genderless terms) friendship? camaraderie? communion?  Or the 
opposite if not done aright in freedom.  It turns out that in striving 
to fill our human needs, opportunity is given to mix with a wide variety 
of  persons, not just those who think like we do, look or act like we do 
...our very lives depending on it.

This type of free and voluntary association is a far cry from either 
Capitalism or Socialism.  It transcends both, in synthesis, hence the 
next step. Each individual remains his or her own boss ... freely 
choosing who they wish to work with, choosing what they want to do, and 
determining how much time and labor they choose to apply to it. One's 
'time' and 'labor' are no longer made into commodities.  There is no 
'servitude'  in the negative sense involved, or making a few rich from 
my time and labors ...  each working for fulfillment of their own needs, 
self-determined, yet in company.  As the 'company' succeeds so do the 
individuals and their dependents. 

Any one that wants to, and can, provide any or all of their own needs is 
left totally free to do so.  No one is  telling them they must associate 
with others,  how or where.  In such joint ventures, leaders arise quite 
naturally and spontaneously, in fact changing often or having several at 
the same time as different aspects of the project arise. No vote need be 
taken.  The degree of expertise in the particular economic activity soon 
becomes obvious to all. The 'authority' of skill and knowledge, not 
social position or financial position, is the determinative factor. As 
this increases, so does compensation for the quality and quantity of the 
product produced   No dole, nor hand outs. No salary based on time (who 
can put a value on how much one hour, one week, or one month of my time 
is worth?).  The product, in this economic order of social life, is the 
thing. No product, no pay. More product, better quality, more pay. This 
is quantifiable, understood by all participants.

Profit becomes a just means of measurement of demand and value. 
Voluntary contracts are made between persons and between other 
associations, even contracts across borders and nations.  It  works on 
any scale.  I don't know if your dreams for Healthy Harvest include 
these types of exchanges and outreach but I would think it well might. I 
am interested in continuing to hear more about what you all are learning 
from this adventure.  I want to keep up to date with developments.  If I 
were a neighbor, I would be right there in middle of it.  I'm thinking 
already how such a group can be initiated in our own neighborhood.

Was it you that began this activity? Are there other projects that serve 
as a model?  btw, I recently saw a piece done on TV about 'Growing 
Power'.  http://growingpower.org/Index.htm.  The TV article was 
specifically about the city food center in Chicago and it's remarkable 
founder, Will Allen 
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/01/dining/01genius.html?ref=style  but 
the home page reveals its broader scope including farming communities as 
well. I am much impressed. 

The underlying promise, to me, of all this, is that there are indeed new 
things that can be and are being, done, independently and along-side the 
old. This allows for simple free choice by anyone as to which is the 
better way. As the 'old' ways fail, no longer encompassing present 
circumstances, vital alternatives can grow and thrive on new ground. I 
think it is mainly through such joint ventures that some can survive 
what is quickly coming down upon us as a result of our past choices. So 
as you notice, I think what you all are doing is most important, and 
exciting.     Jerry