Philosophy 3 – Consider our decisions’ impact on our bio-region
We question our consumption decisions – i.e. can it be fixed, is it made locally, by an artisan, are we supporting ‘craft’, is it ‘Fair Trade’ – did the maker receive a fair wage for their efforts, is the company ethical. Are we supporting the development of the community in which it was made? Should we support “food swaps”, or support local producers’ small scale farms by buying from farmers markets?
We’ll never be truly sustainable if we don’t support our local community. That support will be returned in our community demand for our produce. The support needs to develop into a heightened understanding from our customers in the need to reduce the energy footprint of our food production and distribution system.
We need to take responsibility for our bioregion. Supporting local markets is a great way to move towards this philosophy.
This one shows one of our farm Echidnas resting under a tree stump. Their habitat requirements include fallen logs. Current agricultural practices remove these to “clean up the farm”. Our responsibility to bio-regional issues compels us to provide diverse habitat for these and other creatures
Our bio-regional responsibilities extend through our national community too. Here we have the Eaglerise Farm response to the corona virus pandemic in early 2020. We provided safety and refuge to 9 international backpackers when they found themselves abandoned in a foreign country with nowhere to live and no work opportunities. This follows the permaculture ethic of “Care for People”. We were fortunate to meet a couple from England, two couples from Germany, a couple of French guys, and a guy from Portugal. We took these backpackers in and provided shelter and training in some basic farming skills such as tractor driving and fencing. In return we received a sense of peace and safety that they were able to relax and enjoy the Australian environment.
Goal: Achieving philosophy – Consider our decisions’ impact in terms of bio-regional issues
Read Philosophy 4 – Know that farming is not always about action.