Category: low-footprint living

This question appeared on my Facebook feed. It was a post from the Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, and it’s very worth visiting the original post to read the comments.

Also, Foundation for Intentional Community (FIC) shared the post from DR, and it’s very worth visiting their comment section to read the answers there also.

The exact question they posted was: SERIOUS QUESTION: Why don’t you live in an ecovillage yet?

And my answer:

Serious answer: Because besides being expensive (defeating the purpose of living collectively), too many of them are rural.

Rural is problematic for two reasons, as I see it:

1 – Rural areas, at least in the USA, are car-dependent. There’s little point in trying to be a sustainable village if we are still going to be dependent on cars. Even if it’s a shared car.

2 – The social fabric in rural areas (at least in the USA) is not resilient enough when there is not enough of a concentration, critical mass, DIVERSITY of people. Not enough different talents; not enough mix of personalities. It becomes a brittle thing.

Brittle except for maybe only a very select few ecovillages that have managed to attain some longevity — such as Dancing Rabbit.

The original “Ecovillage” is the urban neighborhood. Most of us probably need to stay right in the neighborhoods where we are, and relearn the skills of networking and cooperating with neighbors, local businesses, etc.

Suburban neighborhoods, even, offer some possibility for sustainable collective living. David Holmgren’s book RetroSuburbia, is a good resource for suburbanites seeking to build community that is informed by Permaculture design principles and ethics.

From serenityrecovery.org, this is a short but very helpful read about the addictive quality of anger. “Signs of Anger Addiction.”

Definitely applies to us environmental activists; has a bearing not only on our personal health but also very much on the quality and effectiveness of our activism.

“Similar to other addictions like gambling, extreme sports, or even drugs like cocaine the brain releases a dopamine reward when you’re angry which clouds your judgment and can lead to terrifying consequences” (emphasis mine).

This one weird trick can help you stave off unwanted development in your city, county, bioregion: SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FARMS. This farmer whose words I’m sharing here may be based in Florida but their insight & plea apply universally.

(Photos for the algo & for your enjoyment: me in writer mode; and my off-grid hippie-60s-inspired urban garage GLAMP-partment). (See the pix here on this post on my FB page.)

Happy New Year all!!

Part 1: Note added by me (jenny nazak)
This morning on my feed: A post regarding the relationship between supporting our local farms, and staving off the types of development that we all say we don’t want. And that we expend a lot of time, energy trying to fight.

If you need help finding your local farms, I strongly recommend joining this group Florida Farm Finder – Small FL Farms are Kind of A Big Dill

Granted, supporting local farms instead of Discount Low Mega-mart takes a bit of extra effort. And not everyone has the financial luxury of doing this. But for those of us who have even a bit of leeway to exercise choice, even if it’s not for everything all the time … I think it’s no exaggeration to say that our lives depend on shifting in this direction. Depend in MANY ways.

(Meta note: The post was shared by a fellow Floridian eco/permaculture citizen, and I think the farm is the same one as one I know by this name in Florida. Feel free to chime in if you know more details. There is a Spring Hill here in FL but may not be the same one mentioned here. Regardless: No worries, the issues highlighted herein are nationwide and maybe to an extent even worldwide.)

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Part 2: The original post (which I copy-pasted from a friend who copy-pasted it from someone else etc.):

From Spring Hill Farm:

$250,000/acre.
That is the current worth of my farm to a developer.
We are in this pocket of what they call a “land shortage” or a “housing shortage” with a “high demand for commercial space.” The open space that this farm sits on is in high demand to builders and developers. Sometimes I feel they visit me more than my neighbors do to shop for their groceries.

The large tracts of land that still remain around here are mostly privately owned and many that fill that category are “working farms.” Those working farms around here are mostly orchard, specialty crops, small livestock, some cattle and very few dairy. Many of which are open to the public. Some seasonally. Some year ’round. But in reality there are not nearly as many as there once were and the number that we claim each year will dwindle by one or two when we have this discussion again next year. And I have this discussion every year in some way or another.

I personally have been approached by three different developers in just the last six months. It is not uncommon. I am sure my friends that do the same thing I do get the same thing. My farm is no different than the next when it is looked at by the number of lots one can get in. They are waiting to catch us in a weak moment; a bad season, a stressful month, a day of struggle. We own 52.25 acres here. Most cultivated. Some dormant and awaiting the reclamation process when the funds allow for it to get completed.

I have said it before and I will say it again…this way of life can be really hard. It can test you mentally, physically and emotionally. But it is the only life I know and no matter how hard it can get, I truly love being the caretaker of this 313 year old working landscape. I am only the fourth family to ever call it home and to call it my farm since 1710. I feel lucky to be on it! I love to grow and produce crops from it that help nourish and feed not only my family but the community members that support it in their daily routines. If you are lucky this year, you can make an honest living. But next year, Mother Nature may swoop in and kick you down just like she did this year. And at the end of that year, no matter how good or bad, you will always lace up your work boots and look forward to the growing season that lies in the year ahead.

