This aberration of Kurt Koffka’s ‘Gestalt Systems Theory’ explains how home production systems empower an individual to become a crucial part of the global sustainable future.
If each individual were to take responsibility and grow a portion of their own daily food requirement within their own living space they could effectively alleviate an immense load on the total global carbon footprint that would ultimately lead to a greater future. However, there are also other benefits to this approach:
5 Reasons why you should have your own food production system in your home.
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Lifestyle
Food is not merely a fuel but a cornerstone of our lives with its roots in individual cultures, experiences and religious rituals. Unfortunately our lifestyles today have become one of convenience with time old traditions being replaced by instant, nutrient-deficient foods.
We need to replace our current fast food mind set with one of convenience and healthy food. Smaller individual systems that incorporate high producing technologies such as aquaponics and hydroponics can be brought into the home and become part of our daily lives and routines. This offers us the convenience and confidence of having fresh, healthy, nutritional food at our fingertips when we want it.
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Awareness
Surrounding social norms such as retail convenience generally constrain the choices available to individuals, and when choices are available they come at a high cost. Cultural and personal preference in diet also plays a major role in the movement of food around the globe. Having a home system offers an individual the power to personalize their wants and needs and effectively reduce carbon footprints globally.
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Design
Modern living has seen an encroachment on available city space and a decrease in available individual space. Due to high land cost in cities, urban farming is not always viable. Green architecture and design of living technologies such as aquaponics and hydroponics should be mutually managed by adapting both plants and fish to the internal controlled temperatures of the home.
Hours of family fun. Image via Cibio.
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Fun
Conventional gardening and food production often involves a fair amount of effort and time which modern living does not allow for. Modern food production should not be time consuming and should be fun, rewarding and involve the whole family. From pH testing, watching a chosen veggie grow, or to taking care of plants and/or fish there is a role for every age group to enjoy.
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Education
“Teaching your children the value of growing their own food is one of life’s great lessons. It teaches them to respect the world around them. It teaches them the value of effort and reward. It teaches them to nurture and appreciate what nature has to offer…..” A CIBIOPHILOSOPHY
Systems within individual homes ensure that children reflect daily on current food practices. It also further allows exploration into other sustainable options. This interactive way of learning explains the journey our food takes from seed to table. One can delve deeper into the inner workings of the systems and explore complex principles in chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, engineering, business studies, and advanced agricultural practices. By further introducing these production systems and learning opportunities into schools we’ll begin to see the leaders of tomorrow adopting and developing even greater sustainable practices.
Teaching sustainable food production in Kwa-Zulu Natal.
In Conclusion
We, in our own individual capacities will never have enough clout to force large agribusiness and retailers to grow or supply responsibly. We can however, put pressure on them financially by adopting a common approach and growing our own. Who knows? Perhaps even they will start adopting sustainable practices. We can but dream!
Best of all, the final payoff for the individual is a reduced footprint and a fun, healthy, cost saving change in lifestyle!