Rita had small children when suddenly the buses stopped running, the lights went out, and food was very difficult to come by. This emergency went on for years – not the weeks or months of a simple weather event. Hear Rita tell in her own words how she got by and managed to keep up the spirits of not only her family, but the neighborhood around her.
Listen at the end when I ask Rita for advice for Americans who are preparing for economic collapse here in the US. Then start your first garden, buy some rabbits or chickens, and buy the video set that will teach you how to grow food and turn your backyard into an organic food producing paradise.
Marjory Wildcraft is an Expedition Leader and Bioneer Blogger with The [Grow] Network, which is an online community that recognizes the wisdom of “homegrown food on every table.” Marjory has been featured as an expert on sustainable living by National Geographic, she is a speaker at Mother Earth News fairs, and is a returning guest on Coast to Coast AM. She is an author of several books, but is best known for her “Grow Your Own Groceries” video series, which is used by more than 300,000 homesteaders, survivalists, universities, and missionary organizations around the world.
COMMENTS(27)
There are some differences.
1. Cuba became communist and government took over all property, jobs, etc.
2. The free world imposed a unilateral embargo that kept tourists out, goods scarce
3. Cars, trucks, tractors, machinery suddenly was limited to things already on hand
4. Food imports ceased
Our economic collapse is missing ALL of these factors.
1. We will need to produce most of our own food
2. Repair parts, fuel, vehicles, etc will become scarce and expensive but will not experience what Cuba did
3. It will be an exaggerated version do what the depression was
Norman,
I think there are many similarities with what the US will experience.
– we import 60%-65% of our oil which will all stop flowing once dollars are worthless.
– the US is heavily invested in conventional, large-scale agriculture that will come to a screeching halt without fuel and chemicals.
– Americans will be stuck with whatever car or trucks they have and and can fix on hand. Can you imagine your car – yes, the one parked outside right now – the only car you’ll have for the next 60 years? If you live tat long…
– No one will embargo the US, but who will be able to come help? Who will want to?
But yes, the Great Depression is probably the closest thing we know of, and this will be far worse. That is exactly why you need to be able to grow your own food.
could not understand anything, and the closed captions were horrible….could you give us a sensible transcript of this conversation?
Really Wink? I have someone specially editing the captions and she takes a lot of pride in her work. But let me check the transcripts myself.
Beautiful English… From A Cuban… Conversation Does… Strike At… The Centre… Of The Heart… Of A Listener… In Tune… To The Subject… Surely Rita… Deserves A… Second Interview… Should She… Encourages Herself… To Direct… To Her Chinese… CounterParts… Or WhoEver… Has Gone… Through A Period… Of Difficulty… Or Depression… And Has… Become A Homer… Or Such… Like Poet… To Convey… The Spirit… Of Survival… First Handedly…
Hi Vincent,
I certainly do hope to get back to Cuba sometime, hah, I didn’t get hardly any dancing in! but I hope to get back just because they are the world leaders in sustainable;e organic agriculture… by necessity! but still, its an amazing.
Rita is an amazing woman and I feel truly blessed to have gotten to spend time with her. She is the kind of woman you want to be around any time, but as you saw in the interview, especially during a crisis.
This interview was extremely enlightening. Thank you so much for the investigative efforts and to Rita for sharing her experiences. As much as we ‘feel’ we are prepared, this interview of actual experiences brings reality closer. I had thought of the absence or lack of available food, however, I had not thought about soap. Now you have me thinking about toilet paper..another hygiene necessity.
Again, THANK YOU for sharing !!!
Hi Janet,
You know, even today – 20 years later – and Cuba is still not really out of the collapse thing, it is a very poor country.
I asked the organizers of the trip what small gifts I could bring and they told me personal hygiene. I just couldn’t quite believe that so I brought gardening related stuff.
But while we were standing around outside of a farmers market some Cubans came up and wanted to trade with us for – shampoo.
Have you seen the videos and articles I’ve done on ‘Apocalyptic Hair Doo” Yeah, its kind of funny, tongue in cheek humor, but with a very serious intent.
Thanks for these stories from people who’ve been through it in Cuba. I was particularly moved by Rita. She is a wise woman!
Thanks Debbie.
There is something so wonderful and moving about being forced out of the mechanized, wasteful, consumption oriented individualism of modern day capitalism into a reconnection with reality! The reality of what it takes to live sustainably on all levels – physical, emotional, cultural and spiritual.
