Local government in my area reluctantly approved an ordinance to allow residents to raise chickens in backyards for livestock. Covered in a blog here.
Looks like evidence of a grassroots trend back towards subsistence farming, as the Federal government refuses to provide enough settlement balances for our citizens to settle commercial transactions for food. Here going on in the city that is the state capital of Maryland.
Next look for requests to put in old-fashioned "out-houses" in place of current sanitary systems, which existed in the ancient Roman Empire over 2,000 years ago, and cisterns to catch rain water as less and less balances are made available to pay water bills.
Ah, progress in the realm of the moron. ;)
15 comments:
What have the romans ever done for us :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExWfh6sGyso
couldnt resist sorry
Raising a small flock of chickens for eggs (anywhere, not only in cities) is not a money-saving endeavour. It's probably not lower-carbon, either. It's a lifestyle choice, and having a closer, more thoughtful connection with the food you put into your body, and about living things around you. There's a great book called The Sixty-Four Dollar Tomato that explores this concept really well.
Hi, Matt -
I'd encourage you to do some investigation before condemning this idea. It seems your response fails to take into account a number of complex issues.
Many folks already do have rainbarrels installed, in an effort to capture effluent and prevent waste and erosion.
As far as urban ag, this movement is interested in the healthfulness of our food, animal welfare, and support of local, small-scale farmers. We live in a country with an agribusiness food system that is reaching unsustainable limits. We're paying for this system with our health, environmental welfare, and tax dollars.
I'd encourage you to do some reading about the US food system (animal slaughter practices, working conditions of undocumented workers, animal containment practices, concentrated animal feeding operations, manure lagoons, etc.) and see what you find.
I'd rather be a moron than choose blissful ignorance about what goes on in agribusiness.
Looks like evidence of a grassroots trend back towards subsistence farming, as the Federal government refuses to provide enough settlement balances for our citizens to settle commercial transactions for food.
Hahaha, I love it how you actually believe there isn't enough food because there isn't enough toilet paper money.
If the state printed more money and people used it to buy food, then the prices of food would go up and they wouldn't be able to buy any more food than before.
The solution to a lack of food is more food production, which is what these people are doing, because the state isn't providing them with a sound money, but a toilet paper money that is destroying economic calculation and production efficiency.
Next look for requests to put in old-fashioned "out-houses" in place of current sanitary systems, which existed in the ancient Roman Empire over 2,000 years ago, and cisterns to catch rain water as less and less balances are made available to pay water bills.
They also had slavery 2000 years ago. We should bring that back too.
Ah, devolution in the realm of the moron.
The larger issue here is not lack of money, nor is it trying to save money on food: it is a conscientious, well-informed respect for the earth and its resources. We cannot simply continue to throw money at problems - water bills, "settlement balances" for food, clean up in the Gulf - or rely on the government to fix everything. Nature and her rules do not respect or care for money or the government.
At some point in time we as a country need to decide that a more conservative, informed, conscientious way of life is a necessity and that abusive, unhealthy, and environmentally damaging practices must be eradicated.
Check out Barbara Kingsolver, Michael Pollan, Wendell Berry.
"At some point in time we as a country need to decide that a more conservative, informed, conscientious way of life is a necessity and that abusive, unhealthy, and environmentally damaging practices must be eradicated."
Absolutely correct! I can guarantee you at least HALF of the people raising chickens are above average income earners. It's about eating well - not lack of income.
"At some point in time we as a country need to decide that a more conservative, informed, conscientious way of life is a necessity and that abusive, unhealthy, and environmentally damaging practices must be eradicated. "
Unfortunately its our current "conservatives" that are fighting tooth and nail against this...... would make Orwell proud!!
Matt,
Obviously, you haven't done your homework on this issue, you know very little about the urban ag movement and how we in the U.S. are frankly behind what is already being successfully employed in other highly developed countries. Your remarks are uninformed and close-minded to say the least.
I agree with the other commenters who support: healthier food, animal welfare, sustainable farming practices, supporting local small-scale farmers, reducing our carbon footprint. And thus reducing: carbon emissions, rising health issues from unhealthy food sources, poor working conditions, poor treatment of farm animals, desecration of our natural lands. I'm sure I left a lot out. Frankly, the decision to make these conscious choices in lifestyle doesn't have to do with lack of income; actually at this point in the movement, it is often more expensive to participate. I'd advise you to check your facts before you make silly statements.
