Time to bring back the Victory Garden

[Denninmi]

OK, I don't want to take sides in the big debate about "red state, blue state" "democrat, republican" on this post, but I think most people would agree that the economy is a big mess (especially in my home state of Michigan) and getting worse all of the time. I think its time for a big push towards self sufficiency, which is something our Depression era parents and grandparents were really good at, and I think my generation and later ones are just spoiled by having too much too easy.

How many of you do semi-subsistence level agriculture -- growing and preserving a fairly significant, say at least 1/4 to 1/3, of your total food supply for the year?

Are you planning to do more -- plant more and put up more?

In World War II, the Victory Gardens were so important for the war effort, putting a lot of food on tables where it might not have been, especially with things like chickens and rabbits for meat, where meat was in very short supply. I think we need to bring this mentality back, and encourage and allow people to be able to have their own fresh, high quality food.

Ann Arbor, Michigan has a proposal before the city council to allow homeowners to keep up to 4 hens for egg production, but no roosters, due to noise. I think this is an excellent idea. Where I live, if I tried to have a few chickens, I'd be fined. I think this is such a shame, it goes against our entire heritage -- almost all of our ancestors relied on small-scale agriculture for survival, well into this century. My mother grew up in the depression, and they raised chickens and rabbits in the back yard, sold the excess to neighbors or bartered for things they needed, fished and hunted a lot, her brothers trapped and sold the furs to buy school books, clothes, etc. Even when I was young, in the 60's and 70's, a neighbor down the road had a big flock of chickens, which were grandfathered in after the township banned farm animals, and they were fun to watch and interesting to have in the neighborhood, not really all that noisy, and the neighbor, who was quite an elderly lady at the time, supplemented her meager income by selling the eggs.

Well, I can't have livestock due to ordinance, and I can't keep bees anymore, because they just die from various problems -- colony collapse disorder is the latest, which may be a BIG threat to all of our agricultural interests. BUT, I can grow even more of my own food (I think I do pretty well already -- I have a freezer full of home grown veggies, and at least 200 quarts of home-canned produce from last summer). I have a lot of fruit trees, berry plants, etc. But, I think I'm going to expand even more, both in area of production and in diversity of crops. I'm also going to try to find even more ways to preserve and use my home-grown produce.

When you really think about it, the American middle class really is on the ropes -- much of the wealth of the country is held by a few, the rich are getting richer while the poor and middle class are falling behind, all of the "inputs" into the system -- energy, food, healthcare, etc, are getting more and more expensive, while wages and benefits are stagnant or falling, unemployment is rising. What really worries me the most is the fact that so many people are so utterly cut off from any sense of self-sufficiency -- I'll use my brother in law as an example -- he had never, until he met my sister, seen ANYTHING grow, and he was completely amazed when he found out potatos A) actually grew in Michigan and B) grew underground. If things really go down the tubes in this country -- say OPEC thinks $100 a barrel isn't enough, it wants $200 by next summer of autumn -- what will happen to this country if we get into another Great Depression type scenario, and NO ONE knows how to even feed themselves?

[Cliff Timmons]

And it's good for the soul.

[manonash]

I've recently been thinking this too. I do have plans to be able to have a garden that can feed me locally/seasonally all year round. I'm fortunate enough to live in a location where I can grow food year round here pretty well. I'm still a real gardening newbie, but I'm passionate about this. I'm not sure I got what it takes to grow my own meat, but I could raise chickens for eggs. My extended family hunts so they could provide me with meat, but also for now we buy as much as we can locally. I have dreams of a garden that provide me and my family with all the veggies and fruit that we eat.

for people who live where there is harsh winters as I do - sprouts provide fresh nutrition so grow enough seeds that you can sprout in the dark time of winter.

[MiPete]

Hey Denninmi,
As a fellow Michigander, I feel your economic pain!! If anyone questions a "recession" they can look to MI for the last 3 years. We are leading the way.

We've expanded our growing, added chickens (no ordinances out of town) and eat from the freezer/dried foods more and more every year. With normal animal feeds increasing in price we plan to grow more of the feeds for our birds this coming year. They are pastured so we don't pay as much as some, but with Layer Mash at $16. cwt I can do that myself!!!

[johno]

Great post, Denninmi! Timely, too. I think it's important for all of us to share our gardening knowledge with neighbors, friends, and anyone who will listen. If it becomes necessary, the more locals who provide for themselves, the fewer you'll be feeding. Save lots of seed to share!

We are getting more hens for egg production, and I'm venturing into growing grains for animal feed and possibly for baking. We already have a great garden, and I have been working towards getting my community interested in heirloom gardening.

[Billy B]

I SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ALSO. WE HAVE TO START NOW IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ONE HAS SEEDS AND ONE KNOWS HOW TO USE THEM BEFORE YOU REALLY NEED THEM. THE SAME GOES FOR RABBITS OR CHICKENS,YOU DON'T START NOW WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO GET THESE WHEN EVERYONE ELSE WANTS THEM?

[Dani & Mike]

It's a great idea and wrote about it a few years ago... especially important in cities, too. I suggested the name be updated to Peace Gardens. The idea bombed in my area... if you'll pardon the pun. I still think self-sufficiency is smart idea, now more than ever. When I see how those grocery store shelves clear out before a storm, when I watch the gas prices climb, when I read about peak oil, when I observe how the government is taking care of the average citizen.... well, gee, why would you not prepare? At least feed yourselves! We're currently doing artwork for an orthodox church that is planning it's first organic garden right on the church grounds. Every church ought to do this, let their members dip their toes in by volunteering, and grow food for their own use or to donate to charity. It's a natural match, and a logical service for a church - swords to plowshares. It plants the seeds for more of that kind of peaceful action. It's very empowering. Schools should have gardens and be raising their own foods as well. A few innovative ones are.

[uprooted_kentuckian]

I wish I did grow enough of my own food. Hopefully one day I'll learn enough to be able to do it. I've got enough land to do it (I think).

[thegreatgarden]

Does any one have the problem of over producing more vegetable then their own personal needs.