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Hauling garden amendments via electric bicycle trailer

Resiliency is a worthwhile pursuit.

In the age of Peak Oil, in the decline of the American Empire, in the urgent face of climate change, in the rise of the Green + Go Local movements, this is one North American family’s journey (awkward, groping, often mis-stepped) towards resiliency.

To re-purpose grass farmer Joel Salatin’s words: “We ask for too much salvation by legislation. All we need to do is empower individuals with the right philosophy and the right information to opt out en masse.”

This blog details these “opt out” experiments so others can opt out en masse without suffering our same learning curve. We invest our time, talent, and treasure with these experiments – both personally and professionally - to bring positive change to our world. It’s much better than the alternatives (complaining, worrying, giving up).

Personally, we are learning practical skills (e.g. farming) by ourselves and in conjunction with our neighbors. Individual self-reliance is not the goal. Community-based self reliance is much more attractive.

Professionally, my wife focuses on direct help to people through social work and Health & Wellness coaching. For my part, I focus on building triple bottom line businesses, both for-profit and non-profit. Thus far I’ve done that via eco and fair trade products, the abolitionist movement, teaching sustainability and advising MBA schools, and building resiliency into local communities.

Feel free to dive deep via the chapters at right, do a quick search for your favorite topic, or start at the beginning.

Your thoughts and comments are always welcome at optoutenmasse at gmail dot com.