Healthy soil and sustainable growing

["Tradingpost" <tradingpost@lobo.net>]

You're right on that, if we only focus on farm income we miss appealing to 
those wanting a simpler natural life. And until the agribusiness system 
collapses that's the real appeal, not the income. In fact, we ourselves 
wouldn't be market growers at all if it was just about the money. I'd make 
more driving a school bus.

Barb has the satisfaction of encouraging customers to cook. It's simple and 
rewarding done right. She was telling me Julia Child once said she didn't 
cook Italian because it's too simple !?! And I realized the fru-fru cookbooks 
have long lists of ingredients because they have to mask the bland taste of 
sad produce. And that Italian cooking can get by with being so simple because 
the vegetable varieties taste good to begin with. People ask us how we cook a 
Giant Marconi pepper. Well, any way you use a bell pepper - only the flavor 
will spoil you for bell peppers. They ask about cooking a Delicata squash. I 
say just like a baked potato. We throw in a fresh sprig of tarragon when they 
get our Romano green beans.  But many cultures have delicious food that's 
simple and local.

Besides the life of a grower, giving people outstanding food is satisfying in 
itself. And did I mention ... eating it.

paul tradingpost@lobo.net


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On 8/31/2010 at 5:34 AM Emery Mitchamore wrote:

>I think we need to emphasize that the sort of lifestyle we're advocating
>should not be evaluated in monetary terms.  That would be the same trap
>we're trying to escape.  For me, what's important is the sense of BUILDING
>something of value.  If, through our labors, we build good land, home and
>family, cash flow is far less important.  It does seem that some cash flow
>(at least for a comfortable life), is necessary, for taxes, medical
>expenses, etc., but we should not expect, or desire, the money associated
>with cubicle life.
>
>E. E. "Mitch" Mitchamore
>www.hillcountrynatives.net
>
>
>
>On Aug 31, 2010, at 12:34 AM, Tradingpost wrote:
>
>>
>> Well, Pego, that puts the issue in a new light, doesn't it. I'd call
>overhead "groundedness" for lack of a better term. A saner or safer
>natural lifestyle as a poor grower could be the tipping point to induce
>many to turn to food production. It's honest work in a good cause, and in
>worsening conditions no one will question the need for local food
>security.
>>
>> Is "groundedness" ok to describe it?
>>
>> paul tradingpost@lobo.net
>>
>>
>> This link is not for bedtime reading:
>>
>http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/economic-black-hole-20-reasons-why-the-u-s-economy-is-dying-and-is-simply-not-going-to-recover
>>
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