EMERGENCY RISK REDUCTION

Perhaps soon after meeting someone, you are often asked, “What do you do?” My answer used to be complex, but now is relatively simple. “I work in agricultural emergency planning.” Then I usually must further explain that I prepare farmers for emergencies and disaster. That I have combined a background and also education in both agriculture and emergency management. That I have found a niche here in British Columbia, mostly working for the provincial government. Like lots of services, I have sort of fallen into this consultancy role, since there is ample competition for contracts in the ‘general’ emergency field. These contracts are hard to come by, unless I am in the so-called network. 

It has been rewarding to work in municipalities or small districts with fire chiefs and rescue, who may also by default be emergency coordinators. However, very few contractors combine agriculture and emergencies, so I have combined these skills.   I enjoy the reward of assisting farmers and ranchers in emergency preparedness. They — or we — are often overlooked, and I have blogged on some reasons before. Agriculture is a risky business. Farmers and ranchers are ‘exposed’ to numerous risks.  Some of these risks are physical. Some escalate to disasters, or even into catastrophes. 

Others are economic. I once was told that the greatest risk faced by farmers was ‘market risk’. Ultimately, income greater than expenses equals profit, and this is the equation for in any business, small or large, to remain functioning – including farming.   Many, many factors weigh into this, and therefore it’s a “high risk” environment.  This is why terms such as catastrophic insurance, subsidized pricing, or disaster funding are common, and often provided as government services for the agricultural sector.  The factors involved in remaining in business are their greatest concern, and yes, this should involve disaster preparedness.

A valid question is why the agricultural sector has a ‘special privilege’ to get this government support. It’s a valid question. The answer includes the uniqueness of farming and food security. How long could we go without food if supplies were interrupted? Several generations ago, 95% of the public was responsible for its own food security, primarily through farming. Centuries ago, a large percentage was engaged in fishing, hunting, or gathering. Our forefathers knew the meaning of plenty and scarcity, of staple crops and a food basket – both large and small. And seasonal.

Today, the vast majority of us, the public, have no concept of scarcity. We have less than 3% of the population in 2016 involved in food production in North America.  Yet we honestly expect both quantity and variety of almost any worldwide food to be readily available in our grocery store, whether a big box warehouse or the corner grocer. A massive food chain. Human nature is that we will probably not worry about the alternative until the links begin breaking down. Sadly, sooner or later, it will. The only question is the severity – the quantity and the duration of food scarcity.

I have mentioned before that Vancouver Island, where I reside, has stocked food for about 4 days. We have no bridges to the ‘mainland’ and if the ferries stop, the food stops. Logistics will become a nightmare overnight. But problems would be everywhere, including in your hometown. I did my Texas A&M graduate work for a large irrigation company the San Joaquin Valley of California, which is part of a series of valleys that produce up to 20% of fresh fruits and vegetables for the US market. Imagine the logistics of moving that fresh product across the continent by 18-wheeled truckers. It’s complex and fragile. And full of risk.

I have also blogged about the ‘buy local’ or ‘100 mile diet’ movement. Yes, this is one way to assure better food security. But it has several caveats, not the least of which is a population that either engages themselves or must have access to ‘local’. It is a fairly privileged place in which to be, physically and economically. Of course, the ultimate local is having one’s own garden, even a small one.

I will speak from experience about this on my next blog…because I have recently moved to somewhere ‘local’ – a 5-acre fruit and vegetable farm.

Thanks for reading.

Monty