You have proved that no moss grows under your feet even when you are temporarily hindered. Wow, I felt like I learned so much "goodness",...about what can and is being done with positivity and chutzpah. I think I'm gonna have to put my coffee cup down and get busy. I had a full knee replacement 10 weeks ago...also recouping. Thank you for this post, these are politically trying times here in the states.
You’re most welcome, and thank you! I’m not particularly good at sitting still when I’m meant to… but a full knee replacement sounds intense! Perhaps enjoy your coffee first, then go have fun (gently).
It can be so easy to think all that’s going on is what’s being told to us, but the truth is that’s all people are willing to push for profit. There’s a huge amount of positivity happening too, and I’ll do my best to share what I can.
This is another great article Sam! Once again, (comm)unity, sharing and considerate use of resources are at the core of these endeavours. The growth of supermarkets and agrochemical companies (profiteering from poison) have been bad for our food journey in much of the west and these huge corporations are hard to challenge. However, starting small on a local level can make a difference and when people taste the difference and hopefully reap the health benefits of food grown without chemicals there will be a permanent positive shift.
Aside from the ecocide and threat to our health from intensively grown food, growing locally can remove the need for wasteful and polluting packaging too. I called into Tesco in Aberystwyth on Friday and felt as if I was being shrink wrapped in plastic.
Thanks for sharing your hope and beliefs here. Your conservation of the land race oats serves as a metaphor to us all.
Thanks Martin! I couldn’t agree more. I think it goes without saying that to some degree, society functions based on money. But when money isn’t our motivation, there’s a huge amount more value we can spend our time doing. It’s immensely empowering to prioritise community, growth, life, and art.
Thank you, this really made me happy to read. I love that you talked about the relationships we have to the land, ecosystems and wild creatures we live with. It IS about relationship. Which I think so many of us are good at doing, and Nature is always waiting to relate right back to us. Cheers, and I wish you a good recovery.
You’re most welcome, I’m glad I managed to bring some happiness to your day. I plan to share more about these types of projects going on in the world and the ideas they promote :)
In Cuba, at least when I was there about fifteen years ago, if you want to become a farmer they will give you land. They will give you land. Nothing to stop you.
Isn’t that mad to think? Land, which once belonged to everyone and no one, can be stewarded by anyone willing to care for it and provide for others. Thank you for sharing this.
Another great article. Solutions Journalism is what they called it in a University of Tasmania course I did a couple of years ago. It’s an empowering way to help people overcome the feeling that we can’t make an impact from where we are. It’s certainly something I’m working on where I live in semi-rural Queensland. There’s plenty of land, and most of us live on acreage. The trick I find is to help everyone to make one small change and grow something well that they can eat plus excess that they can swap for other food they like at our edible exchange. Even the most time poor can manage that and get a lot of joy doing it. Keep up the great work and recover soon. I broke my ankle 3 months back and I spent 6 weeks unable to get into the vegetable gardens. I learnt what an impatient ratbag I am!
Thanks Margaret. It’s good to know there’s a category for solutions journalism, I only wish news outlets gave a little more attention to it. Perhaps, in combat of the mental health crisis, they should all dedicate one page per paper about such positive stories? I feel it would make a difference.
As for your local community, that’s very uplifting to hear. I honestly think it’s our most basic human instinct to work together like that.
Your writing is great. I can’t pay as I had decided to do this with Huw Richards and he then stopped his Substack within a week or so of my subscription beginning . Sorry Sam.
Thank you, writing is something I’ve fallen in love with since leaving restaurants so that means a lot. And no need to apologise, I understand completely. I’d feel the same way too if I was stung like that.
I post almost everything for free members too, so as long as you’re enjoying your time here that’s what counts 😊
I loved this article! What a lovely roundup of positive actions people are taking around the world to rediscover and implement traditional ways of growing food that are healthy for the environment and for the human beings who live there.
This was such an uplifting post to read. Thank you so much Sam. It really hit home to me how starved we are (I am!) of good news and hope. I, for one, would love to read more from you about such positive changes in the world. Hope your recovery speeds along!
You have proved that no moss grows under your feet even when you are temporarily hindered. Wow, I felt like I learned so much "goodness",...about what can and is being done with positivity and chutzpah. I think I'm gonna have to put my coffee cup down and get busy. I had a full knee replacement 10 weeks ago...also recouping. Thank you for this post, these are politically trying times here in the states.
You’re most welcome, and thank you! I’m not particularly good at sitting still when I’m meant to… but a full knee replacement sounds intense! Perhaps enjoy your coffee first, then go have fun (gently).
