An Overview of Self-Sufficiency
by Gavin Edwards
Self-sufficiency involves providing for ourselves. A common misconception is that we have to provide everything for ourselves but although this may be possible it isn't necessarily wise. It certainly isn't easy to do in current western countries. However, to provide some of our needs should be seen as a good thing and can only be beneficial to people and the planet.
If everyone were to provide just some of their needs the world would be a better place. Pollution would be less, people's health better, less energy would be wasted in the transport of food, less food would be wasted and less water used. There would be less crime and people would be happier. People would understand where their food & materials came from and so would respect nature more. The severity of many of the problems of modern industrial society would be lessened in a few years.
It is perfectly possible to provide many things for ourselves: drinking water from rooftops, most of our own food (over time), materials for building if we have the land, and materials for crafting into items. We can also use appropriate technologies to provide power for lighting, cooking, heating and food storage. There is very little that you can't do, it's more a matter of having the knowledge, skills and time to do them. You won't have the time to do many of them if you are working a full-time job in the city, but then, doing self-sufficiency you may be working harder and more hours than if you had a full-time job. A full-time job may provide you with more money (while the job lasts) but it won't provide you with the rewards of the heart that can be gained by living closer to nature, There is nothing nicer than eating fresh bread you have baked from the grain you have grown, no comparison to new seasons potatoes, baby carrots, beans and sweet corn straight from your garden. How do you measure seeing the robin follow you for worms in the garden, the harvest in baskets in the kitchen, baby lambs and rabbits playing or the trees in the autumn sunset?
Self-Sufficiency creates independent people, people that can think on their feet, are skilled in many areas, are resilient, motivated, capable and persistant (what doesn't kill you makes you stronger) and people that have a love of nature and care for others. Many of the people I have met doing Self-Sufficiency have been outstanding human beings with a passion for life.
Self-Sufficiency is closely entwined with nature and her seasons. The wheel of the year turns and so we follow planting with harvesting and preserving as human beings have done for millennia. The ways of living close to the land have nearly been lost to city dwelling peoples in western nations but is well time that they were re-learnt. What the industrial revolution took away from people was their connection to nature; self-sufficiency reconnects you. New life awakens mid-winter and spring and if we have preserved our food we have food to survive the 'hungry gap' of spring where fresh food is scarce. We get as much food in as we can in spring and summer, and breed up as many animals as we can feed. In mid-summer and autumn we feast well on natures abundance, preserve as much as we have time to and then slow down for winter. Winter is tree planting and soil feeding time and time for planning for the next season.
by Gavin Edwards
Self-sufficiency involves providing for ourselves. A common misconception is that we have to provide everything for ourselves but although this may be possible it isn't necessarily wise. It certainly isn't easy to do in current western countries. However, to provide some of our needs should be seen as a good thing and can only be beneficial to people and the planet.
If everyone were to provide just some of their needs the world would be a better place. Pollution would be less, people's health better, less energy would be wasted in the transport of food, less food would be wasted and less water used. There would be less crime and people would be happier. People would understand where their food & materials came from and so would respect nature more. The severity of many of the problems of modern industrial society would be lessened in a few years.
It is perfectly possible to provide many things for ourselves: drinking water from rooftops, most of our own food (over time), materials for building if we have the land, and materials for crafting into items. We can also use appropriate technologies to provide power for lighting, cooking, heating and food storage. There is very little that you can't do, it's more a matter of having the knowledge, skills and time to do them. You won't have the time to do many of them if you are working a full-time job in the city, but then, doing self-sufficiency you may be working harder and more hours than if you had a full-time job. A full-time job may provide you with more money (while the job lasts) but it won't provide you with the rewards of the heart that can be gained by living closer to nature, There is nothing nicer than eating fresh bread you have baked from the grain you have grown, no comparison to new seasons potatoes, baby carrots, beans and sweet corn straight from your garden. How do you measure seeing the robin follow you for worms in the garden, the harvest in baskets in the kitchen, baby lambs and rabbits playing or the trees in the autumn sunset?
Self-Sufficiency creates independent people, people that can think on their feet, are skilled in many areas, are resilient, motivated, capable and persistant (what doesn't kill you makes you stronger) and people that have a love of nature and care for others. Many of the people I have met doing Self-Sufficiency have been outstanding human beings with a passion for life.
Self-Sufficiency is closely entwined with nature and her seasons. The wheel of the year turns and so we follow planting with harvesting and preserving as human beings have done for millennia. The ways of living close to the land have nearly been lost to city dwelling peoples in western nations but is well time that they were re-learnt. What the industrial revolution took away from people was their connection to nature; self-sufficiency reconnects you. New life awakens mid-winter and spring and if we have preserved our food we have food to survive the 'hungry gap' of spring where fresh food is scarce. We get as much food in as we can in spring and summer, and breed up as many animals as we can feed. In mid-summer and autumn we feast well on natures abundance, preserve as much as we have time to and then slow down for winter. Winter is tree planting and soil feeding time and time for planning for the next season.
© Gavin Edwards 2015. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced without prior permission from the author.
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