Instead of Trying to Feed the World, Let’s Help It Feed Itself

from YES! Magazine:


Instead of Trying to Feed the World, Let’s Help It Feed Itself
We know about the ecological problems that follow when farmers are asked to “feed the world.” What would happen if they just tried to feed their neighbors instead?

by Shannon Hayes
posted Feb 20, 2013


Sooner or later the question comes up, whether it is between two friends sharing a pot of stew made from local grassfed beef and their garden harvest, livestock farmers gathered on a pasture walk, neighbors working together to tend a flock of backyard chickens, or organic vegetable producers discussing yields at a conference.

“But can we feed the world this way?”

As we try to move humanity away from dominant power regimes and thoughtless extraction of the earth’s resources, toward a way of life that honors the earth and all of her creatures, I think this is the most maddening question we can be asking ourselves.

Nevertheless, we’ve all been conditioned to reflexively turn to this question as we challenge our methods and consider new paths toward sustainability. ..................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.yesmagazine.org/blogs/shannon-hayes/instead-trying-feed-world-lets-help-it-feed-itself