In these times of Wall Street collapses, banking bankruptcies, massive unemployment, homelessness and increasing deprivation, we in the rural sector are already living in Great Depression-II even as the city folk and DC denizens keep talking about mere recession. We have a new President who has promised “hope” to Americans, and who appointed a Monsanto apologist to be Secretary of Agriculture, thereby slapping every struggling small farmer and ardent homesteader in the face.

Hope is all very nice in a made-for-TV movie or light novel, but we all know you can’t eat it, live in it, pay your doctor with it or drive it to a day-job. We’re going to need more than hope and slaps in the face to get through all this piper-paying. And despite Obama’s lousy choice for SecAg, there are some people in DC who do seem to understand that while cities are where the bread and circuses are distracting the population from their deprivations, if we allow the rural backbone to disintegrate people won’t just be deprived. They’ll be starving to death.

Many of us modern homesteaders came to our lifelong labors of love from those cities and megaburbs, once living large with boom economy jobs and the whole rat race. Then gave it all up very much on purpose so we could build new lives for ourselves and our families that really mean something. Those of us with college degrees (some quite advanced), may have even taken a few courses in basic business management and/or economics and/or marketing to help us get those city jobs we left behind when we moved to the hinterlands where the farmers live.

As the various tentacles of the economic stimulus package reach into the states, some state legislatures are working hard to earmark some of the funds for rural business development. Rural, farm-based businesses that produce not just raw materials but finished (or partially finished) products for sale are what is called Value Added Agriculture.

Value added agriculture makes a different kind of business out of the usual small farm business of growing basic commodities and then selling them to buyers representing big food producers and conglomerates. It’s not just selling milk from your cows to the local dairy, but making cheese out of the milk and selling that to grocery stores, restaurants and sometimes directly to retail customers. Instead of just being the raw resource miner, the farmstead becomes the producing ‘middleman’ in the chain of getting raw resources processed and to consumers all over the world.

State land grant universities in all states are beginning to offer these business management courses through their agricultural departments to farmers and homesteaders. Some extension agencies are also offering classes free or very cheap, so a farm family can learn the details and develop their ideas over time while still maintaining their dirt-based day jobs.

Some of the better resources I’ve found out on the web to help homesteaders take this next step toward better income and community job resource come from various sustainable agricultural organizations. Keys to Success in Value-Added Agriculture is a 20-page booklet that offers a very good overview of the issues and solutions involved in adding value to your commodities. The USDA’s Rural Development branch has information and applications for their value-added producer grant program to provide funding for farm-based entrepreneurs.

The Ag Marketing Resource Center, a national partnership of land grant institutions and state departments of agriculture, offers a portal to their gathered resources for those interested in value-added agriculture. These include market research, business development grants and success stories from all over the country.

So if your family would like to expand your homestead’s horizons this year, check out these resources and don’t hesitate to use them as portals to more information and more help in getting started. It’s our lives and chosen lifestyles on the line, and none of us should lose these to the failure of political and economic leadership in recent years. If readers have their own success stories or ideas to share, please do!

Links:

Disconcerting: Tom Vilsack at USDA
Legislation introduced to invest money in ag industry
USDA: Value-Added Producer Grants
Agricultural Marketing Resource Center

There is a resurgence of hope across America in the wake of Tuesday’s election of Democrat Barack Obama as President, promising a new direction of change for the future of our nation. Those of us who have been paying attention to the global financial meltdown, increasingly severe food shortages in the wake of global warming, and the outrageous poisoning of our citizens and livestock/pets by corrupt Chinese producers (a glaring example of globalization’s failures), are hoping that a new dawn in America will bring with it the serious changes to our agricultural policies that have grown increasingly necessary through decades of decline.

Now, politicians don’t generally talk much about agricultural policies while they’re stumping for votes in big cities. And they’re often so ignorant of agricultural issues that even rural dwellers – actual farmers – get nothing but pablum and platitudes in response to their questions. Luckily, journalist Michael Pollan wrote a great ‘open letter’ in the New York Times in October entitled, Farmer in Chief. This is a must-read for all of us committed to self-sufficiency, locally grown foods, the viability of family farms and homesteads, and the future health of an environment we all depend upon for life.

