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So why has glyphosate become the pesticide environmental activists love to hate? One reason: It was developed by Monsanto, the company often referred to as the “Great Satan” when activists are lashing out at what they call “industrial agriculture.”
Some farmers may be resistant to the idea of reevaluating farming techniques that may impact water quality in certain areas due to the added cost and workload associated with changing how we produce food. However, this is a message that everyone needs to hear, regardless of their background, because it's a problem that affects us all, regardless of class, race, gender, or level of concern. The size of the farming operation also matters in this context, from industrial to boutique.
"It is important to have a positive perspective of rural farming, and I want to atract more black farmers to it. Plus, we desperately need younger people to come into its fold and learn from our older generations how to carry it on. The average age of the black farmer is 60, which is older than US producers overall". -Dr. Veronica Womack, founder of Black Farmer's Network
“If we move forward and don’t clean up the messes of the past, they’ll just get swept under the rug.” – Erin Brokovich
Family farmers, and farmers in general, contribute directly to food security and nutrition. They also directly influence the management of resources, social interaction, and community bonds.
“You literally push a couple of buttons, the drone flies the field like a lawnmower, collects the data, and processes the data,” said Colby. “It’s a very valuable tool,” he said. DroneDeploy offers both a free service and paid service, which starts at $99 per month.
"I know there's a farmer out there somewhere who never wants a PC and that's fine with me." -Bill Gates
“The scariest thing is that nobody seems to be considering the impact on those wild fish of fish farming on the scale that is now being proposed on the coast of Norway or in the open ocean off the United States. Fish farming, even with conventional techniques, changes fish within a few generations from an animal like a wild buffalo or a wildebeest to the equivalent of a domestic cow. Domesticated salmon, after several generations, are fat, listless things that are good at putting on weight, not swimming up fast-moving rivers. When they get into a river and breed with wild fish, they can damage the wild fish's prospects of surviving to reproduce. When domesticated fish breed with wild fish, studies indicate the breeding success initially goes up, then slumps as the genetically different offspring are far less successful at returning to the river. Many of the salmon in Norwegian rivers, which used to have fine runs of unusually large fish, are now of farmed origin. Domesticated salmon are also prone to potentially lethal diseases, such as infectious salmon anemia, which has meant many thousands have had to be quarantined or killed. They are also prone to the parasite Gyrodactylus salaris, which has meant that whole river systems in Norway have had to be poisoned with the insecticide rotenone and restocked.” ― Charles Clover, The End of the Line: How Overfishing Is Changing the World and What We Eat
There is a lawsuit that claims the cranberry operations are polluting water systems by illegally releasing phosphorous-laden water without permits through ditches and canals, such as into the Musky Bay. Phosphorous is an essential nutrient that's commonly found in fertilizers, but too much can fuel the growth of algae and reduce water quality.
"Globalized industrialized food is not cheap: it is costly for the Earth, for the farmers, for our health. The Earth can no longer carry the burden of excessive groundwater mining, pesticide pollution, the disappearance of species, and the destabilization of habitats"
"In the end, if and when our time on this planet has run its course, the human species will be judged not by the number of billionaires it has produced, or even by the exquisite art it has created over the entire span of its evolutionary history. Rather, it will be evaluated on how well it looked after its own kind and the rest of the life forms on which it was wholly dependent."
'Nature has all the answers. What is your question? Mine is, how can a city bio-mimic a functional
ecosystem?'
A farming robot revolution is imminent, with fruit-picking machines nearly ready to roll into the fields and start replacing human workers.
Glyphosate, commonly referred to as Roundup, is a commonly used pesticide in both small commercial farms and residential gardens as well as grand-scale industrial farming. It has been reported to increase the risk of cancer, endocrine disruption, celiac disease, the spectrum of autistic vulnerability, erythrocytes, and leaky-gut syndrome.
Roundup weedkiller made by Monsanto with Glyphosate, UK.
