Since we were talking about food supplies ...

[Why Syzygy]

American Bakers' Association - US Rye Flour Supply Gone By June Or July - Reuters
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x144442

Former UN boss Annan warns of 'hunger disasters'
Wed 23 Apr 2008, 7:28 GMT
http://africa.reuters.com/top/news/usnBAN324501.html

I can't imagine a world without Rye Bread!! How can this happen? This is being blamed on *global warming*, but in my mind, our GLOBE is doing fine. It's the little people on it who are screwing up!

This is astonishing. I'm going to buy Rye bread today. Crap.

[Why Syzygy]

1. I misspoke.

The shortage and high prices ARE linked to biofuels. In that sense, the WAR on global warming is a factor.

[cliss]

2. Hi, VoteS.

I've read that it's more than just rye flour.

Just last week, there was an article in the Business Section of the Oregonian. Seems that a very well known bakery here in Portland the owner is upset. He had just been told by his wheat broker "that by the end of the summer, there was a good chance they won't get any more wheat for the bakery".

It's absolutely chilling: I'm hearing more and more that we're reaching a crisis stage in terms of food supplies. There doesn't seem to be enough. The following staples seem to be very limited: rice, wheat, corn, and now rye.

The best thing to do is to start stocking up. It's not that difficult; everyone should have a 6-month supply of food.

[Why Syzygy]

3. I got real good

at eating rice and beans when I was broke, so stocking should be simple. I've also recently started buying a bread that is complete protein. I like that idea. If I didn't have to move in about a month, I would put some seeds down.

I blame big agriculture for a lot of this too. All the promises of genetically engineered food and high tech treatments and pesticides out the caboose ... Right.

What good is biofuel going to do for a starving population?

Bakeries with no bread. Is it here yet?

[cliss]

4. Hi, yes same here

I paid my "dues" that's actually a good thing. We are currently stock piling as much as we possibly can because the fact is: we're headed for food shortages by this summer. Even here in the US which is hard to believe. I think that's a big reason why no one is taking this seriously.

I would say the most critical food to store right now would be: rice, dried beans, grains, corn meal. They are also the easiest to store. Anything that's dried (like pinto beans for example) are so easy to buy; just get a bag every time you shop, and put it into a plastic tub.

We are currently building up a 6-month supply.

The Mormons are experts at this. I'm not a Mormon, but I found this web site where you can calculate how much you need to store, and what.
It's a fun calculator: just fill in how many people you have, and it calculates it for you:

http://lds.about.com/library/bl/faq/blcalculator.htm

[Why Syzygy]

5. I had another thought too ..

How oh how are our troops supposed to fight a war without bread or rice? Absolutely pitiful.
All the more reason to bring them home now.

[Delphinus]

8. I can't see for how long the calculator calculates.

Is it a year? If so, wouldn't I need more than 14 gallons of water?

[Why Syzygy]

9. It is for a year ..

I traced the links back. I think the water estimate is WAY low. Personally, I won't be stocking up on any raw wheat, but it is a very handy tool!

[Grateful for Hope]

6. I just heard on radio news today

that Sam's Club is limiting the purchase of rice. Their explanation is something about "suppy and demand".

Food control is coming here if we let it.

[Why Syzygy]

12. What could be more fitting

than for Bush to end his residency with no bread for his subjects.
The perfect picture of the corrupt dictator.

However. Since we know the truth of Gaia, she has ENOUGH, scarcity is seen for exactly what it is.
Manipulation. That's what something has to be done about.

[Grateful for Hope]

14. It is absolutely manipulation

and, judging what I am hearing at work, more and more people are waking up to this fact.

[Why Syzygy]

15. It's pretty hard not to notice any more, isn't it?

I see Bush as a fading, grey, shell. He has so used up the wealth of the planet, it has depleted him.
Not just him. He is the front guy.

Soon it will all be a dreary nightmare, and we will be on a new road to prosperity in a truer sense.

[Grateful for Hope]

21. It IS very difficult not to notice

I am thinking that gas prices are desperately rising while he remains in office -- I think this was the plan all along. To get them as high as was possible during the Bush "reign" Somehow, I think the desperation I believe I am seeing is a portend for the future. I think the oil companies fear that their days of bilking the public are coming to an end. I believe that things will FINALLY turn around in favor of the people once this admin is out of office.

