They dig in our ditch, about 500 ft from the gardens. I've found cutworms in my potted plants and one or two in my garden, but they've not cause too many problems yet. We get a lot of skunks in the garage after our dog food....and in the barn after the baby chicks.hoodat said:
Ag is commercial, yes, we do try to make a living in AG only. Our gardens/pets are hobbies not designed to make our living.
The world has survived eons w/out electricity, internet, computers, cars, why mess with them for they are polluting the world? In Ag it's because we've taken on the responsibility to feed people. Don't like GMO, pay extra for non-GMO crops, meat raised the way you want it, and don't compare prices vs. grocery stores or GMO crops. They can't compete. Most people I know sell their non-GMO below cost of production if they tried to pay for their labor, ground & facilities. Now pay your bills when you can't get paid for your labor. I know NONE of US would work for an employer without getting compensated. We can't raise non-GMO for the same costs as we can GMO, it's that simple.
Some do some don't. It depends on the species.
Its not living all expenses paid. Its one thing to produce what you need so you don't have to buy it and saving money to invest in other things and living healthier. Thats different than trying to grow enough so that all your doing is living off what you produce.
BINGO! You cannot use 20 acres and try to be a mini factory farm. It wont work. You can, however, use polyculture, taking advantage of nature instead of fighting tooth and nail against it.
I agree but to what end though? If your able to provide for your own needs, is it worth expanding if you take everything up in scale? Is the time, effort, and materials worth the end result? That's my question. Taking the self sustaining model and expanding it with the intention of turning a profit.
