Living Off The Land

Back in the late 60's and early 70's there was lots of talk about homesteading and living off the land. Many people where learning homesteading skills and planning to move to the country to practice this lifestyle. There where books and magazine articles and of course the homesteaders bible The Mother Earth News. People were wanting to get back to the land.

Last night on the news I watched a story about people all across the country that where starting to raise chickens in their back yards. I am not talking about out in the country, I am talking about suburban and urban towns and cities here. People are worried about the source of their foods especially in light of the massive egg recall and the condition that some of these egg producers allowed to exist in their facilities. People are concerned they want to know where the food they eat is coming from and how it was produced. They are getting involved. There are city councils and local town governments that are starting to think about changing laws that prevent people from raising chickens in their backyards. I would think that this type of awareness is a good thing.

I don’t know that raising chickens is the answer for everyone although I know for a fact that only a couple of blocks from the Urban Garden in the City Of Chicago I have seen chickens running around in a back yard complete with a coop. This tells you something!

With the cost of food going up and the questionable wide spread out breaks of contaminated food in the supply chain a lot of people are concerned enough to do something , anything on their own to ensure fresh healthy foods on the family table. There has been a marked increase in the number of people growing vegetable gardens in the last couple of years. There are a number of restaurants in Chicago that have taken to growing their on produce in gardens next to the restaurants as well as roof top gardens. Not only are the customers receiving the freshest products but the restaurants are saving money as well.

Along with the above social services associations, not for profit groups, as well as church’s have started sponsoring community garden programs to help community members as well as food pantries. What I think is really great is that children are being exposed to gardening at an early age. Not only is this an important life skill it is a ways to keep them out of harms way and to get them involved in a learning experience that is not only educational but fun.

I think anyone can grow some of their own food be it potted tomatoes or cucumbers on a trellis sitting on a patio or a little plot in the back or front yard with beans and peppers. If you Google community gardens I bet you would find a lot of groups in your area where you could volunteer, attend classes , or get some help.

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