#sustainable farm land

[sharanya-farms]

Cultivating Prosperity: The Advantages of Investing in Managed Farmland

In today's dynamic investment landscape, discerning investors are increasingly drawn to opportunities that offer not only financial rewards but also contribute positively to society and the environment. Managed farmland has emerged as a prime example of such an opportunity, garnering attention for its potential to deliver stable returns while aligning with sustainability objectives. For those seeking the best-managed farmland near Bangalore for investment purposes, Sharanya Farm emerges as a standout choice. Let's delve into the myriad advantages of investing in managed farmland and why it's a compelling addition to any investment portfolio.

Stability and Predictability in Returns

Managed farmland stands out for its ability to provide stable and predictable returns over the long term. Unlike other asset classes prone to market volatility, farmland offers reliable income streams from crop yields or land leasing. The consistent demand for agricultural commodities ensures resilience, regardless of economic fluctuations.

Furthermore, farmland investments historically exhibit a low correlation with traditional assets like stocks and bonds, offering diversification that cushions against overall portfolio risk.

Tangible Assets of Enduring Value

Farmland represents more than just a financial asset; it embodies a tangible asset with substantial value. Unlike financial instruments subject to depreciation, farmland retains its intrinsic worth as productive agricultural land. With the finite supply of arable land and increasing global food demand, farmland values are poised for appreciation over time.

Investing in managed farmland not only provides exposure to tangible assets but also promotes sustainable farming practices and land stewardship, contributing to environmental conservation efforts and ensuring responsible land use for future generations.

Diversification and Risk Management

Farmland investments serve as a cornerstone of portfolio diversification, mitigating overall risk and enhancing resilience to market fluctuations. Their low correlation with traditional assets shields investors from adverse impacts stemming from factors like interest rate changes or geopolitical tensions.

Moreover, farmland investments demonstrate resilience to external influences, providing stability amid economic uncertainties. This resilience underscores their pivotal role in well-balanced investment portfolios.

Potential for Long-Term Growth

Beyond generating steady income, managed farmland offers opportunities for long-term capital appreciation. As global population growth and urbanization accelerate, the value of productive farmland is poised to rise. Technological advancements in agriculture further bolster farmland productivity, fueling its growth trajectory.

Environmental and Social Impact

Investing in managed farmland transcends financial gains; it fosters significant environmental and social benefits. By championing sustainable farming practices, investors contribute to soil health, water conservation, and biodiversity preservation. Moreover, farmland investments stimulate local economies, foster rural development, and promote responsible land stewardship.

In Conclusion

Investing in managed farmland presents a compelling proposition, offering stability, diversification, capital appreciation, and positive societal impact. Sharanya Farm, located near Mysore Road, offers ample opportunities for prudent land investment. As global population growth drives demand for agricultural products, farmland investments remain an attractive avenue for investors seeking both financial prosperity and sustainability alignment.

[erm-groups]

Leading-edge Technologies Transforming Managed Farmland

In the dynamic realm of agriculture, technology is the driving force reshaping the practices of farmers and land managers. The infusion of state-of-the-art technologies heralds a new era marked by efficiency, sustainability, and precision in managing farmland. Through the adoption of transformative technologies, managed farmland evolves into highly efficient, data-driven enterprises. An exemplary case is Sharanya Farm, located near Bangalore, which effectively integrates a spectrum of technologies to reap manifold benefits. This article delves into the transformative tech trends reshaping managed farmland, elucidating how these innovations optimize processes, augment yields, and foster a more sustainable agricultural future.

Pioneering Precision Agriculture

Precision agriculture emerges as the cornerstone of modern farming methodologies, leveraging technology to refine field-level management concerning crop cultivation. The integration of GPS technology, sensors, and data analytics heralds a paradigm shift in farming practices. Real-time data accessibility empowers farmers to make precise decisions, enhancing resource allocation and mitigating environmental footprints.

From sowing to monitoring and harvesting, precision agriculture revolutionizes modern farming approaches. The ongoing assimilation of advanced technologies holds the promise of heightened sustainability, efficiency, and resilience for managed farmland globally.

Navigating with GPS-Guided Tractors and Planters

Among the notable advancements in precision agriculture lies the utilization of GPS-guided tractors and planters. These systems enable farmers to craft meticulously accurate field maps, facilitating the precise positioning of seeds and optimal row spacing. The outcome encompasses not only heightened efficiency but also reduced input expenses as resources are utilized with precision.

