My Empire of Dirt - sef-sufficiency article

[Growem]

I just read an amusing and realistic article about a fellow trying to grow enough veg (plus a bit of animal tending) to be self-sufficient for a month. This was in his back garden in Brooklyn, New York! Well worth a read.

My Empire of Dirt

Tell me what you think.

[Seahorse]

I think being a 'locavore' is easier for some than others. I grew up on a dairy farm in a rural community in the 70s and (with the exception of tea and sugar) I'm pretty sure we were locavores without really trying.

Good article though, even if I wish he'd credited Reznor/Cash for the title!

[gemlady]

Interesting read At least his family now appreciates what is involved in putting the food on their table. I think many people are too far removed from the process of growing and rearing food and whilst I agree that it is better to source food as locally as possible though I can't see the good people of Brooklyn rushing to grow their own.

[Growem]

Well, there's growing your own and then there's growing ALL of it on your own!

[Rockhag]

NIN gardening???

Well I never hahahaha.

[Snadger]

I am a locovore I suppose, as most of the veg my family eat come from my two allotments, with chicken and eggs on the menu soon I hope!
I've read the article and the guy seems to be a writer trying to be a self sufficient locovore for a month rather than someone who is intent on trying to be a vegetable growing self sufficient-ish locovore for ever!

My OH has come to realise that carrot's for instance come out of the ground dirty, but taste a damm site better than the scrubbed rubbish you get from Tesco's!
As I do the shopping we tend to eat whatever is in season in the allotment veg wise, and up til now have eaten very well. OK, we never see the really early Jersey Royal spuds, but when my earlies are ready they are appreciated all the more. The fruit trees should start performing this year so will be an added bonus. Seasonality I would call it!

I think most of us who are on this Forum and utilise gardens or allotments for food growing are locovore's to some extent, even though I wasn't aware of the term until I read the article!

[Tracey]

Hi Growem,

The article was very interesting. He was extremely ambitious for a newbie. I think most people who aim to be self sufficient would start with fruit and veg and then progress to livestock.

Tracey