SELF-SUFFICIENCY
SELF
SUFFICIENCY
SELF-SUFFICIENCY
POST-MODERN SELF-SUFFICIENCY
SUBSISTENCE AGRICULTURE
SELF-SUFFICIENCY LINKS
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SECTION 1
SELF-SUFFICIENCY
SELF
SUFFICIENCY
Self-sufficiency refers to the state of not
requiring any outside aid, support, or (in
hardline cases) interaction, for survival;
it is therefore a type of extreme personal
or collective (group-based) autonomy.
The term self-sufficiency is usually applied
to varieties of sustainable living in which
nothing is consumed outside of what is
produced by the self-sufficient individuals.
Examples of attempts at self-sufficiency in
North America include:
voluntary simplicity,
Luddism,
homesteading,
survivalism,
back-to-the-land movement.
Practices that enable or aid
self-sufficiency include:
autonomous building,
permaculture,
sustainable agriculture,
renewable energy.
The existence of an effectively closed system
makes self-sufficiency a necessity for any
form of space colonization, and to an extent
ocean colonization.
The term is also applied to limited forms of
self-sufficiency, for example growing one's
own food or becoming economically independent
of state subsidies or (in the case of larger
political entities) foreign aid.
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SECTION 2
POST-MODERN
SELF-SUFFICIENCY
The term ‘post-modern self-sufficiency’ or
‘escape capitalism’ refers to a mode of life
that seeks to exist outside industrialized
non-agrarian ‘western’ norms. This mode of
life-style is usually seen as alternative
because it seeks to rely on cutting edge
technology to eliminate or greatly reduce
the reliance on a capitalistic structure
i.e. wage labor.
Paradoxically, escape capitalism usually
begins inside the capitalist framework
where highly skilled and highly educated
labor is exchanged for capital which is
then progressively invested into long-term
self-sufficiency.
EXAMPLES
Long-term residential and transport energy
provided by investing in automated solar/
wind/fuel-cell plant and equipment for the
home.
Long-term residential and agricultural water
provided by investment into automated well/
dam/rain & grey water systems.
Long-term residential investment into
automated hydroponics/green house/orchard
fruit and vegetable production.
The key focus of the movement is the use of
modern technology to create a significantly
high level of quality of life rather than
sacrificing quality of life for non-
participation in capitalist society.
Most individuals who proscribe to escape
capitalism work greatly reduced hours in
highly educated ‘contract’ roles that
require great expertise. This income
supplements their life style for areas
like travel, health care and building
passive income investment streams.
The following is an assessment of needs
to be fulfilled progressively:
Housing and land for necessities production
e.g. including entertainment, sporting and
agricultural considerations.
Water and waste management e.g. rain, grey
and brown water.
Energy including household, transport and
capture and processing agricultural
consumption e.g. fuel cell plant and
equipment.
Means to produce marketable goods and
services e.g. home call-centre to support
highly specialized or skilled industries
globally.
It is expected that all needs are fulfilled
at a level that will support a high level
of quality of life.
Self-sufficient
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-sufficient
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SECTION 3
SUBSISTENCE
AGRICULTURE
SELF-SUFFICIENT
FARMING
Subsistence agriculture is self-sufficient
farming in which farmers grow only enough
food to feed the family and to pay taxes
or feudal dues. The typical subsistence
farm has a range of crops and animals
needed by the family to eat during the
year. Planting decisions are made with an
eye toward what the family will need during
the coming year, rather than market prices.
Subsistence grain-growing agriculture (predominantly
wheat and barley) first emerged during the Neolithic
Revolution when humans began to settle in the Nile,
Euphrates, and Indus River Valleys. It was the
dominant mode of production in the world until
recently, when market-based capitalism became
widespread. Subsistence horticulture may have
developed earlier in South East Asia and Papua
New Guinea.
Subsistence farming typically uses few fertilizers
and no machines. Instead the farmers may use draft
animals which can be fed and raised on the farm.
Subsistence farmers often rely on crop rotation,
animal manure, and compost to restore the nutrients
rather than purchasing expensive synthetic
fertilizers.
Subsistence farming
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subsistence_farming
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SECTION 4
611 EcoVillage
http://www.611ecovillage.com/
AchieveAbility
http://www.achieve-ability.org/
All Nations Trust Company
http://www.antco.bc.ca/
Australian Survivalist
http://www.aussurvivalist.com
Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS)
http://www.self-sufficiency.org/
Canadian Organization for Development through Education (CODE)
http://www.codecan.org/
Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage
http://www.dancingrabbit.org/
ECOBUSINESS LINKS
http://www.ecobusinesslinks.com/
Ecology Center
http://www.ecologycenter.org/
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Foundation for Self-Sufficiency in Central America
http://www.fssca.net/
Green Trust Sustainability & Renewable Energy
http://www.green-trust.org/
Home Power Magazine
http://www.homepower.com
Jinishian Memorial Foundation (JMF)
http://www.jinishian.am/
Kamloops Indian Band
http://www.kib.ca/
Many Tracks
http://www.manytracks.com/
The Modern Homestead
http://www.themodernhomestead.com
OFF-GRID
http://www.off-grid.net/
Off Grid Living
http://www.off-grid-living.com/
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One Planet Living
http://www.oneplanetliving.org/
PLANET FRIENDLY
http://www.planetfriendly.net/
Project Global Village
http://www.paghonduras.org/
Selfsufficientish.com
http://www.selfsufficientish.com
Self-Sufficiency
http://www.selfsufficiencyclub.com/
Teach A Man To Fish
http://www.teachamantofish.org.uk/
Path to Freedom
http://www.pathtofreedom.com/
Self Sufficient(ish)
http://www.selfsufficientish.com/
Self Sufficient Life
http://www.self-sufficient-life.com
Sierra Leone War Trust For Children (SLWT)
http://www.slwt.org/
Tsui Design and Research
http://www.tdrinc.com/architecture.html
The urban guide to becoming self sufficient 'ish'
http://www.selfsufficientish.com/
Working Villages International
http://www.workingvillages.org/
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