Everyone knows that the five stages of grief are shock, disbelief, anger, compromise, and acceptance. I have been stuck in the “anger” stage of grief over the demise of McClelland Tobacco Company for some time now. Not that I am angry at the McNiels necessarily, but I am angry over the situation. They did not close the doors due to lack of interest, but rather because of the loss of traditional tobacco aging techniques and, consequently, the unavailability of the high-quality leaf that defined their products. The loss of McClelland tobacco is a symptom of a larger problem, which is itself the result of economic and legislative forces.
Being stuck in the “anger” stage of grief means that I find myself unwilling to move into the “compromise” stage. This, combined with the large amount of literature I’ve read over the years on agrarian, community-based subsidiarity and civil disobedience, has got me thinking...
What would it take to form a non-profit co-op made up of dedicated smokers for the purpose of producing high-quality leaf and processing it using traditional techniques? The product would not be “sold,” since it is already owned by the co-op members from the beginning, thus avoiding FDA regulations. It would be more of a “hobby farm” supported by a large number of enthusiasts around the country/world who would be able to reap the benefits of traditional farming and production methods. It may even qualify as a cultural heritage program.
Of course, the co-op would have to start very small. Maybe not on a farm, per se, but rather in someone’s back yard. In fact, it wouldn't even have to be "official" in a legislative sense. Just amateur gardeners supporting one another. Knowledge and experience would be harder to come by. Blending techniques would also need to be learned. (I wonder if they cover these things in any of the old Foxfire books?) Of course, some of our own members are already dabbling in this sort of thing... (I’m looking at you, Cosmic!) I also know of at least one old-time blender in Chicago who knows how to process tobacco, not just blend it.
I don’t know, maybe I’m just pissing into the wind. But I like to brainstorm. It’s what I do.
Thoughts?
Being stuck in the “anger” stage of grief means that I find myself unwilling to move into the “compromise” stage. This, combined with the large amount of literature I’ve read over the years on agrarian, community-based subsidiarity and civil disobedience, has got me thinking...
What would it take to form a non-profit co-op made up of dedicated smokers for the purpose of producing high-quality leaf and processing it using traditional techniques? The product would not be “sold,” since it is already owned by the co-op members from the beginning, thus avoiding FDA regulations. It would be more of a “hobby farm” supported by a large number of enthusiasts around the country/world who would be able to reap the benefits of traditional farming and production methods. It may even qualify as a cultural heritage program.
Of course, the co-op would have to start very small. Maybe not on a farm, per se, but rather in someone’s back yard. In fact, it wouldn't even have to be "official" in a legislative sense. Just amateur gardeners supporting one another. Knowledge and experience would be harder to come by. Blending techniques would also need to be learned. (I wonder if they cover these things in any of the old Foxfire books?) Of course, some of our own members are already dabbling in this sort of thing... (I’m looking at you, Cosmic!) I also know of at least one old-time blender in Chicago who knows how to process tobacco, not just blend it.
I don’t know, maybe I’m just pissing into the wind. But I like to brainstorm. It’s what I do.
Thoughts?