Harnessing the Internet of Things (IoT) in Agriculture

The advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) revolutionizes agriculture, furnishing farmers with an array of interconnected devices for data acquisition and dissemination. Within managed farmland, IoT apparatus encompasses soil sensors, weather stations, and drones, continually gathering data and offering insights into soil health, moisture levels, and crop conditions.

Monitoring Soil Health with IoT Sensors

Soil health stands as a linchpin for agricultural success, and IoT-driven soil sensors furnish real-time insights into nutrient levels, pH balance, and moisture content. Armed with this data, farmers execute targeted interventions such as precise irrigation and fertilization, fostering healthier soils and amplifying crop yields.

Elevating Crop Monitoring with Drones

Unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, revolutionize crop surveillance on managed farmland. Outfitted with high-resolution cameras and multispectral sensors, drones furnish farmers with intricate aerial imagery of their fields. This imagery aids in early disease detection, identification of nutrient deficiencies, and resolution of other issues impacting yield.

Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Farming

Artificial Intelligence permeates agriculture, endowing farmers with advanced analytics and decision-making prowess. Machine learning algorithms process extensive datasets to furnish actionable insights, optimizing various facets of farm management.

Leveraging Predictive Analytics for Crop Yield

AI algorithms analyze weather patterns, soil conditions, and historical data to predict crop yields with remarkable precision. This empowers farmers to make informed decisions regarding planting schedules, resource allocation, and market strategies, ultimately maximizing profitability.

Blockchain for Transparent Supply Chains

Blockchain technology gains traction in agriculture, facilitating transparent and traceable supply chains. This proves particularly vital for managed farmland as consumers prioritize product origin and sustainability.

Fostering Transparent Food Supply Chains with Blockchain

Blockchain enables the creation of immutable, transparent records spanning each stage of the agricultural supply chain. From planting through harvesting, processing, and distribution, every step finds its place on the blockchain. This transparency cultivates consumer trust and expedites issue identification and resolution, be it contamination or fraud.

Conclusion: Pioneering the Future of Managed Farmland

The integration of these leading-edge technologies holds immense promise for the future of managed farmland. The amalgamation of precision agriculture, IoT, AI, drones, and blockchain forms a formidable arsenal for farmers to bolster productivity, curtail environmental impacts, and ensure the sustainability of their operations. For those seeking the epitome of managed farmland excellence, Sharanya Farm stands as an exemplar, equipped with real-time insights and precise operational control to navigate the nuances of a changing climate, volatile markets, and burgeoning demand for sustainable agriculture. As technology continues to advance, the fusion of innovation and agriculture promises to sculpt a more resilient and prosperous future for managed farmland on a global scale.

[reasonsforhope]

"In response to last year’s record-breaking heat due to El Niño and impacts from climate change, Indigenous Zenù farmers in Colombia are trying to revive the cultivation of traditional climate-resilient seeds and agroecology systems.

One traditional farming system combines farming with fishing: locals fish during the rainy season when water levels are high, and farm during the dry season on the fertile soils left by the receding water.

Locals and ecologists say conflicts over land with surrounding plantation owners, cattle ranchers and mines are also worsening the impacts of the climate crisis.

To protect their land, the Zenù reserve, which is today surrounded by monoculture plantations, was in 2005 declared the first Colombian territory free from GMOs.

...

In the Zenù reserve, issues with the weather, climate or soil are spread by word of mouth between farmers, or on La Positiva 103.0, a community agroecology radio station. And what’s been on every farmer’s mind is last year’s record-breaking heat and droughts. Both of these were charged by the twin impacts of climate change and a newly developing El Niño, a naturally occurring warmer period that last occurred here in 2016, say climate scientists.

Experts from Colombia’s Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies say the impacts of El Niño will be felt in Colombia until April 2024, adding to farmers’ concerns. Other scientists forecast June to August may be even hotter than 2023, and the next five years could be the hottest on record. On Jan. 24, President Gustavo Petro said he will declare wildfires a natural disaster, following an increase in forest fires that scientists attribute to the effects of El Niño.

In the face of these changes, Zenù farmers are trying to revive traditional agricultural practices like ancestral seed conservation and a unique agroecology system.