[crikkett]

35. I'm sorry but that 4-bag limit is a marketing tactic called 'artificial scarcity'

[Tumbulu]

7. my impressions from the farming side

I have spent my adult life working around and with farmers and then becoming a farmer myself. An organic one. Here are a few observation.

Most of the conventional commodity farmers in the US are old. And tired. And have not made much of any money for their entire adult lives. If it were not for the USDA payments they would all be gone. This is humiliating really for the small ones. Their kids leave the farms and no one is there to take over. Food for the last 40 years always sells below the actual cost to produce it. The average age of these farmers is 68 or roundabouts.

Organic farmers scrimped and saved and lived close to the land to get farms and establish an entire new industry. Some got big, most stayed small. Most of these folks are now in their 50's and 60's and getting tired. Especially since so much of organic farming is about doing things by hand and not using chemical tools. These farmers at least have some children that may stay in farming, but none can really take the brutally hard work of farming all the time and then driving 2-3 hours to sell at farmer's markets all day and then driving home again.

This brief story about one of my organic farmer neighbors sums up a little of the situation. This neighbor is 46 years old. He gets up at 4 am and gets to sleep at 10 pm. He employs 65 workers all who are paid over minimum wage and have health insurance provided by his farm. He and his wife and child live in a 900 square foot house built in 1880. They all work hard all the time it seems to me. And they pay everyone as fairly as they can. But still make very little money. They produce food that is truly healthy and appreciated by the people who buy it. But people still complain that organic food costs too much. What cost could be cut? And when the frequent weather related crop disasters come occur, what can they do? Prices have to go up to keep the farm solvent. They are not making even a good income yet, but still the actual costs of farming are much higher than folks in town realize. This past month there have been freezes. Their young tomato seedling are already transplanted and so they have to run the sprinklers in the middle of the night to keep them from freezing (guess who got up at 2 am to turn them on, and if you think that you just flip a switch, forget it. You do 15 minutes of preparatory stuff at the pump and then go out in the field and check to see that everything is working and get all splattered with cold water when it is freezing). The pump is powered by diesel. How much do you think it costs to power the pump now that diesel is $4.20/gal?

So, then I have concluded that for the small farmers that I know that theirs is not a labor for money. These are labors for love of the land, love of all the creatures on it and love of other people. So, maybe think about all these small farmers who have hung on to their land all these years. For once now that food prices are actually over the cost to produce, maybe for once, farming may become a more sustainable way to make a living for more sustainable kinds of farming. This may be the silver lining.

And in developing countries, their own farmers may now finally make enough money farming to stay in business as farmers. However, people need food and this is where the help needs to be directed. Help people get the food in a way that does not destroy the farmers growing the food, which is what the farm programs of our country have been doing for way too long. The Omnivore's Dilemma is a good place to get a feel for all of this.

[Why Syzygy]

10. Silver lining.

Absolutely. If this is a swing back to the organic methods and local farms, all worth it. There still needs to be some big production, of course. And of course it is Big Government and Corporations who have taken things to this point. We do have to swing back the other way. Nature demands it.

[Coyote_Bandit]

11. I too

was reared on a farm. Every generation before me farmed the land. I have a sibling who still farms. They do it because they love it - not because it provides a good living. It doesn't. My father was a pharmacist - and chose to leave the industry and return to the farm when I was a young child. (The man who was hired to replace him was murdered in a drugstore robbery gone bad but that's another story). Farming is long hard dirty work. It requires a wide variety of skills, knowledge and resources. And the entire family is called upon to contribute and sacrifice. As a child I did not participate in social and extracurricular activities with my schoolmates largely due to transportation challenges. When you live 20 miles outside of town that is a challenge that the city kids cannot begin to comprehend. My parents never took a vacation or a trip for any reason other than a wedding or a funeral. Not until they were 70 years old and had sold the farm and retired. Mom often took a job to supplement the farm income. Dad's typical workday was often 12 hours long - and there were no days off. He worked everyday. Regardless of the weather. Regardless of how he felt.

I'd like to think you're right. Farmers certainly face more challenges today than ever before. I know organic egg producers that are compensated at essentially the same rate as my grandfather was in the mid 1960's. Just over one cent per egg. The highest rate I have heard paid for organic eggs is two cents per egg. And those same farmers have to pay higher prices to purchase land. And higher interest rates to service their debt. And higher energy costs. As in so many other industries, the small farmers simply do not have the resources to compete with corporate agriculture. An organic egg farmer might easily produce over 10,000 eggs per day - but he sure can't sell 'em all at the farmers market. He's got a have a corporate distribution network. FOr all his trouble and effort the farmer grosses just over a hundred bucks a day or so. Out of that he has to pay all of his operating expenses. What is left over he can use for his own living expenses and health care. Odds are the farmer cannot afford health insurance.

