Today we welcome Samantha Burns, an unschooling homesteader from Maine, who blogs at Runamuk Acres.
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It seems like there are a lot of very busy families out there these days. Families busy with school and work, after-school programs, sports and other extra-curricular activities; everyone rushing to and fro, needing mobile devices just to stay connected with one another. Yet even as they're rushing off to soccer practice, those families are yearning for something—less. They're yearning for a slower lifestyle. And with all the talk in the media of sustainability, many of those busy families are wondering if there is some way that they too can enjoy that fabled way of living.
As an unschooling mom of two rowdy boys, and owner/operator of a budding agribusiness affectionately named “Runamuk," I have to say, "Yes!." Of course you can slow down; of course you can practice sustainability even if you are not living rurally on a homestead. Families in all walks of life can practice sustainability just by keeping a few key concepts in mind:
1. Remember the three 'R's: Reduce, reuse, and recycle.
No matter where or how you live, there are ways to reduce your dependance on, what we in the agribusiness call, off-farm in-puts. Reduce your energy use, reduce your shopping list to meager necessities, reduce your holiday extravagance and focus more on time spent with family, reduce the amount of traveling you do (and for people in cities where there is public transportation, save your gas and ride the bus!). Schedule fewer activities and enjoy more time together as a family—it will save you time, money, stress, and strengthen the bonds between you and your children. Find creative ways to reuse things around the house. Encourage the whole family to help, brainstorm together. If you don't already recycle—start! Participate in your local recycling program and enlist the whole family; if you don't have a local program, start a campaign to establish one in your home-town.
No matter where or how you live, there are ways to reduce your dependance on, what we in the agribusiness call, off-farm in-puts. Reduce your energy use, reduce your shopping list to meager necessities, reduce your holiday extravagance and focus more on time spent with family, reduce the amount of traveling you do (and for people in cities where there is public transportation, save your gas and ride the bus!). Schedule fewer activities and enjoy more time together as a family—it will save you time, money, stress, and strengthen the bonds between you and your children. Find creative ways to reuse things around the house. Encourage the whole family to help, brainstorm together. If you don't already recycle—start! Participate in your local recycling program and enlist the whole family; if you don't have a local program, start a campaign to establish one in your home-town.
2. Go GREEN whenever you can.
One green action today will lead to another tomorrow, and soon enough you will find yourself on the path to a more sustainable lifestyle. Optimize your energy usage, weatherize your home, use energy-efficient CFL or LED light-bulbs, conserve water. Avoid harsh chemicals like soaps and cleaners, insecticides and herbicides; they're not good for your family and they're not good for the environment. Use less plastic—and this is easier said than done in today's modern world, but if you only switch to reusable shopping bags you will be making a major contribution.
3. Buy local.
Many products travel thousands of miles to reach us; buying locally saves resources, and also ensures that the money you spend stays within your community. Buy from small businesses in your area, you'd be surprised what's available within a twenty-mile radius. Shop at your local farmer's market or participate in a farm-CSA (community supported agriculture), many small farms these days offer organically grown produce or pasture-raised meats. By getting to know your farmer you are getting to know your food, the methods used to produce it, what's been sprayed on it, and how long it's been sitting there. You will foster in your children a sense of pride in their community, as well as teaching them to make healthier food choices and fighting childhood obesity.
4. Connect with nature.
Studies show that families who spend time outdoors regularly raise healthier, happier kids and inspire a life-long appreciation of wildlife and nature. That appreciation in turn fosters the desire to protect nature, which is the heart of any green initiative. Schedule annual visits to a state or national park near you, go hiking, birdwatching, camping or fishing. Even just observing wildlife in your own backyard can be a powerful motivator for children and grown-ups alike. Set up a bird-feeder and watch the birds that frequent it. Observe insects and teach your children not to fear them; many are beneficial to our gardens, and all of them are necessary as part of the food chain. Growing plants teaches your children the value of living things and how plants work, even if you live in a high-rise apartment building you can grow food for your family to consume—try container planting on your balcony or patio, grow micro-greens or sprouts on your kitchen counter. Learn more about nature; read books about nature with your kids, and watch documentaries on television like “Planet Earth”, “Life”, or “Shark Week”--make it a special event for the whole family and really celebrate the beauty and magnificence of this planet with your children.
5. Get involved.
Lead by example. Inspire your family to get involved by participating in a course like the Master Gardener's program or a Food-Preservation class, both offered by your local Cooperative Extension. Read books, magazines and other publications to learn more about what's happening to the world around you and what you can do to change your own life. Join a club or an organization--like your local chapter of the Audubon Society, recycling committee, or other such environmental association. When your family is ready to participate, consider joining a local 4-H group, helping with an Earth Day clean-up project, an Arbor Day event or work with any number of citizen science projects to help scientists collect data about wildlife while teaching your children the value of nature and community involvement.
One of my favorite quotes comes from Teddy Roosevelt; he once said: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Begin with one, small change, and when you're ready make another, then another. Every little bit counts. Your family may rebel a bit in the beginning—change is never easy. But if you persevere, I promise you they will thank you for it someday; and you will feel good about it too. What's more is that when the people around you see the goodness of the changes your family has made, you will inspire them to make changes as well. A simpler, more sustainable lifestyle is within your reach, and you can start today—right now.
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Samantha Burns is the unschooling mamma of two rowdy boys, as well as the owner/operator at Runamuk Micro-Farm in Maine. She is a certified Master Gardener, licensed beekeeper, and President of the Somerset chapter of the Maine State Beekeepers Association, working closely with the local Cooperative Extension to teach the surrounding communities more about beekeeping and pollinators. To learn more about her endeavors to live sustainably check out the Runamuk-blog at runamukacres.com.
This is an excellent post. Thank you for sharing! I love the idea of starting with just a couple of things you can commit to. I cringe every single time I go to Walmart to go grocery shopping where there are rarely items that are locally grown or made. :) Kerry, I have really been enjoying your blog since I found it. I have 3 children (6, 4, & 1), we live in Utah and homeschool as well. I am on a path of trying to living a more simple, stress free life and your ideas have been great.
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