About gas prices impacting food costs? About the tightening tentacles of big agri-biz? About Monsanto's lobbyists pushing legislation that would drastically impact the small family farmers? About the widespread use of genetically modified seeds? I am. The more I learn, the more concerned I become. Consider also that:
- One in seven Americans is now on food stamps, according to the Wall Street Journal. http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2011/05/03/about-1-in-7-americans-receive-food-stamps/
- Some financial analysts, like the National Inflation Association, are warning about hyper-inflation If that happens, how many Americans will go hungry? http://www.inflation.us/
- Global food reserves are at an all time low.
- Global food prices are at an all time high, even higher than in 2008, when hunger riots erupted from Haiti to Morocco .http://www.grist.org/article/food-2011-01-12-lester-brown-the-food-bubble-is-bursting
- Community food banks have been stretched thin and had to turn people away in the last year.
- Food and commodity prices have raised, as much as up to 39% according to some sources.
Gardening isn't cheap. Yet it's a way we can be more self reliant. It's also addictive. (As is eating!)
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| Veggies from my garden |
However, I count that money as "sunk costs". I bought more than food.
- I bought peace of mind.
- I bought more self-reliance.
- I obtained the ability to produce my own pesticide free food.
- I bought FUN. Traipsing out to the fence on a summer's morn accompanied by birdson and butterflies to hunt ruby red jewels amongst the dark green leaves is sheer, simple joy.
- I even bought memories for my grandchildren, who love picking those red juicy raspberries in Gigi's backyard.
So far, I've spent over a thousand dollars on AeroGardens. What have I traded those dollars for?
In addition to the ability to grow year round, pesticide free tomatoes, strawberries, cucumbers, peppers, daily green salad, and herbs, I've acquired:
Beauty. Life. Pleasure. Fun. Oxygen. Cleaner air. Self reliance. Preparedness. Tax write offs for years to come. And a wonderful stream of income that taps right into today's biggest trends, with a solid, rising company.
If I'm not dependent on commercial food production, I won't have to worry about going hungry or sickly if AHBL. (All H--- Breaks Loose). If there's a terrorist biohazard attack in repercussion for Osama Bin Laden's execution, or a nuclear power plant melts down and the soil is tainted, like in parts of Japan. . . well. . . I have my Aerogardens. I'm okay.
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| Sugar Snap Peas, planted 4 days ago |
I have peace of mind.
The same pleasure I get strolling through my raspberry patch is already being equalled by the delight of
seeing peas sprouting
growing 4 inches in a week
and reaching for the light
right here in my kitchen.
. . And the sturdy stalks and healthy leaves on my 3 week old heirloom tomato plants are making me smile!
So, do I think folks should only grow indoors this year? Not bother to plant a garden outside? NO~
And if you live in an apartment, a townhouse, or a condo,
you should have Aerogardens. More than one.
And if you live in a home in the suburbs, I think you should have Aerogardens.
And if you live on a farm in Minnesota or Park City or Vegas, where the season is short, you should have Aerogardens.
In short, I think we should all be more responsible for providing the food that goes into our mouths, every single day, no matter what.
It just makes sense in these uncertain times.
