permaculture

[Marjory <forestgarden@gvtc.com>]

Hi Linda,

I was exploring the raw vegan diet when I started this journey.  In this 
area (Central Texas) animal products are by far, easier to grow than 
fruit and veggies.  This land naturally has grass and scrub, and hence 
animals make the best use of it.  Fruits and veggies require lots more 
fertility than is naturally here.  Yes, we do create fertility - as 
should everyone - but is it much more work.

I suppose the vegan or vegetarian question can raise a lot of 
controversy, but I toss in my experience.  From my studies of Dr.Weston 
Price I was interested in how he noticed few indigenous peoples were 
strictly vegetarian (I don't know if he ever found any strict vegans).  
I shifted to eating more animal products not only because it is easier 
to grow, but because I was having some health issues from long-term raw 
vegan lifestyle.  Specifically my teeth developed lots of problems.  
Eating more animal products has helped immensely. 

Most of my diet is grown here on farm.  I trade and barter with 
neighbors to broaden my palate (yup community is definitely  a good 
thing, and not so easy to find).  My two main imports are butter 
(Missouri) and avacados (Mexico).  Fats are one of the most challenging 
things to grow here

My heart is truly in perennial systems - food forests, yes, the ultimate 
way to go   But they take a long time to develop and there is so much to 
learn about species, guilds, etc.  It is the work of at least several 
lifetimes.  I hae begun this work as it is too valuable and it must 
begin somewhere.  Also, the foods that are produced are not familiar to 
most of us and we haven't adapted out palates to them (yet).  It all 
takes time.  I would much prefer to be in the orchard than the garden, 
and my garden is turning more and more periennial each year, but I and 
my family are still much more familiar with broccoli than chufa, we like 
beans and corn versus jujubees and leuceana. 

Marjory