New York, NY, May 25, 2013. A sign denouncing Monsanto was held up as people in New York's Union Square rallied against the U.S.-based agriculture and biotechnology corporation. The rally and subsequent march was one of many across the U.S. and in dozens of other countries. Organizers hope to spread the word about what they say are the harmful effects of genetically modified foods.
Making the leap from Monsanto's business practices - whatever you may think of them - to the 'dangers' of GM foods is a mistake in logical reasoning. It is akin to saying landscape paintings are potentially evil because the painter was a serial killer. -Kyle Hill. vs. Like so many large companies in the U.S., Monsanto has prospered in large part due to U.S. taxpayer-funded programs and services.
Economically, many folks don't feel they can afford organic. While this may be true in some cases, I think more often than not it's a question of priority. I feel it's one of the most important areas of concern ecologically because the petrochemical giants - DuPont, Monsanto - make huge money by poisoning us. -Woody Harrelson
Monsanto can do anything they want to you, and put anything they want into your foods. There's nothing you can do about it. -Jesse Ventura
Kind mit einem Schild, Demonstration gegen Monsanto am 25.03.2013 in Berlin, Alexanderplatz Child holding a sign, Protest against Monsanto on 25.03.2013 in Berlin, Alexanderplatz, Germany
Ever notice that filmy waxy shiny residue on fruits and vegetables at your local grocery store? Produce may have dirt, germs and pesticide residues on them during the time it is grown until it's taken to your table, sometimes traveling thousands of miles. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) control the amount of pesticide residue allowed on foods to ensure food safety.
Greta Thunberg (born January 3, 2003, Stockholm, Sweden) Swedish environmental activist who worked to address the problem of climate change, founding (2018) a movement known as Fridays for Future (also called School Strike for Climate). Thunberg's mother was an opera singer, and her father was an actor.
The impacts of climate change, including psychological based on mass media reporting, will become increasingly evident in the coming years, leading to significant population shifts as people flee the West. By 2035, the full extent of our neglect, in many ways, will be apparent. Without deliberate efforts to reverse a sense of normalcy, the world as we know it will be unrecognizable.
Research estimates more than 216 million people could migrate within their countries as a result of climate change by 2050
We must consider the impact of current agricultural practices on our water supply. Are these methods sufficient to prevent harmful contaminants from entering our water sources? Why aren't farmers incentivized to use environmentally friendly alternatives to harsh chemical pesticides? Perhaps the government could offer tax breaks, grants, or subsidies to encourage this transition.
Around 60 million plastic bottles end up in landfills every single day, and Americans alone send more than 38 billion water bottles to landfills every year, the equivalent of 912 million gallons of oil. How many plastic bottles are in the ocean? The number of plastic bottles in the sea is unknown, but over 250 billion were not recycled. Around 8-9 million metric tons of plastic end up in our oceans every year.
Changing habits is challenging, especially when the benefits of change are not immediately apparent or when harmful practices are cheaper and more convenient. However, the truth is that these chemicals end up in our water supply, with serious consequences for both wildlife and human health.
Britta Baechler, Associate Director of Ocean Plastics Research at Ocean Conservancy cited a study that found 60% of fish examined globally contained microplastics. Carnivorous fish were more likely to have microplastics than omnivores.
The What's in the Net study documents that at least 720,000 seabirds, 300,000 cetaceans, 345,000 seals and sea lions, and over 250,000 turtles die after being caught in fisheries around the world annually alongside tens of millions of sharks.
Studies suggest that although only 1% of used face masks are improperly disposed of, this still amounts to approximately 10 million masks per month, resulting in 30-40 tons of plastic waste being released into the environment (Kwak and An, 2021)
During the 1970s, between 1 million and 2 million tires were put in the ocean off Broward County to create additional fish habitats. Tire rubber contains various chemicals and pollutants that can leach into the water, posing a threat to aquatic organisms and the overall health of the ocean. Additionally, the physical presence of tire debris can disrupt habitats and harm marine animals that may ingest or become entangled in it.
