Why are more people not working their land and being self-sufficient?

[Happy in Wyoming]

Originally Posted by Submariner

The independently wealthy; who hire farm-workers to work on their farms; who then watch out through the window and write articles about how great farm life is; and who then earn even more money from being authors. Might not be the best example to use here.

The Nearings taught several generations of later survival writers to keep their locations a secret. They also taught by example the folly of trying to improve life for the herd. While not many people wish to deprive themselves to the extent that the Nearings did there are many who wished to follow a modifiied plan in which they could retain the amenities of modern life while enjoying the country life and be free of the alien hordes to use H.P. Lovecraft's most descriptive appellation.

I'd like to see more posts here by educated and prosperous individuals who have adopted the survivalist version of the country man or woman, what the British, if there are any real British left, would lovingly call county. There is a plethora of fora on survivalism ranging from urban survival (there's an oxymoron) to militant groups and individuals seeking the solace and safety of the country. We can learn from all of them; that includes our own ChrisC who should be writing about his skills and and planning seminars based upon them.

I don't believe that there are any who are independently wealthy because retaining and increasing wealth requires a steady and never resting hand. We may be able to be independent of others in personal relationships but never of political events nor the vagaries of Nature.

[LittleDolphin]

Originally Posted by Submariner

The independently wealthy; who hire farm-workers to work on their farms; who then watch out through the window and write articles about how great farm life is; and who then earn even more money from being authors. Might not be the best example to use here.





Their writings have inspired many.

I guess you haven't read the book? Because, on the contrary, the Nearings were as poor as church mice when they left the city for the land.

Scott Nearing had been banned from his profession as professor due to his defense of the working man. They came to the country with very little money. They were poor. So, they are a great example of coming from little resources to making a living from the land. And this was through their own hard labor -- they hired no one to help them.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by LittleDolphin

I guess you haven't read the book? Because, on the contrary, the Nearings were as poor as church mice when they left the city for the land.

Scott Nearing had been banned from his profession as professor due to his defense of the working man. They came to the country with very little money. They were poor. So, they are a great example of coming from little resources to making a living from the land. And this was through their own hard labor -- they hired no one to help them.

They were very good authors. An author paints a picture with words so vivid that readers can 'see' the image.

A great deal has been written about the Nearings, including interviews with their hired hands.

They were wonderful authors.

[Nor'Eastah]

Originally Posted by LittleDolphin

Wonder if anyone has read Helen and Scott Nearings' book Living the Good Life? They left NYC in the midst of Great Depression to live independently on an old farm in Vermont--and later, in Maine.

They don't tell you that Scott had several whole life policies, and cashed in a few to get the first farmhouse and acreage. Helen did mention (briefly) that an "old suitor" had left her some money when he died...and that went to purchase the second farm acreage.

Originally Posted by LittleDolphin

Their book contains a blueprint to follow on how to do what they did--including building their home and outbuildings out of native stone found on their property.

They grew enough produce and developed a root cellar to get them through the winter from their garden.

Again, they neglect to say that students and visitors from all over would come during the summers and help them with this work. Much of it was back-breaking work, and the only "pay" these kids got was their meals and a place to crash at night.

Originally Posted by LittleDolphin

Vegetarians, they did not keep or eat any animals.

It's a fascinating book--I recommend it to you.

They, the Nearings, were early pioneers in the "Back to the land" movement. And they had been city folks--but highly educated and big readers of "how-to" books and good neighbors who learned and shared with their neighbors...

Their main cash crops were maple sugar from their maple trees...and blueberries.

Helen, whose father was a big figure in NYC retail and was a big help in allowing Helen to market her fancy shaped maple sugar candies in cellophane packaging to the NYC trade, allowing her to display her creations in upscale store windows that were only available to her through contacts from her father and family friends. That is where they made their REAL money from maple sugar.

While entertaining reading, and certainly a great source of inspiration to back-to-the-landers, their work is notable for what it leaves out. These two were not poor as church mice. Helen received money from trust funds throughout her life, and while the couple did not live ostentatiously, they were certainly comfortable and wanted for nothing.

[monkeywrenching]

Originally Posted by Happy in Wyoming

There will always be money. It may not be the money we use today but there will always be money, defined as an accepted standard for goods and services. Since the inception of coinage no society has returned to barter except in emergencies, and those incidents have been short-lived.

I am bartering with my neighbor this coming spring and summer.
He is helping my daughters and I put up a log cabin on the other side of my property. he gets a steer for butchering after the cabin is done.