F.A. Farm

Last night I sat in on a book reading and discussion by Woody Tasch, author of Inquiries into the Nature of Slow Money: Investing as if Food, Farms, and Fertility Mattered (2008). Of course, this is not a new topic, but some of Tasch's ideas may be doable now that the economy has plunged so far that people are questioning the whole basis of modern economies. Evidently, it is a revolutionary idea that foundations would invest their money in businesses that actually relate to their mission. As an example, a foundation may invest in Monsanto so that the return on their investment can be used to support sustainable agriculture. The 8% or so that the investment returns every year goes to a worthy cause, but 100% of the principal goes to support biological engineering. This is the dirty little secret behind philanthropy. Tasch's suggestion is to work within the grant/philanthropy/foundation system to get small amounts of principal that would actually be used to invest in sustainable businesses. If I read his argument right (which is difficult because he is a terrible public speaker), this is "slow" money, rather than "fast" money that only concerns itself with rapid rates of return.

As usual, Tasch represents yet another scheme that must be marketed and publicized, sending him on jaunts across the country and providing the rationale for organizations that brand themselves as "sustainable" to exist. This strikes me as more of a jobs program for sharp business people who are still trying to surf the crest of the old business model. I did not hear anyone last night propose anything radical - for instance, that 10 people write a check for 10% of their income and give it to a sustainable farmer. I didn't hear any mention of how to get more money for CSA subscription farms. I didn't hear any discussion of how the CSA model stands the current payment model on its head. I didn't hear any discussion on pricing at all. The whole focus of discussion was on how to get more money from foundations by convincing them of the justice of the sustainable "cause." There was a somewhat liberal question on how to stay small, but the usual throwaway answer of looking at successful business models in the marketplace.

The bottom line is that once again, solutions that have to be marketed and discussed endlessly and depend on grant money are really no solutions at all. Individuals and families have to act in their own best interests and go out and support farmers and other local businesses. I can grow more food than I can sell. Until that turns around, all the fancy-dancy authors and marketers are just making money for themselves by giving people false hope.