More & More People Are Taking A Stab At Rural Life

The Next Hot Neighborhood: Rural America - WSJ.com: "... History shows economic downturns or disasters such as the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks frequently trigger a short-lived appetite for escape, and that those approaching retirement often crave more-remote properties. If baby boomers follow typical migration patterns, the rural population age 55-85 will increase by 30% between 2010 and 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service.

But other factors, such as widespread Internet access, are giving this current ruralpolitan trend new longevity, particularly among younger generations. Enhanced renewable-energy options and associated tax credits mean homes can be more affordably powered by the sun or wind in areas where utility companies won't service cheaply..."

Overall, I think the article does a good job of capturing the spirit of the movement, but I do have one bone of contention. In quoting a Mr. Wiles, who recently moved his family to rural Clatskanie, Oregon, they mention his modest gun collection and then he states, "'Look, we're not survivalists and storing powdered milk or anything like that, but if the s—- hits the fan, I can grow all the food I want and take care of my family,' he says. 'It's liberating.'"

Wonderful. I applaud the attitude. In my opinion, however, it is rather naive to think you are going to be buying groceries at Walmart one evening and then suddenly, the very next day, you're going to wake up and just magically be a successful farmer. Things like that take time. Hopefully, Mr. Wiles and his family will spend the next few years honing their gardening skills, learning to compost, procuring sturdy tools, building up their soil, etc.. In my opinion, however, it is still foolish to not have at least a modest food storage program also in place to help tide you over. For instance, what if the crash were to occur in the depth of Winter? You and your family would starve without ever getting the chance to show off your skills as a micro-farmer extraordinaire. Listen, the truth is there are all kinds of survivalists: some of us store hundreds of sealed buckets full of wheat berries, dried beans and rice, while others keep a simple 3-6 months supply of a combination of long term freeze-dried and dehydrated foods and just regular ol' canned food from the grocery store that we rotate so it never goes bad. You can choose whatever works best for you, but don't choose to do nothing. It may literally be the difference between life and death.

Posted in: firearms,food production,food storage,rural,rural living,self-sufficiency,survivalist