This is a repost from my other blog about why I want to homestead.
2.27.2009
No Farms, No Food. And here is why I care.
1) I can remember wanting to live on a farm often as a child. I romanticized old stories my granny told me about growing up when people still grew vegetables and any neighbors a person may have had were at least a mile away. 2) I never could understand why people didn't barter in 1994 like they did in 1794. 3) I can't tolerate the idea of factory farms, genetically modified food, or animal "science" as opposed to animal husbandry. 4) It has come to my attention that most of our so called "modern conveniences" are actually very much inconveniences for the rest of life on earth. 5) I do not feel that we are living the right way as a whole. 6) I love being outside and don't mind manual labor. 7) In fact, I actually prefer it.
So, farming and homesteading just seem to suit my personality. I admire small farmers and people who are striving towards the goal of self sufficiency. I believe it is a good, right honest way to make a living. Men and women who are providing fresh, wholesome food to their local communities are the kind of people I look up to. Not to mention, how refreshing it would feel to not have to work for a corporation who thinks of me as a disposable nine digit number.
Being self sufficient, relying on nothing but the land you live on and depending on no person but yourself, sounds like a dream come true. I feel as though what I do now on a daily basis is of offensive consequence and who really is happy in a situation like that? Who can force themselves to become contented? The food we eat has to come from somewhere. And what better place than your own back yard, where you can see what your growing, exactly how you are growing it, what goes into it, and know that you are providing for yourself, purely and directly.
I can't understand for sure what it means that I want to build a homestead and farm the land like some Appalachian pioneer. Am I totally nuts or something? Am I simply going through some fucked up phase or quarter-life crisis?
I mean, I am an adult. I can't just opt out of normal society, of popular culture, of TV and advertising and modern ways of keeping myself fed, can I? Do I really have any other choice than to work in a cubicle doing whatever it is? I have no clue where to even begin and can I even fully comprehend what such a lifestyle change would entail? Am I not as capable as the people who have done this before me? Am I not able to till soil and plant seeds and take care of chickens and make my own dinner and sew my own clothing? I think I am.
I understand that there are people in far away places who could mentor me or provide kinship and advice. I would like there to be some here in this city. That would be awesome.
The Buddha said "However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?"
Good question.