Pollan begins his letter to “Dear Mr. President-Elect” with an honest caution -

It may surprise you to learn that among the issues that will occupy much of your time in the coming years is one you barely mentioned during the campaign: food. Food policy is not something American presidents have had to give much thought to, at least since the Nixon administration — the last time high food prices presented a serious political peril. Since then, federal policies to promote maximum production of the commodity crops (corn, soybeans, wheat and rice) from which most of our supermarket foods are derived have succeeded impressively in keeping prices low and food more or less off the national political agenda. But with a suddenness that has taken us all by surprise, the era of cheap and abundant food appears to be drawing to a close. What this means is that you, like so many other leaders through history, will find yourself confronting the fact — so easy to overlook these past few years — that the health of a nation’s food system is a critical issue of national security. Food is about to demand your attention.

Pollan goes on to explain issues like climate change, energy independence, health care and the general health of the economy in terms of our dependence on food depend crucially on sound agricultural policies. He explains very well what ‘went wrong’ with our food system over the past several decades, and how the antiquated, fossil fuel dependent system cannot be sustained. We no longer have cheap fuels and unlimited water supplies, our policies are haphazard, our subsidies unfair, our planning non-existent. Pollan then offers his particulars in this 9-page article, and the reasoning behind them is fascinating reading. He offers a complete rationale for organic farming many of us have been promoting and practicing for years, in three not at all ‘simple’ steps…

1. Resolarizing the American Farm
2. Reregionalizing the Food System
3. Rebuilding America’s Food Culture

I’ve added my voice to the growing calls for our leadership to pay serious attention to the many complex issues of our food supply – which IS our ‘national security’ – by sending this article as a link in a congratulatory email to President-Elect Obama. This is an immediate action issue, as Obama is right now choosing his cabinet and advisors. Agriculture and food policy issues must not fall to the back of the line. So add your voice to the calls for sane policy and firm leadership today!

You can also sign petitions and keep up to date on incoming news at the Organic Consumers Association. Don’t forget while you’re there to sign up for their email newsletter too!

The picture at left is from Architectural Digest, which did a photo layout of one of John and Cindy McCain’s Arizona homes in 2005. Here is the full slide show. Nice place.

Not exactly like our homesteads, which more often look sort of spliced together from this and that as we attempt to grow our personal independence and self-sufficiency in an increasingly hostile economy. Heck, many of us dedicated homesteaders have had to invent some creative ways just to pay the mortgage, which does tend to bite into time for completing the goat barn or installing the solar panels or building the sluice for the water turbine or… well, suffice it to say that for most of us, our homesteads are a forever work-in-progress. We wouldn’t be doing it if “Home” were not the most important asset we have in the world, on which we lavish our time, toil and love unconditionally.

Thus it wasn’t a delighted laughter that greeted a clueless John McCain when he told an audience of evangelical ‘base’ Christians the other day that people can be considered “rich” if they bring home $5 million a year. Which makes his rival Barack Obama’s measly $4 million income last year positively middle class. The laughter was more along the lines of “…he said WHAT!!!???”

Then he ‘forgot’ how many houses he owns. Told Politico that he’d have to have his staff get back to you on that. The answer, in case you’re wondering, is somewhere between 7 and 12. Maybe more, but they’re condos so who’s counting? I admit to being floored, and wonder how it is that this guy has managed to stay within the margin of error with Democrat Obama in this year’s Presidential campaign. Are Americans really that scared? Since the entire Republican game plan is to keep people so scared of terrorists that they don’t dare vote for anyone who might be able to address real life problems like housing, health care, deficit spending, downsizing, etc., etc., etc. What ever happened to the “Home of the Brave” part of our national identity?

I guess Homesteaders are just a different sort of breed of American. People who actually do desire being as responsible for themselves and their families as they possibly can be. People who will go ahead and plant a few rows of wheat this fall just because they can and people are going hungry. People who don’t mind milking the goats or playing “find the eggs” from their free-range hens. People who know how to fix the water heater and patch the roof and build a greenhouse even though they work to pay the bills and barter for what they need. We’re not proud. We’ll buy second-hand, we’ll recycle someone else’s discarded roofing, we’ll drive that beat-up pickup truck every day and thank our lucky stars it still runs. Just so we can continue to live this way, on our beloved homesteads.