In the United States, among married women aged 15 to 49 years with no prior births, about 1 in 5 (19%) are unable to get pregnant after one year of trying (infertility)
Each year in the U.S. there are an estimated 15, 780 children between the ages of birth and 19 years of age who are diagnosed with cancer. Approximately 1 in 285 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer before their 20th birthday. Globally there are more than 300,000 children diagnosed with cancer each year.
In 2022, there will be an estimated 1.9 million new cancer cases diagnosed and 609,360 cancer deaths in the United States
Antidepressants (ATDs) are one of the most prescribed medications for psychiatric conditions. The widespread presence in aquatic environment and demonstrated ecotoxicity make ATDs a class of concerning emerging contaminants. Scientists are also testing sludge from wastewater treatment plants:"Tracking substances such as nicotine, alcohol, heroin and opioids in sewage sludge shows how drug uses changes on weekends. “Those pieces of information are hard to come by otherwise,” Peccia said.
There are many diagrams that educate readers of all ages about the relationship between water, land usage, and the potential errors that can occur including runoff into water systems, especially if continually effective safeguards aren't in place and erosion is present due to habitat destruction.
Stone orange aqueduct at Queretaro downtown, plaza, Mexico. Some techniques related to water systems, including procurement and distribution of potable water and irrigation date back to ancient civilizations. An understanding of topography and physics is essential for effective construction, resilience, and efficacy.
It seems no matter how hard humanity tries to address problems such as harm reduction in manufacturing goods, inventing processes and techniques that serve many, as in the millions, causes unwanted consequences. Even the concept of "the cloud" is not truly the cloud, but data stored in sprawling centers throughout the globe, taking hectares upon hectares of land to store our digital footprint.
There are alternatives to chemical pesticides, such as using insectary plants like rosemary and mint (These attract bugs that will target pests from infiltrating your garden), diatomaceous earth (earth made from silica shells of algae formed together, from a powder which then kills the insects through death by dehydration and they leave your tomato plants alone), introducing birds and insect-eating mammals (create a welcoming environment for local birds who then eat pests that harm plant life. Make bird feeders, nesting boxes, not shooting them)
Scatter mexican marigolds (Tagetes minuta) and pot marigolds (Calendula officinalis) through your veggie garden for bugless crops, information courtesy of Backyard Farmer
Neem-derived extracts have been shown to work anywhere from insect repellent, to supplements to lower inflammation, diabetic control, and even to combat cancer.
Neem oil (Extract from the Neem Plant, this oil is poison to most pests and insects),
Pine needles, also known as pine straw, make fine mulch for some flower beds and home gardens (not pictured above). They are light and fluffy, used by the late Dr. Renato Cardano in his garden on the Eastern Shore of Virginia that he created using a variety of inventions, techniques, and methods in his retirement as a metallurgist from Italy. His grandchildren have continued his legacy
Mulching (process of applying shredded parts of a plant, especially leaves, on the soil's surface. Well-executed mulching is an effective pest control measure, as it minimizes the odds of soil damage, discourages weed growth, and reduces direct sunlight's effects on the soil), insecticidal oils (One of the most commonly used natural pest control methods in eco-friendly gardening community. Unlike other methods listed, gardeners have depended on insecticidal oils for a significant amount of time. They help with spider mites, aphids, and psylla populations), regulating access to pests (avert them with a meshed wire fence....laughable tactic to some considering the avarice nature of survival) and introducing microbial diseases
Located in Painter, Virginia, the Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center is committed to supporting commercial vegetable and agronomic crop production. The center grows more than 25 crops annually for research and Extension studies. New, state-of-the-art applied research that is relevant to local farming operations is essential to ensure the Eastern Shore remains a leader in commercial agriculture production.
