permaculture

["Tradingpost" <tradingpost@gilanet.com>]

One way out of that dilemma would be to go where it's cheaper to live and 
make your own work. There are ways, because other people are doing it. People 
in rural areas needs goods and services just like city folk. AND if they can 
get them locally, they're usually happy to give their business to other 
locals. Permaculture can help with that. I lived in rural North TX for 50 
years. I won't go back.

paul@largocreekfarms.com
http://medicinehill.net

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

On 10/19/2004 at 8:55 PM Deborah wrote:

>Small town America has been decimated for decades by the flight to the
>city; rural economies have suffered; and there's more than enough room
>(and work) in small town America for all who want to flee the concrete
>jungle.
>***
>
>This is so true. I was appalled by how many people in rural north Tx
>commute an hour or longer to there jobs because they desire to live
>rurally and there is no work. Even more frustrating is what is happening
>with real estate and taxes. Despite the economic devastation, real estate
>is still extremely high. The county my mom lives in- very economically
>depressed- has raised the market value of her homestead (1.4 ac and a 900
>sf homemade cabin and a few outbuildings) from $21000 to $75000 over a two
>year period. In a town where the average wage is $6/hr. What I notice is
>that the town is physically deteriorating. People can't afford to repair,
>paint, etc and it just looks like a shanty town. At the tax protest I was
>observing the case before mine and a 74 yr old resident was arguing that
>his property wasn't worth $30000. When they projected a photo for all to
>see there was an uproar in the audience. The old timer asked the board if
>anyone was interested in purchasing it, cause he'd sure like to sell it
>for that. The house looked like it could fall over any minute, not even
>fit for a chicken coop. (Not his residence) The market value stood, and
>several jokes were made at his expense, which were muttered low enough
>that he couldn't hear.
>My concern is the increasing cost of real estate. I have participated in 5
>or 6 groups attempting to create co-housing or community. They fall apart
>due to expense and distance to work. It's been very frustrating.
>Deborah
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