Pictured: Remberto Gil’s house is surrounded by an agroforestry system where turkeys and other animals graze under fruit trees such as maracuyá (Passiflora edulis), papaya (Carica papaya) and banana (Musa acuminata colla). Medicinal herbs like toronjil (Melissa officinalis) and tres bolas (Leonotis nepetifolia), and bushes like ají (Capsicum baccatum), yam and frijol diablito (beans) are part of the undergrowth. Image by Monica Pelliccia for Mongabay.

“Climate change is scary due to the possibility of food scarcity,” says Rodrigo Hernandez, a local authority with the Santa Isabel community. “Our ancestral seeds offer a solution as more resistant to climate change.”

Based on their experience, farmers say their ancestral seed varieties are more resistant to high temperatures compared to the imported varieties and cultivars they currently use. These ancestral varieties have adapted to the region’s ecosystem and require less water, they tell Mongabay. According to a report by local organization Grupo Semillas and development foundation SWISSAID, indigenous corn varieties like blaquito are more resistant to the heat, cariaco tolerates drought easily, and negrito is very resistant to high temperatures.

The Zenù diet still incorporates the traditional diversity of seeds, plant varieties and animals they consume, though they too are threatened by climate change: from fish recipes made from bocachico (Prochilodus magdalenae), and reptiles like the babilla or spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus), to different corn varieties to prepare arepas (cornmeal cakes), liquor, cheeses and soups.

“The most important challenge we have now is to save ancient species and involve new generations in ancestral practice,” says Sonia Rocha Marquez, a professor of social sciences at Sinù University in the city of Montería.

...[Despite] land scarcity, Negrete says communities are developing important projects to protect their traditional food systems. Farmers and seed custodians, like Gil, are working with the Association of Organic Agriculture and Livestock Producers (ASPROAL) and their Communitarian Seed House (Casa Comunitaria de Semillas Criollas y Nativas)...

Pictured: Remberto Gil is a seed guardian and farmer who works at the Communitarian Seed House, where the ASPROL association stores 32 seeds of rare or almost extinct species. Image by Monica Pelliccia for Mongabay.

Located near Gil’s house, the seed bank hosts a rainbow of 12 corn varieties, from glistening black to blue to light pink to purple and even white. There are also jars of seeds for local varieties of beans, eggplants, pumpkins and aromatic herbs, some stored in refrigerators. All are ancient varieties shared between local families.

Outside the seed bank is a terrace where chickens and turkeys graze under an agroforestry system for farmers to emulate: local varieties of passion fruit, papaya and banana trees grow above bushes of ají peppers and beans. Traditional medicinal herbs like toronjil or lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) form part of the undergrowth.

Today, 25 families are involved in sharing, storing and commercializing the seeds of 32 rare or almost-extinct varieties.

“When I was a kid, my father brought me to the farm to participate in recovering the land,” says Nilvadys Arrieta, 56, a farmer member of ASPROAL. “Now, I still act with the same collective thinking that moves what we are doing.”

“Working together helps us to save, share more seeds, and sell at fair price [while] avoiding intermediaries and increasing families’ incomes,” Gil says. “Last year, we sold 8 million seeds to organic restaurants in Bogotà and Medellín.”

So far, the 80% of the farmers families living in the Zenù reserve participate in both the agroecology and seed revival projects, he adds."

-via Mongabay, February 6, 2024

[bumblebeeappletree]

Every once in a while I’ll see some posts about everyone should become vegan in order to help the environment. And that… sounds kinda rude. I’m sure they don’t mean to come off that way but like, humans are omnivores. Yes there are people who won’t have any animal products be it meat or otherwise either due to personal beliefs or because their body physically cannot handle it, and that’s okay! You don’t have to change your diet to include those products if you don’t want to or you physically can’t.

But there’s indigenous communities that hunt and farm animals sustainably and have been doing so for generations. And these animals are a primary source of food for them. Look to the bison of North America. The settlers nearly caused an extinction as a part of a genocide. Because once the Bison were gone it caused an even sharper decline of the indigenous population. Now thankfully Bison did not go extinct and are actively being shared with other groups across America.

Now if we look outside of indigenous communities we have people who are doing sustainable farming as well as hunting. We have hunting seasons for a reason, mostly because we killed a lot of the predators. As any hunter and they will tell you how bad the deer population can get. (Also America has this whole thing about bird feathers and bird hunting, like it was bad until they laid down some laws. People went absolutely nuts on having feathers be a part of fashion like holy cow.)

