MATTOLE SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROJECT
The Not Too Nosy Questionnaire
Summary of Results A total of 49 responses were received with one respondent skipping Section
I (48 responses for town trips). With roughly 400 households in the area surveyed, this represents roughly a 12%
sample which is an excellent response for this type of survey. The three main employers are the schools, local businesses, and environmental
groups, each roughly accounting for 14% of the respondents. Again, these are not mutually exclusive groupings.
Thirty-one percent of the respondents reported deriving income from agricultural products, while 27% reported
income from construction, with ranching and arts/crafts each reporterd by 15% of the respondents. The results for Section II on services were eye-opening. Roughly one
million dollars a year is spent on various services that goes outside the Mattole. The biggest single service
is insurance, accounting for $540,000 a year, more than half of the total and more than three times that which
is sent to PG&E for electric power. PG&E came in third with roughly $165,000 a year, behind the phone
company which collects roughly $237,000 a year from the Mattole. Phone bills are roughly the same magnitude as
electric power bills but only 28 respondents (57%) are connected to the grid while 38 repondents (78%) have a phone
hard line while 8 respondents (16%) have a cell phone only. Legal services were a relatively small fraction (5%)
totaling roughly $56,000 annually. All but six of the respondents reported making town trips two to nine
times a month. Two commute on a regular basis (10 to 30 trips per month), and two make town trips only every two
to three months. The most common items picked up on town trips are (1) fresh vegetables, (2) breads, cereals,
and grain products, (3) dairy products, and (4) gasoline or diesel fuel. Details of the results for this section
are reserved for Mattole residents seeking information on established a local business or service in the Mattole. - Ken Young
Sixty percent of the respondents describe themselves as self-employed while 25% are retired (23% receive social
security and 17% are on a pension). Only 27% report themselves as working at a job. Note that these categories
are not mutually exclusive and someone could be both self-employed and working on a job, i.e., derive income from
both sources.
A total of 21 respondents (43%) are off the grid. Coincidentally, 43% of the respondents report having a solar
power system (some responents on the grid also have solar power). The next most popular off-grid power source
is generators with 31% of the respondents reporting reliance (in part) on generators. Hydro (4%) and wind power
(6%) are relatively minor contributors to electric power generation in the Mattole.
Conclusions The economic well-being of the Mattole at present is dependent on the
flows of wealth into and out of the Mattole. While we generate a certain amount of wealth through our own labor,
the money that is spent outside of the Mattole must first come into the Mattole from outside. This survey indicates
that $1 million per year is spent outside the Mattole on services. From the number of town trips to buy food and
the range of foods typically purchases, one can conclude that most people in the Mattole grow or raise only a small
fraction of the food that they eat (or purchase from local sources). Estimating a monthly household food bill
of $300, this represents roughly $1.5 million that is spent outside the Mattole. At least $500,000 a year is spent
on gasoline and diesel fuel and probably closer to $1 million a year. This is roughly $8700 per year per household.
