It is not possible for a small community to manufacture all commodities and provide all services desired unless that community has no need or desire for any modern amenities.  We would be hard pressed to make a shovel, and it would most likely be crude. A smelter also requires some type of fuel to burn as well as the raw materials to build one.

Even if we were willing to live in mud huts (which we’re not), grow all our own crops, and grow cotton or raise sheep for wool to make clothing, we would still not be self-sufficient. Property and other taxes must be paid, which require money, and various commodities are required such as shoes, books, kitchen utensils, and so forth – what to speak of eyeglasses or other medical care. We are dependent upon the local, state, and national governments for defense, legal systems, and other necessities. Invariably some compromise must be made.

An important key to the stability and longevity of a community is that the residents must be in agreement regarding how much compromise is acceptable - immediately and for the near future.

If modern amenities are used, including some source of power, there is still a degree of self-sufficiency if such amenities are purchased with funds acquired by working within the community. This is preferable to working outside a community while having all amenities, which is no different than living in the country and working in the city.

Self-sufficiency is not only about using things that can be produced within a community.  If a community is large enough, it can produce many things – just like a city. Self-sufficiency and especially sustainability means to have as little negative impact on the environment as possible. This science is technically known as permaculture. Permaculture attempts to create sustainable human habitats by analyzing and duplicating nature's ecological patterns.

The earth is the source of all our physical necessities.  Sustainability therefore means to be dependent upon the land; so by nature it cannot be destructive to the environment. Hence any power sources used, as well as use of any machines or electronics should be kept to a minimum and utilized in ways that have the least negative impact on the environment.

The carrying capacity of the land must always be considered.  An ideal community can result in many other people being attracted, but the carrying capacity of the land will restrict the number of people who can live in a community. Once a community is full, no one else can join it unless the community purchases more land.

Each person must be contributing something of value to the community.  What is valuable in such a community may be much different than what is considered valuable in a modern city. The degree of self-sufficiency and sustainability will be determined by the degree to which we are able to meet our primary and secondary needs from within the community, and therefore such skills are generally the most valuable.  

The long-term goals and purposes must also be considered.  A rural community of 50 people could eventually become a city if the community is attractive, but that is opposed to our purposes. Our future community planning must always be toward sustainability. We must also always consider our Community Supporters who are living and working in urban areas, as we will be providing a safe haven for them during catastrophic events in the city. 

In North America few people will live in a simple hut and use oxen to till the land. Of course if a large-scale disaster were to happen many people might be glad to have even such minimal facility. But starting rural communities on this basis equates to a much longer time to become established, much less participation, less ability to help and teach others, and a greatly reduced chance of providing adequate shelter to our Supporters coming from the cities in a time of emergency.

We will establish the community relatively quickly while planning for greater self-sufficiency in stages.  We can still use the principles of green energy, conservation of resources, and natural and organic methods even from inception. Over time more and more natural methods will be implemented.

This subject can be broken down into component subjects that all form a part of self-sufficiency. Please see the topics of Providing Necessities, as well as Project Overview and Development Phases for further information. The subject of self-sufficiency is discussed throughout our web site.

Next - (Necessities) Providing Necessities