Is homesteading (and localism) a form of retreat from society?

It can lead down a lonely path if you do not also develop community.

Jason Snyder (@cognazor on Twitter) of Doomer Optimism Podcast joins me to talk about his recent tweet:

"I don't like the narrative of modern day homesteading (and localism more generally) being a form of retreat or disengagement from larger societal concerns. I see it more as a prefiguration of a healthier society that can emerge from its broad-scale and networked diffusion."

We discuss positive steps to move forward, not "retreat":

• Get back in touch with your where you food comes from - grow your own food. You can be a localist, even in the city.
• Plant as many fruit and nut trees as possible. Make passive food sources a common part of your city and homestead landscape. Jason knows a guy who grows out lots of nut trees in pots and gives them away.
• Build community. Learn new skills. Share your skills, even if you are not an expert. We have a motto: "not an expert, but we're still going to get stuff done."
• Help each other - (work days and workshops). Jason relates how he is building community, forming a 'barn raising' group and helping each other on various homestead/farm projects. They recently had a workday/workshop helping a friend tear down a trailer.
• We share our plans for 2023.

Let Jason's pinned tweet be your goal for 2023:

• New virus coming? Plant trees, cultivate garden, tend livestock.
• Supply chain shocks and inflation? Plant trees, cultivate garden, tend livestock.
• Climate change? Plant trees, cultivate garden, tend livestock.
• New war coming? Plant trees, cultivate garden, tend livestock.

Check out the show notes on the episode website: https://thrivingthefuture.com/localism

Sponsor:

Elderberry cuttings and comfrey crowns and root cuttings are now available at Grow Nut Trees - https://grownuttrees.com

We are having a contest drawing in Feb for a copy of Roxanne Ahern's book "Holistic Homesteading". For details, and to sign up for the drawing, go to https://thrivingthefuture.com/contest.