Is comfort and organic sustainability achievable? Yes, but first of all, what does sustainability mean?
Sustainable Development Info. Com has put together some great resources taken from Wikipedia and other sources.
The need for a sustainable development became more apparent as cities began to grow and resources began to diminish in quantity and value. In the early 1800s, some people began to develop personal lifestyles that were conservative and took into account environmental issues.
It was at this time, when the industrial revolution was taking place, when many observed the advancements in technology were coming at a great price to the environment. American Henry David Thoreau is considered the first person to write about sustainable development circa 1854.
An eco friendly way of life does not mean that people must live without any comforts or have any less fulfilling existences. In most cases, it means to use only what is necessary instead of wasting valuable resources, but it does come at a cost. This can be viewed as payback for all the times that limited resources were wasted for no good reason
However, not all of us have wasted resources for no good reason. The Native Americans were and are good stewards of the land where “The Sacred Journey of the Medicine Wheel” is still practiced. Other countries and societies call this way of life permaculture or homesteading. It is not all about being completely self-sufficient, but Inter-dependent upon the members of a community.
What does comfort mean to you?
We each have our own “comfort” that we want, but most people believe that indoor plumbing, electric lights as well as heating and cooling. Good healthy food, buildings for living and working on projects and equipment make life more comfortable.
Financial sustainability is also comfort for most of us. Living debt free is one of the best things to bring sustainability and comfort. We may all have to borrow money for Land and large projects once in a while, however, keeping debt at bay makes every day more comfortable.
Learning New Skills
You will learn new skills as you build your home or homestead. There is a real good book for basic skills called Back to Basics: A Complete Guide to Traditional Skills. But remember the more you learn the better it is for you and your family.
Remember that becoming part of a good community makes life easier! You can Barter or trade for items need or want.
You also do not have to have 100’s of acres to be sustainable. Here is a great book on how to live sustainably on just ¼ acre: Mini Farming: Self-Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre
I have learned from people who are living debt free on 1/10th of an acre in the city of Los Angeles. They grow herbs, raise chickens, ducks as well as microgreens for sale to local restaurants and homes.
Saving and Storing Food
Canning, freezing and drying your food for storage is another great skill to have. We have had many “Canning Parties” in our life. It is a great way to get together with your neighbors at home or the local community center. Have a feast and get ready for winter while saving lots of money.
We have decided to add a resource section in hisfarm.org, These resources will be available soon. I will only give you resources that I have researched or use myself. Here are 2 resources that can help you, but as a recent vegetarian, I no longer use myself:
- Basic Butchering of Livestock & Game
by John J. Mettler
- A Guide to Canning, Freezing, Curing & Smoking Meat, Fish & Game
by Wilbur F. Eastman
Chris Downs
Hisfarm.org
Today is a great day!
