Modern Homesteading, Radio Segment on VPR

Modern Homesteading, Steve Zind, Vermont Edition, VPR

Steve Zind of VPR interviewed Rebecca Kneale Gould, of Middlebury College, and Philip Ackerman-Leist, of Green Mountain College, to discuss Modern Homesteading. 

Helen and Scott Nearing in 1940s inspiration for Back-to-the-Landers that came to Vermont in the 1960s and 1970s.  Their book, Living the Good Life, inspired homesteaders then and continue to do so now. 

Rebecca Kneale Gould unpacks the definition of homesteading to get at its complexity. Her definition:

• At least 50% growing own food, but some real homesteaders don’t!
• When production out lives consumption
• The values, intentions, qualities, and reason for homesteading are most important
• Scott Nearing's definition is too severe and difficult to acquire in modern world
• Gould sees a cultural (and perhaps spiritual) hunger for being more productive than consumptive, providing for self and being connected to nature.  Modern homesteading can serve as an alternative to consumptive American culture. 

Philip Ackerman-Leist moved to to Vermont with wife, started with a small cabin without electricity and lived like that for 8 years, now has an off-grid self-built house.  He discusses the homesteading class he teaches at Green Mountain College.  He asks his students to define homesteading:

• Most of Ackerman-Leist's students come from suburbs or cities, so they usually think homesteading needs to be completely self-reliant
• Most students, by the end of the course, think homesteading needs to exist in the urban and wired setting in order to be relevant
• Homesteading about the why, not the how-to.
• Triangle of sustainability values, skills, and technologies = homesteading
• Students see loss of biodiversity, overpopulation, ecological destruction and want to be productive in an answer to these problems of our society

Is Homesteading Economically Feasible? 

The Nearings had outside sources of income, yet portrayed themselves with more self-sufficient image than reality.  We need to look at the continuum, because the old, purist model is often unattainable.  One economically feasible solution is co-operative living.  In some cases it can be affordable if you go step-by-step and don't spend a lot of money up front.

Does Modern Homesteading Have to be in a Rural Setting? How About Homesteading in a Sub/urban Setting? 

The "Back to the Yard Movement” is transforming suburban environment into food productivity. In urban settings, Will Allen, of Growing Power, uses inner-city areas to crank out food, fish, and ultimately transforms entire communities.  "The Carbon Free Home” transforms home in energy and food aspects. And there are many movements in New York City to convert space into green places.  In general, the current language of carbon neutrality and local-vore is new and growing.  We have to remember this alone is a huge improvement.

The Intersection Between the Spiritual and Homesteading: 

Gould says homesteading should be included in the religious story of America because there is a long tradition in American literature (i.e. Thoreau).  Americans look to nature and land as source of answers.  A connection with nature is major in homesteading.  It's an alternative lifestyle to the corporate grind.  Homesteading "sets your mind free". 

Listeners Call in to Answer: How do you define homesteading?  Is it about getting by with the basic necessities?

-It’s not about “how”, but “why”
-One caller wants agricultural education and promotion for Americans to live on land, learn on land, etc
-Another caller calls his homesteading a hybrid approach.
-The Nearings only wanted to talk to people who could actualize their philosophize
-Modern technology tied into modern homesteading: wind power, satellite internet for communication, information, and education
-One woman calls in, her and her husband moved from New York City in their mid-40s.  They gave up pension, insurance, to live on a the land in Vermont.  She was a city girl, she thought city-living was the only way of life until she moved to Vermont.  Her secret to success was outside income and enjoying what you’re doing even if it’s inconvenient.

Suggested Readings:

Living the Good Life, Helen and Scott Nearing
Edible Forest Gardens, Dave Jack and Eric Toensmeir
At Home in Nature: Modern Homesteading in America, Rebecca Kneal Gould
Seattle's First Urban Food Forest Will Be Open to Forages, NPR (article)