Declaration of Inter-Dependence

DECLARATION OF INTER-DEPENDENCE

(A Call to the Farmers of the World and the Families They Feed)

"If we had 10% of the population engaged in agriculture rather than the current 1%, we could easily feed the country without petrochemicals or pesticides."

~  Charles Eisenstein, Permaculture and the Myth of Scarcity."

Farmaid states that "keeping family farmers on the land - all of them - is our only hope…"  To the contrary, I propose it is not. I propose that it is totally unsustainable and completely unfair for the majority of our country’s population to burden a relatively small number of farmers with the horrendous task of feeding millions of people.  Why should the farmer be left alone with this enormous task?  Why aren’t we, the people saving ourselves, each other, and the farmers? 

What if we had 10%… 20% or perhaps, all of our population engaged in agriculture?  What if farmers no longer had to carry the physical, mental and financial burden of feeding the world?  What if instead of this model, farmers transitioned their lands from industrialized monoculture with hired hands, expensive equipment, toxic chemicals, and massive debt into permaculture communities where all necessary inputs were provided free of charge by families who lived onsite, upon the farmland?  What if keeping families on the land is our only hope?  Could families save the farmer?

What if one farmer with 1000 acres of agricultural land divided his/her acreage into 400 parcels of 2.5 acres each?  And what if each parcel was given to families in exchange for their agreement, willingness and clear ability to co-develop their parcels into permaculture home sites?  Following established conditions and guidelines, could each family establish sustainable eco-dwellings, energy systems, organic gardens, orchards, bee hives, fish ponds, chickens, ducks, and other sustainably raised foods?  Yes, they can and indeed, they must.  United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Prof Hilal Elver, said that “new scientific research increasingly shows how ‘agroecology’ [permaculture] offers far more environmentally sustainable methods that can still meet the rapidly growing demand for food.”  Are we listening?  Are we fully present and aware of our ability to nurture each other back to inter-dependence by co-creating a garden of eatin’ and nourishment and wellness? 

Let’s take a closer look.  What is permaculture design?  It is "the development of agricultural ecosystems intended to be sustainable and self-sufficient."  Every aspect of permaculture, from visible to invisible structures follows a mandate of sustainability, reciprocity and self-sufficiency.  What does a permaculture home site look like?  It consists of perennial food forests and low-impact constructed dwellings utilizing sustainably sourced materials. It consists of efficient, reciprocal and sustainable water, energy, and waste systems. The home site utilizes all of nature's resources in ways that benefit nature, rather than doing harm, in a never-ending cycle of growth and return.  Families enjoy days spent tending to their gardens, baking bread, fishing in their ponds, tending to their chickens, playing with their children, attending family oriented festivals, workshops, classes, etc… Permaculture families have no need for outside employment, production or consumption.  Instead of monetary wealth, permaculture families enjoy the wealth of growing, sharing and thriving in freedom and relaxation. 

What are the Benefits to Farmers who Transition to Permaculture Communites? 

- Freedom from the tremendous labor, equipment, corporate constraints, expense, toxic chemicals and maintenance of large-scale farming operations.

- Subsidies, grants and/or tax incentives for providing housing and "job" training to veterans, low-income families, minorities, people with disabilities, etc…

- A majority of the percentage of all surplus food produced by each family will be provided, free of charge to the community and/or the land-owner to consume, sell and/or create value-added food products as he/she wishes. 

- Surplus energy generated by each home site (solar/hyro/wind) can be harnessed, utilized and/or sold by the families, land-owner and local/state/regional utility companies.

What are the Benefits to the Recipient Families?

- Freedom from the tremendous burdens and expenses of food, transportation, utilities, and housing costs.

- Freedom from employment related constraints that prevent them from being with their families.

- Improved happiness and health for themselves, their community and their environment.

- Reduction or complete elimination of stress and disease caused by typical city/suburban lifestyle demands.

What are the Benefits to Surrounding City/State?

- Cleaner air due to elimination of pesticides, herbicides and CO2's typically generated by industrialized farming methods

- Cleaner water due to the elimination of waste product run-offs typically generated by industrialized farming methods

- Surplus of water and energy due to elimination of water/energy demands typically required by industrialized farming methods

- Reduction or complete elimination of welfare programs typically required of all unsustainably designed towns/cities/states.

- Significant potential for the reduction and/or complete elimination of crime and mental/physical diseases.

Would the current industrialized, monoculture farmer benefit and enjoy a transition of this sort?  Would the people of their region appreciate and benefit more from permaculture communities than industrialized agriculture activities?  I believe the answer is, yes.  I am not however, an expert.  So I present this to those who are and I ask:

Could permaculture experts join hands with farmers to successfully transition agricultural lands to permaculture communities?  Would local/county/state agencies allow for sustainably constructed dwellings using alternative, off-grid energy systems?  If not, could these transitioned permaculture communities be established as educational and demonstration sites for the benefit of the surrounding community, in order to qualify for necessary planning and permitting requirements?  Again, I believe the answer is, yes.

