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share that knowledge, not forced into government pigeonholes that make it impossible to do so. For example, there is a growing interest in local cheesemaking. This is a cottage industry with a great potential for income in rural areas and developing countries. But public health officials have been taught "the scientific method," so much they no longer trust traditional knowledge or local teachers. In Africa alone, village farmers have been able to take the wild goat herds that live naturally in their regions and turn them into money-making, food producing ventures that build local economies and healthy populations. In the US though, such endeavors are thwarted by the USDA and other governing levels that insist upon industrial style operations that have tremendous overhead and maintenance, over smaller sized, local herds that serve smaller numbers. However, the numbers of these smaller farmers creates a shift in opportunities for the rural economy, if we trust the farmer more than the agri-business.

There is a growing number of small farmers throughout America, Canada and many other countries. The numbers are growing so rapidly that agri-business is using its political clout to force policies that harm these sustainable farms, and protect their own environmentally, and financially costly mega-farms. The independent farmer is stubborn, and learning from the political lessons of agribusiness. Their voice is beginning to be heard, and they are building networks for support and education, so their farms can be used as models for other future farmers.

If we shift our focus, both globally and locally, away from "corporate shares," and onto "community sharing in the health and welfare of their region," we can address much of the world's food problem. We also have to stop painting agrarian people as ignorant and recognize them for the valuable assets they are and encourage them to share their skills with their neighbors.

This is a fundamental shift in attitude, and it does not favor the powerful agri-giants and their minions. But it is a dramatic step toward addressing food shortages, poverty and the climate crisis, all at one time. By returning to smaller scale, less machinery intensive farming operations we can sequester more carbon in the soil and plants, oxygenate the atmosphere, and start the return to normalcy that will take decades, if not centuries to turn around. If we continue to try and manage agriculture for profit, rather than for people, we sentence the world to further food shortages, climate problems and poverty. Until the governments around the world come to that realization, each of us can make our voices heard in the government, by supporting local farmers, and learning to practice simple farming techniques in our own lives. From a patio garden, to a backyard homestead, to a farmer's market, there are steps that all developing countries can take while we work to help "developing nations," move from their dangerous trend of agri-business to their time honored practices of living within their own climate and geographic means, with sustainable farming practices.

Learn more about this author, Patricia Stewart.
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