IN 1900 IN AMERICA, NEARLY HALF OF THE POPULATION FARMED— TODAY THAT FIGURE IS LESS THAN 2 PERCENT.
SUSTAINABLE Family Farms
Agriculture is crucial to the livelihood of nearly every civilization and community. With heavy fossil fuel inputs, modern industrial agriculture has made possible incredible efficiencies and productivity. However, with increased efficiency also came increased dependence and vulnerability. As oil and gas become more scarce and expensive, modern industrial agriculture--characterized by heavy machinery, corporate control of land and seeds, and an elaborate food distribution system--will likely collapse with rising fuel costs. We must immediately turn to more sustainable methods of food production (permaculture, for instance) and support small family farms as opposed to corporate controlled agriculture.
"As oil and gas become more scarce and expensive, modern industrial agriculture will likely collapse."
It is estimated that ten calories of fossil fuel are embedded in every calorie of food that we consume. From the energy used to build the tractor, to the hydrocarbons in the chemical fertilizers and biocides, to the transporation (approximately 1500 miles from farm to plate), the industrial model wholly depends upon the availability of cheap energy.
Among the problems we will face, the distribution and ownership of land will be among the most important questions. As the number of farmers have dwindled, U.S. farmland has been bought up by large corporate farms. In 1950, close to 40 percent of the American population farmed--today that number is less than 2 percent. However, there is hope for the family farm...
The need for sustainable family farms
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), Farmers' Markets, Community Gardens, Organic Farms, Permaculture and Conventional-to-Sustainable Farming Conversion Programs constitute a growing and hopeful trend. We need to get to work immediately in order to create local and sustainable family farms that will be able to survive the coming crises. Individuals must learn how to garden, save seeds, and plant trees. Communities should be looking to create edible landscapes of abudance. We need programs to help small conventional farmers switch to pesticide-free methods of growing that don't require enormous energy inputs.
To find CSAs, organic farms, and farmers' markets in your area go to the Local Harvest.
"We need to get to work immediately in order to create local and sustainable family farms that will be able to survive the coming crises."
OHIO SUSTAINABLE FARM INITIATIVE
Whereby, food is essential to life,
Whereby, we are about to undergo a period of oil and natural gas depletion,
We hereby promote the use of small scale and sustainable methods of agriculture. Beyond being necessary for the short-term coming energy crises, small scale, sustainable forms of agriculture are more sensitive to the ecological needs of the land. In order to do this we promote the following steps to be taken
1) Help farmers switch from conventional methods to organic by giving them a small subsidy during the 3 to 5 year transition period.
2) Have a fund set aside specifically to help and encourage young people to become growers and farmers.
3) Start a program to provide all sustainably and locally grown food to schools and hospitals.
4) Create neighborhood and community gardens in every village, town, and city.
5) Have apprenticeship and internship positions available for anyone interested in sustainable agriculture.
6) Promote seed saving and setup free community "Seed Banks."
RESOURCES:
Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association- (OEFFA) Excellent organization promoting sustainable food production in the Ohio area. Host informative and thoughtful events and confrences throughout the year.
Farm Aid- National organization promoting close connection between growers and consumers.
Food Routes- Find local and sustainable food in your area.
ATTRA-The national sustainable farming information center located at the University of Arkansas that links farmers and other agricultural professionals to information and resources on sustainable agriculture.
Growers Connection- Books & online resources for small farm marketing and farmers' markets, as well as links to a wide variety of small farm, sustainable resources.
Innovative Farmers of Ohio- IFO is a non profit organization working to promote an agriculture which preserves and strenghtens the economic, social and environmental wel being of Ohio's farms, farm families, and rural communitites thorugh research, education, and community development. Provides assitance with funding and development of on farm research trials for farmers interested in ecological and econimical production.
Local Harvest- A not for profit website designed to help consumers find fresh locally grown foods in neighborhoods throughout the United States, including Farmers' Markets, CSA's UPicks and more.
WE NEED YOU!
Here at OPOA we are trying to transform crisis into opportunity. If you think that the mission and material that OPOA provides is useful and much needed during this coming time of crisis, we ask that you give what you can to support a truly grassroots movement to protect and defend the Earth and humanity during the coming times. With two full-time staff members, practically all funds are used exclusively to further our mission to help prepare the Ohio area for the coming times and to distribute free information about how individuals and communities can prepare for the coming times. Without your kind donations and support we wouldn’t be able to survive! To donate or find out more about how you can get involved please follow this link. Voice your opinions, solutions, inventions, suggestions, insights, strategies, and analyses at www.RelocalizationWiki.org.