Farming has got to improve a whole lot for small farmers and family farmers to really be able to make a good livelihood of it. I'll be very surprised if the present increase in food costs trickles down to compensate these farmers for their own increased costs.

I think we really need to realize that much of the increase in costs is being driven by the price of oil. In worldwide markets oil is valued and traded in dollars. And the dollar is declining in value relative to other currencies. The market cost of oil is actually declining in those countries where is dollar has declined relative to that country's currency. The cost of oil in turn affects the cost of production, manufacturing, and distribution of foodstuffs and goods. From both domestic and foreign sources. The declining value of the dollar is certainly a significant contributor to increasing prices here in the US.

None of this should come as a surprise. The end product of a global economy is a single worldwide standard of living. In order for that to happen rich countries will become poorer and poorer countries will become more prosperous.

Rationally and intuitively I believe that (1) the high end housing market will remain depressed for quite some time; (2) food and gas prices will continue to rise for some time and and will eventually stabilize at a higher level. I also believe that there are at least three things that must occur in order to avoid/reverse this outcome. First, the US must re-build its manufacturing industry. Second, small business must be able to compete in the marketplace. Finally, all Americans must have meaningful access to health care. Health care is essential to stimulate entrepreneurship - as is an equal footing in the marketplace. A viable manufacturing sector is essential to tame our ever increasing trade deficits. It is also a matter of national security.

Food and gas prices are just a symptom of the economic disease that has infiltrated every aspect of this country.

[Why Syzygy]

13. And living wages.

I don't think wages in many sectors have gone up since at least the 70's. I know my *field* is the same as it was in 1983.

[crikkett]

36. thanks for this insight.

[eilen]

16. Shortage, smortage. there is no stinkin' shortage

It is my opinion that these "shortages" or prices are more a result of commodities manipulation than actual true shortages. We are seeing it with oil and I think that people who are involved with this are applying it to food prices and soon, to water. I don't believe there is a true "shortage" in any of these items, oil included. (Are they pumping less oil?? No, are they selling less oil? No.). Our challenge with oil is in releasing our dependence on it. Higher pricing will do it soon enough, especially with a stagnating economy. If we were to release our dependance on oil and transition to a primarily solar charged economy (with advances in capture and storage --helped by global warming) supplemented with nuclear or hydrogen energy, would the oil prices stay as high or the food prices (most of which I think are related to distribution) be has high?

There has been no population explosion in the past 5 years, nor has there been a true decrease in crops grown. I think the biofuels is a good "excuse" or scapegoat but truly, I know that there was plenty of land that was not being utilized that is now being farmed for the biofuels. Actually it is not just corn that can be used but also plants that had in the past been considered weeds that grow well in poor soil. I feel the corn story is just being used to point fingers at the farmers as the cause of this, not the speculators. What else works better for the fortunes of corporatism (those Monsanto and ADM fortunes) than to villify the independant farmer who is now growing more ethanol crops in his previous empty fields (the ones not cultivated d/t farm bill) so they might actually earn somewhat of a decent living? How many average joes do you hear pontificate about the farmers getting greedy and rich? They did the same thing to German farmers during their depression after WW1.

Look to the man behind the curtain. It is almost certainly a man with avarice and financial interests.

[Why Syzygy]

17. I can't help but believe that all our sustainable needs could be met if

the ban on hemp were lifted. It is the stupidest thing. Grown people afraid of a plant.
Henry Ford made an automobile and FUELED it all from HEMP!!

[Mojorabbit]

18. still there

ends up ultimately being a shortage. The prices will continue to be bid up high by commodity brokers and people will not be able to buy grain. I won't hold my breath that anyone will stop the finance speculators. I keep about nine months food in my pantry and rotate.

[Shallah Kali]

19. I agree. This will be used to justify more frankenfoods and crap like that

instead of sustainable organic non-patentable non-petroleum agriculture which has been proven in studies to after about 5 years to yield as much food as corporate frankenfields do.

Also look at all the nonfood items being cultivated wasting arable land and water. Grass is the #1 cultivated 'crop' in the USA! Then there are places in the world where people starve besides fields of roses and other flowers that are sold to the US and other wealthy nations.

