Wendell Berry's Rule #7 (taken from Yes! Magazine www.yesmagazine.org)
"Develop small-scale industries and businesses to support the local farm and/or forest economy".
What does this mean, exactly? Gather a group of neighbors, friends, and other interested people to brainstorm small commercial ventures that could use products that are locally obtainable. Wood products, wool, other plant based fibers, food crops etc. The businesses don't have to be on the scale of a Ben and Jerry's, but could be viable ventures, and provide sustainable comfortable livings for one or more families.
What it doesn't mean is exploiting the forests - clear cutting, or otherwise ruining them, - or industrial agriculture that creates soil compaction and erosion, contaminates water resources and creates persistent weed and pest problems. It means using our natural resources, our forests and agricultural areas responsibly so that the products can be harvested FOR EVER! This is what is meant by SUSTAINABLE!
I will be exploring examples of these types of businesses, in the future.
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