Researchers at centers like the Agricultural Research and Extension Center study interesting topics such as major fungal diseases, that affect potato crops such as late blight, early blight, black scurf, dry rots, wart, powdery scab, and charcoal rots.
Plant diseases caused by fungi and bacteria are most common when rain showers and/or heavy dews are frequent and temperatures are warm. During these times, scout the garden regularly for disease. Viral diseases of vegetables occur mainly during the summer when the insects that carry these diseases are most active. Nematodes thrive when temperatures are warm but they can feed on plant roots all year. Although nematode damage to the root system is hidden, high numbers of the pests will reduce plant growth and yields.
(Common pathogenic diseases that affect common household pests include fungi, viruses, and various bacteria. When introducing these diseases into a garden, they're guaranteed to kill the pests infiltrating your garden or successfully interfere with their reproduction cycles, making it a safer space for your plant life). Colloidal silver is also an effective and safe option for controlling pests in the garden. Antimicrobial silver is not only effective against fungus, but helps increase crop quality and size.
Colloidal silver was introduced in the late 1800s (19th century) and widely used before the 1930s as an alternative to silver nitrate, due to its side effects (irritancy, caustic nature, blackening of skin, and, lately, electrolyte imbalance) for medical use [7,8,204]. Colloidal silver usually contains metallic silver particles suspended in a solution with < 10% ionized silver. The commercial definition now includes any fluid containing silver, such as colloidal silver protein, Micro- dyn (colloidal silver in gelatin), marketed in Mexico to disinfect vegetables and drinking water [205]. The discovery and use of penicillin, sulfonamide, and mafenide antibiotics lead to the near abandonment of silver and its related compounds in most parts of the world for 40 years after the Second World War [9-11]
Ultimately, improving water quality by examining techniques used for the procurement of food is a shared responsibility that we cannot afford to ignore. While there has been progress in reducing poverty and improving life expectancy, there is still much room for improvement. It all begins with our food and water supply, which are interconnected and essential for our survival.
Sooner or later, we will have to recognise that the Earth has rights, too, to live without pollution. What mankind must know is that human beings cannot live without Mother Earth, but the planet can live without humans. –Evo Morales
While these methods may seem enticing, the level of involvement and effort required from a diverse array of experts including farmers, corporations, legislators, suppliers, distributors, and activists would be immense. However, it is not an impossible task. Meanwhile, the priority remains ensuring that the world is adequately fed.
“We are enslaved by speed and have all succumbed to the same insidious virus: Fast Life, which disrupts our habits, pervades the privacy of our homes, and forces us to eat Fast Foods… A firm defense of quiet material pleasure is the only way to oppose the universal folly of Fast Life… May suitable doses of guaranteed sensual pleasure and slow, long-lasting enjoyment preserve us from the contagion of the multitude who mistake frenzy for efficiency. Our defense should begin at the table with Slow Food. Let us rediscover the flavors and savors of regional cooking and banish the degrading effects of Fast Food.”
(Excerpt from the Official Slow Food Manifesto, as published in “Slow Food: A Case for Taste” in 2001)
-Arlie Russell Hochschild
-Alice Waters
July 16, 2006 Rio Negro, Amazon, Brazil. Vandana Shiva from the Navdania seed project.
July 23, 2022: A small crowd gathers in downtown Ottawa to show support for the Dutch Farmers cause protesting new environmental targets to slow climate change in the Netherlands.
Many "green" initiatives encourage individuals to change their behavior, like their eco-footprint.
