Why Don't Survivors in Zombie Apocalypses Start Growing Their Own Food?

The question of why survivors in so many zombie apocalypse stories resort to scavenging rather than establishing sustainable food sources is a valid one. This article explores common reasons, often rooted in storytelling necessities and practical challenges, for why growing crops might not be a practical solution.

Common Storytelling Motivations

One of the most common plot points in zombie apocalypse literature and media is the need for survivors to constantly move to avoid danger. The constant motion often precludes the establishment of permanent farmsteads. In these stories, safe havens often turn out to be illusory, leading characters to keep moving in search of a permanent sanctuary. This leaves no room for the lengthy process of setting up and maintaining a farm.

Practical Challenges in Off-Mainland Farming

To understand why growing crops in a zombie-ridden world is so impractical, let’s break down the practical challenges that survivors face:

Nomadic Living vs. Farming

Land suitability is a critical factor in traditional farming. Finding suitable land that can support crop growth and livestock requires time and resources. Without such land, sustained farming is impossible. Similarly, access to a reliable water supply is essential. Survivors might need to move away from these resources to avoid danger, making it hard to establish a long-term farm.

Knowledge and Resources are also paramount. If survivors lack the knowledge to cultivate crops or raise livestock, they would struggle to produce food. Additionally, they might not have the seeds or animals needed to start a farm, which can take years to establish, let alone maintain. Tools and supplies, such as farming equipment and veterinary care, are also essential but might be scarce in a post-apocalyptic world.

The human element is another critical factor. Establishing a farm requires a significant labor investment. Survivors are often focused on avoiding immediate dangers, such as zombie attacks or bandits, which demands a lot of their time and energy. Cultivating crops and raising livestock is a full-time job, and without a stable workforce, it becomes unfeasible.

Collaborative Survival

Survival in a zombie apocalypse is often a team sport. Cooperation and division of labor are necessary for success. However, securing a safe area for farming comes with its own set of challenges, such as the need for security to protect the farm from other survivors or raiders. This added layer of complexity often makes farming less attractive as a long-term solution.

Reflection on Mainstream Media Examples

Television series such as The Walking Dead offer a glimpse of how temporary farms can work in theory but face practical limitations in practice. In the series, a few survivors establish a farm, which becomes a self-sufficient area. However, other survivors inevitably discover it and thus disrupt the established order, highlighting the fragile balance between farming and constant movement.

Despite these challenges, it’s not entirely impossible to find local solutions. Survivors might resort to small-scale, strip farming or cultivate crops in areas with minimal risk of exposure to zombies or other hazards. They might also use temporary shelters that can serve as rudimentary farms until they can establish a more permanent base.

Conclusion

The decision to prioritize scavenging over farming in zombie apocalypse stories is often a result of storytelling necessities and practical challenges. While farming is a logical solution in theory, the harsh realities of a post-apocalyptic world make it difficult to implement. However, the ongoing development of these stories suggests that creators are becoming more aware of these complexities, leading to a richer and more nuanced portrayal of survivor life.

Keywords: zombie apocalypse, survival strategies, food scarcity, nomadic living, sustainable farming