Re: Size of plot for subsistence farming

["Neil, David M" <NEILDM@inel.gov>]

     Research on this was done, years ago, at the research facility
     operated in Hendersonville NC and sponsored by
     _The_Mother_Earth_News_.  At the time, a treatise/manual was
     published, probably through the in-house publishing division.  As the
     magazine has changed hands since then, the information may no longer
     be available through them, but it's a starting point.

     My recollection is that it was possible at around six acres, but their
     assumptions may have been different than what you are working to.

     Dave Neil
     neildm@inel.gov
     maclir@if.rmci.net


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Size of plot for subsistence farming
Author:  RADSAFE (INELMAIL.RADSAFE) at _EMS
Date:    12/4/97 1:08 PM


Does anyone have any information on the size of a plot necessary to grow=20
an individual's or family's food requirements in a subsistence or rural=20
residential setting?  I seem to recall an NRC document estimating the=20
size but cannot locate the reference.  I'm currently planning on using=20
the estimated crop yield (kg/m=FD) in relation to standard ingestion rate=
s=20
per age groups to approximate the land requirements. =20

Any insights/references would be appreciated.  Please send your replies=20
directly to me.

Sincerely,
Andrew H. Thatcher, MSHP, CHP
Washington Department of Health
360-586-8715 voice
360-753-1496 fax
dht0303@hub.doh.wa.gov