Some years ago, I took up the challenge to grow my own protein. It was some in response to homesteaders who claimed you needed animals in your garden cycle. While I think a small family farm may be able to grow animal protein sustainably, I do not believe it is sustainable for our planet. In addition to pasture, you also have to grow fields of hay, corn and other grains to feed your cows through the winter. Pigs may root for some of their food, but they don’t graze and require to be fed all year round. That’s a lot of land.
From these two 50 foot rows of black beans and pinto beans, I harvested nearly 15 pounds! The most I have ever grown is 35 lbs. in one year, including Navy beans and kidney beans.
I pull the pods off the vines as soon as they change from green to yellow and become soft, so I can get to the beans before the Mexican Bean Beetles and other insects start munching holes in them.
I shell the beans while I watch TV at night and then place them in my dehydrator to finish off the drying.
It is a lot of work, not really cost effective, but I am learning that should I truly need to (come the apocalypse or World War 3), I can grow all the protein I need myself!
More pictures