The arrogant, obnoxious attitude that farmers are "economic criminals" baffles the mind. To overlook that they provide our basic subsistence, and that without them the economy would be the least of our concerns, seems to obvious a point to overlook. We are blessed to live next to Mennonite country and are surrounded by countless small farms, where we one can get produce, eggs, meat, honey etc. Fortunately, the Mennonites are a growing community and one can only hope that their knowledge of the land will get passed down for generations to come.
This essay drives home a question I’ve been pondering myself:
What would it look like to be honest about the results of good, small agriculture?
I think we (the Berryites) are commonly caught in trying to speak the same language as the banks and industrialists, where I don’t think small ag can beat out big ag; small ag will never be as monetarily profitable. Good, small ag will, however, always foster a greater quality of life for individuals and communities, and that is worth the economic “losses” to me.
Indeed, the common refrain of critique that I hear concerning Berryan vision for agriculture and communities is that it will never work/is not viable. My response is I am not so concerned as to whether it will work as to whether it is right and good.
On paper Christianity does not “work” (meek will inherit the earth; bless those who persecute you; in our weakness we are strong) - but it is right and good (and does through the Spirit, “work”)
Yes Hadden, as one of your small farmers, on a hill, with mainly Suckler Cows and a few Sheep; I hear you.
Below us to the South a church stands sentinel in the bowl of the valley while a little way on a chalk spring rises from her watershed clearly and timelessly, running swiftly on just beside the village houses to join the River Bride for a further short journey on to the sea.
The arrogant, obnoxious attitude that farmers are "economic criminals" baffles the mind. To overlook that they provide our basic subsistence, and that without them the economy would be the least of our concerns, seems to obvious a point to overlook. We are blessed to live next to Mennonite country and are surrounded by countless small farms, where we one can get produce, eggs, meat, honey etc. Fortunately, the Mennonites are a growing community and one can only hope that their knowledge of the land will get passed down for generations to come.
This essay drives home a question I’ve been pondering myself:
What would it look like to be honest about the results of good, small agriculture?
I think we (the Berryites) are commonly caught in trying to speak the same language as the banks and industrialists, where I don’t think small ag can beat out big ag; small ag will never be as monetarily profitable. Good, small ag will, however, always foster a greater quality of life for individuals and communities, and that is worth the economic “losses” to me.
Indeed, the common refrain of critique that I hear concerning Berryan vision for agriculture and communities is that it will never work/is not viable. My response is I am not so concerned as to whether it will work as to whether it is right and good.
On paper Christianity does not “work” (meek will inherit the earth; bless those who persecute you; in our weakness we are strong) - but it is right and good (and does through the Spirit, “work”)
Yes Hadden, as one of your small farmers, on a hill, with mainly Suckler Cows and a few Sheep; I hear you.
Below us to the South a church stands sentinel in the bowl of the valley while a little way on a chalk spring rises from her watershed clearly and timelessly, running swiftly on just beside the village houses to join the River Bride for a further short journey on to the sea.
This backdrop guides how I farm.