Subject: Re: [permaculture] How Much Land Does It Take To Become Food Self-Reliant
Date: Wed, 12 May 2010 18:30:13 -0500
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
Re: [permaculture] How Much Land Does It Take To Become Food Self-Reliant
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