It can be so easy to think all that’s going on is what’s being told to us, but the truth is that’s all people are willing to push for profit. There’s a huge amount of positivity happening too, and I’ll do my best to share what I can.
Thank you for the uplift!
Feel better soon!
Thank you! I’m resting up in bed with a fan pointed at me and a large cup of ice tea. This is the life!
Thank you for collating these lovely stories. Think we ought to sow some millet!
The best article for survival and flourishing and hope that I’ve ever read.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Shirley :)
This is another great article Sam! Once again, (comm)unity, sharing and considerate use of resources are at the core of these endeavours. The growth of supermarkets and agrochemical companies (profiteering from poison) have been bad for our food journey in much of the west and these huge corporations are hard to challenge. However, starting small on a local level can make a difference and when people taste the difference and hopefully reap the health benefits of food grown without chemicals there will be a permanent positive shift.
Aside from the ecocide and threat to our health from intensively grown food, growing locally can remove the need for wasteful and polluting packaging too. I called into Tesco in Aberystwyth on Friday and felt as if I was being shrink wrapped in plastic.
Thanks for sharing your hope and beliefs here. Your conservation of the land race oats serves as a metaphor to us all.
Thanks Martin! I couldn’t agree more. I think it goes without saying that to some degree, society functions based on money. But when money isn’t our motivation, there’s a huge amount more value we can spend our time doing. It’s immensely empowering to prioritise community, growth, life, and art.
Absolutely Sam!
Inspiring!!
Thank you, this really made me happy to read. I love that you talked about the relationships we have to the land, ecosystems and wild creatures we live with. It IS about relationship. Which I think so many of us are good at doing, and Nature is always waiting to relate right back to us. Cheers, and I wish you a good recovery.
You’re most welcome, I’m glad I managed to bring some happiness to your day. I plan to share more about these types of projects going on in the world and the ideas they promote :)
Thank you for an inspiring anthology especially in these times when so much seems to be moving in not good directions. Heal well!
Thank You for this fantastic and heart-warming research! You are a real poet (Your writings always have a bit of haiku). Get better soon!
Thank you Lukács, that’s very kind of you to say! As someone who spent more time learning support than English classes at school, that means a lot.
There's also the work of Allan Savoury and Joel Salatin
https://savory.global/
https://www.thelunaticfarmer.com/about
In Cuba, at least when I was there about fifteen years ago, if you want to become a farmer they will give you land. They will give you land. Nothing to stop you.
Isn’t that mad to think? Land, which once belonged to everyone and no one, can be stewarded by anyone willing to care for it and provide for others. Thank you for sharing this.
Another great article. Solutions Journalism is what they called it in a University of Tasmania course I did a couple of years ago. It’s an empowering way to help people overcome the feeling that we can’t make an impact from where we are. It’s certainly something I’m working on where I live in semi-rural Queensland. There’s plenty of land, and most of us live on acreage. The trick I find is to help everyone to make one small change and grow something well that they can eat plus excess that they can swap for other food they like at our edible exchange. Even the most time poor can manage that and get a lot of joy doing it. Keep up the great work and recover soon. I broke my ankle 3 months back and I spent 6 weeks unable to get into the vegetable gardens. I learnt what an impatient ratbag I am!
Also, I hope your ankle is fully recovered now!
Thanks Margaret. It’s good to know there’s a category for solutions journalism, I only wish news outlets gave a little more attention to it. Perhaps, in combat of the mental health crisis, they should all dedicate one page per paper about such positive stories? I feel it would make a difference.
As for your local community, that’s very uplifting to hear. I honestly think it’s our most basic human instinct to work together like that.
Your writing is great. I can’t pay as I had decided to do this with Huw Richards and he then stopped his Substack within a week or so of my subscription beginning . Sorry Sam.
Thank you, writing is something I’ve fallen in love with since leaving restaurants so that means a lot. And no need to apologise, I understand completely. I’d feel the same way too if I was stung like that.
I post almost everything for free members too, so as long as you’re enjoying your time here that’s what counts 😊
Thank you Sam. This is why I joined Substack - to read about happier lives and learn stuff!
I loved this article! What a lovely roundup of positive actions people are taking around the world to rediscover and implement traditional ways of growing food that are healthy for the environment and for the human beings who live there.
This was such an uplifting post to read. Thank you so much Sam. It really hit home to me how starved we are (I am!) of good news and hope. I, for one, would love to read more from you about such positive changes in the world. Hope your recovery speeds along!