As we close out the 92nd year of my family farming here and look forward to the incoming New Year, I sit back and wonder how much further this little piece of ground will make it. It has withstood a lot through time. And pondering the future of it is always a common thought as I close out my year and eagerly await the new one.

As you make resolutions for the New Year, please add LOCAL FARMS to your list.

• Cook at home more in 2024 and let the Farm Stands inspire your next meal.
• Consider a Farm Share
• Choose the Local Milk
• Shop the Farmers Market near your work
• VISIT THE FARMS, CHOOSE LOCAL, EAT LOCAL, SHOP LOCAL

There are less than a half dozen here in Littleton alone. Maybe less in the Town you are from if you are reading this beyond the community of Littleton.

Once land is gone, it is gone forever. The future of your working landscapes, farms and pastures relies on the community just as much as the owner and caretaker.

Farms will stand strong against development pressure as long as their neighbors support them.
You have the distinct opportunity to vote with your food dollars. Put those votes toward LOCAL FARMS, YOUR NEIGHBOR THAT CULTIVATES FOOD & THE FARMER THAT KEEPS LAND TILLED RATHER THAN BUILT ON.

Let’s work together <red heart emoji>

• The best way to dismantle the machinery of Big Oil, and other corporations, is to start with our own daily lives. The steps we take in our everyday lives to shrink our consumption will seem very small, and may seem like they can’t possibly lead to change, but actually voluntary self-restraint (by those of us who are willing and able) may be our most powerful hope for moving the needle. Energy goes into all goods and services, so any reductions we are willing to make will help add up. We, the relatively well-off Boomers, are the ones most in a position to do this.

• EV technology and the trucking industry (Facebook Reel video). This Canadian guy seems to really have given this some thought, regarding the trucking industry and electrics. In this very short video here has done a super job of breaking down the various variables of electric vehicles versus conventional gasoline- or diesel-powered. I know a lot of you bristle at anything that seems to be anti-EV. But, the speaker in this video really does seem to be in good faith trying to present it fairly and logically.
Yes, for sure, no one likes to breathe in gas fumes!! But we also don’t like the child labor and other problems associated w the lithium batteries. And frankly, I often feel greenwashed by the EV industry. Maybe there are some simple filters and other ways to reduce the gas fumes of conventional autos. Also, maybe hybrid technologies will improve so the batteries are not so problematic. And of course the long-term solution is to reduce driving miles in general; boost trains & other public transport.

• We must always remember how dramatically the air quality and water quality improved during the Covid shutdowns, when nonessential travel was radically reduced. No I’m not arguing for another government-imposed shutdown; I doubt that that would work even if the government were to get that organized and try that again. Rather, I continue to bring it up because it is such a striking live demonstration of how quickly we can improve air and water quality, carbon emissions, and so on by radically reducing travel. I think we Boomers with our large numbers & relatively big wallets have a lot of power, which is why I continue to beat this drum.

• In my first Permaculture design certificate course, one of the most eye-opening things we learned was the concept of “energy slaves.” Basically, the amount of cheap fossil energy we have at our disposal is the equivalent to having a bunch of enslaved humans doing all of our work for us. The point is that it’s totally unsustainable. You might find it helpful to check out this “Energy Slaves” website. As they point out, “every American has 200 to 8000 energy slaves. … To give you an idea of what energy slaves are, consider what it would take to use human power instead of electricity.” https://energyskeptic.com/2020/energy-slaves/

• Sid Smith talk, “How To Enjoy the End of the World.” Odd-sounding title but it’s very apt, if you listen through to the end of this hour-long talk. His message is actually very inspiring and offers constructive direction. Hosted by Greens of Virginia Tech, this popular talk by Sid Smith is the best overview of Energy Return On Energy Invested (EROI), and why we can’t fix things by simply “switching over to clean energy.”

• A fellow climate communication professional posted: “In 1910 the Baker Electric Company built an electric car with a range of 200 miles. That’s the range of some current EVs. 113 years later, imagine how many advances could have been made in EV technology — if we hadn’t been sidetracked by oil companies?” My response: Car-dominance is not good, regardless. What comes up for me is how many advances could have been made in our nationwide railway system, public transportation coverage If we hadn’t allowed public transport to be gutted by the highway system and oil companies.

Today was Dr. L Ron Durham’s final radio show as a City of Daytona Beach employee. We are sorry to see him retire, but we wish to express our deepest appreciation for the many hours of airtime he gave to environmental topics.

As Community Relations Director for the City of Daytona Beach, and host of the City of Daytona Beach radio show, Dr. Durham has done an incredible job highlighting community issues, most definitely including the very detailed environmental issues that I brought up as a regularly scheduled guest on his show.

Thanks to Ron’s excellent format and superb hosting hospitality, more people became interested in local ecological issues, and as a community activist in our beloved city I am forever grateful! Thank you Ron for providing me and Daytona Beach Permaculture Guild and fellow eco groups such as DREAM GREEN VOLUSIA, with this platform for serving our community.

Stay tuned; one of my first tasks of the new year will be to compile a list of all of my archived shows with Dr. Durham, so that people can easily access the recordings.