We’re slowly getting better with having gardens and vertical farms within cities, and there’s some laws on being able to have a chicken or two at your house or what-have-you in the city for some eggs. (Or maybe some quails since they’re smaller than chickens it’s something that you’d might have to check in your area.) Maybe you would be able to raise some honey bees or rent them out because each honey tastes different from different plants. But ultimately when it comes to meat or cheese? Go to your local farmers. Go to farmers markets, meet with the people there, become friends, go actively check out their farm. See how the animal lives are and if the farmer is willing, talk to them about sustainable agriculture. See what they can change if they’re willing. Support indigenous communities and buy their food and products, especially if you’re close enough that the food won’t spoil on its way to you. (Like imagine living in Texas and you want whale meat from Alaska and you buy it from an indigenous community. I would imagine that would be pretty hard to get.)

Either way everything dies in the end. Do we shame scavengers for eating corpses they found before it could rot and spread disease? Do we shame the animals that hunt other animals to survive? Yes factory farming should no longer exist. So let’s give the animals the best life we can give them. If there’s babies born that the farmer doesn’t want, give them away to someone who wants them as a pet. Or someone who wants to raise them for something else. Not everyone can raise animals for their meat. I know I can’t I would get to emotionally attached. I’d only be able to raise them for their eggs and milk.

Yeah this was pretty much thrown together, and I just wanted to say my thoughts and throw them into the void. If you have some examples of sustainable farming/agriculture, please share them because while I got some stuff I posted from YouTube, I’m still interested to see what stuff I might’ve missed!

[divinegastronomer]

The culinary esoteric meaning behind this quote by Masanobu Fukuoka lies in the concept of self-sufficiency, connection to the land, and the harmony between farming, food production, and community life.

Fukuoka's vision emphasizes the idea of each individual or family cultivating a small plot of land to provide for their own food needs.

This approach highlights the importance of understanding and respecting the natural rhythms of the land, practicing sustainable agriculture methods like natural farming, and fostering a deep connection to the food that is grown.

Leisure and social activities within the village community underscores the holistic approach to food and farming, where the act of growing food becomes a central part of a fulfilling and balanced lifestyle.

When individuals are directly involved in food production and have a close relationship with the land, it can contribute to a sense of happiness, fulfillment, and community well-being.

The culinary esoteric meaning of this quote emphasizes the interconnectedness of farming, food, community, and personal happiness, promoting a vision of sustainable agriculture and a fulfilling way of life centered around the land and its bounty.

[farmerstrend]

The Future of Wheat Farming in Kenya: The Economic Benefits of Israeli-Kenyan Wheat Farming Partnerships

“Explore the potential transformation of Kenya’s wheat farming through Israeli investment, focusing on innovative technologies and private partnerships to boost production and create jobs.” “Learn how Israeli investors are set to revolutionize wheat farming in Kenya, enhancing food security and leveraging advanced agricultural technologies in private-sector partnerships.” “Discover the future of…

[kaedthoughts]

Just a boy trying to get his farm

[This is a sfw post outside of normal posting so if you're not interested go ahead or hi- if you're interested in fresh veggies just say so, that's why i'm here]

For those of you who do not know me, I grew up as many a thing, mostly- a farming boy. I have photos of me as a child in mountains of dirt, barrel racing, my rite of passage as a fourteen year old was chopping up my first tree into firewood for the winter.

Today I come to you as a simple PNW style southern boy who grew up simply, and wants to return to that.

My grandmother on the non-yeeyee side of my family, who raised me the other half of the time, NEVER understood what it was about me, dirt, bugs, and 'those damn boots'. -there is also a picture of me as a child brushing my teeth in my pj's and my pink sparkly cowboy boots posing as a gay man would as a female child. how did she not know- Anyway, I'm at a time in my life and my disabilities leave me to be able to do one thing.

Farm.

The problem is, even though I already have my winter crops sprouting, she doesn't believe anyone gives a crap about raising livestock and farm fresh greens. I also know how to run a 'bee farm', and I do landscaping as well. I also spent about a year straight on a hard-labor farm where I worked with breaking horses and I had a lot of achievements from that time of my life despite it coming from horrific circumstances.

This is a little all over the place and out of what I usually post, but out of sheer desperation to return to my roots and be able to make a comfortable living,

Is anyone interested in beets? I have potatoes and onions, fresh herbs, and I even can my own sauces. (surprise, did you know i'm also a trained chef? I've had a lot of work history for 21 y/o.)

