Food and Our World
Our upcoming novel Flowers and Bones of the Demons and Deities series begins with Rosalind Macbeth spending time on her family’s farm. This concept, links us into today’s blog about the food we eat and where it comes from.
As a society, we’ve become sterile, unknowing and uncaring about where our food comes from or how it’s obtained. We’ve been programmed to think mass production doesn’t have an effect in our lives or the planet while small scale production is often viewed as the ultimate evil.
I’ve read articles where small farmers who treat their animals well, get slapped with law suits because their animals are kept not in cramped cages but on open pasture. Some of these small farmers have been sued and lost their lively hoods when a corporate giant’s patented crop cross pollinates with their heirloom varieties. Interesting because to obtain these samples, the giant had to trespass and remove produce, yet few if any charges are ever brought against them. The giants have the finance to hold out while the court fees cripple the small farm.
All of that is just the small beginning because if you eat plants or animals or a mixture of both, something has died so that you can live. This isn’t to make anyone feel badly about themselves, it’s just nature. Animals all across the globe, including humans, need to eat. Some eat plants, some animals, some both.
There is a growing movement towards vegetarianism or veganism and like any other dietary choices, they are personal, neither right or wrong except for the person who partakes. But one must still be aware of the price of these foods. Unless you grow your own foods, plowed fields destroy the burrows and lives of countless small animals as do many of the poisons and sprays applied to the crops. Palm oils, unless sustainably harvested level rainforests, killing endangered species. Even organic isn’t always harm free. Many organic pesticides are just as toxic as their contemporary counterparts. Again, this is not to make anyone angry or feel bad, just be aware of the source of your foods. It is all part of life and it’s up to us to be educated to make the best choices for ourselves, our families, and our world.
There is also a movement on the opposite side of the scale for small farming and homesteading. For most of these, the fields are small, the livestock raised as nature intended, on a pasture, only supplemented as needed. Many of these farms steer away from chemicals, natural or artificial, and GMO products. Some raise only grains and fruits, and vegetables and nuts. Some raise only animals for food. Some raise a mixture of both. It is my personal view that the small, sustainable gardening and farming, no matter your choice of diet, is the way to go.
Now, moving on. Ironically, there are people in this country who actually believe that if you buy your meat from a grocery store, no animals were harmed or killed. So here’s this note. All meat comes from an animal bottom line. What matters is how the animal is raised, cared for, and killed. Some people hunt their meat, and if done correctly, that’s wonderful. Some raise their own, most of these people take exceptional care of their animals; love them, give them a dignified death when the time comes. Still others don’t have any choice but purchase their meat. This is where life gets tricky since most meat in grocery stores is supplied, like most fruits and vegetables, by mega farms, those agriculture giants we spoke of earlier. Now, some of those giants are really good and do care for their animals and their land. Others, it means nothing to them as long as they get paid.
So, what can you do?
First, be informed. I don’t care if you’re a carnivore, an omnivore, or an herbivore, be aware of where you put your food dollars. (Yes, I know, with today’s economy, it’s not always easy or possible, but we’re going to offer a few suggestions that may help.)
If you can, try to buy local whenever possible. While we’re fans of organic and non-GMO, that is your choice to make too and we won’t judge you for it. You could try to grow some of your own food. Even in limited space, a container garden of certain fruits, vegetables, leafy greens and/or herbs would make a difference. Depending upon where you live, it’s possible you could raise chickens or rabbits, even just a pair or trio of hens for eggs would be something. If you have the freezer space you could talk to a local hunter or farmer about bulk purchasing. The prices upfront may seem like a lot, but it can ultimately save you money. You could also see about buying milk from a local dairy, some will sell raw, some won’t much depends on state laws.
A small thing that could be done to help your local environment would be to plant a bee and butterfly garden. (Careful if you’re allergic to beestings.)
Often times you can find deals if you check with your local 4H or FFA groups, the local county-extension office, local garden groups, or even the library. It doesn’t take much to learn about homesteading, householding, rain collection, grey water, earthships, geo-thermal heating and air, solar energy, wind energy, and current energy.
But I digress.
The whole point of this is to aid in education about where food comes from and to offer a few ways to help you make you choices and possibly help the world one small action at a time. Many of these things are things your parents, grandparents or great-grandparents did, at least to some degree. If they are still alive and willing to share, not only is it a valuable learning experience, but a wonderful bonding time. There is a wealth of information out there if you’re willing to look. This is after all for ourselves, our animals, our plants, our children, our planet and our future.
