The Hard Truth – Part TWO
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!
If you’ve ever spent any time with me, you know I love to ask questions. I’m sure if you asked any classmate in my history, one thing that would likely stand out in their memory would be that I asked a lot of questions in school! I cannot tell you how many times I was thanked by my peers for asking so many questions because they were too nervous, shy or afraid to ask the question themselves. So, I continue to ask, for myself and for the benefit of all…
Now, as a reminder and in case you didn’t read last month’s article, these questions are a tool to provoke thought and are not here to cast judgment, shame or shade. Because our actions come from our beliefs and ethics, it’s good to evaluate them regularly. They shape the way we interact with the land, animals, resources and community.
These are personal questions—only you can determine where you stand. Some may require reflection or deeper exploration, and not all will have quick or easy answers.
Before diving in, here’s a simple guide to help you navigate uncertainty when you’re unsure how to respond:
Who benefits from this?
Who might be negatively affected?
What are the long-term consequences?
If you're still unclear, try asking “why?” around six times. It’s a powerful way to dig deeper and get closer to the root of the issue.
Ponder again with me…
Questions
Animal Welfare
If I have to dispatch an animal, do I do it in a timely and humane manner?
Do I respect the animals that provide for me?
Are my livestock raised humanely, with ample access to sunlight, fresh air and pasture?
Am I more concerned with making my animals comfortable than I am with making them healthy?
If “I am what I eat,” then perhaps I’m also what my food eats. Do I prioritize speed over nature; am I encouraging growth, or just rushing it? What are the long-term effects of feeding animals a diet designed for rapid results, rather than allowing them to forage, graze and grow at their natural pace?
Food Choices & Impact
(and voting with my dollar)
What happens to the baby rooster chicks and bull calves in the egg and dairy industries, especially the ones I support?
Do my food choices support local, seasonal eating, or am I contributing to a larger carbon footprint by demanding out-of-season imports? Do I know if my food was grown or harvested ethically using fair trade?
What is the impact of food miles on our environment and local economy? (A food mile refers to the distance food travels from its source—such as a farm or factory—to your plate.)
Am I eating/feeding my family real, whole food or food-like items?
How do my farming and food choices reflect my values about sustainability and ethical consumption?
Would we have less hunger crisis if more people knew how to forage/grow food?
Is it important to me to know how to grow/procure food?
Environmental Responsibility
Am I improving soil health or only extracting from it?
Am I taking more than my fair share of wild and natural resources?
Am I using water, chemicals and natural resources responsibly, considering their long-term effects on the environment, pollinators, customers and future generations?
Do I make it a point to recycle and repurpose materials where possible?
Am I rushing the growth of our plants with synthetic fertilizers instead of crafting the best environment possible and letting nature take its own course?
We are our future history. How will we create our legacy?
One question at a time…
Liz Threlkeld
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