I think Rita is so right about a socialist society being much better prepared for an economic collapse than the US society. They are about pooling their resources to make sure that the foundations of humane society are available to all – health and dental care, food, basic housing, work, education, arts, infrastructure, etc. They are about sharing so that they ALL have those basic things…really the only things we actually NEED to live healthy, productive lives. Here in the US, in general, we are about mine for me and every person for themselves! I think that’s sad, and whatever comes, we will either wake up to the depravity of our culture as it is now and come together to share and help one another, or destroy each another in selfish greed, fighting over things when our economic supply lines dry up!
Thank you and Rita for your generous sharing.
Hi Carole,
Yes, survival of the most cooperative will be how it ends up. But who knows what the journey to that point will bring.
Seriously Carole? Communism fixes everything? You might want to re-examine your history there. Our problem now is that this disgusting hybrid we have now that we call capitalism is NOTHING like a free market. Yes, we must take care of each other but these redistributive government schemes are nothing but legalized covetousness and theft. A return to God would be much more beneficial.
I’m really enjoying your interviews in Cuba. Thanks!
I read the comments from someone who lived in the collapse and war in Yugoslavia. They had also treated conditions holistically and said fungus was one of the biggest problems when they lost access to a normal personal hygiene routine.
When asked what he could have done in advance if he knew what was coming beforehand, he said bic lighters were what everybody wanted. They last forever and aren’t damaged if they get wet. He keeps a case on hand at all times now. They are a cheap preparation and great for barter.
Hi Dustin,
Yes, I’ve read that too. And I am starting to write up my list – don’t we all have one? of items that are currently cheap or even free, that will be immensely valuable after collapse. There are a bunch of them too that have a super long ‘shelf life’, like sugar, salt, guns, tools, alcohol, etc.
I just ordered a book about the US Civil War from the women’s perspective – not battles or strategy – but how did people eat or get by with the constant supply disruptions and shortages. Once I finish the book I’ll write about it.
Hey, if you’ve got a barter / trade item suggestion for the list, let me know.
I’m afraid that I have to confirm Wink’s comment about not being able to understand the video, and another Cuban video as well. Even with the volume cranked way up, the words were very difficult to hear.
Otherwise, great and valuable information.
Thanks Chris D
Chris,
thank you somuch for writing in. What computer and browser are you using? I’ll see what I can do to work this out.
This was a great eye-opening interview. I think the valuable information was about the state of mind she kept and encouraged. I wonder how the American people, geared to armed protection would change the story. I more worry about violence than anything else. The Cuban story almost sounds like a better situation in the long run than the computer-driven society now-days. I know it was terribly hard, but they eventually had a more natural lifestyle. Our society in America would turn to violence in many cases instead of working together as they did. Just a different culture.
Hi Peggy,
I also think that there is much more likely to be a lot of violence – not everywhere, but certainly more in the big cities where it is much easier to be anonymous.
I fell a big part of why Cuba did not get so violent is because they are a small, tightly knit, island nation. Americans move every what? 5 years? We hardly know our own families..
And, there will certainly be areas where a strong community prevails. And if the leadership is good, it will probably have a bit easier time.
Rita is an amazing woman. She makes me want to go back to a “simpler” life style. Although it can be hard work, it is working together as a family and community. I see more connectedness and creativity in her story. There can be great satisfaction in overcoming the challenges life can hurl at us. Thank you for sharing.
Judy M
Yes, Rita is awesome. Wish she were my neighbor!
Blessings yes evey year things will get worse in every way including weather..am a reseasher have 59 yrs experiance..
Michael More done a amazing report on Cuban medical system..which for the none millioner, is in many ways better than U..SA..also free…I certainly was impressed..
Clean water is maybe most importantant area..Will go to capitals sice my sreen is only 12 inch..
APOLOGIES 4 THIS…I TOTALLY AREE, NOW IS THE TIME TO LEARN TO DO YR OWN GROWING EVEN IF IT IS IN POT PLANT POTS..4 MANY RESONS, ALSO SINCE QUALITY FOOD NOW HARD TO GET..
DID WROTE A LONG MAIL BUT THE PC LOST IT PITY..
BLESSING JOHN..KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK..”DOING GOOD ALWAYS COST.. SO ALSO GOOD… IS ALWAYS REWARDED”
Thnks John.
I’ve got another interview with Fernando Aguirre – survivor of the Argentinian collapse coming up soon. Stay tuned!
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Thanks and good luck.
Rita gave us good advice helpful in our future…
Thanks to Both of you
Hi Marjory – How to get those 3 videos above to work?