Prepper Sharecropping
Dr. John Woods 01.14.20
Back in the day when I was a kid it was common for farm “help” families to share with the farm owner in the work and the profit yields. That was known as sharecropping. It gave the workers an extra incentive to put in an additional level of effort since they would benefit from producing a good crop. This is something that preppers can consider for sharing a garden or other food producing investment.
In some urban areas it is possible to find co-operative sites that allow people to plant gardens for personal use. If you can find a willing partner to share in the cost and work the produce coming from such a garden could be shared to help each family. There are issues here of course in working out a truly shared yield, but also in protecting your own investment from outside pilfering. Choose your sharecrop location carefully.
Such situations can work for those planning a bug in or a bug out. All you need is to isolate a piece of ground that can be tilled for planting a host of vegetables. It is amazing that small areas of vacant land can be found for planting a garden. Right up from my house now in a residential area is a vacant lot that could be used for such as purpose. Look around and be creative as to what you can find.
If you go this route, lay out a planting plan and document the cost of the effort. You’ll need basic tools, which you may already have, seeds, plants, fertilizer, and maybe insect sprays or powders and other supplies to install a garden to keep it viable. The labor is your contribution to the effort hopefully shared by a partner. Proceed cautiously so that all parties involved are satisfied with the arrangements.
In many areas, there are also truck farms or commercial farms that allow individuals to pick their own vegetables or fruits for a reasonable cost. Get a friend or partner family to share in the harvest of veggies, apples, peaches, berries, melons, whatever crop is available. Share in the work to clean and shell peas, beans, snap beans, and such. Maybe you can also try canning and bottling various produce for later use. Sharing the work and the cost is the idea.
Sharecropping is just another alternative for a prepper family or team to combine efforts to benefit everyone. Co-Op ventures can be a good way to divide the efforts and enjoy the results.
