I grew up during an era when gardening and canning were not optional. They were instead, a way of life; a necessity for not just good nutrition, but for survival itself. Canning went beyond fruits and vegetables. We had no electricity, so refrigeration was not a consideration. We smoked meats in our own smokehouse, and we canned meats as well. In our little rural community, we shared canning equipment and we passed it around from family to family. We raised our own hogs and smoked the hams and bacon, but we also canned sausages that were not just breakfast foods but often were the main course for many an evening meal. My mother was very creative in how she prepared such basic fare and made it seem like gourmet fare.
Have you ever considered that we might see the necessity for such skills in today’s world? I certainly have. Look back no further than the devastating freeze of February 2021 and you will realize how fragile our lifestyle really is. We now know that the widespread power failures that many of us experienced could come upon our entire nation literally in the blink of an eye. At first you think, we have food. We can make it. Can you? You have food in the freezer, right? How long would that food last without power to keep it safely frozen? Then what?
Beyond natural catastrophes we have all become blindly controlled by computerization: our cars have brains that are programmed and controlled by computers; our fuel is routed and distributed electronically; communication has all but disappeared in the form of newspapers, letters, and telegraph. Now days we are basically blindly dependent on cell phones, television, and social media via the internet. So, when the power goes down, so goes our lines of communication, and our ability to travel. Terrorist activity could cripple our nation via a few strategic disruptions of our communication networks, or by destroying the fuel delivery systems from port sources or pipelines as well. So, what do we do, you ask? Grocery store? I don’t think so. Without fuel to run your cars you can’t get there. Furthermore, there would soon be no supply source to fill the shelves at your local grocery; no electricity to preserve the meats, milk and produce. Then what? Do you hunt? Maybe. Can you grow a garden? Sure you can! It’s easy to learn and very satisfying to boot. Then how can you preserve the food you grow or the meats you harvest? Forget refrigeration. For decades upon decades people lived and lived well by canning the foods that they depended on. They grew their produce. They hunted their primary protein sources and then they smoked, dried or canned all of it. Not only did they survive, but they flourished.
Am I preaching a survivalist doctrine? Absolutely not. I’m just reminding you that our lifeline system is fragile and as we have seen recently it can be easily disrupted. We do have choices and options. Re-learn what our society once excelled at and become more self-sufficient. Grow a garden. If you already garden, then kick it up a notch or two. Think long term. Learn the art of canning. It can all be very rewarding and satisfying. Let’s learn to share what we do and how we do it. Remember I said that the folks in my little community shared canning equipment and passed it around? We did the same thing with recipes for canning. We shared excess vegetables and fruits that we grew. We exchanged goods, and we all took pride in what we were able to produce.
· 1st in Europe in terms of arable land area.
· 3rd place in the world by the area of black soil (25% of world’s
volume).
· 1st place in the world in exports of sunflower and sunflower oil.
· 2nd place in the world in barley production and 4th place in barley
exports.
· 3rd largest producer and 4th largest exporter of corn in the world.
· 4th largest producer of potatoes in the world.
· 5th largest rye producer in the world.
· 5th place in the world in bee production (75,000 tons).
· 8th place in the world in wheat exports:
· 9th place in the world in the production of chicken eggs.
· 16th place in the world in cheese exports.
Could it happen in these United States? Certainly not – or could it? Please don’t think we are preaching doom and gloom. Quite the contrary, we are just trying to make sure our customers and friends across the country understand the possibilities that could lie before us. Our customers are truly like our family. We have been serving these great people now for a bit over ONE HUNDRED YEARS and we owe each of you our very best. If we can help prepare you for whatever might possibly beset us, then hopefully we have done our part. At the very least we have perhaps re-awakened you to the wonderful benefits of gardening and canning for your enjoyment and your peace of mind. It’s all something you can do and share with your family, your friends and beyond. In a best-case scenario, you will have created wonderfully delicious foodstuffs that you can enjoy every day of the year.
Simply, here’s all you need to do:
· till the ground
· plant the seed
· tend the garden
· harvest the crop
Enjoy the process, but more especially, enjoy the wonderful meals from those fresh fruits and vegetables that you have grown!
Happy Gardening and Bon Appetit’!
Joe Davis, COO
Willhite Seed Inc.
