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'No matter what's going on ... I can eat'

News Type: Event — Mon Oct 12, 2009 5:26 PM EDT
john-brecher

Linda Westphal, 61, had already retired when the economic downturn hit. Her husband Bruce, 65, was still working, but the deflating stock market shrunk their nest egg. While Linda wanted to supplement their income, she was worried that finding a job in Elkhart would mean taking a source of income away from another family.

Seeing that she already had sunshine and yard space, Linda instead focused on growing food for her family this summer. She read books, took classes from the Michiana Master Gardeners and set up raised beds and a compost bin in her backyard. In addition to vegetables, which help her stretch her food budget, gardening yielded a sense of purpose.

"Dependency certainly isn't leading us to a good place, whether it's oil or General Mills," she said. "To be able to say no matter what's going on in the world, I can eat -- that's a pretty powerful thing."

Watch the video above to learn more about how Westphal's garden grows.

Or click here to read about another kind of garden that Elkhart County hopes will help get it through the recession.

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{"commentId":10034410,"authorDomain":"Rixar13"}
Rixar13

My immediate thought is distress but, it is amazing how some Americans are resilient and take steps to survive.

the deflating stock market shrunk their nest egg

I'm glad that I never invested in the Stock Market as it seems more like a high powered gambling casino.

{"commentId":10034410,"threadId":"699817","contentId":"3374788","authorDomain":"Rixar13"}
  • 1 vote
Reply#1 - Mon Oct 12, 2009 7:41 PM EDT
{"commentId":10043970,"authorDomain":"hawkeye1234"}
HAWKEYE1234

I think we all should raise food and live with solar lites.

to hell with big oil and big electric companies; do what are grandparents get up with the sun and go to bed with the sun. that would put a damper on these crooks. good for you lady keep it up.

{"commentId":10043970,"threadId":"699817","contentId":"3374788","authorDomain":"hawkeye1234"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#2 - Tue Oct 13, 2009 11:19 AM EDT
{"commentId":10048704,"authorDomain":"starshine269"}
Penny-598107

I have the knowledge and desire but like many others I have no land to do this...

{"commentId":10048704,"threadId":"699817","contentId":"3374788","authorDomain":"starshine269"}
    Reply#3 - Tue Oct 13, 2009 1:12 PM EDT
    {"commentId":10061483,"authorDomain":"tina1970"}
    Tina1970

    exactly I live in an apartment. and I have two cats. where would I plant stuff? even if I put stuff in pots, the cats would rip it up

    {"commentId":10061483,"threadId":"699817","contentId":"3374788","authorDomain":"tina1970"}
      #3.1 - Tue Oct 13, 2009 5:13 PM EDT
      {"commentId":10067273,"authorDomain":"tijerasgirl"}
      TijerasGirl

      I have 2 cats and grow plants inside. Cover the dirt with rocks (and do NOT plant catnip) and they'll stay out of them. I supplement sunlight with a cheap tiny flourescent under-the-counter fixture that I already had and use our $150 solar panel kit (from Harbor Freight tools) to power it along with several other lights. Where there's a will - there's a way.

      {"commentId":10067273,"threadId":"699817","contentId":"3374788","authorDomain":"tijerasgirl"}
        #3.2 - Tue Oct 13, 2009 9:56 PM EDT
        Reply
        {"commentId":10059618,"authorDomain":"gretchha-1"}
        gigi1968-1108124

        I think we should all go live in caves.

        {"commentId":10059618,"threadId":"699817","contentId":"3374788","authorDomain":"gretchha-1"}
          Reply#4 - Tue Oct 13, 2009 4:20 PM EDT
          {"commentId":10060985,"authorDomain":"webferret"}
          webferret

          We all might have to become more self-sufficient. At the rate everything keeps going up in price, and our household income declining, I might have to do this to keep food on the table!

          {"commentId":10060985,"threadId":"699817","contentId":"3374788","authorDomain":"webferret"}
          • 1 vote
          Reply#5 - Tue Oct 13, 2009 4:54 PM EDT
          {"commentId":10061349,"authorDomain":"intheveins"}
          In the Veins

          Get your family and friends together, buy some land, apply for "Religious" tax exemption (You can start your own Religion), become self-sufficient with a tight knit community, live off the grid.

          We all come into this life not knowing the purpose. I do know that the human experience is not to pay taxes and worship the dollar.

          Free yourselves my countrymen, we have the power, all it takes is action.

          {"commentId":10061349,"threadId":"699817","contentId":"3374788","authorDomain":"intheveins"}
          • 2 votes
          Reply#6 - Tue Oct 13, 2009 5:08 PM EDT
          {"commentId":10063494,"authorDomain":"dco777"}
          DCO777

          the deflating stock market shrunk their nest egg.

          Some people should talk to a investment adviser. If you are retired or within 2 years of retirement and COMPETENT adviser will tell you to be 20% or less in stocks. It's standard advice

          I bailed out of the stock market in 1999 expecting the crash and lost a year of profits. Some of my co-workers lost half their 401K in the tech crash, I didn't.

          As the movie character said; "Stupid is as Stupid does". The warnings of bank and mortgage crisis-es were talked about widely in July and August 2008.

          The stock market has risks like anything. If you're to stupid to mange them plans have funds that are cash based and you won't lose money. You won't make much profit but you'll only be behind the inflation rate that exceeds your small gains in those funds.

          {"commentId":10063494,"threadId":"699817","contentId":"3374788","authorDomain":"dco777"}
          • 2 votes
          Reply#7 - Tue Oct 13, 2009 6:55 PM EDT
          Reply
          {"commentId":10077289,"authorDomain":"growfood"}
          william martin-1411143

          This is a wonderful example of how people are able to be more self-sufficient and grow their own food. Anyone can do it!

          I've been growing our own raised beds gardens too, and our family had so many fresh veggies this year - it was so great. There is a great website, www.onemilliongardens.com that can help you learn how to grow.

          Be sure to use heirloom seeds, so they will reproduce every year and provide you with more. A good source for seeds is www.ediblegardens.com

          Happy Gardening!

          {"commentId":10077289,"threadId":"699817","contentId":"3374788","authorDomain":"growfood"}
            Reply#8 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 12:30 PM EDT
            {"commentId":10153022,"authorDomain":"prairiemom"}
            PrairieMom-1418682

            We put a garden in every year, however, this year we doubled a lot of our crops to share with our neighbors. It was a blessing to be able to provide fresh produce to our family and friends and still have enough for ourselves.

            I recommend purchasing Heritage seed packets so that you can save your own seeds and replant year after year.

            Enjoy every minute!

            OurDresserToYours

            {"commentId":10153022,"threadId":"699817","contentId":"3374788","authorDomain":"prairiemom"}
              Reply#9 - Sun Oct 18, 2009 8:31 PM EDT
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