Nation's Food System Nearly Broke

Madistan.com ^ | February 26, 2009 | John Kinsman

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

what better excuse for martial law than food riots?

[CIDKauf]

Even a few years ago, my cousin was only making money in 3 of 5 years growing corn. When this happens, at some point, the corporate farmers move in a buy up the land. The family farm is sadly going away.

[dfwgator]

Even a few years ago, my cousin was only making money in 3 of 5 years growing corn.

Reminds me of the old Bloom County cartoon:

Senator Befellow: A farmer! A man of the earth! My heart bleeds for good folks like you. Going through hard times, are you?

Farmer: Nope, doin dandy.

Senator Bedfellow: Good! This is an excellent batch of corn you have here...

Farmer: 'Taint corn. It's dope.

Senator Bedfellow: Pardon?

Farmer: Here, take some home to the wife.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0JWekEqFdM

Remember this old one? The cows are the Hippies and the Army comes in and saves the day, LOL!

I saw this one as a kid in the 60’s. It made perfect sense to me then, as it does now.

[RetiredArmy]

HERE IT COMES, SOVIET TYPE FARMING. WE ARE ALL GOING TO STARVE TO DEATH UNDER SOVIET STYLED CONTROLLED FARMING.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Farming is one long, never-ending nightmare for farmers.

The very best thing that can happen to a farmer is to have a bumper crop when all of his neighbors crops are wiped out. If everybody has a bad crop, farmers probably make more than if everybody has a good crop.

Many family farms have to be organized as corporations, and when their crops are finally sold, they may earn several million dollars, almost all of which immediately goes to paying off machine rental, seed, fertilizer, pesticide, labor, etc. With several million dollars gross, they are lucky to pull down $30k a year as their net income.

Then add on everything that can afflict farms and ruin their crops, as well as having one of the highest employment accident rates out there and it’s just amazing that more farmers don’t go starkers.

Oh, and I forgot to mention back breaking work and living out in the boonies.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

We have our family farm in a Trust. But it’s going to be VERY interesting when Dad dies and his Oldest Son thinks he’s running the show.

The farm is split equally, legally between ALL of the adult children with two of us SILs as Executors.

I’m expecting a Battle Royale. Girding my loins, already. *Rolleyes*

You thought the book and movie ‘A Thousand Acres’ was a battle of wills? LOL!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Really? Tell me something new.

I’ve been ‘living the dream’ for 15 years now, LOL!

[AuntB]

“The solution must be grounded in food sovereignty so that all farmers and their communities can regain control over their food supply.”

I like it. Get our food ‘local’ again. We’re human and yes, the USA has always had some food ‘quality’ problems...but they used to be ‘local’ and didn’t infest thousands in dozens of states before we knew it or get imported by some 3rd world cesspool where you have no recourse.

Bigger isn’t always better.

[geege]

I saw a great bumpersticker.....”God bless America and the Farmer that feeds your fat a$$”...So true.

[hedgetrimmer]

We need to ditch the codex alimentarius ASAP, to make our food supply safer again.

[verity]

Soylent Green?

[girlangler]

Thanks for this ping Diana.

And ccmay, that was my first thought when reading this.

Gardengirl, I received my seeds in the mail today (thank you so much). I am so excited, especially about the tomatos. I plan to have them in my miniature greenhouse tomorrow. I love that thing — have tons of seedlings sprouting now (it’s also cat proof now).

We used to have farmers coops here, and could buy veggies locally, but haven’t seen many in the past two years. I used to buy bushels of corn and green beans for canning and freezing. Any way I can I will support small farmers locally.

[spunkets]

"food sovereignty"

Teriaki chicken is sovereign in this home.

[Dr.Zoidberg]

I've been expecting a tightening of the belt since the election and now that we're going full fledged communist, I'm certain of it, so I just ordered a mess of heirloom veggie seeds. Since I'm running late, I hope I can get the seeds started and far enough along by planting time.

Got popcorn (which makes some of the best cornmeal), tomatoes, carrots, okra, the herb stevia(going to break that sugar habit once and for all)and a whole host of other things I use but buy at the store or farmers market.

This year I'm planning on a lot more canning and drying than we've ever done before and if they do well, I'll be saving enough seed to double my planting next year.

[Gabz]

I think we need separate houses and conjugal visits. ;)

That's funny!!!!!

Hubby has my greenhouse half finished. He's building it out of the windows he just replaced at the Pastor's house. And I scored super big on a bunch of large planters and hanging planters from another house he worked on. One of those planters came complete with a huge rosemary!!!!!!

[Gabz]

Bigger isn’t always better.

You've got that right.

[Gabz]

That’s a great bumper sticker.

My husband has one on his truck.........ENDANGERED SPECIES: Farmers, Watermen, Rural Way of Life.

[Gabz]

WOW -— you’re being really ambitious. Good luck to you.

I was going to put some peas in this afternoon, but when I went to get the seeds I couldn’t find most of my seeds -— hubby just said to me they must be in the bar. WOW, who’d a thunk it!!!!

[Dr.Zoidberg]

I’ve got the land and time, so I might as well go for broke.

Now I just have to get them here, in the ground and keep the groundhogs and deer at bay.

I’m thinking I might end up with some protein out of the deal if things work out... =-)