Just trying to see on probably the most underutilized platform who has interest so I have a market to shove at my grandmother so she'll leave me alone and be my reference so I can get this dang land.

(Guts. Glory. Ram. That's the voice y'all gotta read this in)

[womenclature]

Family Faces 10 Years in Prison For “Stealing” Land They’ve Cultivated Since 1913

GoFundMe: Help the Maude Family Preserve Their Legacy

A grand jury indicted Charles and Heather Maude Hog and Cattle of Caputa, South Dakota on June 24th, 2024 for the theft of government property. The indictment stated that "Charles Maude and Heather Maude did knowingly steal, purloin, and convert to their own use of National Grasslands managed by the United States Department of Agriculture.....approximately 25 acres of National Grasslands for cultivation and approximately 25 acres of National Grasslands for grazing cattle."

This carries a fine of not more than $250,000 or imprisonment of not more than 10 years, or both, if found guilty.

The Maude family has owned the US Forest Service allotment in question since the Forest Service came into existence and has managed that same land since 1913. The family has never been advised it was violating any rules and to this day the family maintains its grazing agreement in good standing. When the US Forest Service presented concerns to Charles and Heather, the couple immediately sought resolution- presenting options including a special use permit to be put into place until a permanent solution was found, or a land trade. After just two meetings, the US Forest Service stopped discussing amicable resolution options and within a couple of weeks, Charles and Heather were indicted.

The fact that the two are indicted separately means they must each retain their own legal counsel-doubling their attorney fees.

The indictment hearing was on July 8th, 2024. Now, they wait to learn the evidence the US Forest Service used to indict them.

Charles and Heather rely on this land including the acres in question for their feed base and are facing a feed shortage. They have been unable to utilize it in that manner this growing season.

Heather's stories and photography have appeared on the pages of TSLN for many years. Her writing slowed down as her two children arrived and her direct sales meat business grew exponentially. She now contributes a bi-weekly column, Day writing.

Please consider donating to this hard-working family as they face the unknown. Please help them continue to farm, ranch, and grow their family in western South Dakota as they have for 5 generations.

GoFundMe Link:

For even more info, if curious:

[justsaying4041]

Project 2025: Implications for U.S. Farming & Small Farmers

Project 2025 has presented a bold vision for reforming U.S. farm policies, particularly through the operations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). While the proposal promises a more streamlined and market-oriented approach to farming and agricultural support, there are valid concerns about its potential impact on small farmers, environmental sustainability, and food security. A critical…

[letialia]

Ecosystem restoration camp: a week spent in the Algerve learning about land restoration, agroforestry and reconnecting to nature and the community. A week where I learnt about kindness and giving back and what is possible through community action. Thank you Quinta Vale de Lama 🌱💚

[reasonsforhope]

"The transformation of ancestral lands into intensive monoculture plantations has led to the destruction of Guatemala’s native forests and traditional practices, as well as loss of livelihoods and damage to local health and the environment.

A network of more than 40 Indigenous and local communities and farmer associations are developing agroecology schools across the country to promote the recovery of ancestral practices, educate communities on agroecology and teach them how to build their own local economies.

Based on the traditional “campesino a campesino” (from farmer to farmer) method, the organization says it has improved the livelihoods of 33,000 families who use only organic farming techniques and collectively protect 74,000 hectares (182,858 acres) of forest across Guatemala.

Every Friday at 7:30 a.m., María Isabel Aguilar sells her organic produce in an artisanal market in Totonicapán, a city located in the western highlands of Guatemala. Presented on a handwoven multicolor blanket, her broccoli, cabbage, potatoes and fruits are neatly organized into handmade baskets.

Aguilar is in a cohort of campesinos, or small-scale farmers, who took part in farmer-led agroecology schools in her community. As a way out of the cycle of hunger and poverty, she learned ecological principles of sowing, soil conservation, seed storage, propagation and other agroecological practices that have provided her with greater autonomy, self-sufficiency and improved health.

“We learned how to develop insecticides to fend off pests,” she said. The process, she explained, involves a purely organic cocktail of garlic, chile, horsetail and other weeds and leaves, depending on what type of insecticide is needed. “You want to put this all together and let it settle for several days before applying it, and then the pests won’t come.”

“We also learned how to prepare fertilizer that helps improve the health of our plants,” she added. “Using leaves from trees or medicinal plants we have in our gardens, we apply this to our crops and trees so they give us good fruit.”