Imagine for a moment if almost everyone with a bit of lawn would grow a little veggie garden instead of slathering their yards with petrochemicals and put in a rain barrel to water the veggies with. Heck I use buckets under the eves and while my Mother thinks it looks dreadful she admits our tomatoes always grow better with the rainwater than tap.

Revive the Victory Garden
for victory over global warming
http://www.revivevictorygarden.org/

Kitchen Gardners International
promoting the localest of food internationally
http://www.kitchengardeners.org

Food Not Lawns
http://www.foodnotlawns.com

The City Chicken
http://home.centurytel.net/thecitychicken

City Farmers
A non-profit society that promotes urban food production and environmental conservation
http://www.cityfarmer.org/
& more info here http://www.cityfarmer.info/
Oh and see what I read over in Energy Forum - Front Yard Farms
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x144338

[eilen]

22. Growing a garden is one of the loudest acts of self reliance

and rejection of corporatagriculture and industrial farming. I am starting my first real vegetable garden this year (I had ambitions but had some life things happen the last 2 years...). I am also growing an herb garden.

Another thing that is mentioned is the preservation of rainwater by the use of buckets/rain barrels/garbage cans under your eaves and gutters. We may well be headed for drought conditions.

Let's see, drought conditions, gas over $4 gallon, diesel even higher, inflation, stagflation,--- we won't need any shortages, the food will be rotting in warehouses. Dust Bowl millenium style.

[Shallah Kali]

23. drought or not rainwater collection = better veggies in my experience

so why not at least stick a few buckets under the eves or if you have the $ and knowhow set up something a bit bigger?

I am working to manifest a new home where I can start a nice little garden instead of using containers. where i am now is on ledge so just a few inches down in most areas is solid rock and what soil above it is very poor. My next home will have a nice patch of land for me to start a proper garden on with asparagus, some medicinal herbs, and fruit trees.

[Why Syzygy]

24. Our city offers a discount on the purchase of rail barrels.

There might be something similar in other areas.

[midnight]

26. I found a site in my area that sells them... I ordered one just now.

I too am starting a garden, and would love to use a rain-barrel. My soil is very clay like. I looked at some organic fertilizers. Not sure which way to go. I've read for tomatoes 5-3-3 is good and then for other vegetables something else. I thought about manure. Not sue with the made cow disease. I have my plots tilled, and will use tomato plants, seeds for my cucumbers. I have parsley coming up from last year. Not sure if my oregano will come back, but the old plant smells good. I want to grow spinach.. anyone have luck with that and can recommend what seeds and plant to use.

[Shallah Kali]

37. I think some cities and maybe states offer credits on rainwater cachement systems

If any of ya'll live in a particularly dry part of the country or cities where storm drains overflow and are thinking of something bigger than a barrel or a bunch of buckets be sure to look for these sorts of help.

[eilen]

27. We have a yard but our soil

is clay. I would have an easier time constructing a pot and firing it in a kiln rather than forming any friable soil from it. I decided that instead of torturing my poor body, I would use the Square foot method. We have a lot of trees-mosty pine and balsam. I am still collecting pinecones. I have about 8 big bags full and decided I would use them to mulch my gardens and yard. Cheaper than buying dyed bark.

[PinkTiger]

20. I also heard today that the "shortage" is artificial.

I was told that the rice shortage is actually a response to a run on rice reserves by people who have been buying in bulk for organizations who are sending the rice overseas for famine relief. But I also think the rice shortage is a reaction to commodity prices, and is hyperbole put out by some very foolish people at Costco and Sam's who are confusing commodity trading with buying the real thing from their stores. The gold scare that happened in recent months was similar. People thought gold would go high and stay high, and began to hoard it and seek ways to melt down their jewelry into bullion. The price of gold stabilized afterwards. A chart of the historic price of gold shows a sharp rise beginning in October 07, going from about $650 a troy ounce to a high of more than $1,000 before it fell, and is now trading at less than $900. I expect it will return to a more reasonable amount by summer's end.

[Dover]

25. City and Suburb Front Yard 'Farms'

Hi all. Did you catch this article in the Enviroment/Energy Forum? This is a very industrious fellow who has taken the 'locally grown' idea to heart and home. Talk about the "miracles of local" and storefronts....

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120882472974233235.html?mod=residential_real_estate

[DemExpat]

28. Better link?

http://blogs.wsj.com/independentstreet/2008/04/22/entrepreneurs-see-opportunity-down-on-the-yard-farm/?mod=WSJBlog


Thanks for the heads up.

