I’m writing this in a heavy mid-January snowstorm. But the firewood is stocked and the wood stove is cozy, food is put back and we’re comfortably hunkered down. We’re told we’ll get 10-14 inches over today and tomorrow.
And we’re prepared for the inevitable power outage that’s coming.
This time of year is also a good time to reflect on the past growing season, lessons learned and to make plans for the future.
I suppose there are several ways to plan for the future: short term and long term plans and then tactical and strategic plans. Tactical and strategic, as in tactically, I’m going to grow green beans among my corn because they get along well. But strategically, I’m going to up my yearly yield of green beans because they sell so very well at the farmers markets.
What's all this emphasis on planning?
It Looks Like Food Shortages Are Inevitable
The plain fact is, there are some sobering statics and alarming trends that all point to catastrophic food shortages for the US and the world in the near future. And, as homesteaders, farmers or backyard gardeners we need to prepare.
America has lost huge numbers of produce farmers and, if the trends continue to accelerate, we may well lose almost all of them. The resulting food shortages will be cataclysmic.
What does this have to do with us, as homesteaders and backyard gardeners? The answer is, what produce we won’t eat ourselves will be a precious, in-demand product that will get big prices as a source of locally-grown food. You can help feed your neighbors and make a difference.
Wait: who’s making all these doomsday predictions about food insecurity?
Shay Myers is a third-generation California produce farmer. He manages a big family-run operation. Watch the video below, produced by Charlie and Shauna Rankin of Yanasa TV and you’ll quickly learn he knows what he’s talking about.
Shay uses the US asparagus crop as a prime example of quickly disappearing US produce farms. He cites California is the canary in the coal mine. “Fifteen years ago California had 78,000 acres of asparagus production. Today there’s only 700.” And asparagus is a good example crop. Asparagus is an extremely labor-intensive crop to harvest. Shay demonstrates how unwise and unfair US farm labor costs and immigration policies have driven production south into Mexico and Peru.
Here's a quick summary of Shay's points:
- Shay’s Owyhee Farm feeds tens of millions of Americans.
- He has testified before Congress on immigration reform. You may be change some of your opinions when you listen to his practical and principled solutions.
- Over the past few years Shay has experienced acute shortages of workers to harvest his crops. First or second generation domestic “pickers” and foreign H2A temporary agricultural visa workers haven’t been as available-- for the several reasons that he reports.
- Did you know that an H2A worker coming to the US makes more than a surgeon in Mexico makes? Shay explains how he has to pay transportation costs into the US, and to house them. If the picker does the same job in Mexico he will make between $0.50 and $1.50 per hour!
- Shay presents passionate and compelling arguments for enforcing COOL laws for produce (Country of Origin Labeling), reforming farm labor and immigration law.
Grow Your Own Food!
After watching this video you’ll be properly alarmed at the future of American produce farms. And you may get all motivated about growing your own produce for your own food security-- and, perhaps, making plans to sell produce excess produce at local markets.
Let's Talk
This video contains compelling stuff. Shay Myers himself admits he's had opposing opinions. What do you think? Do the statistics and trends add up to acute food shortages in the US? What implications are there for local food producers? Make a comment.
Note: for an excellent feelgood movie, a true story that also explores the culture of the second generation Latino “pickers” who harvest the California vegetable crop, watch “McFarland, USA.” Here’s the trailer. It’s behind the paywall on Amazon Prime at this time and there are other places to watch. Frankly, we bought this excellent movie and we have watched it many times.
