The End of Cheap Oil as an Opportunity
Although most Americans are still in denial, the age of cheap oil is over. For those of us who have been arguing for a return to agrarian ideas and local economies, this is good news. Not to say the effects of this crisis won’t hurt everyone for a while, but the only logical and workable solution to the impending problems is a return to localist thinking. The two things that have kept the industrialist system afloat are fiat money and cheap energy, both of which are nearing their demise. While some enterprises like our dairy may have a hard time, others like our newest enterprise, a CSA style subscription garden will thrive. Its kind of exiting to think that local, small scale, hand labor intense, family run produce businesses will probably be able to offer lower priced produce than the industrialists for the first time in decades. Our produce system uses almost no oil for producing crop and is consumed locally without high transportation costs. With the rising cost of food, the excuse that store food is cheaper will no longer hold sway. We will be the bargin. It is really exiting to think of the future potential for such enterprises! I’m sure it will take a few years work out the kinks and grow a big enough costumer base, but I think it is very likely to work. We just went public with the idea and already have costumers, which was just the kind of encouragement I needed right now. This winter has been rough as far as the dairy business goes. Our back up plan has always been for Leah and the kids and I utilize this little piece of hilltop land that is ours and make the most of it we can. We love growing produce and have been mulling over this idea for a couple of years. This year seemed to be the year to get it started. We covet your prayers.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:46 am
That sounds exciting for you.
I am looking forward to many positive reports.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:50 am
I’ve not dropped in for awhile, and commented even less (cutting back on time spent in front of computer), but sounds like some good stuff going on up there!
I think the CSA sounds like a great idea; I love Noah’s experienced insight, and congratulations to you, Leah, and the boys! I look forward to reading about the birth of another covenant baby!
March 13th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Scott,
I’ve been coming to the same conclusions with regard to energy and fiat money. I don’t think we realize (yet) just what an anomaly the petroleum age really is, in the overall context of human history. We all need to pray that it comes to a gradual end, not a sudden one, with a minimum loss of life. Not that we deserve such a soft landing, but who knows; God is merciful.
On a cheerier note, it sounds like you’re heading the right way with your little farm. I hope it pays off for you. Congrats on the new baby, hope you are all well.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
From stone age through to bronze age to iron age, and I believe steel age [ industrialism to global war] to petrol age and then back again. Unless nucular age reduces even the stone to ashes.
Still to live with faith in a a different world brings hope.
I agree about the soft landing, that might be asking for to much. Maybe the soft landing we have to do ourselves.
March 14th, 2008 at 5:55 am
Hi Randy
Good to hear from you. It amazes me how many people, especially the baby boomers, are still in denile. I pray God is merciful to us. It will be a very interesting future. Kind of exiting and at the same time kind of scary.
Colin
“Still to live with faith in a different world brings hope.” Very true.
March 18th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Hi Scott,
Sounds like we are having some of the same thoughts as you. We are hoping our raspberry bushes this year will yield something other than berries with mold, and are enlarging our garden areas to try to do better at the local farmers markets. A friend of Jim’s dad is thinking about sending us some bush blueberries from MI to see if they will grow up here, and Jim is working on a drip system to water everything from the lake. If things continue the way they have been (not much rain last year and not enough snow this winter), we will really need to irrigate.
Congratulations from the Bartlett family regarding the news of a little one coming! Maybe you will join us in having 4 boys!
March 19th, 2008 at 4:42 am
Hi Lynn
Raspberries are tough crop, but queen of the fruits as far as am concerned. I hope all goes well with your garden expansion and I pray you all do well at the farmers market. I think we might give the farmers market thing a try this year too. I really want to get some blueberries planted this year. They are expensive buggers to plant but well worth it in the end. Poor cash flow has prevented me from investing in rows of blueberries thus far. There are a lot of good hardy varities that might do well in your neck of the woods. You might want check out some of these http://www.millernurseries.com/cart.php?m=product_list&c=50
They have some good “sub zero” lines there. Might give you an idea as to what kinds are cold hardy.