Floatingfeather: I agree. My hat goes off to you for your encouragement regarding vegetarian eating and how it affect the environment. But, what I see from living in the rural areas is once that land is cleared for farming, and the farmer has no family who wants to continue farming, or cannot sell the land to another farmer, it is developed for housing. I used to walk in 18 acreas near my home. It was a haven for all types of native flora and fauna. I even named my dog Fauna because I worked hard every year to propogate various species like chicory, milkweed for the butterflies, and native tall phlox. There were several acres of the phlox, fall Joe Pyweed, and I had successfully propagated the chicory all around the area. I had encouraged a total of 12 species to florish. It was a haven for birds, bees, butterflies and deer. The butterflies would even land on my one dog and "go for a ride". I had deer bow down and thank me. Bear played hapily with their cubs. Then the man who didn't want it to be developed died. His son sold it to one of my neighbors whose step-father has totally eliminated all but 3 chicory plants cutting down everything and turning into what looks like a golf course. I prayed the gas shortage would stop him, but he is rich and can afford the gas. The new owner decided to sell 3 acres for lots to pay for the purchase. The township did everything it could to discourage them by making them pay a "developer fee", put in a culdesac and road, and pay for sewage. The people who bought the lots and built new houses further cleared the land, one person all the way to the fence line which was supposed to be left natural by the new owner. But, her step father pays no attention and just o.k. clearing and keeps cutting himself. I rescued phlox, Joe Pyweed, and as much chicory as I could by asking the owner if I could dig some up to replant in my own yard. Last year I counted only 2 milkweed plants. But the new people who moved in care nothing about saving anything nor do they plant anything like small bushes or trees. What even hurts more is that these new owners are very "religious" and look down upon me because I am disabled and don't attend an organized religion. This was my place to pray and I thanked God every day for the animals and the plants. I sit and meditate there because the owner and I are very good friends. Her step-father even cut down what she tried to salvage and plant. It all started with a farmer who raised beef cattle, an underhanded sale which barred those of us who wanted to leave the land alone for the flora and fauna. And, has ended with a misdirected group of idiots who throw trash around and destroy what is left of many areas with placement of basketball hoops and toys. All we can do is encourage the small children to appreciate nature and love it as we do. I am mostly vegetarian, but with my diabetes, I do have to eat some fish and a hamburger or steak once a month. And, I have to eat cheese because I have to balance every carb with a protein. I attended a Green Convention last Sunday, and I have encouraged business owners near me to plant more trees and more native flora. I have lived here 24 years, and I can feel the difference in the humidity with the development. I plan on organizing a environmental group who will give annual awards to and sponsor contests for those businesses and individuals who put a portion of there land back into native flora and fauna. Would you like to work together to start a branch?
Yes, let us see how we can help Mother Earth!
I live in N. Georgia on 3 acres. We try to eat very little beef, and really no pork to speak of. I am surrounded by cattle and chicken farms because we are the Poultry Capital of the World (Gaiinesville, GA). I agree with littlelady in that I would rather have cows for neighbors! But in general, people are ignorant and like it that way.
When we were dumping trash the other day, I suggested that the guy in front of me recycle all those beer cans in the back of his pick-up. To which he responed "F-- You M.F.". And I never realized the "Deep Fried" was a major food group until we moved here! Suficeth to say, we eat in most of the time!
Unfortunately the majority of the populace wants to be spoon fed and not really have to work or think about anything at all whether it is food, religion, politics or pregnancy.
But keep the faith floatingfeather, there are those of us that are on your side! My raised beds are already planted with onions, lettuces, cabbage and spices, and the big garden will be planted this week with tomatoes, corn, green beans, snow peas, english peas, squash and zucchini!
Oh, by the way, as a pesticide, I got tobacco, stuffed a knee-high stocking and soaked it, then put the juice in a spray bottle! I'm gonna try it on the ant piles too!
I like the tobacco for the ant piles. I will try it. Tobacco does cause a wilt so careful around your garden plants. You will see a kind of mosaic look on your leaves when it starts and a little yellowing. So sad to see beautiful land cleared for homes and cattle. I am a meat eater but I have been trying to reduce my intake. Great info floatingfeather.
It gives me faith in humanity to hear from good folks like you. I have a small farm in middle TN. and grow everything I can. Most of the fruit is frozen and will last through the winter. If there aren’t enough veggies to can or freeze we go down to west TN. and buy what we need. Having your own food always on hand feels good and really is yummmmmy! I would like to get potatoes and apples and put them in the root cellar.
