5 Acres
Published by Derek under Personal on July 1, 2008Ever since I realized how much energy is wasted every day with food transportation and how much food is taken for granted or even wasted, I have wanted to buy more local produce. Everyday for me at silverbrook is an absolute blessing because I have the opportunity to eat locally (my back yard) every day and I am able to provide that food to other people statewide. I also give back to the planet by contributing to a local market that only uses that fraction of the petroleum to transport the food to where it is going… Why aren’t all people doing this???
As you all know I work and live on an amazing organic (not certified) farm. Some of you may or may not know that someday I plan on having my own farm. My plan is for a community of people that all live and work for sustainability and independence from any sort of large scale infrastructure (i.e. electricity and oil). I haven’t thought much about how this is going to happen all I know is that it is a dream that I wish to see to fruition.
Earlier today I was talking with the owner of the farm on our way back from one of our markets and I asked him how many acres he thinks it would take to support a four person family without any supplementation. His response was 4 acres! So here I stand with a better notion of how much space I’m going to need for a small community’s food supply.
As it stands today I am going to start planning what, how, where, and when I am going to grow. I am going to plan out the barn, the root cellar, the processes and the costs of starting this farm. If anyone would like to contribute or join the community please let me know. It will be open to anyone who can offer something to make this dream reality.
I realize this dream is a ways away, but right now I have the chance to start making choices to get a bit closer to my goal.
Peace and Love
hello! i love reading your blogs. this reminds me of my neighbors who planted tomatoes and eggplant and all sorts of things on their front lawn. i admire them. my dad is still attatched to his grass (its more of a status symbol, really) but he let me get anothe basil plant to put on the deck.
i know i’m going to college for the next 4 years and have a place to live while doing that, and being sustainbly on my own is not really in my immediate future, but i would love to be updated on this wonderful idea, and help you out in any way. i want to live the same way once i’m not at home.
meanwhile, check out this book: http://www.amazon.com/Country-Wisdom-Know-How-Editors-Publishings/dp/1579123686/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215390247&sr=1-1
i’ve been reading through it on my breaks at work. its a phonebook size wonder, and it shows you how to raise a barn, and do pretty much everything else that you would need to do on a farm.
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