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/
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