And, this does not reflect purchases of tools, materials, clothes, and other items we use in our daily lives. While this survey does not provide enough information to really assess
the flow of money into and out of the Mattole, it does indicate that we can do a lot better at reducing the flow
of money out of the Mattole. That in turn, can provide additional resources for local people wishing to start
businesses or services which can provide more jobs here in the Mattole for our young adults as well as further
reducing the flow of money out of the Mattole. This is a positive feed-back loop that has the potential for greatly
improving life in the Mattole, making it possible for young families to make a living and making things a lot more
convenient for all of us. Most families in the Mattole have gardens but I suspect that most gardens
are devoted to items such as tomatoes, salad greens, and a limited variety of vegetables. It is hard to sell greens
to local folk when most everyone has a surplus. This suggests that growing a wider variety of produce would be
a good idea. We all like variety in our diets but we can't each grow as many different things as we would like
to eat. If a dozen different people would try just one interesting vegetable, and would grow enough to bring to
the Farmer's Market, we all could share in the variety and reduce our need to buy vegetables in town. At present, the Farmer's Market is only once a month, in conjunction
with the pancake breakfast at the Grange. This confluence has proved quite beneficial since it provides a lot
of potential customers within a short span of time. However, a month is a long time when your garden is producing
a surplus of perishable produce. This suggests expanding the Farmer's Market to other similar venues where lots
of people congregate. However, before taking this step, we need a lot more vendors at the Farmer's Market. The
important thing to consider is that the Farmer's Market is NOT limited to just produce and things you grow. Anything
that is locally produced is not only welcome but encouraged. Preserves (jams, jellies, saurkraut, etc), bread
and baked goods, dried herbs and spices, as well as hand-made articles of clothing (hats, scarves, etc), soaps
and essential oils, arts and crafts, not to mention seeds, starts, compost and manure, have all been available
at the Farmer's Market. Note that many of these things that we can produce locally and sell at the Farmer's Market
are those things that people most frequently buy in town. The greater variety of things that are available and
the more vendors are present at the Farmer's Market, the more people will spend their money in the Mattole rather
than spend it in town. Insurance is another area of potential local action. Insurance rates
have risen dramatically in the past few years, especially for liability insurance. Property insurance in the Mattole
tends to be expensive, particularly when insuring against fire losses. Many people in the Mattole cannot or choose
not to purchase insurance. We could set up an insurance co-operative here in the Mattole. When you consider the
over-head that most insurance companies have and their need to return a profit to their stock-holders, you realize
that a significant fraction of the premiums that you pay in goes for things other than claims. It would seem likely
that less than 60% of the premiums are actually paid out in claims. And, insurance companies regard claims as
expenses that cut into profits and so they have a vested interest in limiting the number of claims they make good
on. A Mattole self insurance co-operative could greatly reduce the overhead
that most insurance companies must cover and there would be no profits to be paid to stock-holders. Thus, the
co-operative could offer somewhat lower rates than presently available from insurance companies and when filling
a claim, you would be dealing with people you know. Such an insurance co-operative could start with property insurance
for homes and would incorporate a program of helping home-owners reduce their risk for fire, flood, wind, or other
damage. None of us wants to lose our home just to collect insurance and having that kind of support available
from the co-operative would be a benefit. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In short, the survey results suggest several ways that we can become
more self-sufficient, reduce the money flowing out of the Mattole, and generally improve the quality of life here
in the Mattole. Your thoughts, comments, and criticisms are welcome. Come to the monthly MSSP gathering following
the Farmer's Market, the third Sunday of each month that there is a pancake breakfast (all months except November
and December) and put in your two cents worth.
The Questionnaire NOTE: All individual information provided is kept confidential. Only
summarized information will be provided.
This questionnaire is brought to you by the Mattole Self-Sufficiency Project and is intended to be a basis for
making the Mattole Valley as a community, more self-sufficient. This valley has the natural resources necessary
to attain a fairly high level of self-sufficiency, as evidenced by Valley life within the past century. Increased
self-sufficiency will help insulate us from the uncertain economic conditions that we see in the country and world
at large.
Your response to this questionnaire is important. If there are sections that you would prefer to skip, please do
so. But please, do answer at least the first section. The MSSP is only interested in aggregate information and
not in individual details. This questionnaire is designed to be anonymous and does not include information that
might be traced back to any individual.
The first section deals with the reasons that we make town trips. Not only does it take a significant amount of
time to go to town, it also is costly, particularly when gasoline prices are high. There are two ways in which
we can save both time and money by reducing town trips.
The first way is to set up a means for people to ride-share or for finding someone who is going to town that would
be willing to pick up a single item for you. We already do this sharing to some extent; the MSSP would like to
expand such opportunities.
The second way is to provide services and products that at present, most of us go to town to obtain. The information
that you provide will be used to create estimates of the demand for products and/or services in each of the categories.
