Rabbit Hole

https://smallfarmfuture.org.uk/?p=1671

A breakdown of carbon/energy use on small farms. The obvious and more subtle differences between, say, a scythe and a tractor.

I drew Seth’s attention to a little bit of research I did on the Energy Return on Energy Invested (EROEI) of different mowing technologies I conducted on my holding, in which the scythe comes out top.

I think small, self sufficient, homesteads are at an advantage as carbon prices rise (artificially, plus added taxation)

When running a farm for profiteering, sure: More inputs (tech, carbon, $$ time) will mean more profit. But if you are working only for self or family. Simple is cheaper, more reliable, not dependent on outside forces. ESPECIALLY because every market now drives up the costs of the inputs, driving to the thinnest margin, maximizing upstream profits but minimizing for the producer.