The hippie movement did indeed blaze the whole foods trail, and there is no question that what was revered as a ‘fringe’ lifestyle in terms of dietary choices ‘back then’, is considered an entirely sensible, healthful way to go now, even by much of the so-called ‘establishment!’

We know more today, of course, than we did back then as ‘back to the landers’. We’ve learned that raising animals even on a very small scale can be incredibly time consuming, and emotionally wrenching when it comes to severing bonds established with those we have cared for ‘humanely’. We learned that the animals who depended upon us have interests in staying alive themselves that our consciences just won’t let us ignore or marginalize anymore. We know that Frances Moore Lappe rewrote the section of her book on proteins, since a varied diet with lots of leafy greens, legumes, fruits and nuts, provides an adequate supply, along with calcium and other vital nutrients. We now know that growing plants is ENOUGH.

The ‘locavore’ movement today is a throwback to the hippie era in some respects, but not when it comes to reintroducing animals like goats,pigs, cows and chickens to our diets! The fact that livestock is a major contributor to global warming should be making all of question this current trend. They are not an efficient use of water and other resources for those with arable land access for growing food. They perpetuate the speciesist notion of animals as mere commodities for our exploitation and consumption, rather than individual beings with their own independent interests in life.

Those of us ‘old hippies’ who eventually supported ‘giving peas a chance’, made a choice never to support another slaughterhouse. We want it remembered that the milk, yoghurt and cheese doesn’t come without the cow winding up there. We want it remembered that not only does the vast majority of hamburger on the market today comes from ’spent’ dairy cows, that organically raised animals know perfectly well when they are on their way to the kill floor, too. The smell of fear as they near the slaughterhouse (OR mobil abattoir) is pungent. And home on the farm I’ve seen cows scrambling up hillsides to get as far away from the butcher’s knife as possible…DAYS before they know that slaughtertime is coming.

There is a ‘NEW’ variation on the theme of the old hippie revolution, and that is ’stockfree growing’. Contrary to current hype, grass fed beef is NOT the way of the future, except for elite westerners who can afford the decadence. And backyard chickens are not the answer for anyone who thinks animals deserve humane treatment (real free range means vulnerability to mink attacks, and roadkill where I live, not to mention questionable slaughter by those who aren’t really sure if they’ve avoided inflicting pain and suffering, or not).

Fortunately, properly timed cover croping and green manure application (plantbased) provide adequate fertility for vegatable growing, and this is the new learning curve for those interested in feeding themselves…and the world…today. In thirty or forty years from now, growing veganically will seem as natural as vegetarianism was yesterday, and eschewing ALL animal products is for today’s modern day ‘vegan hippies’ (and others!)

A few websites FYI:

http://www.veganorganic.net/
and
http://www.veganiculture.blogspot.com
and
http://www.permavegan.blogspot.com