Maybe we should be proud-er. I’d lay odds right now that every single one of us who wears the label “Homesteader” knows right off the top of our heads exactly how many houses we own. And where they are. And why we own (or are paying for) them.

The economic situation is bad, getting worse. Our nation needs to start celebrating people who will embrace the realities of our existence in the 21st century, after “peak oil” and the absolute looting of our nation’s wealth. By people just like John McCain, who can’t remember how many homes he owns. Wow. Just… wow.

Yeah, I know. EVERYBODY is starting to dream about a whole new generation of cars and trucks for getting around in the 21st century without fossil fuels. But those of us who live in the wider countryside inventing wider, self-sufficient lives as homesteaders usually have to plan a bit farther out than city dwellers. Who, when push comes to shove (or just $5+ a gallon gasoline), can always ride the bus or take their bike or even hitch-hike on crowded roads full of mostly empty vehicles at a near standstill any time of day.

I’m a big fan of Toyota’s Prius and Honda’s Insight, but the hybrid technology isn’t really where it needs to be for my desire to somehow translate someday homestead energy self-sufficiency to transportation as well. For that, I’ll need all-electric. And something a lot more stable, dependable, useful and warmer in the winter than a glorified golf cart.

Something big enough to carry at least a couple of people, safe enough to protect us from bad drivers, fast enough to use the interstate, with enough range to get to and from the nearest regional farmer’s market – that’s about 60 miles round trip – without having to buy someone else’s electricity. Grocery store and other such amenities are in closer, smaller towns, 5-7 miles away (less than 15 round trip). I’ll need either a pickup-style bed – with sides and tailgate – or large luggage space in order to carry tools, machinery, trash (we have to haul our own), groceries (only shop once a week) and general ‘stuff’. Like logs for firewood and lumber for building and… well, you know what I mean. And something that charges in a short enough period of time (whenever gas stations start offering paid by-the-hour 110 and 220 volt chargers) to get 500 miles in one day on occasion.

All that, I’ve discovered, makes for a tall order for what’s actually available out there in the way of electric vehicles right now (or going into production in two years or less). Also, we live in the mountains. We’re going to need some actual power going up steep grades. That too is kind of just a wish right now.

We’ll of course have to just tighten our belts and pay for the gasoline through the next five years at least, but by then I do hope what we need out here will be available at a price we can reasonably afford. If all we needed was a commuter gad-about, there are some very, very cool ones out right now. Cheapest is under $7,000. Some cost as much as high end SUVs do now. Some sleek, fast sports car versions will set you back more than a new Corvette.

For YOUR dreaming-of-the-future pleasure, check out some of the websites I found for EVs (Electric Vehicles). I figure by the time I’ve got the solar panels on the roof, the wind turbine on the ridge and the hydro plant on the creek going and all hooked up to my backwards meter, there will be a pretty fair secondhand market for some of these, and including the current hybrids. Short of getting a mule or horse, I’m going to hold out as long as I can…

Global Electric Motorcars
Offers incredibly ugly glorified golf cart kits if you’re mechanically adept. Top speed is just 25 miles per hour, get ~30 miles per charge on a 72-volt battery using 110. Kind of nice if you live and work in the ‘burbs.

Commuter Cars’ Tango
Kind of cute 1-passenger skinny thing you can park anywhere a motorcycle can. It screams to more than 120 miles per hour, gets 80 miles per charge (depending on new battery tech), and is amazingly stable and safe. It costs more than $100,000, not in my league but will be a big hit with the young execs in the city.

AC Propulsion eBox
This is a strange one. You buy the boxy Scion xB, they’ll do the conversion. They don’t say if you get your actual engine back or anything. It’s exactly the size of an xB (surprise!) and just as ugly. It’ll go 95 miles per hour using an AC induction motor and lithium ion battery. It’s got a 120-150 mile range between charges, and there’s a quick-charge option. The xB and conversion will cost you in the range of $70-75,000.

Myers Motors NmG
The NmG (pictured above) is the cutest little cartoon car you ever laid eyes on! I want one so bad for my college-bound grandson that it’s a good thing I’m not rich (it starts at $30,000). Single passenger, it can get up to 75 miles per hour and accelerates quick, but has just a 35-45 mile range per charge. This is the PERFECT college kid campus town gadabout for anyone who isn’t worried about paying back huge student loans.

