This might sound corny but

[zeemike]

we really do need to get back to the land.
But all of us, not just the aging hippies that want to chill out but every man and woman no matter how urban they are.
Why now more than ever…because we are now in a situation where we can be, and probably are, being held hostage to the financial system.
What happens when the money stops coming in? well unless you have some reserves in cash somewhere you will soon run out of rent or mortgage money and loose your place to stay and then you start to starve because no money…no food.

Just look what happened in the great depression of the 30s…the only ones at least initially that really were desperate were those trapped in the industrial cities. Out in the country they had no money but they had their farm and that farm would at least give them plenty to eat, and surpluses to sell if you could find someone with the money to spend. And more importantly a home where your whole family could live. But those in the cities had no such luck…unless they could sell enough apples on the street corners they would slowly starve or flee the city…or rob a bank and go to prison.
So people are only truly poor when they have no land.

So my solution is a radical one…give everyone a piece of land…but not just any land…farmable land.
Divide all the farmable land up among the people and make it law that that land would always belong to them and could not be sold or taken away.
The land taken away from large land holders like corporations would be traded for land not farmable and the rules of capitalism would then apply to that land.
Urban dwellers that did not want to go back to the land could then rent out there portion to other farmers and stay where they want…but there would always be that option.

So what do you think…if you lived in New York City and you lost your job and you had the choice of working at burger king 60 hours a week and just scraping by or go to your little farm would that not give you hand?

[Thickasabrick]

1. I kinda like that idea but I'm more into communal shared farming

communities. Where a community would share a plot of land and each person would plant something different in their little plot. I think if we get too spread out we have the whole car/oil unsustanability and so I'd like everything to be within walking distance in the community.

That's what I would like to see.

[zeemike]

2. I think that would be a natural outgrowth..

that is always how farming has been in the past...comunal because it is the most efficient way to farm and live.

[No.23]

7. Thanks for bringing the "c" word up here.

Communalism will be the Rx for what currently ills us.

People sharing their assets and resources for the common good of all.

Unfortunately, we may have to be brought to our knees, in a narcissistic culture, to realize that...

communalism is naturally self-sustaining, while narcissism is self-destructive.

[zeemike]

8. Well said...and welcome to DU n/t

[zeemike]

3. Someone gave me a heart...thanks.n/t

[panader0]

4. I'm with you.

We maybe should start a forum here at DU for those who need advice on planting, seeds, etc.

[Deja Q]

5. And costs. And the normal quantity one human being eats per day.

Oh, and guarding them gardens; there'z looterz everywherz!

(in short, if people are bickering about high prices now, just wait.)

[zeemike]

6. That too could be a natural outgrowth of our problems.

People may actually need that kind of information.

[shraby]

9. Don't forget this program..surplus food distribution

<http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/programs/csfp/csfp_eligibility.htm>