Georgics -- New or Old Tradition?

To those who may not be familiar with the term Georgics my "readers digest condensed" answer is Sustainable or Provident Living.  That's my short answer, but it really goes much, much deeper than that!!

Georgics is a term and a principle of living that has been lost to the American Tradition -- but it was a vital part of what our Founding Fathers and society as a whole practiced at the roots of our nation's founding. I first learned about it from Oliver DeMille's lecture The Four Lost American Ideals -- which I highly recommend you listen to. His introduction to Georgics and the principles that are so intertwined with freedom has helped me see what has been missing in the heartbeat of America for over 100 years!

There is also an essay called, "Founders as Farmers: The Greek Georgic Tradition and the Founders" by Bruce Thorton which is found the book Vital Remnants: America's Founding and the Western Tradition compiled by Gary L Gregg II. 

Thorton refers to the poet Virgil and his Georgics  poem in conjunction with how the American Founders worked and lived. He compares and contrasts these two periods and societies. The principles from both periods are connected to the ability for the people to be free and how the founders created a nation which allowed individuals and families to prosper in freedom. 

Today, most of our society is tied (held prisoner to) the food manufacturers and distributors.  But, the ironic thing is we do not have to be stuck with them! There are so many many issues connected with this over industrialized and limited distribution channels of food production today -- which I won't go into here. If you're reading this  post I'm likely preaching to the choir.

However think about it, if we had an earthquake of the magnitude they say we're way long overdue for, how many people will survive in the weeks and months following? Do we individually have enough knowledge on how to live without refrigeration? Do we know how to collect water and ensure its drinkable? Do we know how to dress a bird, grow grain, let alone bake bread?  You know where I'm going here!

Lets make sure we know how to do these things -- its time for a restoration of time honored principles of sustainable and provident living which will allow us to preserve the freedom to live our lives fully and purposefully.

We have plans to offer a Georgics workshop series with William and Vernie DeMille soon. Watch the site for upcoming details.