The expansion of large-scale agriculture has transformed Guatemala’s ancestral lands into intensive monoculture plantations, leading to the destruction of forests and traditional practices. The use of harmful chemical fertilizers, including glyphosate, which is prohibited in many countries, has destroyed some livelihoods and resulted in serious health and environmental damage.

To combat these trends, organizations across the country have been building a practice called campesino a campesino (from farmer to farmer) to revive the ancient traditions of peasant families in Guatemala. Through the implementation of agroecology schools in communities, they have helped Indigenous and local communities tackle modern-day rural development issues by exchanging wisdom, experiences and resources with other farmers participating in the program.

Keeping ancestral traditions alive

The agroecology schools are organized by a network of more than 40 Indigenous and local communities and farmer associations operating under the Utz Che’ Community Forestry Association. Since 2006, they have spread across several departments, including Totonicapán, Quiché, Quetzaltenango, Sololá and Huehuetenango, representing about 200,000 people — 90% of them Indigenous.

“An important part of this process is the economic autonomy and productive capacity installed in the communities,” said Ilse De León Gramajo, project coordinator at Utz Che’. “How we generate this capacity and knowledge is through the schools and the exchange of experiences that are facilitated by the network.”

Utz Che’, which means “good tree” in the K’iche’ Mayan language, identifies communities in need of support and sends a representative to set up the schools. Around 30-35 people participate in each school, including women and men of all ages. The aim is to facilitate co-learning rather than invite an “expert” to lead the classes.

The purpose of these schools is to help farmers identify problems and opportunities, propose possible solutions and receive technical support that can later be shared with other farmers.

The participants decide what they want to learn. Together, they exchange knowledge and experiment with different solutions to thorny problems. If no one in the class knows how to deal with a certain issue, Utz Che’ will invite someone from another community to come in and teach...

Part of what Utz Che’ does is document ancestral practices to disseminate among schools. Over time, the group has compiled a list of basics that it considers to be fundamental to all the farming communities, most of which respond to the needs and requests that have surfaced in the schools.

Agroecology schools transform lives

Claudia Irene Calderón, based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is an expert in agroecology and sustainable food systems in Guatemala. She said she believes the co-creation of knowledge is “key to balance the decision-making power that corporations have, which focus on profit maximization and not on climate change mitigation and adaptation.”

“The recovery and, I would add, revalorization of ancestral practices is essential to diversify fields and diets and to enhance planetary health,” she said. “Recognizing the value of ancestral practices that are rooted in communality and that foster solidarity and mutual aid is instrumental to strengthen the social fabric of Indigenous and small-scale farmers in Guatemala.”

Through the implementation of agroecology schools across the country, Utz Che’ says it has improved the livelihoods of 33,000 families. In total, these farmers also report that they collectively protect 74,000 hectares (182,858 acres) of forest across Guatemala by fighting fires, monitoring illegal logging and practicing reforestation.

In 2022, Utz Che’ surveyed 32 women who had taken part in the agroecology school. All the women had become fully responsible for the production, distribution and commercialization of their products, which was taught to them in agroecology schools. Today, they sell their produce at the artisanal market in Totonicapán.

The findings, which highlight the many ways the schools helped them improve their knowledge, also demonstrate the power and potential of these schools to increase opportunities and strengthen the independence of women producers across the country...

The schools are centered around the idea that people are responsible for protecting their natural resources and, through the revitalization of ancestral practices, can help safeguard the environment and strengthen livelihoods."

-via Mongabay News, July 7, 2023

[samwisethewitch]

Homemaking, gardening, and self-sufficiency resources that won't radicalize you into a hate group

It seems like self-sufficiency and homemaking skills are blowing up right now. With the COVID-19 pandemic and the current economic crisis, a lot of folks, especially young people, are looking to develop skills that will help them be a little bit less dependent on our consumerist economy. And I think that's generally a good thing. I think more of us should know how to cook a meal from scratch, grow our own vegetables, and mend our own clothes. Those are good skills to have.

Unfortunately, these "self-sufficiency" skills are often used as a recruiting tactic by white supremacists, TERFs, and other hate groups. They become a way to reconnect to or relive the "good old days," a romanticized (false) past before modern society and civil rights. And for a lot of people, these skills are inseparably connected to their politics and may even be used as a tool to indoctrinate new people.

