When I was a teenager contemplating the messages of the "hippies" of the 60s and 70s, I used to think to myself why does the "right" have such trouble with environmental and healthy food conversations? Finally, someone has laid it out pure and plain for all to see. Thank you, John.
Thanks so much Retta! I know lots of conservative farmers, and have long known many conservatives who value healthy food and organic agriculture. They just don't grow their hair long or sing Kumbaya. :)
Conservative farmers do exist and value healthy food and organic agriculture but as a teenager I did not see much of that. My dad was a minister and maybe my world was small then. I was like a drug free Jesus freak "hippie" who respected her parents and did not run off in a Volkswagen van. The long hair I have and I know that song and with all that said ... in my opinion BIG Ag and BIG food are becoming too big for the health of the people and the health of farmable land and something has to be done about it. Regenerative agriculture could very well be that "something" we need.
Global corporate hegemony is conspiring to control all food. The WEF says Big Ag will save the planet and that overseeing agriculture is its twin priority with climate change.
I don't farm but I volunteer at a goat farm for a cheese maker. This is a great arrangement. She gets free help and I learn and get free cheese, eggs, and milk. She is super nice and always feeds me.
Thank you for sharing the pictures of some of your animals! They are beautiful examples of healthy, humane farming.
I did not grow up on a farm, but since I had many aunts, uncles and cousins who still farmed in the Danville area, I spent many weekends visiting, gathering eggs, finding the barn cats, talking to the curious cows, and enjoying the slow, purposeful opining of my steadfast democrat aunts and uncles. Yes, democrats! They ran century farms, were college educated; former teachers, who left their employment to take over the family farm and care for their ailing parents. There were no better role models for me. They worked long days, seldom traveled or took vacations, were fiercely independent, yet knew how to lend a helping hand in a discrete manner. They worshiped with their neighbors, loved music, played the fiddle, piano and organ, and some never had indoor plumbing. But, by God, they were good people.
We need more of that John.
The challenge is how to make it so. How does our society "buy into" the concept of "regressing"? Progress and technology are the hallmarks of a successful society, are they not? The concept of "regression"? That might be a hard sell, particularly for our youth, when we are surrounded by a culture of status and THINGS.
Then there is the challenge of mutual support. How do we create a community based on shared objectives? Geographic separation makes this difficult. But not impossible.
Then there are other considerations. Consider big agriculture, big chemical, big government, big pharma, big brother. I rather doubt that decentralization is their objective. How do we reestablish our rights and liberties?
None of these challenges are insurmountable, and I am not pessimistic about a return to a life firmly rooted in the soil and in being dedicated stewards of glorifying God through conscientious care of His gifts.
When I was a teenager contemplating the messages of the "hippies" of the 60s and 70s, I used to think to myself why does the "right" have such trouble with environmental and healthy food conversations? Finally, someone has laid it out pure and plain for all to see. Thank you, John.
Thanks so much Retta! I know lots of conservative farmers, and have long known many conservatives who value healthy food and organic agriculture. They just don't grow their hair long or sing Kumbaya. :)
Conservative farmers do exist and value healthy food and organic agriculture but as a teenager I did not see much of that. My dad was a minister and maybe my world was small then. I was like a drug free Jesus freak "hippie" who respected her parents and did not run off in a Volkswagen van. The long hair I have and I know that song and with all that said ... in my opinion BIG Ag and BIG food are becoming too big for the health of the people and the health of farmable land and something has to be done about it. Regenerative agriculture could very well be that "something" we need.
Global corporate hegemony is conspiring to control all food. The WEF says Big Ag will save the planet and that overseeing agriculture is its twin priority with climate change.
https://thefederalist.com/2023/03/28/dutch-farmers-revolt-against-globalist-food-control-that-leaves-people-poorer-and-hungrier/
I don't farm but I volunteer at a goat farm for a cheese maker. This is a great arrangement. She gets free help and I learn and get free cheese, eggs, and milk. She is super nice and always feeds me.
Alpines? We used to milk goats and make cheeses...
Sounds like a great arrangement you have. :)
Thank you for sharing the pictures of some of your animals! They are beautiful examples of healthy, humane farming.
I did not grow up on a farm, but since I had many aunts, uncles and cousins who still farmed in the Danville area, I spent many weekends visiting, gathering eggs, finding the barn cats, talking to the curious cows, and enjoying the slow, purposeful opining of my steadfast democrat aunts and uncles. Yes, democrats! They ran century farms, were college educated; former teachers, who left their employment to take over the family farm and care for their ailing parents. There were no better role models for me. They worked long days, seldom traveled or took vacations, were fiercely independent, yet knew how to lend a helping hand in a discrete manner. They worshiped with their neighbors, loved music, played the fiddle, piano and organ, and some never had indoor plumbing. But, by God, they were good people.
We need more of that John.
The challenge is how to make it so. How does our society "buy into" the concept of "regressing"? Progress and technology are the hallmarks of a successful society, are they not? The concept of "regression"? That might be a hard sell, particularly for our youth, when we are surrounded by a culture of status and THINGS.
Then there is the challenge of mutual support. How do we create a community based on shared objectives? Geographic separation makes this difficult. But not impossible.
Then there are other considerations. Consider big agriculture, big chemical, big government, big pharma, big brother. I rather doubt that decentralization is their objective. How do we reestablish our rights and liberties?
None of these challenges are insurmountable, and I am not pessimistic about a return to a life firmly rooted in the soil and in being dedicated stewards of glorifying God through conscientious care of His gifts.
I look forward to your new book.