"As a reality check, I'd like to remind everyone that in the 1850's, prior to refrigerated transport, New York City supplied all its food for a population of over a million from within 7 miles of the borders of the city.  The argument that we can't produce enough ecologically is, at its source, promoted by corporations who benefit from a view of scarcity and limited resources, which they control. Their constant cry is TINA "There Is No Alternative". Right, and the wizard says, "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!"  ~  David Blume of Permaculture.com

The greatest benefit of all will be if each participating family is given a 2.5 acre parcel of land, free of charge in exchange for their efforts in successfully establishing their permaculture homestead, with the condition that if they do not succeed within 3 years, their parcel will be forfeited to another family.  Furthermore, if after 3 years, a family has met all conditions, the land would be deeded to them in perpetuity, without taxation, and never to be sold.  The less beneficial alternative would be to sell the land to participating families, but there are numerous reasons (far too many to discuss here) why this would not succeed as well or be as sustainable as the work exchange model.  Of course, the ultimate model is one where humans are no longer forced to pay to live.

The long-term benefits would be found through the improvements and replication of this model to a point where every single family in the United States would be living sustainably, abundantly and happily, free from the need to pay for the right to simply live, and free from pollution, crime, and debt.  It is an easily identifiable fact that there is enough farmland alone to give every man, woman and child living in the United States approximately three acres each.  If we include recreational lands and privately owned lands, there is enough to give every U.S. citizen approximately 10 acres each.  There is absolutely no justifiable reason that we should continue to put profit ahead of the well being of the people.  I would submit even further that it is a criminal act to deprive people from that which freely provides food, clothing and shelter while destroying that which gives us life by allowing industrialized monoculture, mining, drilling or fracking to continue.

The challenges to this concept are obvious.  Industries that base their very existence on capitalism will most likely rail against it.  Any entity whose operation depends on the idea of profiting from natural and human resources will rail against a model based on a gifting economy, equitable and sustainable production, and the sharing of resources.  So be it, but do we really have any other choice at this point.  Unsustainable means our currents ways of living will…. not…. last… As in, “run out”… “no more”… the end!  As a human being… as a mother… as a citizen of a country blessed with vast resources… I propose we have no other choice.  It is high time we end such senseless and destructive activities that put profit or convenience before the basic rights of the people.  The right to clean air, healthy food, water and shelter.  I say it is high time we do as our forefathers and foremothers set out to do, by deciding right now… today… to create "a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure tranquility, the common defense and the general welfare of ourselves and our posterity".  It is the very foundation our country was built on.  I propose it is indeed, our birthright.

Why are humans the only species of life that is forced to pay for the right to live?  Is it the farmers of our country who hold the key to our freedom, our liberty and our happiness?   Or is it the families of our country who hold the key?  Countless generations of farmers have toiled and struggled to survive in their endeavors of feeding their fellow man, woman and child.  Millions upon millions of farmers have struggled and toiled just to be able to afford food themselves.  Isn't it time we change the system to one that truly rewards and provides for all in equitable ways that does no harm, but instead enhances and restores both planet and people?   Isn’t it time to liberate humanity from greed, corruption, poison, crime, pollution, war, homelessness, disease and indentured servitude?  Yes.  It is time.

Monoculture to Permaculture Transitioning is not a concept exclusive to farmland only.  Our country has millions of acres of sporting fields and recreational parks.  At such a critical juncture in the survival of the human race, should we really be playing ball games?  When our farmers are collapsing under tremendous pressure to feed our nation, while animals are being caged and tortured, and while families are going hungry, should we really be strolling in the parks?  No.  We should not.  To do so is to behave as inequitably and irresponsibly as the 1% behaves.  To continue to play ball games while our air, water, energy and food systems crumble, is to dither while Rome burns.

If you are a farmer, could your land be transitioned to the development of permaculture communities?  If you are a city or state, do you have underutilized lands that could be transitioned into permaculture communities?  If you are a park or conservation land trust, could you give your attention to the need for conservation and restoration of the people by providing permaculture focused land development opportunities?  If you are a permaculture design expert, could you contribute your knowledge and skills to assist in these developments?  If you are an individual or organization seeking ways to restore your family, community and our world to sanity, please… all of you… consider how we might transition unsustainable activities into happy, healthy organic family communities where everyone has a home… everyone is properly nourished… and everyone lives as this country was established to be:  Proud and Free.

Last, but not least, to the families of America, I ask:

If you were given the opportunity to live for free upon a piece of land with guidance and training provided, would you be willing to co-develop a permaculture community that feeds, shelters and provides for you, your family and your community forever?  Or would you rather stay where you are, a slave to your job, your mortgage, and ever-mounting debt?  Would you be willing to invest 3-5 years of time and effort to establish your permaculture home, knowing it will be deeded over to you, in perpetuity if successfully developed?  Would you like to create "a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure tranquility, the common defense and the general welfare of ourselves and our posterity"?

I certainly would.  As a mother, I can think of no better way to serve my children, my country, and this beautiful planet we live upon.  I am ready, willing and able to create a happy world for all.  I have four children (ages 10-24) who are ready, willing and able.  I personally know approximately 20 other people in my immediate circle of friends and family who are ready, willing and able.  Are you?

Sincerely,

Marlowe Brown,

Founder, The Mother+Land Project

To view examples of existing permaculture communities:

Surbubia Transformed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSsCvpDbMW8

How to Make a Food Forest Suburb: https://vimeo.com/168769068

Further Reading:

http://permaculturenews.org/2014/09/26/un-small-farmers-agroecology-can-feed-world/