Sovereignty Module: Feed the People
Feed the People
Complete Food Production: From Soil Preparation to Harvest Storage
Complete Food Production: From Soil Preparation to Harvest Storage
A community's survival depends on reliable food production. This campaign covers soil building, crop planning, planting, pest management, harvest, and storage for year-round food security.
Chapter 1: Caloric Crops (Priority Planting)
| Crop | Calories/Acre | Days to Harvest | Storage Life | Climate | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potatoes | 15-18 million | 90-120 | 4-6 months (root cellar) | Cool-temperate | Low |
| Corn (maize) | 12-15 million | 90-120 | 1-2 years (dried) | Warm-temperate | Low |
| Wheat | 6-8 million | 120-150 | 2-5 years (dried) | Temperate | Moderate |
| Rice (paddy) | 8-12 million | 120-180 | 2-5 years (dried) | Warm + water | High |
| Sweet potatoes | 12-15 million | 90-150 | 4-6 months | Warm | Low |
| Beans (dry) | 4-6 million | 80-100 | 2-5 years (dried) | Any temperate | Low |
| Squash (winter) | 3-5 million | 90-120 | 3-6 months | Temperate-warm | Low |
| Oats | 5-7 million | 90-120 | 2-5 years (dried) | Cool-temperate | Low |
| Turnips/rutabaga | 4-6 million | 60-90 | 3-5 months (root cellar) | Cool | Very low |
| Jerusalem artichoke | 8-10 million | 120-150 | Leave in ground (harvest as needed) | Any | Very low |
Priority: Plant potatoes, corn, and beans first. These three provide complete nutrition (carbs, protein, vitamins) and are easy to grow.
Chapter 2: Soil Building
| Amendment | Nutrients Added | Application Rate | Source | Time to Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compost | All (balanced) | 2-4 inches per year | Kitchen/garden waste | Immediate-1 month |
| Animal manure (aged 6+ months) | N, P, K | 1-2 inches per year | Livestock | 1-3 months |
| Wood ash | K, Ca (potassium, calcium) | 1/4 inch per year (max) | Fire pit | Immediate |
| Bone meal | P, Ca (phosphorus, calcium) | 2-4 lbs per 100 sq ft | Animal bones (ground) | 1-3 months |
| Blood meal | N (nitrogen) | 1-2 lbs per 100 sq ft | Slaughter waste | 1-2 weeks |
| Green manure (cover crop) | N (if legume), organic matter | Plant, then turn under | Clover, vetch, rye | 2-4 weeks after turning |
| Biochar | Soil structure, water retention | 5-10% by volume (one time) | Charcoal (crushed fine) | Permanent improvement |
| Lime (calcium carbonate) | Ca, raises pH | 2-5 lbs per 100 sq ft | Limestone, shells | 2-6 months |
Chapter 3: Planting Calendar (Temperate Climate)
| Month | Plant (Direct Seed) | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | Peas, spinach, lettuce, radish | - | - |
| April | Potatoes, onion sets, beets, carrots | Cabbage, broccoli | Spinach (fall-planted) |
| May | Corn, beans, squash, cucumbers | Tomatoes, peppers | Lettuce, radish, peas |
| June | Succession beans, late corn | - | Peas, lettuce, spinach |
| July | Fall brassicas, turnips | - | Beans, early potatoes, garlic |
| August | Fall lettuce, spinach, radish | - | Corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans |
| September | Garlic (for next year), cover crops | - | Squash, potatoes, late tomatoes |
| October | - | - | Root crops, late beans, apples |
| November | - | - | Final harvest before frost |
Chapter 4: Pest Management (No Chemicals)
| Method | Controls | Application | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Companion planting | Various insects | Plant together (e.g., basil + tomatoes) | Moderate |
| Row covers (fabric) | All flying insects | Drape over crops, seal edges | Very high |
| Hand picking | Large insects (beetles, caterpillars) | Daily inspection, remove by hand | High (small scale) |
| Diatomaceous earth | Soft-bodied insects, slugs | Dust on plants (reapply after rain) | High |
| Neem oil spray | Most insects | Spray weekly | Moderate-high |
| Crop rotation (3-4 year) | Soil-borne disease, nematodes | Never same family in same spot 2 years | Very high (long-term) |
| Trap crops | Specific pests | Plant sacrificial crop nearby | Moderate |
| Beneficial insects (attract) | Aphids, caterpillars | Plant flowers (dill, yarrow, clover) | High (takes time to establish) |
Chapter 5: Harvest and Storage
| Crop | Harvest Sign | Storage Method | Storage Conditions | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potatoes | Tops die back | Root cellar (dark, 35-40°F, 90% humidity) | Cool, dark, humid | 4-6 months |
| Corn | Husks dry, kernels dent | Dry on stalk or hang, then shell | Dry (below 14% moisture) | 2-5 years |
| Wheat | Heads golden, kernels hard | Cut, shock, thresh, winnow | Dry, sealed container | 5+ years |
| Beans (dry) | Pods rattle when shaken | Dry on vine, thresh, winnow | Dry, sealed container | 5+ years |
| Squash (winter) | Hard rind, stem dries | Cure 2 weeks in sun, store cool | 50-55°F, dry | 3-6 months |
| Onions | Tops fall over | Cure 2 weeks in sun, braid/hang | Cool, dry, ventilated | 4-8 months |
| Garlic | Lower leaves brown | Cure 2 weeks in shade, braid/hang | Cool, dry | 6-12 months |
| Carrots | Full size (60-80 days) | Leave in ground (mulch heavily) or root cellar | 32-35°F, 95% humidity | 4-6 months |
| Apples | Full color, seeds brown, easy twist-off | Root cellar (wrapped individually) | 32-35°F, 90% humidity | 2-6 months |
Chapter 6: Caloric Self-Sufficiency Planning
| Family Size | Land Needed (intensive) | Land Needed (traditional) | Key Crops | Annual Yield Goal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 1/4 acre | 1/2-1 acre | Potatoes, beans, greens | 2,000 cal/day × 365 = 730,000 cal |
| Family of 4 | 1 acre | 2-3 acres | Potatoes, corn, beans, squash, wheat | 2.9 million cal/year |
| Community of 20 | 5-8 acres | 15-20 acres | Full diversity + livestock | 14.6 million cal/year |
| Community of 100 | 25-40 acres | 80-120 acres | Full agriculture + orchards + livestock | 73 million cal/year |
Rule of thumb: 1/2 acre per person (intensive gardening with good soil) or 2 acres per person (traditional farming with fallow rotation).
Reference Card
- Priority crops: potatoes (most calories/acre), corn, beans. These three = complete nutrition.
- Soil building: compost 2-4 inches/year. Never leave soil bare. Cover crop in off-season.
- Crop rotation: never same plant family in same spot two years running. Prevents disease buildup.
- Seed saving: save from best plants. Dry thoroughly. Store cool and dark. Test germination before planting.
- Storage: root cellar (35-40°F, 90% humidity) for potatoes, carrots, beets. Dry storage for grains and beans.
- Land per person: 1/2 acre intensive, 2 acres traditional. Plan for surplus (bad years happen).
- Three Sisters: corn + beans + squash planted together. Corn = structure for beans. Beans = nitrogen. Squash = ground cover.
- Harvest timing: too early = low yield. Too late = rot/pest damage. Learn each crop's signs of maturity.
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