DemEx

[Dover]

29. Hi DemEx

Oops,

Here's another site that has it:
http://www.smsmallbiz.com/profiles/Green_Acres_II_When_Neighbors_Become_Farmers.html

I guess they take those WSJ pages down pretty quickly. Here's a page with the commentary/blog about that article/program that also has the video of that story. I think the print version I originally posted a link to here was just the transcript for this video clip.
http://blogs.wsj.com/independentstreet/2008/04/22/entrepreneurs-see-opportunity-down-on-the-yard-farm/?mod=WSJBlogprint/

And here is the original DU thread on the article:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=115&topic_id=144338&mesg_id=144338

Enjoy!

[DemExpat]

32. Thanks, I love this kind of stuff and it was a part of my favorite

themes in my Human Geography studies/Urban studies.

I think there is much overlooked and promising potential here! It works in developing as well as developed countries too.....

DemEx

[Shallah Kali]

38. I read this is what Cuba did after the collapse of the soviet union

and they lost their supply of subsidized oil. They started farming out vacant lots and lawns so while most did with less food no one starved. Hey it worked for the US and Canada during WWI and WWII with Victory and Liberty Gardens. I think it was 40% of food grown during WWII came from Victory Gardens. There is a fellow in my state who has challenged the presidential candidates to pledge to garden on the White House front lawn as was done during WWII and previously.

http://www.kitchengardeners.org/2008/03/march_2008_newsletter.html

[I Have A Dream]

30. Ooooo... I was just missing both you and DemEx last night since I hadn't...

seen either of you around for a while. I woke up this morning, and here you both are in the same thread. Wow, my powers are awesome! ;)  :eyes: :rofl:

Oh, and it was right around the time that you posted this! You must have gotten my vibe! ;)

:bounce:

[DemExpat]

31. Don't you just love those powers, IHAD?

:hug: :-) :bounce:

DemEx

[I Have A Dream]

33. Yeah, and I only use them for GOOD!

:rofl:

:hug:

[Dover]

34. Awwwwww.....

:hug: So good to see you too!

Wow, the force is with you! :loveya:

[Dover]

39. JOB: Sustainable Food Center - Grow Local Program Manager (Austin/CentralTx. area)

Thought this might interest some in this group, and perhaps this program might also be of interest for those wishing to initiate and implement such a program in their communities as well.


Position Opening

Grow Local Program Manager

Sustainable Food Center cultivates a healthy community by strengthening the local food system and improving access to nutritious, affordable food. SFC envisions a food secure community where all children and adults grow, share and prepare healthy, local food.
http://www.sustainablefoodcenter.org/

SFC is looking for a skilled manager who can effectively monitor and evaluate current community and school gardening activities and can create new projects consistent with the organizational mission and local priorities. This opening is a 40 hour per week, full-time position and will pay in the low to mid 30s. Attractive benefits, including lucrative time off, health insurance, etc.


Key responsibilities include:

· Manage/implement program operational plan and oversee 1-3 program staff/interns

· Replicate program successes, thus significantly widening impact

· Improve and develop all program material, including: training materials, curriculum, other educational tools, and promotional pieces

· Develop and manage program objectives, budgets, and proposals

· Create assessment measures consistent with program goals and proposed outcomes

· Produce monthly, quarterly, and annual reports for staff, board and funders

· Maintain and expand network of community and school gardening partners, such as: individual gardeners, volunteers, neighborhood groups, other nonprofits, schools, school districts, elected officials and media

· Facilitate the creation of large community garden located at SFC’s future permanent site

Qualifications:

Outstanding oral and written communications skills in English & Spanish, MUST be bilingual
Demonstrated experience with food gardening in Central Texas
Demonstrated experience in teaching, training, and materials development
Demonstrated experience with low-income families, both urban and rural
Demonstrated experience in managing non-profit programs in all aspects, including budgeting, expense tracking, fundraising, reporting, and evaluation
Excellent computer, web, and database experience, with marketing experience desirable
Dedicated team-player who is culturally sensitive and able to successfully juggle many tasks
Degree in related field desirable (e.g. life sciences such as Agriculture, Horticulture, Biology, etc.)


To apply for the position, email a cover letter and resume to [e-mail] with “Grow Local” in the subject line. Salary is commensurate with experience. Resumes will be accepted through May 31st. No phone calls, please.