[Pil-pc-oceania] Russia's "Private Garden-plot Act" (July 2003)

[Linda Shewan]

Science - The Secret Teachings of plants has the first half of the book talk about the science of the heart and how scientific research is in fact finally realising that the heart IS an organ of perception, not just a pump!

And as wah wah as Anastasia is, the effect on the Russian population has been that millions of people are creating eco-communities and growing trees, fruit and vegetables - and everyone in permaculture must applaud that. Official statistics - in 2004 Russian gardening families grew 33 million tonnes of potatoes (93% of Russia's total output), 11.5 million tonnes of vegetables (80%) and 3.2 million tonnes of fruit and berries (81%).

It has had Vladimir Putin sign into federal law (in July 2003) the "Private Garden-plot Act" which gives rights to all families free of charge a plot of land in private inheritable ownership. Size differs between regions but usually between 1 and 3 hectares. The produce grown on the land is not subject to taxation but may be sold for profit. In 2006 parliament put into law another act to further facilitate the acquisition of land for gardening.

THIS IS IMPORTANT - imagine what we could achieve with these rights! It's a permies dream come true and imagine the services required of permaculture designers, finally recognised as vital to society!

Another thread talks about what we do in urban situations. These urban Russians, on their dachas, in their spare time, are creating self-reliance and communities - stuff we talk about but seem to be able to make little real movement on. Others are giving up the cities altogether and re-creating oasis in the way of eco-communities in the countryside.

Sometimes when people get intense 'feelings' from books such as Anastasia - rather than 'facts' their heart is stirred to act more creatively and energetically than they would otherwise.

Science has always disputed that organics is healthier - but we feel it, we know it intuitively, that science doesn't see the full picture... just take that thinking a little further.

These types of laws and rights for gardeners could change the world.  This is what we need to be aiming for. Land for everyone, so no-one is reliant on the state. If we could get enough people stirred by Anastasia's vision for the world then we could change our country the way the Russians have (ok - we don't want the military dictatorship and brutality that is going on in Russia as well - but you know what I mean).

Linda