writinginthewild.com

SPIN stands for S-mall P-lot IN-tensive

SPIN-Farming is a non-technical, easy-to-learn and inexpensive-to-implement vegetable farming system that makes it possible to earn significant income from land bases under an acre in size. Whether you are new to farming, or want to farm in a new way, SPIN can work for you because:

* Its precise revenue targeting formulas and organic-based techniques make it possible to gross $50,000+ from a half- acre.
* You don’t need to own land. You can affordably rent or barter a small piece of land adequate in size for SPIN-Farming production.
* It works in either the city, country or small town.
* It fits into any lifestyle or life cycle.

SPIN is being practiced by first generation farmers because it removes the two big barriers to entry – land and capital – as well as by established farmers who want to diversify or downsize, as well as by part-time hobby farmers.

What is Spin Farming?

I watched “Earth 2100” the other night and it was so effective at communicating a sense of slow-moving doom that I had to go find something to clear my often-pessimistic political palate. The “Spin” plan is one of those simple, clear-headed ideas that seem so obvious that it’s hard to believe it’s not common practice.

It’s also interesting to think about what the site calls “first generation” farmers. I think it’s easy to see history as very linear: we lost all or most of the small farms and most of us left the countryside for the city and suburb and there’s no going back. The Spin folks seem to suggest all sorts of other ideas.

Maybe, a rust-belt city like Detroit, now being laced with small garden plots and farms, will become the model of a sustainable culture. Maybe]some of us will become farmers again. Instead of isolated, large scale plots of land, though, they will weave their farms into the ruins. It’s a great thought.