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They mostly work donkeys in the wheat fields, at least thats where i see them a lot. Although I see people using with carts near some markets, but mostly in rural areas. i thought I was going back for a quick consultancy, but not sure anymore. If I make it back, I’ll inquire a lot more, and get more pictures.

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So happy to see so many thoughtful responses. Even happier to see Peak oil discussed. you guys are ahead of 99.9 of the western population. I personally think the West has it worst off. We have further to fall, as we’re more dependent on oil and fossil fuels. A great, great irony. i’ve seen it from Africa to pakistan. For example, in Ivory Coast, i lived in a small village no running water, or electricity, no indoor plumbing. Everyone made their own homes from local mud bricks, which they made onsite in the village. They also made the rooves out of thatch straw, from the village. A four man team could do it in a day or less. If you had a toilet, you dug it yourself. Water was provided via deep wells, operated by foot pumping action, not mechanized via oil in anyway. Everyday, women would collect fire wood, men would go and plant cassava, women would pound it with BIG mortars, almost no meat consumption, if you did it was locally dried fish, yard chicken, or big occasions goats, lambs or a cow, for ten of more families to share. I had no tv, there was one in the whole village, black and white, operated off a car A CAR BATTERY. Everyone was happy, until they saw a copy of Vogue/Cosmopolitan. Community was rich, and contrary to what many say, I didn’t see any sick folk, almost without exception everyone was very health six packs and all. In honesty, i was probably the most overweigh when I arrived from the US in the whole damn village, After two years, i was trim.

In Afghanistan, the local people rode donkeys, farmed with scythes, and had mud houses.

My point is that they are living in harmony with their environment. Not because they shun Western lifestyles, far from it,many really want it. However due to conquest and Via history, colonialization, globalism and corrupt leadership, they have had their natural resources diverted to the west. The irony is that they haven’t lost many of their survival skills, in fact they use them everyday. how many Westerners can do all the things i laid out above? This brings me great sadness in my heart. I’m certain that if Peak oil is true and there isn’t zero point or some other fantasy technology,we’re in big trouble. personally i don’t know what to do. i want these skills, and have sent out many emails, resumes and etc. but I can’t get an opportunity. Why? because there are so few opportunities and so few people doing what you guys are doing. i salute you. I want to come back home to the US, to teach and learn, but i fear i may have to stay here to learn these valuable skills from third world countries, and then come home in God knows when. maybe the meek will inherit the earth and maybe people will reap what they sow literally. the whole thing brings me great pain. Keep farming with Draft guys, keep teaching, and by all means don’t give up, you may just be our saviors. Be well.

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my vote is Raw Organic Apple cider vinegar. I like the brand braggs. The plus is that you can eat it too 😉 I never use white vinegar, most of it is synthetic and made from Charcoal and tar. they don’t tell you that! I also vote for plain baking soda. Third and last is castille soap, like Dr. Bronners unscented. If the first two can’t do it, move to a new location. You’re never need anything beyond those three rarely for household cleaning and etc. IMVHO as always DYODD ( Do your own Due Dilligence)

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@Carl Russell 386 wrote:

As physical beings, we have a need to be physically active. More than just active, involved. Physically involved in our lives. Involved in the life around us.

If each of us alive today,
laid hands upon our very lives,
what a garden we would have.
Eden.

As much as our minds are powerful enough to use up huge amounts of energy, our bodies are designed to physically manifest our intentions. When we practice the intellectual-isation of our lives, we rob ourselves of the true human experience. As our mind is stimulated by the environment around us, we must respond or interact through our physical body. Each one of us has different experiences, different physical make-up, and different abilities. When we involve ourselves physically in the life around us, our actions are personal, individual, expressions of SELF.

From Kidergarten to the Corporate Ladder, to the Church or politics, or to the sports arena, we live in a culture where our involvement in the life around us is orchestrated to meet expectations. Most of our energy is directed at trying to meet the expectations that will help us attain status. If we can’t attain status, then there is a stigma of inadequacy. Then our involvement in the life around us has been taken away. There are others more capable that will do it for us. We work for them, cheer for them, vote for them.

As personally, physically involved, expressive beings we are sovereign individuals. As we personally respond to our physical needs, we claim our sovereignty. As we contribute to our family and community with the physical skills and limitations that are the result of our own life experience we truly fulfill our human potential.

A physical Life is an artistic expression. Living is an art. It’s like a dance where each person brings to the floor their own step. There is no need to be threatened because we each have the opportunity to fully express ourselves. As we free ourselves through creative physical endeavor, we validate the similar efforts and contributions of our mates and neighbors.

A culture of people like this will embrace the woman with knowledge and skills of laundry. Carl

Beautiful, beautiful words. You should be writing these things down. Thank you. Our generation entering the post oil economy need to hear this, we’re all struggling in the matrix for meaning in life. we live an existence full of apathy, fear, hopelessness, and despair. We could have fulfillment, if we just used our bodies. They are machines, and when you don’t use machines, they break down. Our culture is sick,may your words be a blessing to our collective illness. Be well.

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@Carl Russell 9069 wrote:

Welcome. We’ld love to hear more about what you’ve seen for draft animal power in those regions. I’m sure you’ll get some contacts through this site. Good luck, Carl

Thanks Carl,
‘
Funny you mention this. I was just talking with my GF about it yesterday. When I was in Afghanistan, people used donkeys with great profiency. Later I moved Pakistan to help out in the big quake. While there, I saw lots of water buffaloes, the people were devastated. Those buffaloes did everything for the people living in the mountains. Without you buffaloes, you can easily die. Buffaloes were used for milk, butter, yogurt, and farming. They also cut down and bring huge blue pine for building down from the hills with those buffaloes ( I’ve seen it, and still don’t understand how they manage it). Don’t forget transport. See if I can fetch some pictures for ya. I couldn’t find the pics of the buffaloes,they’re on a different computer, but here are some pic anyway. Enjoy.

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Good post, and good for you on being more sustainable. Read more on Peak oil, particulary: The Long Emergency by Howard Kuntsler, and The Party’s over by Richard Heinburg

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Good find, I search mushrooms all the time. You can actually encourage morels if you buy a more; mushroom kit, they love apples trees and 2 to 3 years post burnings. I usually like Chanterelles. If you have lot of wood and forest by products, you really should look into mushroom production. you can do a lot with the wood. Check out this site and book: http://www.fungi.com/books/stamets.html

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I personally believe that the economic order as we know it is collapsing due to peak oil. You guys have no idea, you’re luckiest people on earth. PLEASE count your blessings and keep farming. How we’re going to feed ourselves as a country, in an agricultural system almost entirely dependent upon fossil fuels, with diminishing marginal returns is scary. I don’t want to repeat the facts, but read this here: http://www.fromthewilderness.com/free/ww3/100303_eating_oil.html You guys using draught animals are so far ahead of the game, it isn’t funny.

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