Obviously, you haven't done your homework on this issue, you know very little about the urban ag movement and how we in the U.S. are frankly behind what is already being successfully employed in other highly developed countries. Your remarks are uninformed and close-minded to say the least.
I agree with the other commenters who support: healthier food, animal welfare, sustainable farming practices, supporting local small-scale farmers, reducing our carbon footprint. And thus reducing: carbon emissions, rising health issues from unhealthy food sources, poor working conditions, poor treatment of farm animals, desecration of our natural lands. I'm sure I left a lot out. Frankly, the decision to make these conscious choices in lifestyle doesn't have to do with lack of income; actually at this point in the movement, it is often more expensive to participate. I'd advise you to check your facts before you make silly statements.
Matt,
Obviously, you haven't done your homework on this issue, you know very little about the urban ag movement and how we in the U.S. are frankly behind what is already being successfully employed in other highly developed countries. Your remarks are uninformed and close-minded to say the least.
I agree with the other commenters who support: healthier food, animal welfare, sustainable farming practices, supporting local small-scale farmers, reducing our carbon footprint. And thus reducing: carbon emissions, rising health issues from unhealthy food sources, poor working conditions, poor treatment of farm animals, desecration of our natural lands. I'm sure I left a lot out. Frankly, the decision to make these conscious choices in lifestyle doesn't have to do with lack of income; actually at this point in the movement, it is often more expensive to participate. I'd advise you to check your facts before you make silly statements.
The post was "tongue-in-cheek", but since you all brought it up...
If the economic policy makers were not all morons, they would be providing enough balances so consumers could afford the quality of food that they truly wanted to consume.
I ran into a contractor the other day who was putting a bid together to build a Gucci chicken coop for a client in a $1M+ neighborhood there in Annapolis that was going to cost shy of $10k.
Do you think that the households that consist of the over 40M Americans currently receiving nutrition assistance live in a $1M house and can afford a $10k chicken coop? Or rather in a high density multi-family environment with no room for chickens and out of a job?
You all may be in more secure situations with property and space , employment and financial resources to facilitate a stylized lifestyle "back on the farm" or whatever you are trying to do, but that is not the current lot of 10's of millions of your fellow Americans and millions more across the globe....
Resp,
Major,
"there isn't enough toilet paper money."
You have the words mixed up but you are getting closer. Should be:
"There isn't enough money for toilet paper."
Hang in there!
Sorry, I didn't get any tongue-in-cheek from your post.
"If the economic policy makers were not all morons, they would be providing enough balances so consumers could afford the quality of food that they truly wanted to consume."
I agree that the policy makers are as corrupt as the corps they're sold out to.
We _should_ have much higher food prices in this country - to rival those in Europe - and we are already so stratified economically/propped up on the poor/illegals that the folks on the bottom can't afford our seriously underinflated, feedlot/factory-processed bounty.
I agree that these excesses are not ethical. The folks in the Chicago Chicken Enthusiasts group who have chickens are largely the crunchy, DIY crowd. They are NOT those who live the $1M house and have a $10k chicken coop. I can't speak for the Annapolis crowd, but I'd bet the demographics are similar.
There are many below-poverty level folks who have chickens, too. As with other areas of our lives, they fly under the radar with keeping animals.
"That is not the current lot of 10's of millions of your fellow Americans and millions more across the globe..."
Most of us totally get this. Many of us with economic privilege unselfish, altruistic decision about finances. Speaking for myself, I support local farmers through CSA shares, which is more expensive than buying products at the grocery store, not eating (much) meat, andgiving to charities, locally and abroad.
There will always be the age-old problem of inequity in wealth distribution, but, believe me, the majority of folks in the backyard chicken movement are socially conscious, frugal, granola types, rather than billionaires with money to burn.
urban,
I understand your all's motivations and actions as just and righteous...
We here at Mike's are mostly focused on macro-economic policy, specifically with a view towards a somewhat 'heterodox' school of macro economics known as Modern Monetary Theory.
btw my wife will try to shop at this local farm as her travels permit (dont want to make a special trip):
http://copperpennyfarm.net/
It is more expensive than many "super" markets... but we have remained blessed economically. Not considering getting our own chickens... yet ;)
Peace... resp,
Matt - Ok, glad to hear we are on the same page. Kudos to you and your wife. And let's change the system! Excelsior!
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