“The Earth is a fine place and worth fighting for.” -Ernest Hemingway, Author
“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” -Native American Proverb
"Until you dig a hole, you plant a tree, you water it and make it survive, you haven't done a thing. You are just talking." -Wangari Maathai
This is only one aspect of change, including reducing our exposure to harmful contaminants. In a reductionist stance, it seems the only solution is to simply ban the processes that cause harm, which ultimately is in the hands of corporations that provide consumer choices. It is much easier to reduce destructive behaviors related to our health and environment when the choices that promote them are eliminated. It certainly brings up the interrelated topics of freedom, privacy, and ethics. Consumers can choose to participate in a slow food movement, but making a transition to such a lifestyle can be daunting. Dedicating your life to sustainability can reduce what feels like a competitive edge. Some may feel there isn't enough time in their day to practice ethical consumer behaviors that are not built into our expectations of convenience, including the ones we take for granted. Furthermore, the "right" choice is cost-prohibitive when presented alongside more affordable options, such as in your local grocery store.
A sign advertises fresh eggs, June 10, 2021, in Grand Bay, Alabama. The community of 3,672 people is predominantly rural.
The Organic Farm Shop at Abbey Farm has organic fruit and vegetables for sale in the shop. The entropy of a carrot, aid to vision. Important to see the connection as a root in earth covered in dirt, and not simply a plastic shiny bullet soaked in antimicrobial light chlorine. Address the disconnect.
Tuscany, Val d'Orcia. Rolling hills and landscape, Italy "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." -Hippocrates
Slow Food is an organization that promotes local food and traditional cooking, it was founded by Carlo Petrini in Italy in 1986 and has since spread worldwide. It is a global movement of local groups and activists united by the common goal of ensuring everyone has access to good, clean, and fair food.
Slow Food agricultural education project near Domodossola, Piedmont, Italy. Slow Food is not confined to Italy. Today there are over 150,000 members of the movement in 160 countries. The United States has more than 170 local chapters. In 2004, Petrini opened the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo in Piedmont, Italy, where you can study artisanal and industrial food production, among other things.
Carlo Petrini President and Founder of the Slow Food Movement. Back in 1986, when the first McDonald’s in Italy was set to open near the Spanish Steps in Rome, there were protests. One man, an Italian journalist named Carlo Petrini, decided that carrying signs was futile and so he planned a different way to get attention. He gathered his friends and they joined the protesters not with signs, but with bowls of penne pasta that they dished out to passersby. Their slogan, “We don’t want fast food… we want slow food!” Petrini and other protesters were not able to keep McDonald’s out but they did give voice to another way of thinking about food, and from this the Slow Food movement was born. Three years after the first protest, Petrini and representatives of 15 countries met in Paris for the signing of the Slow Food Manifesto
"Say No to McDonald's" artwork courtesy of yesmagazine.org "Italy's "Slow Food" Pioneer: How My Love for Food Ripened into a Life's Work" by Sarah Van Gelder, December 21, 2013
Slow Food Movement urban farmer sculpture and volunteers booth at Sebastopol Farmer's Market, Sonoma County, California.
A sign for 'Agriturismo', accommodation in a farm house in Chianti, Italy "Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you're a thousand miles from the corn field."
Sign at entrance of Agriturismo Chiusulelle, Ogliastro, Southern Italy "There are two spiritual dangers in not knowing the farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other is that heat comes from the furnace."
Out of the Slow Food movement has grown something called the Slow Cities movement, which started in Italy but has spread right across Europe and beyond. In this, towns begin to rethink how they organize the urban landscape so that people are encouraged to slow down, smell the roses, and connect with one another.
-Carl Honore
-Carlo Petrini
-Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
Slow Food unites the pleasure of food with responsibility, sustainability, and harmony with nature.
-Carlo Petrini
There are many alternatives to pesticides, and supporting local farmers through initiatives like the Slow Food Movement is a great way to reduce reliance on certain chemical pesticides such as glyphosate.
April 10, 2019 EATALY IN PARIS "Eataly is the greatest - it's like food galore there. They have all of these little stations, like a pasta area and a pizza area. And they have the best gelato."
Another great alternative is to buy food from stores that promote local organic produce, including Eataly. Since its first opening, Eataly has been able to offer the best artisan products at reasonable prices by creating a direct relationship between producers and distributors and focusing on sustainability, responsibility, and sharing.