All of the issues we have covered are very much timeless and deeply relevant to the physical, mental, and economic health of our community. As I’m fond of saying, the environment is not just something that’s out there separate from us. It is our life support system, the planet that is our only home!

Here’s the recording of Ron’s final show today on Facebook Live. I phoned in first thing to thank him.

I started out this topic in November (Nov 3 post) with this article from Yale climate connections dot org, about what we Boomers can do about climate change. This article is by Bill McKibben, an American environmentalist and author of several acclaimed books. McKibben founded an organization called Third Act to empower older adults to protect the planet.

(BTW when I talk about Boomers I also mean the generations older than us. Elders are definitely so needed and often so overlooked! To those of you who are still out there putting your hearts into making a difference in whatever way you can, thank you.)

Here I’m starting a list of additional ideas we may have overlooked, about what we Boomers can do about climate change. This list is in no particular order; it’s just as things come to me. (My head feels like a crowded attic at times, and if I forget to write stuff down, then it gets back lost in there again after floating up to the surface for a minute. Thank you, dear reader, for your indulgence. )

• One thing that doesn’t seem to get talked about much, but I think is a really major leverage point, is where we put our money. I think one of the most powerful things we could do is take our money out of Wall Street – tied investments, and put it into our local areas. Like for example, what if instead of a 401(k) — those of you who have 401(k)s) — a person were to take that money off of Wall Street and use it to purchase a commercial building in one’s own home city/town, and rent it out for an affordable rate to local young entrepreneurs or other local people who have a highly beneficial mission?

• Or become a money partner in a local farm etc.

• That’s all well and good for people with 401(k)s or other nest eggs, but what about for those who do not have that? I will be writing down things that I have thought of and/or done. Stay tuned.

Further Exploration:

• Here is Bill McKibben’s website for you in case you want to check out some more of his writings. https://billmckibben.com

• Here is the website of Third Act, the organization that McKibben founded to empower older adults to protect the planet. https://thirdact.org And there is even a Third Act book club for those of you who are so inclined. (Amazing what I learn when I get around to checking out the links that I post here to help everyone get the inspiration and resources they need!) Interesting money fact seen on this website: 70% of the USA’s financial assets belong to Boomers and the Silent Generation!

Here’s one for my fellow activists, authors, artists and so on. When you’re asked to write a bio for an upcoming talk, conference, radio appearance, or whatever you do, are you like, cool, easy peasy, or does it send you into existential agony?

I guess I am sort of a hybrid of both. I keep different versions of a mini bio on my website, but every time I read it for a new thing, I think oh geez this sounds so stupid, I hate this obnoxious person, I need to write a new bio and thus I go into the existential agony part. Like in some of the worst moments, it almost seems easier to just quit being a writer or call off the speaking gig lol.  Maybe go underground/offline/witless protection program and find a job at some diner out in the middle of the desert, if I was only any damn good at waiting tables. 

Like when people who are afraid of spiders see a spider and yell “OH NO NO NO!! BURN DOWN THE HOUSE!” — I’m like that when it comes to preparing any kind of encapsulated bio writeup thing, “Burn down the entire #%$+# house I am not a writer I am not an environmentalist there’s nothing to see here la la la.”

But then I do eventually end up writing the bio or whatever. Last night I actually googled author bio for inspiration, and I found a pretty good website which I will share with you in case you might find it useful too. She offers a lot of good tips that are common sense but it’s still helpful seeing them written out by another person who seems like an actual credible author unlike how I myself feel in those existential moments.

Well, I got it done, so I might as well share it here with you. Get the most out of it. Here is my bio and visual stuff for the FRESH Book Festival in February. As I often say, I consider the FRESH Book Festival the best books festival in the cosmic universe, and of course in no way am I biased just because I love Daytona Beach and the whole community that I consider my ministry.

FRESH bio – jenny nazak
Jenny Nazak is a community activist, public speaker, and the author of DEEP GREEN book and blog. She has turned her urban house and yard into a low-footprint living laboratory, and often posts on social media about her “Doomer Home Ec” experiments with solar cooking and other low-tech sustainable practices. Jenny has a BA in English Literature from the College of William and Mary, an associate’s degree in graphic design from Northern Virginia Community College, and a Permaculture Design Certificate from the Permaculture Institute (US). She has lived and traveled all over, and loves all different places and cultures, but fell in love with Daytona Beach and chose this city as her adopted hometown. She enjoys the beach, incessant reading, and taking long walks around the city. During her rambles, she likes to get on Facebook Live and talk about walkability, desirable density, and other aspects of creating sustainable urban environments. She will try almost anything to get people motivated to take care of the planet that is our only home. To raise concern about the consequences of extreme heat, she once stood up at City Commission with slices of burnt toast clipped to her person and waved a large cardboard cutout of a flaming thermometer. And she has been known to do standup comedy about biospheric collapse. She’s working on a humorous existential novel in which the main character is a failed environmentalist. She is a life member of NAACP, Sierra Club, Tri Delta fraternity, and Veterans for Peace.

You can see my official author photo, and current book image, right here on my deep green page on Facebook.