I am attempting to buy more food locally and be involved in the process, as of late I have helped brand/vaccinate/castrate cattle for beef.... its it interesting. I am curious. How many people are involved in the production of their food?
I grow a garden of about 2 acres of vegetables that provides almost all of the needs of my family during spring,summer,and fall. I hunt extensively in the fall primarily for deer. I have a stocked pond with catfish, bass, and bream. I have goats as well that I would use for food in a emergency. I intend on getting some cattle in the future having horses prevent that at the moment. Have considered raising swine but still undecide as of now. Chickens provide eggs and meat but my dogs and predators have made that seem useless.
We grow vegetables, have a new small orchard, have put in strawberries and blackberries. I trade off with neighbors for vegetables, plants, homemade honey wine for our backhoe and chain saws and my rum cake. Husband and son in law hunt (deer) and husband fishes, locally and ocean. Freezer full.
I prefer to by more locally grown food. It is costs nearly the same price, sometimes even less, and is much fresher! The only inconvenience is going to a store that buys local fruits, vegetables, and milk. Whenever I go to the USA, I try not to eat (or at least try not to eat more than a very small quantity) chicken or beef because of the horrible slaughterhouses, especially the ones in Nebraska where much of the country's meat comes from. Most Americans have little clue how horrific their meat industry actually is. "Slaughterhouse: The Shocking Story of Greed, Neglect, and Inhumane Treatment Inside the U.S. Meat Industry" by Gail A. Eisnitz, [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Slaughterhouse-Shocking-Inhumane-Treatment-Industry/dp/1591024501/"]Amazon.com: Slaughterhouse: The Shocking Story of Greed, Neglect, and Inhumane Treatment Inside the U.S. Meat Industry (9781591024507): Gail A. Eisnitz: Books[/ame]
Yes it is very disgusting the way our food is mass produced. I would like to raise more animals for my family needs but the cost of feed is outrageous. I try to stay with organic meats when possible but it is very expensive.
possum plays with his food alla time... ... Granny has to get on him `bout it... ... otherwise we'd be waitin' all evenin'... ... fer him to finish eatin'.
