Perhaps it’s comes with getting older, but as I reflect back to childhood, I now appreciate some things that I took for granted. Like growing up on a small 300 acre dairy farm — at least small by today’s standards. I never realized the built-in work ethic that came with awaking at 4:45 every morning. It taught me the value of family contribution, daily routine, and reward for hard work. The lessons have been invaluable.
But like many of us, education, career, and life choices happened, and I gravitated toward a more urban life, including here in Canada. I live in the large town of Victoria, the capitol of British Columbia, with a metro population of about 350,000. Until recently I lived in a ‘high density’ area. A bit of irony, because, as you know, I work with farmers and ranchers in emergency preparedness and management. This includes the field of ‘food security’.
Living with apartments and condos all around has been an eye-opener. I witnessed first hand the incredible dependency on others for our very basic necessities, the ‘food chain’ of on-time delivery, and the fragileness of the transport and storage system. If any one of several emergencies occurred, or even the threat of one, we could quickly see bare shelves at the grocer. As I blogged last time, the question is only the severity of the food shortage.
Alas, now I see the other side! I have moved to a farm, albeit, a small one – about 5 acres outside of Victoria, British Columbia. It has been an eye-opener. How only a little land is needed to meet a family’s ‘food security’ needs. Especially if it is productive land that is enriched and taken care of! About half the farm is under production, mostly with pick-your-own berries. There’s a small vegetable garden, the size of a small backyard.
My impressions are: 1) Working the gardens is work, but the reward is amazing. 2) Freshness cannot be underestimated. Not only the taste but the nutritional value of going from the garden directly to the plate. 3) Storage happens in the field, while picking only what’s needed for the daily diet. In our climate, crops are seasonal, so we must prepare and store for the winter. It’s another life-lesson. 4) So much can grow on a very small patch of land, even the size of a living room. The fruit and veggies just keep coming and coming. 5) Sharing with neighbors is a great way to build community. And we all need community! 6) Is there an energy cost to walking out the back door, as opposed to trucking from California or the prairies? Environmentalists might protest less, and live the lifestyle more. 7) Eat seasonally! Everything is not available all the time, but this is ok. 8) I am living my own emergency food plan. It’s not a plan; it’s a daily routine that can remain intact even during an emergency.
I am sure there are other advantages. Food from a garden is the ‘fruit of our labor’ and a satisfying experience. It is good for body, soul, and spirit. It reduces my stress and anxiety and simply gives me a quiet time to think, to work thru issues, to solve daily problems. Somehow, things are less bleak as I walk from the garden after weeding and am carrying some fresh kale, broccoli, and beans for supper.
I also understand that everyone can’t live this. Health issues, lifestyles, commitments, and pure economics can prevent having a useable piece of land outside the door. But many of us could creatively find a location, even a postage-stamp spot, where we could grow select fruit or veggies. I also confess that I could have for the four years in my other location, but didn’t. Now I can and clearly my quality of life has improved. Including fresh picked strawberries for dessert!
Come over anytime!
Monty
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