pellegri@ittral.UUCP ( ) (01/04/84)
I have several reasons for being a vegetarian, but I'll tell of the one that
got me started because I think it is one of the uncommon ones. Some time ago,
my wife and I decided to become self-sufficient (I regret to say that our
plans have since been set aside for awhile) and move to the Ozark Mountains
of Northwest Arkansas or Southwest Missouri. Our reasons for this is a story
in itself and not specifically related to this news group. Anyway, to be
self-sufficient, we would have to produce our own food. First of all, I just
could not raise and care for livestock only to kill it and eat it. I would be
unable to slaughter it or even to have someone else do it. I would not have
to face this situation if I ate only vegetables. Secondly, it takes much less
acreage to grow vegetables than it does to provide pasture for livestock. The
effective yield per area of land is much greater for vegetable growing than it
iis for animal growing. This was a major concern (although my first reason was
the biggie for me) when it came time to price out my little homestead. The
result? There are now three vegetarians (including my daughter) where once
there was none. I have since added reasons to my list as a result of
researching the subject, but I'll save those for another time.
-- Dan Pellegrino
ittvax!ittral!pellegri