Milan (Italy), World Exhibition Expo 2015, Eataly restaurants "One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well. -Virginia Woolf
Food co-ops are a great way to diversify where you buy food. In Virginia, great examples are Quail Cove Farms, Herbal Instincts Natural Food Market, The Heritage Natural Market, Ellwood Thompsons, Organic Food Depot, Locals Marketplace, and Harvest Moon. There are a range of affordable options when it comes to searching for food that is free of harmful contaminants that can impact one's health, especially in the long run. Farmer's markets are also a great start including the Shore Drive Farmer's Market and the IX Market in Charlottesville, VA. In altering your purchasing choices, you improve your well-being on a cellular level. You may not notice the effects at first, but similar to overeating sugar, neglecting the adoption of this lifestyle could lead to serious issues in the long term including contributing to Alzheimer's Disease due to a proliferation of tau and beta-amyloid proteins. This includes artificial sweeteners that trick the gustatory system. Some parents do not allow their children to have products with added sugar until later in life, as introducing it at a young age may perpetuate cycles of addictive behavior as well as an emotional reliance on food as a reward.
February 13, 2011, UK. PEOPLE'S SUPERMARKET, A SUSTAINABLE FOOD CO-OPERATIVE RUN BY LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN LONDON, Sustainable food cooperative that responds to the needs of the local community and provides healthy, local food at reasonable prices
A homemade sign reading "Farm to Table Dinner", Conowingo, Maryland
Garden for Farm to Table Restaurant at Inn with gardener, Cedar Crest Lodge, Pleasanton, Kansas, USA
Marni, based in South Florida and Ohio, creator of the ingredient-conscious “Kind Hearty Meals” a business offering plant-based foraged vegan food, a similar version to the meal plan delivered by Sakara, which former Victoria Secret Models use to stay healthy
Many are familiar with the concept of Farm-to-table, which is a social movement that promotes serving local food at restaurants and school cafeterias, preferably through direct acquisition from the producer. Farm-to-table means that the food on the table comes directly from a specific farm, without going through a store, market, or distributor along the way. It is not a regulated phrase, so it can be employed by anyone who considers their offerings to fit the definition. Similar phrases include locally sourced, farm fresh, and farm-to-fork. How interesting it would be to see a rephrasing of food pantries and local food distributors that reflects a reality where consumers of all walks of life, especially migrant workers who support the nation's agricultural industry, have the opportunity to access sustainability regardless of income. On the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Dos Santos and the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore provide goods for those in need, including those with disabilities and barriers to income access/opportunity. They provide a garden where produce is grown and local vendors contribute, however, it could be taken to a new level with more support. An example of local vendors that contribute to both private citizens and food pantries are Copper Cricket Farm, Seaside Coops and Pickett's Harbor Farms. In Cape Charles, VA Voiajer offers fair trade clothing. During a brief stay in Florida, I met a consortium of like-minded people who created a backyard village market, including Marni who creates organic vegan meals for people. Four Visions Market, based in South America, is also a great resource for consumers interested in goods and products with conscientiousness for the environment. In Floyd, Va visit the Anahata Education Center to practice sustainability in various forms while connecting to nature, including access to a nearby river. If you are a person of color interested in the healing and generative powers of sustainable farming, there are several resources available throughout the country including Mujeres Valley LLC and the work of Dr. Veronica Womack. Several non-profits in Richmond, VA such as Fit4Kids have linked with local farms for education programs, such as Backyard Farmer. It is undeniable that spending time outside is a positive experience for all ages, and helps with mental, physical, and spiritual health, which fosters the inextricable link between nature and connection to self. Perhaps a better connection to self paves the way to selflessness, allowing room for altruistic tendencies and; ultimately a more caring world.
