Coronavirus in Idaho

[banjomike]

My bro and I were talking about what changes in American agriculture the coronavirus might bring.

There are really a lot of deep problems right now with our nation's food supply. Too many huge corporate farms, too few varieties are being grown so there is too little genetic diversity, too-fat animals for slaughter, and lots of others.

While our thoughts differed, his were gloomier than mine. He tends to think we are in for plant epidemics that will wipe out some of our most essential basic crops. Sort of like the bank collapse of 2008 but on the big farms.

I tend to think there will be more young people leaving cities and returning to the land. Essentially, a return to small farming and more local/regional sales and products.

Either of us could be right, or we could both be right at the same time. Or we could both be wrong, as corporate farming is a very powerful global force. It might withstand some huge natural catastrophe.

Who knows? Like so many other things, it is still too soon to discern very much right now. But I'm sure a lot more will become evident by next fall's harvest.

[IDEEHO JEFF]

Originally Posted by banjomike

My bro and I were talking about what changes in American agriculture the coronavirus might bring.

There are really a lot of deep problems right now with our nation's food supply. Too many huge corporate farms, too few varieties are being grown so there is too little genetic diversity, too-fat animals for slaughter, and lots of others.

While our thoughts differed, his were gloomier than mine. He tends to think we are in for plant epidemics that will wipe out some of our most essential basic crops. Sort of like the bank collapse of 2008 but on the big farms.

I tend to think there will be more young people leaving cities and returning to the land. Essentially, a return to small farming and more local/regional sales and products.

Either of us could be right, or we could both be right at the same time. Or we could both be wrong, as corporate farming is a very powerful global force. It might withstand some huge natural catastrophe.

Who knows? Like so many other things, it is still too soon to discern very much right now. But I'm sure a lot more will become evident by next fall's harvest.

I saw somewhere recently that it isn't the oil companies that are the biggest impact on climate, but instead ag. Big ag [mod cut] up everything if you look deep enough into it. So, hopefully people will go back to small organic farming.

[Libertariansmovingtoidaho]

Originally Posted by IDEEHO JEFF

I saw somewhere recently that it isn't the oil companies that are the biggest impact on climate, but instead ag. Big ag [mod cut] up everything if you look deep enough into it. So, hopefully people will go back to small organic farming.

Permaculture is the future!

[banjomike]

Originally Posted by IDEEHO JEFF

I saw somewhere recently that it isn't the oil companies that are the biggest impact on climate, but instead ag. Big ag [mod cut] up everything if you look deep enough into it. So, hopefully people will go back to small organic farming.

Me, too.
I also think there's a 'best' size for a larger farm that's in the middle between small and large.

There's a very interesting experimental hydroponic farm in Jackson Hole that's very successful. The farm is housed in a 3-story glass-walled building that is powered by solar cells. The water is constantly recycled and cleaned, so it uses very little new water, and the by-products from cleaning are sold as ornamental plant fertilizer.

The farm grows leafy vegetables and herbs seasonally, and a few veggies year-round. It supplies the local restaurant market.
Most of the labor is spent in starting seeds, planting them into the vertically rotating hydro bins, and cutting when ripe. It's the kind of work that any low-skill person can do with a little training, and the farm is now a source of employment for Jackson's mentally disadvantaged folks.

The idea really made sense for a city like Detroit where there is a lot of unused city ground that's just falling into decay. A self contained indoor vertical farms could become a new industry in such a city.

Those farms would also be very good in places like NID where there is too little small to mid-size industry.

To me, it shows a willingness to re-define what would make future farms successful. I'm sure there's a weak link in there, somewhere, but it might not be very damaging.