COL130-W49B77DE9E92EF99E068EB6A4E10@phx.gbl"
type="cite">
I hesitate to say that I make a living from
"farming" as I am still building what will be in most farmer's
eyes just a large garden/orchard/vineyard homestead probably
similar to what a lot of you manage day to day....with only an
acre under intensive cultivation, and a few added acres of
wild-harvest, and enough acreage of woodland to fire the oven,
stove and heater.
I definitely testify to the wealth and comfort that comes from
always having food and fuel at hand, and enjoying the relative
health of a laborious lifestyle.
As to the deck being stacked against small farmers, well, there
is obvious data for that statement, but here in the United
States, I have also benefited much from the social safety net of
subsidized health insurance.
Because of our very small "farm" income, my husband's medical
expenses from a recent fall that has left his legs paralyzed are
largely covered.
Because of our very small "farm" income, my son attended
college for "free" with a financial aid package.
I do not worry about my retirement as even if our
Medicaid/Social Security system goes bankrupt, I will be in the
same boat as all others my age only I'll have a productive farm.
As to making enough cash to pay taxes and buy the foodstuffs
that I can't grow but still wish to eat, I can say that we do
okay in Northwest Arkansas. There is enough cash flow in our
local economy that my community is willing to trade their
hard-earned cash for my whole food products. I think
value-added and diversity has added immensely to my ability to
make ends meet, along with the fact that our main cash
crop--raspberries--grow like weeds, but somehow the market here
is way underserved.
I love this farming life, and would not trade it for any other.
Laura
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