In the spirit of building safe communities, here's a complete list of the safe resources I've found for learning homemaking, gardening, and related skills. Safe for me means queer- and trans-friendly, inclusive of different races and cultures, does not contain Christian preaching, and does not contain white supremacist or TERF dog whistles.

Homemaking/Housekeeping/Caring for your home:

Making It by Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen [book] (The big crunchy household DIY book; includes every level of self-sufficiency from making your own toothpaste and laundry soap to setting up raised beds to butchering a chicken. Authors are explicitly left-leaning.)

Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair by Mercury Stardust [book] (A guide to simple home repair tasks, written with rentals in mind; very compassionate and accessible language.)

How To Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis [book] (The book about cleaning and housework for people who get overwhelmed by cleaning and housework, based on the premise that messiness is not a moral failing; disability and neurodivergence friendly; genuinely changed how I approach cleaning tasks.)

Gardening

Rebel Gardening by Alessandro Vitale [book] (Really great introduction to urban gardening; explicitly discusses renter-friendly garden designs in small spaces; lots of DIY solutions using recycled materials; note that the author lives in England, so check if plants are invasive in your area before putting them in the ground.)

Country/Rural Living:

Woodsqueer by Gretchen Legler [book] (Memoir of a lesbian who lives and works on a rural farm in Maine with her wife; does a good job of showing what it's like to be queer in a rural space; CW for mentions of domestic violence, infidelity/cheating, and internalized homophobia)

"Debunking the Off-Grid Fantasy" by Maggie Mae Fish [video essay] (Deconstructs the off-grid lifestyle and the myth of self-reliance)

Sewing/Mending:

Annika Victoria [YouTube channel] (No longer active, but their videos are still a great resource for anyone learning to sew; check out the beginner project playlist to start. This is where I learned a lot of what I know about sewing.)

Make, Sew, and Mend by Bernadette Banner [book] (A very thorough written introduction to hand-sewing, written by a clothing historian; lots of fun garment history facts; explicitly inclusive of BIPOC, queer, and trans sewists.)

Sustainability/Land Stewardship

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer [book] (Most of you have probably already read this one or had it recommended to you, but it really is that good; excellent example of how traditional animist beliefs -- in this case, indigenous American beliefs -- can exist in healthy symbiosis with science; more philosophy than how-to, but a great foundational resource.)

Wild Witchcraft by Rebecca Beyer [book] (This one is for my fellow witches; one of my favorite witchcraft books, and an excellent example of a place-based practice deeply rooted in the land.)

Avoiding the "Crunchy to Alt Right Pipeline"

Note: the "crunchy to alt-right pipeline" is a term used to describe how white supremacists and other far right groups use "crunchy" spaces (i.e., spaces dedicated to farming, homemaking, alternative medicine, simple living/slow living, etc.) to recruit and indoctrinate people into their movements. Knowing how this recruitment works can help you recognize it when you do encounter it and avoid being influenced by it.

"The Crunchy-to-Alt-Right Pipeline" by Kathleen Belew [magazine article] (Good, short introduction to this issue and its history.)

Sisters in Hate by Seyward Darby (I feel like I need to give a content warning: this book contains explicit descriptions of racism, white supremacy, and Neo Nazis, and it's a very difficult read, but it really is a great, in-depth breakdown of the role women play in the alt-right; also explicitly addresses the crunchy to alt-right pipeline.)

These are just the resources I've personally found helpful, so if anyone else has any they want to add, please, please do!

[familythings]

SweGreen: A Revolutionary Solution for Growing Fruits and Vegetables

In a cool twist for sustainable farming, the Swedish company SweGreen just introduced an awesome way to grow fresh fruits and veggies right inside supermarkets. This smart hydroponic system lets plants grow in water with plugs instead of regular soil, totally shaking up how we look at food production! Transforming Supermarkets Imagine walking into your local supermarket and seeing fresh…

[farmerstrend]

The Macadamia Shell Controversy in Kenya

The Macadamia Shell Association of Kenya has raised concerns about the potential importation of raw macadamia nuts from other countries. The association argues that this move could negatively impact local industries that rely on macadamia shells as a fuel source. According to the association, macadamia shells are a crucial byproduct of the macadamia processing industry in Kenya. These shells are…

[brewscoop]

Discover how the nation's #1 brewer, Anheuser-Busch, is championing American farmers with the US Farmed Certification! Learn how this initiative supports local agriculture, ensures high-quality ingredients, and boosts sustainability. Check out the full story on how these efforts are shaping the future of US agriculture.