Small Farms Consevancy

[Scyther]

Interesting and informative discussion going on here. I read the SFJ article in the most recent issue and this discussion has thrown a little more light on it for me.
It is equally as interesting the entire concept of the purposed SFC. Mixing of people that are very individualistic and independent in nature with a very socialist idea. I’m not critical of that at all, one just seems contrary to the other but interesting at the same time. I have reservations about the SFC, both philosophical and practical but I think the idea, at least in part are worth looking into. I have some trust issues with organizations and movements from getting burned in the past. That’s just my own hang up but does make me causious.
We are a large country, very spread out. I think this type of effort would be most successful with a loose central organization acting more as a coordinator for smaller regional/ local groups that would have the real say so in how things work. Bottom up not top down.
Thanks to all that have given their ideas and insights.

[near horse]

Interesting conversation so I’d also like to share some of my thoughts.

First, I do understand the reluctance of many to “join” or “jump on the bandwagon” of SFC based on previous bad experience(s) with group endeavors. But, even with all the value we place on independence, humans are social animals and are capable of acheiving so much more as part of a group (community, church or whatever) than we are as individuals – the sum is often greater than the parts. But how do you work with/help/rely on your neighbors when they think all of this stuff we do is laughable? You end up looking far afield for like-minded folks but that’s not the community we all romance about.

I think that farming has evolved over the decades into an “individual” undertaking where it used to be a community one (out of necessity). Think self-propelled combines vs stationary threshing units.

To Lynn Miller, with whom I don’t always agree, kudos for your effort trying to launch SFC. It’s going to be like herding cats but as the saying goes – “There are those that make things happen. Those that watch things happen. And those that wonder what happened.” Thanks for trying to make something happen.

So, if we want to see some changes or have a hand in directing the inevitable changes, we need to put together a strong voice. Otherwise, our little individual voices will remain unheard.

[mitchmaine]

trouble with replacing an insurance company with another insurance company is that its still an insurance company. all the congress seems to be doing right now is giving insurance back to the industry only making it mandatory for everyone. the amish model is my favorite. no insurance company. if someone gets really sick every one chips in and helps, and if whatever you need doesn’t require money to fix it they help. but that system requires “faith” in the system to work. it might not work “out here”. i’d love to see something really change. but it still looks like a duck.

[Author]

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