The Hard Truth – Part ONE
Asking Ethical Questions of Our Homesteading Practices
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Welcome to “The Sunny Side” where we’ll chat about all things homesteading! My name is Liz Threlkeld and I have been homesteading with my family in small forms or large fashions for most of my life. From growing gardens to DIY projects, to cooking and preserving, to raising and processing our own meat animals, we’ve learned a thing or two along the way. I’m excited to get to share some of this life with you. Ready? Let’s grow!
Hey, Friends!
I am driven by the deeper “why” behind things. So, why write an article posing these tough, ethical questions? I’m glad you asked – because I believe our ethics shape the foundation of our “why.” Why do we choose to homestead – or not? And if we do, why this method over another? Our thoughts can become our beliefs and our beliefs become our behavior so it is important to ask ourselves these ethical questions. They shape the way we interact with the land, animals, resources and community.
Did you know? Hearing a question hijacks our brain and makes it focus on nothing else at that moment. This natural response can be leveraged as a powerful tool for self-reflection and deeper thinking. By intentionally asking ourselves thought-provoking questions, we train our minds to push us to explore new perspectives and uncover deeper truths.
So, before we begin, this article is a tool to provoke thought and is not here to cast judgment, shame or shade. These are questions that only you can decide for yourself where you stand with the answers. Some may take some digging or reflection. Some questions may not have a quick answer.
Before we get started, here’s a guide to help you navigate uncertainty when faced with a question you don’t have an answer for:
Who benefits?
Who is impacted negatively?
What are the long-term effects?
If the answer still isn’t clear, ask “why” about six times to dig a little closer to uncover the root cause.
Ponder with me…
Questions
Honesty & Fairness in Trade
Am I honest about how my food is grown when selling or trading it?
Am I giving credit to those who have taught or inspired me?
Am I pricing my goods fairly for both me (are they underpriced?) and my customers (are they overpriced?)?
Am I hoarding a resource that could be shared or traded locally?
Do I compensate those who help me fairly, including children?
Tradition, Innovation & Sustainability
How do I feel about leveraging technology to help me on the homestead?
How do I feel about GMO or exotic seeds, plants and animals vs. heirloom or native?
Am I respecting the heritage of the land and those who worked it before me? Am I leaving a legacy for those who come after me?
Any economic sector where the average person is over approximately 35 years old is a sector in decline. The average FARMER is approximately 65 years old. What does that tell me about the food security of our nation?
Am I homesteading out of fear or am I living a proactive life?
Health & Lifestyle
Do I shield children from the realities of animal life, reproduction and death on the homestead? Why or why not?
Do I include my family and friends in my homestead adventures to foster closer relationships?
Could small lifestyle changes, like air-drying clothes, wearing natural fibers or spending more time in the sun and soil, have unexpected benefits for my health?
Do I recognize the impact that my homestead has on my mental health and that of those around me? Is it a positive one?
Sometimes it’s OK to sit in the ‘gray’ while you figure your answer out. Making a decision isn’t always an instant act; it can be a process. Just remember, indecision is a decision.
Next month, join me again on the “Sunny Side” to explore ‘The Hard Truth – Part TWO.’
Thinking deeply …
Liz Threlkeld
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