Occupy My Urban Homestead

The Occupy Wall Street movement has spread into almost every major urban area. The movements' detractors attempt to portray it as not having a clear agenda or mission, but it is not about a single issue and it is about more than just policy. It is about quality of life. It is about our collective values as Americans, as occupiers of this planet.  I came across an article in Grist, Occupy the Pasture, pointing out that most rural Americans are also part of the 99%. The article noted that growing your own food is one of the changes we can make as individuals to take our food source issues out of the hands of large corporations and their influence on government.  The article made me realize that I am supporting this movement even if I have not pitched my tent in the park downtown.

I am one of the lucky ones right now to have a full time job, and I have not taken any time to be part of the Occupy Portland movement physically.  However, I feel I support their efforts and I appreciate that they are bringing the political and economic issues we are currently facing, and the reasons why, to the forefront of more Americans lives.  People are talking about it.  The media has no choice but to address it.  These are accomplishments.

Most of us are struggling financially and have been struggling now for years.  My family's struggle is part of what has pushed me to find more things I can grow and make myself.  What I can do, and what I have been doing here on my urban homestead supports this movement. Everyone can do it, even if the first step is an herb garden on your windowsill:

• Grow your own food
• Barter or trade for things you cannot produce yourself - Food Swap anyone?
• Buy from local producers, directly if possible - Farmers markets, local food stores
• Eat at restaurants that source their meat and vegetables locally
• Make your own body and home cleaning products
• Raise chickens or goats or rabbits
• Consume less, re-purpose more
• Recycle and compost everything you can

We need to take our families' economy and food security issues out of the hands of the corporations and control it ourselves, sustainably.

Locally grown cherries we picked ourselves