First, I have to ask a naive question. Why are we having a grain shortage? Is it because of the decrease in bees and their pollinating? Is it because of the storms that have wiped out farms? I don't watch the news much, so I really don't know. Please tell me.
Secondly, I have to say that, from what I believe to be a Biblical standpoint, I don't really agree with stockpiling grain for ouselves, unless we do so under the intention to sharing it with those in need, when the time comes. Otherwise, it just takes the much needed grains off the market for others, and it hoards it for ourselves. Sounds a bit self thinking to me. Motives aside, it also doesn't help the problem at all. When I hear of everyone stocking up, it sounds so defensive. When asked what my plans are for preperation, I really had to think. I've been praying about it and just going about my business as usual, trying not to worry, because I know God will take care of us one way or another. His Word promises that His people will not go begging for bread. Then an idea came to me, which I believe was from God. Rather than hoarding grains, why not grow our own? I will share what I found in a book (an absolutely incredible book) by John Seymour called The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It. About wheat he says this:
"Many self-supporters feel that grain growing is not for them: it requires expensive machinery, is difficult, and cannot be done effectively on a small scale. This is just not so. Anyone can grow grain, on no matter how small a scale... Harvesting can be done quite simply with the sickle or even an ordinary carving knife. Threshing can be done over the back of a chair, and winnowing outdoors in the wind. Griding can be done with a coffee gringer or a small hand mill.... When the Roman armies wanted to conquer Britain, they waited until harvest time, so that their soldiers could spread out over the country, reap the native wheat, take it back to camp, and make bread out if it. If the Roman legions could do it with such apparent nonchalance, there is no reason why we cannot do it, too."
"Hard what grows only in fairly hot and dry climates....In temperate climates, soft wheat grows more readily."
"In temperate climates, wheat - and it will be one of the varieties called winter wheat - is aften sown in the fall. Winter wheat grows quite fast in the fall, in the summer warmed soil, then lies dormant through the winter, to shoot up quickly in the spring and make and early crop."
"I prefer to put winter wheat in very early; even early in September, because it gets off to a quick start, beats the crows more effectively... and makes plenty of growth before the frost sets in.... You can sow winter wheat in October and sometimes even in November."
If we each tried growing our own winter wheat, so that it would not interfere with our regular gardening or take up any additional space (space that many of us don't have), not only would we not be depleating grains from the commercial market, be we would actually be helping out with the shortage! (not to mention that we could all have our grain organic.) If we do not try in some way to help the shortage we will end up in a situation like this: imagine WW II without any victory gardens.
So I propose that we each attempt, for that is all we can do, to grow our own winter wheat "victory gardens." Let us not be greedy and self thinking. Let us lighten the load on the market, and still have the wheat we need. I think the picture in our minds of endless wheat fields is a little overwhelming, but remember that those giant fields are supplyiing wheat for hundreds of thousands of people. Even as little as a few hundred square feet of wheat can give enough flour for a small family, if used sparingly. From what I understand, you get about a pound of wheat for every ten square feet planted. Every bit helps.
I challenge each of you to do your part, and try growing wheat this winter!
From what little I've read on the topic the reasons for the shortage are:
1. Consumption of wheat is up. China and India are consuming more wheat. People are bringing in more income, and therefore able to buy more feed and eat 2-3 meals a day instead of just one, guess what - they like it!
2. The weak dollar makes imports more desirable - so they are consuming more of our wheat.
3. There is a drought in Australia -another major wheat producer - so they are producing less - so more is pulled from the US
4. Other countries (Middle eastern-ish) are experiencing a fungus/blight that is ruining their wheat - so more is pulled from those countries that are still yielding
5. A lady posted here on the blog that there are govt. programs that people actually receive money not to grow wheat - this was the keep the markets healthy - but now - it is hurting our markets.
I have been seriously considering doing this. We live in the city, so we would be limited as to how much we could grow, but as you said, every little bit helps. Here is a link I have bookmarked:
http://www.backwoodshome.com/advice/aj90.html
There's a lot of good information here. As you say, people have been growing grains for centuries without all the fancy equipment. There's no reason why we can't.
Edited by AndreaG on Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 12:52
I'm trying to talk DH into planing 1/4 acre of wheat this summer/fall. That should be enough to grow what we consume. I'm also wanting to try growing some other grains such as oats. Anything you can grow yourself will help. Instead of stockpiling tons of food, I'm stocking up on seeds to grow and animals that can be used as food. Pretty much all of our food is gotten locally and we can grow most of what we need as well.
Processing wheat by hand isn't hard, but it is time consuming. We use to go out to the wheat fields after they cut and glean the wheat left behind. We got a good portion of wheat berries that way. Of course this was before we found out that the wheat was GM wheat (we're in the middle of Monsanto country). There is something really satisfying about raising your own food.
It is because the farmers are planting corn, to turn into fuel, instead of food.
How foolish are we.
We take the food out of our mouths to put fuel in our tanks when ND SD and AK have plenty of oil in the ground.........
I have contemplated your entry and agree there is some validity to raising your own grain where possible but I feel there is also validity to stocking up while the goods are available and before they are so high in price that no one can afford them. It is my understanding that there is not necessarily a true shortage of food but a huge price increase making market scalpers in 3rd world countries by up huge (hundreds of thousands of pounds) at one time and holding onto it, increasing the price thus causing the current famines. There is some concern with crops but that's not the current problem. In America, the real issue is price. The way food is increasing and continuing to increase many people feel it wise to start a pantry now so when times come and they can't afford it they will have something to eat and/or be able to help their neighbor or family members that did not think ahead or were unable to prepare. I'm sure there are many out there that are stocking up that are self thinking as you put it but I know there are many out there also who are doing it to help whoever they can, yes including their own. As for me and my family we have had a large pantry for years. We have gathered in it here and there, not causing a drain on anyone item because there has not been a ration period in the us for years. It has helped us in time of need so we didn't have to depend on the government and it has helped us help others when they have been in need. But the Bible tells us to be prepared and that can be different for each of us. That's the beautiful thing about God, He treats us each as individuals so what he might tell one family to do to be prepared, example the widow woman and her son (I Kings 17) the woman never had a full barrel of meal but it never ran out. In Genesis 40 there was Joseph who God had put up 7 years of grain in the good years because 7 years of famine was coming. We have to do as we believe the Lord is leading each of us as individuals to do. If the Lord has laid on your heart to grow wheat, I pray for your success and that you can grow enough for your family and to share with others that might come in need. But for those millions who live in apartment houses or trailer parks or any place where there is no place for even a small garden I pray if God has put it in their heart to prepare in advance by doing some stocking up that they don't feel selfish or wrong for doing so, just that they continue to be sensitive to the Lord and what He has to say to them.
May the Lord bless your endeavors at preparation
Lea
One last thought, there is so much grain wasted in junk food(I include most prepackaged food items) and at fast food restaurants that it might be a thought to boycott those products so those companies would quit wasting the grain that in whole form gives nourishment but in their form of snacks of pop, chips, store bought bread etc, gives death. Lets not forget the waste of grain in beer either. Because of their greed and poor products they are a big reason why grain prices are up. These items use up millions of tons a year in wheat and corn.
Definitely grow your own grain. John Seymour was English, and here it is a bit of a chore - the thing being we can only grow rather soft wheat in our climate and that doesn't make what you and I like to think of as 'good' bread. But in the US? Go for it!
Biofuels are definitely causing a problem - truth is, we all would have enough grain and enough oil if we weren't all so greedy.
But I agree, grow it is better than hoarde it. Just think of the independence of being the supplier of your own staple food ....
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