Phoenix Motor Cars
These are just what the homestead ordered, but I’m surely going to have to wait until the third-hand market comes around. Phoenix makes full-size SUVs and work trucks that are gorgeous. Selling mostly for fleet use at this point, probably because buyers are taking advantage of capital and tax breaks to do so – you have to email them before you can know how much it costs, I’m guessing $100,000+.

Using new battery technology, the trucks have a 130 mile range per charge, 250 with an expansion pack. They use 220 volt chargers, but do offer a 10-minute quick-charge adaptor.

Universal Electric Vehicle Corp.
The Electrum Spyder 2-passenger convertible is one very classy sports car with a 100+ mph top speed and a 250 mile range. Wowsa. UEV also offers the Electrum COM-V3 2-seater, 3-wheel commuter car. It’s got a 75-150 mile range, an 80 mph top speed, 16 cubic feet of luggage space and not too weird a look. You have to call them for pricing, so expect to bid high.

ZAP Electric Cars
ZAP’s got several models, the most useful-at-a-glance would have to be their Xebra line of 3-wheelers, offering a 4-passenger sedan and a pickup (they also have a 4-wheel pickup). A 40 mph top speed will keep you off the interstate, and the 25-mile range is too shallow for use around this homestead. But it charges on 110, uses lead acid batteries, and starts at just $11,700 – reasonable. Plus it comes in Zebra stripes, which I’m sure is a selling point somewhere.

Here’s a couple of good sources for keeping track of EV developments, as investment has started pouring in and the Big Boyz in Detroit are just not going to be able to stop it any more.

Drive Electric
Electrifying Times: Latest Electric Car News

Most homesteaders know as well as anyone that the current state of the US economy isn’t very good. Are probably aware enough to see that it’s not getting better any time soon, either. Hopefully the homesteader has been wise enough to purchase his/her chunk of land far enough away from the ‘boom’ cities and regions that they got a good deal on it, as it probably represents the only real assets that family has.

Of course, there are the other assets related. The house and outbuildings, the farm and garden equipment and tools, the vehicles that get the homesteader to markets or trade-meets, auctions, etc., and the food (and energy) supplied by the property and proper investments in the property. Outside of actual transportation costs, the wise homesteader should weather the recession and coming depression better than most stuck-in-the-city folks. Our homesteads aren’t rollover investments – they’re our HOMES and security, even in hard times. Especially in hard times.

But there are some issues to be considered as the retail marketplace takes as hard of hits as the banking sector is taking. If there’s a shopping mall within 20 miles of your homestead, it’s likely to be an empty eyesore before the end of the year as retail outlets fall. So far this year the standard mall shops that have filed for bankruptcy include Linens n Things, Sharper Image, Mervyn’s (in California), Shoe Pavillion, …and ever increasing numbers of less universal retail shops.

Then there are the “downsizings.” Starbucks is closing 600 shops, Foot Locker will close 140, Lane Bryant/Fashion Bug plans to close 150 outlets, Ann Talor will close 117, and Zales Jewelers is shutting down 100 outlets. Circuit City is nearing bankruptcy, and even Target is lowering expectations dramatically.

This has so far translated into the loss of roughly 100,000 retail jobs. Not the best paying jobs and usually without any benefits, but homesteaders often get such day jobs to make ends meet as they’re developing their overall self-sufficiency. We can count on the loss of at least that many more jobs before the year’s over.

Luckily for wise homesteaders, we’re not too proud (or too rich) to go ahead and bargain or barter for the things we need. I wrote not long ago about homestead tools, and getting the best you can afford, even if you buy them used. Below are some sources for further strategies making use of established means of barter, recycling, buying used, or getting free. These can prove to be very useful in getting your family through the hard times with both yourselves and your property intact.

Links:

Credit Crunch: How to Survive the Recession
15 Real Ways to Conserve (and save money!)
Living On Less: The Alternative Economies
Putting Old Clothes to New Use
Thrifting: It’s an Art Form!
Craig’s List: Great Resource or Scary Place?
The Payoff: Thrifting and Re-Selling
It’s Better Than Cheap… It’s Free!