Living Off the Fat of the Land

Tim Wightman is researching a lecture now, with information about how small farms saved the national economy in the Depression.

If his information is right on - local sales fuel not only farm economy but "prime" the engine of the national economy as well.

It makes sense to me when I think of Tom Cowan's "The Heart is Not a Pump".  Where the true pump is in every cell of the body, not the heart.

So, what if true economic recovery is in every purchase WE make, not the government (stimulus etc.)

Then, it is not only ethically and environmentally sound but also economically sound to purchase fresh and local.

Here's a first attempt at a comparison of circulation (blood and national economy)

CIRCULATION OF BLOOD

(from "Fourfold Path to Healing" by Tom Cowan, M.D. page. 145)

• Consumption of 10 grams of protein releases 4 grams water into circulation (VERY SLUGGISH CIRCULATION)
• Consumption of 10 grams of carbs releases 6 grams of water into circulation (SLUGGISH CIRCULATION)
• Consumption of 10 grams of FATS releases 10 grams of water into circulation (VERY HEALTHY CIRCULATION)

CIRCULATION OF ECONOMIC BLOOD (MONEY) 

(the numbers used below are invented for the sake of meta comparison only)

• Consumption of 10 dollars of imported (even organic) foods releases only 4 dollars into our economic circulation. (VERY SLUGGISH  ECONOMY)
  
• Consumption of 10 dollars of factory farmed food (even organic) releases only 6 dollars into our economic circulation. (SLUGGISH ECONOMY)
  
• Consumption of 10 dollars of local-direct from farmer food releases 10 full dollars back into our economic circulation. (HEALTHY ECONOMY)
  

Think about it - imports (even organic) - the money goes outward - most of it leaves our country. 

In factory farming (even organic) - the money goes upward  - to investors and stockholders.  

In small family farms - the money gets completely used (ask any farmer) and stays in circulation in the community.

Actually Tim proposes that the circulation effect for the family farm is more $10 consumed and $70 circulated for local-direct sales.

So, we "live off the fat of the land" metaphorically when we eat the "fat of the land" practically.

"Fat of the land" - living well, fed by abundant crops. The "fat" being the richest, choicest part.