Photo by Izafineday
You’ve probably figured out that there are tremendous advantages to growing your own food, or you probably wouldn’t be at this site. But I’d like to revisit the undeniable benefits so that there’s no doubt left in your mind, that farming in your own backyard is the right idea.
Remember the Victory Gardens of WW I and WW II? They were planted to reduce the pressure on the public food supply brought on by the war effort. In 1943, over 20 million American Victory Gardens produced 8 million tons of food in this country – 41 % of all the produce consumed by this nation. That’s a lot of groceries. Modern homesteading in suburban and urban areas is an echo of those successful American gardens.
Today our social and economic climate is at a place where Americans can once again benefit from the bountiful of our historic past. There is a monstrous movement on the horizon that is just as appropriate as it is necessary. It’s time, once again, to take responsibility for not only what goes into our families’ bodies, but how it gets there.
Suburban farming is being accomplished successfully in backyards everywhere. And it’s being done with high yields on very little land. You can plan, plant, maintain, and gather your own food for pennies on the dollar for each meal harvested. You’ll not only receive the many health benefits of fresh food, but also enjoy working outdoors with the pride that comes from creating food with your own hands.
Plus, if the truth be told, I am a control freak. I got tired of relying entirely on external sources for our necessities and wanted to take back some control. Because I like healthy food and I like my family, I decided to start there.
Growing your own groceries is catching on all over the country and sales from seed catalogs are up; some say they’ve doubled. A weak economy and a global movement toward a healthier diet and sustainable planet make home produce farming not only timely, but appropriate.
A mere 20 years ago, farming was considered passé. What was once old fashioned has come back into its own. Could the timing be any better? The difference for this decade is that most of us don’t own what is traditionally considered “farm land” anymore. We live a suburban lifestyle.
Not to worry, since modern produce and fruit growers have created strategic ideas for getting high yields in compact spaces. These strategies let the average family, with average-sized yards; grow their own food throughout the seasons.
Food that is healthy, free of pesticides, herbicides and artificial fertilizers. Food from heirloom plants so rich with flavor, it’s proof-positive that grocery store quality has been missing the mark for years. This is food people feel good about feeding their families, because it’s fresh, safe, affordable, and because they grew it.
