• LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net
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    1 year ago

    My god it’s like they’re deliberately trying to make their paper unintelligible to other humans. If I am reading this paper correctly, it is in line with other research on the topic, by indicating that smaller farms tend to have higher yields due to greater labor inputs. While I’m sure an economist would think this puts the issue to rest, being able to feed more people on a smaller land area might still be beneficial even if it requires more labor. Economists often assume that the economy represents the ideal allocation of resources, but I reject this assumption.

    By the way, 5 acres is minuscule compared to conventional agriculture, at least in the US. So these aren’t backyard gardens but they are likely quite different from agribusiness as well.

    • FiniteBanjo@lemmy.todayOP
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      1 year ago

      If you think 5 acres on average isn’t subsidized or industrialized then I challenge you to try it out of your own pocket: fertilize with shovels, till with a hoe, water and pest control without anything but hand pumps or windmills, reap the harvest with a scythe.

        • Hule@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Wait, 5 acres wouldn’t be all vegetables! Fruit trees, grains, grassland all spread in time so you can work on them when your vegetables don’t need attention.

            • Hule@lemmy.world
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              1 year ago

              I have around 15 acres I work on. Mostly alone, with a tractor. I have let parts of it go wild.

              I quit my day job, I have a sick father and brother to take care of.

              Yes, farming is really hard work, and animals need attention all the time. My farm isn’t making me any money, I get some subsidies though.

              But my fruit trees are over an acre. I keep ducks, pigs and sheep. I have a woodlot. It all makes me happy, that’s why I do it.

              We still buy groceries, we could go 3 months without that. But I’m not a prepper.

      • LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net
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        1 year ago

        I don’t know why you’re assuming small farms need to be worked with medieval technology—that’s not what I’m saying at all. What I am saying is that 5 acre farms are far smaller than typical for modern agribusiness, and the differences in management are enormous. And I’ve actually worked on a farm that was 8 acres and we did much (though not all) of the labor by hand.

        The average US farm is just under 500 acres. It’s totally different to grow food on that scale.

        • FiniteBanjo@lemmy.todayOP
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          1 year ago

          You don’t know why Industrialized farming is Industrialized? Are you for real, right now?

          • LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net
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            1 year ago

            I have no idea how this comment relates to what I was saying or what you are trying to communicate. I believe I do understand why industrialized farming is industrialized. Do you?

            • FiniteBanjo@lemmy.todayOP
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              1 year ago

              Industrialized farming is industrialized by definition as it involves the use of Machinery and Automation such as large vehicles. I’m sitting here in awe and disbelief at how stupid a person could be as to lecture others on this topic while not knowing why “[I’m] assuming small farms need to be worked with medieval technology” to be considered outside of the scope of Industrialized.

              • LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net
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                1 year ago

                Every single comment you’ve made here has shown such a profound misunderstanding of what we’re discussing that it’s difficult to even understand where your thinking went wrong. While I probably could educate you, I lack the patience to deal with your consistently insulting and arrogant attitude. Please just read this conversation again and think twice before chiming in when you have such a poor level of understanding. You are likely to gain more from online interactions with a minimal level of politeness and humility.