May 15, 2015. Sean Sheppard, founder of Backyard Farmer setting up a booth at the South of the James Market in Richmond, VA in partnership with Fit4Kids
Teens volunteer sorting cans of food in the pantry warehouse, helping others in need
Sustainable home farm: small farm shack crops with irrigation lines
Dr. Veronica L. Womack is the first executive director of the Rural Studies Institute (RSI), which will strategically use the expertise within Georgia College and beyond to address the challenges of rural communities by focusing on the following areas: educational attainment and achievement, workforce development and training, community health and health care, the digital divide, economic and community development approaches, entrepreneurship and business success, regionalism and cooperative approaches, rural leadership, capacity building, community asset mapping and development, community engagement and community-based research approaches, rural innovation strategies, and sustainable communities.
Focused venues offer the entire breadth of the concept to the finest detail, with deliberate thoughtfulness and expertise in each experience and practice. In Bland, Virginia an Ayurvedic Retreat offering ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, the first civilized healthcare of humanity takes Farm-to-Table to an art form.
Eupepsia is situated near the Appalachian Trail, in a valley surrounded by beautiful tree-filled hills full of oxygenated air free of pollution. Some lookouts allow hikers to see four states meeting in one vista
SRI LANKA: Sorowwa Hotel in Habarana. Sample of typical Ayurvedic treatments that aid in the wellness of a functional biological system. Similar treatments are found at Eupepsia, a unique centre in Virginia.
Visual example of traditional ayurvedic treatment, using proprietary herbal and medicinal blends.
Golden Milk is a traditional staple of an Ayurvedic diet with many health benefits including restful sleep, reduced inflammation and calming of the nervous system. It also aids in digestion.
At Eupepsia, the concept of Farm-to-table is taught in every form for guests and employees to experience, including The Chef trained in Switzerland to prepare food in a way that does not irritate the system, to cows and chickens that produce dairy on location, and a greenhouse supplying all produce. Every facet of the business model is thought out carefully to reflect sustainability on a holistic level, both physically, spiritually, and interpersonally. Not only do they have plans for a prolific education system, but there will also be an herbal apothecary where a doctorate of Ayurvedic medicine practitioner will make personalized blends for patients. Textiles from sheep on the property using their wool will be utilized to create completely organic clothing, free of harmful contaminants. Other plans in the future related to sustainable housing for guests are an exciting prospect for those interested in learning or experiencing a lifestyle with little to no impact on the environment that is harmful, "Leave no Trace".
Flock of sheep raised together with family, cruelty-free, wool is used for textiles and traditional weaving & treatment methods.
Greenhouse where seasonal produce is rotated to feed approximately 50 people at any given time as well as the cultivation of herbs for Ayurvedic medicine (one of three greenhouses on the property)
It begins with a mindset, an intention, and the will to not be discouraged. For example, through the choice of buying locally, you can receive fresh, seasonal produce that hasn't been treated with pesticides (or as many), while also supporting sustainable farming practices and regional economies. Explore options available in your area to diversify your portfolio of food, water, and other sustainable living practices. While it may feel overwhelming at first, it is never too late to implement certain elements at a time in your life to optimize well-being for yourself and the environment. Thoughtfulness and conscientiousness take time to learn in a world where people may forget to teach others. The art of listening, communication-of truly holding space for someone when they speak to you, of being present-require integration which takes time. It is inherently a process that cannot be rushed. Accepting new information means your emotional body's bandwith must permit it on a fundamental level. Be sure to know your source, before assuming that just because it is local, it is safe. Maybe one day that source can be you!
"My grandfather used to say that once in your life you need a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman, and a preacher. But every day, three times a day, you need a farmer."
"When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilization."
Sources:
"Poverty and Water: Explorations of the Reciprocal Relationship": International Social Science Council. Comparative Research Programme on Poverty. (2008) David, et al., editors.
The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water. Fishman, Charles,Free Press, 2011.
The Water Problem: Climate Change and Water Policy in the United States. United States, Brookings Institution Press, 2017.
Where the Water Goes: Life and Death Along the Colorado River Owen, David. Penguin Books, 2018.
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