That's what I am doing, actually. As a beginner, I'm producing about 15% of my food now, eggs and vegetables, while also running a software business, and hanging about on HN. I live in a small city on about 1/4 acre. I expect to improve my yield quite a bit — three or four times in the next few seasons.
I buy almost exclusively organic, local produce and meat. It's amazing how the savings begin to add up when you cook your own meals and buy in bulk when possible.
Sure, not everyone will want to do all this, but I think it goes to show how many assumptions about the current food economy/infrastructure are not true and how much could change thinking creatively, and prioritizing health, the environment, self-determination, etc. over convenience of industrialized and junk/fast foods.
Someone with mechanized equipment and a few acres could produce much more organic produce than I do in the same amount of time, and meat, cheese, and eggs. Enough to supply dozens or more families with food. And because internet access is available, they are not disconnected from the world and could even run a software business like I do (or be an artist, or accountant, or mechanic, or virtual assistant, chef, or any number of jobs).
There are dozens more creative ways to reduce or eliminate our dependence on industrialized food. Technology should promote life, not seek to replace it.
I applaud your effort, but I think you've made an incorrect assumption about scaling up your farming.
>Someone with mechanized equipment and a few acres could produce much more organic produce than I do in the same amount of time, and meat, cheese, and eggs. Enough to supply dozens or more families with food. And because internet access is available, they are not disconnected from the world and could even run a software business like I do (or be an artist, or accountant, or mechanic, or virtual assistant, chef, or any number of jobs).
People do this, they're called CSAs[0]. When I was younger, my family belonged to one, and I can guarantee you the [awesome] people running it did not have the time on their hands to run a significant side business on the internet.
My understanding is that 1 acre can be planted, cared for, and harvested in about 10 hours a week. This assumes the CSA would not be making deliveries. An acre is ~30 shares -- food for roughly 100-150 adults.
Most CSAs grow food for considerably more people, are substantially larger than an acre, and may make deliveries, or raise crops to sell on the open market as well as sell shares, and this of course may necessitate multiple full-time workers.
I buy almost exclusively organic, local produce and meat. It's amazing how the savings begin to add up when you cook your own meals and buy in bulk when possible.
Sure, not everyone will want to do all this, but I think it goes to show how many assumptions about the current food economy/infrastructure are not true and how much could change thinking creatively, and prioritizing health, the environment, self-determination, etc. over convenience of industrialized and junk/fast foods.
Someone with mechanized equipment and a few acres could produce much more organic produce than I do in the same amount of time, and meat, cheese, and eggs. Enough to supply dozens or more families with food. And because internet access is available, they are not disconnected from the world and could even run a software business like I do (or be an artist, or accountant, or mechanic, or virtual assistant, chef, or any number of jobs).
There are dozens more creative ways to reduce or eliminate our dependence on industrialized food. Technology should promote life, not seek to replace it.
If you read all that, then thanks.