Agrarianism Makes A Comeback?

With the cost of oil rising to unprecedented heights, and the economy tanking, at least one farmer is finding relief in a return to the old ways.

High gas prices have driven a Warren County farmer and his sons to hitch a tractor rake to a pair of mules to gather hay from their fields.

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"This fuel's so high, you can't afford it," he said. "We can feed these mules cheaper than we can buy fuel. That's the truth."

If you think this isn't a viable solution to the problem, you really should watch this film, and learn how Cuba has made this model work.

When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990, Cuba's economy went into a tailspin. With imports of oil cut by more than half – and food by 80 percent – people were desperate. This film tells of the hardships and struggles as well as the community and creativity of the Cuban people during this difficult time. Cubans share how they transitioned from a highly mechanized, industrial agricultural system to one using organic methods of farming and local, urban gardens.

Which reminds me, when is the U.S. going to end its ridiculous blockade and economic sanctions against Cuba? The blockade hasn't worked for anyone, and clearly there are some lessons that can be learned from Fidel Castro's government.