John Ferree wrote:
>Why do you think I choose to farm? Honestly, I think the potential for
>real cultural change is limited. Between the monster of globalization
>and the dog and pony show we call congress. You know it's bad when the
>anarchists shut up and lay low for fear of going to prison. . .
>
>
This is a trend that has been going on for several years now. My
saintly mother-in-law has told me that I need to be careful about what I
say, and for a woman who remembers Germany in the 1930's, that's a
chilling remark.
>While it is an exceptional rural economy in the us that is thriving
>(usually due to a honda plant or whatever), the financial reality of
>small scale farming for a living is slim.
>
The crux of the matter! We might be able to subsist, but can we
thrive? In a place where property values are increasing rapidly, the
economics of subsistence look like they lead to poverty. I have
children who need to be fed, clothed and educated so that they can, one
day, live as independent citizens. We know of a family who grow
"boutique" and heritage "organic" vegetables (it's not an organic system
in my view--merely substitution of one kind of input for another) in our
area, and BOTH parents have jobs outside their farm. It's virtually
impossible to earn a living as a small farmer in this area.
> That your income will be low
>enough that you'll have to make significant lifestyle changes. I've
>enjoyed many of the changes we've made, but many people would only long
>for the convienience of industrial servitude.
>
Another good point! My sweetheart sees the concept of rural living
as a path to continually "falling behind," with no hope of recovery.
When we tour the interior of British Columbia we witness a LOT of despair.
> One of the biggest
>drawbacks is that we're so busy with our hands that affecting change
>(outside of just farming) is impossible.
>
>
Indeed!
>How expensive is land in Canada?
>
It depends on where the land is located. The lot where we built our
house in 2002 cost us $78 000. There is NOTHING available for building
in this area now that's under $200 000. Rural land, especially if it's
arable and has access to water, is ridiculously expensive. Where
inexpensive land is available no jobs exist, and moving to such a place
would pretty well ensure that we'd never go anywhere else.
> What's the exchange rate right now?
>
>
The Canadian dollar has been slightly above the US dollar for
several weeks.
robert luis rabello
"The Edge of Justice"
"The Long Journey"
New Adventure for Your Mind
http://www.newadventure.ca
Ranger Supercharger Project Page
http://www.members.shaw.ca/rabello/
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