#476 Food Security Is National Security: Grow Local, Support Ranchers & Rebuild Resilience

And Another Thing With Dave, by Dave Smith

Food security is national security. In this episode, Dave explores how fragile supply chains, the loss of local ranches and dairies, corporate consolidation, and over-regulation are making communities more vulnerable — and what everyday people can do about it. From container gardening and microgreens to beef shares, grass-fed beef, community gardens, fruit trees, and simple regenerative practices, this is a practical call to grow more of your own food, support local producers, and rebuild resilient local food systems. Resources include EWG’s Clean 15/Dirty Dozen and tips for healthier choices around seed oils and glyphosate.

• Produce as much food as possible as close to home as possible — fresh is everything and short supply chains are more resilient.
• You don’t need acreage: container gardening, vertical systems, microgreens, and indoor growing (lettuce, sprouts) work in small spaces.
• Local ranchers and dairies are disappearing through a mix of high land values, succession issues, environmental pressure, buyouts, and regulation. Supporting them directly (e.g., beef shares) cuts out middlemen and improves quality.
• Grass-fed, grass-finished beef is nutritionally different from grain-finished product.
• Simple regenerative habits matter: feed the soil, save and scatter seeds, chop-and-drop, bury kitchen scraps, plant for pollinators, and prioritize fruit-bearing trees and community gardens.
• Practical consumer steps: use EWG’s Clean 15 / Dirty Dozen, rinse produce (baking soda + water), minimize seed oils, and be cautious with conventional grains due to pre-harvest glyphosate use.
• Cities and communities can do more than allow farmers’ markets — they can create productive gardens on public and vacant land.

Resources Mentioned

• Environmental Working Group (EWG) — ewg.orgClean 15 / Dirty Dozen shopping guides and product toxicity ratings (including sunscreen, etc.).
• Direct from local producers — Look for beef shares / herd shares and farm-direct sales in your area.
• Dave’s writing & social

• • Substack: Deep Dives with Dave
  • Medium: Deep Dives with Dave
  • Instagram: @BetterTodaywithDave

Deep Dives with Dave | David Smith | Substack

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