Part 2 of a 6 part series
2. That a sound agricultural economy can be based on an export market.
"We should begin, I think, by assuming that a sound economy cannot be based on any market that it does not control. And we should assume, further, that any foreign market for food ought to be temporary, and therefore, by definition, not dependable. The best thing for any nation or people, obviously, is to grow its own food, and therefore charity alone would forbid us to depend on or wish for a permanent market for our agricultural products in any foreign country. And we must ask too whether or not charity can ever regard hungry people as "a market."
I find it very interesting how Berry sees Christian love (charity) as a primary reason NOT to pursue a global agricultural market. But the USDA tells us that it is America's responsibility "to feed the world" therefore seemingly justifying it's industrial agricultural doctrine. Very little thought and consideration is given to the long range consequences for the farmer, the farmer's family, the farmer's land or the local farming community. The only thing that matters, to the USDA, is "increasing production" so that America can "feed the world". On the surface "feeding the world" sounds like a noble thing but I suspect that this noble sounding idea is not the true motive. I suspect the USDA's main objective is to promote the financial interests of the huge corporate agribusinesses that deal in seed, fertilizers, machinery and petro products. (The old "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine" routine.) While American farmers have increased production and "fed the world" to some degree, this type of agriculture has led to many problems on the agricultural horizon here at home. Very few (and aging) farmers, declining soil health, declining vigor of rural communities, unknown dangers of genetically modified seeds, extremely liberal uses of pesticides, insecticides herbicides and a total dependence on fossil fuels for fertilizers and motive power are a few of our agricultural woes brought on by modern ag doctrines.
THE GARDENING HAS BEGUN
After the "UnAmish" barn roof raising it was time to put the tin on the roof. Very grateful for my brother-in-law, Jon and neighbor, Tom who helped with this part
I leave you with these agrarian verses from Psalm 144: 12-15
" Let our sons in their youth be as grown-up plants, and our
daughters as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace; let
our garners be full, furnishing every kind of produce, and
our flocks bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our
fields; Let our cattle bear, without mishap and without loss,
let there be no outcry in our streets! How blessed are the
people who are so situated; How blessed are the people
whose God is the LORD!
Thanks again for stopping by to visit Lil Bitty Farm blog. Happy gardening!!
Todd