When someone has an idea for a product or service they might provide in the Valley, the MSSP will be able to provide
a fairly good idea of the economic viability of such an endeavor. This will also serve to identify particular projects
for which there is a large demand and that can be carried out locally.
The second section is intended to provide a basis for determining the viability of having our own
services based here in the Valley. One service that has been discussed is an electric power cooperative. This would
be owned and operated by Valley residents, offering both employment and more reliable electric power. Phone, insurance,
and legal services are also possible.
The third section on income is NOT intended to ask how much you make but simply what kinds of things you do to
support yourself. We've tried to keep the categories rather broad so as to not be too intrusive. One reason we
are asking these questions is to determine just how dependent we are on the "outside world" as a community.
Are we relatively immune to general economic conditions outside the Valley or are we heavily dependent?
Another reason is to assess the viability of a local currency. This is dependent on how many people rely on local
sources of income as opposed to outside sources of income as well as the numbers and quantities of products and
services that can be provided locally. A local currency would be backed by silver and/or gold (unlike US currency)
and would include banking services such as a monetary exchange (between US and local currency) and making loans.
The information gathered from this questionnaire will only be provided to Valley residents and individuals and/or
families who are seriously considering relocating here. This information will be provided at no charge. None of
this information will be made available to any corporate entity or other entity promoting corporate businesses.
This questionnaire is endorsed by the Mattole Valley Community Center and the Mattole Grange. Please call Ken Young
(629-3430) with questions or comments.
If you are a Valley resident and have not previously filled out this questionnaire, you may print the questionnaire
and return it to:
Ken Young
PO Box 219
Petrolia CA 95558
Section One: Town Trips
Which of the following do you go outside the Valley to obtain:
(frequency is the number of trips per month)Fresh vegetables 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Dairy products 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
(milk, butter, eggs, etc)
Bread and cereals (including grain products) 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Salt, pepper, spices 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Seeds, starts, fertilizer, compost, garden 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Seafood 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Meat 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Tobacco and alcohol products 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Lumber 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Plumbing supplies 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Electrical supplies 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Automotive services (repair, parts, etc) 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Gasoline and diesel fuel 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Entertainment (movies, concerts, 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
fairs, video rental/purchase etc)
Banking services 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Health care 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Haircuts, beauty treatments, massage, etc 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Pharmaceutical supplies 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Household appliances 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Household furniture 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Yard tools 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Construction tools 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Books, library, educational materials 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Employment 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Clothing 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Outdoor and sporting gear 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Automobiles, trucks, ATV's, trailers, etc 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
Veterinary and pet supplies 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
(including pet food)
Agricultural machinery 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 <1 (circle one)
How frequently do you go outside the Valley (circle one)?
(per month) 10-30 4-9 2-3 1 (per year) 6-11 3-5 1-2 never
Section Two. Services
Are you connected to PG&E? Yes No (circle one)
If NO, what sources of electrical power do you rely on? Solar Hydro Wind Generator
(you may circle more than one, if appropriate)
If yes, roughly how much is your monthly PG&E bill? <$30 $30-60 $60-120 >$120
(circle one)
Do you have phone service? Yes No (circle one)
If yes, roughly how much is your monthly phone bill? <$20 $20-50 $50-100 >$100
(circle one)
Do you have an internet connection? Yes No (circle one)
Roughly how much do you spend on insurance each year (automobile, home owners, medical, etc)?
<$200 $200-500 $500-1000 $1000-2000 >$2000 (circle one)
Roughly how much do you spend on legal services each year?
<$50 $50-100 $100-500 $500-1000 >$1000 (circle one)
Section Three: Sources of Income
Do you consider yourself primarily (check one)
___ self-employed,
___ retired,
___ disabled
___ have government assistance
___ working for someone else?
If you are retired, do you receive income from any of the following (check both, if appropriate)
___ Social security
___ Pension
If you are employed by someone else (check more than one, if appropriate)
___ Local school or educational services
___ Local business, e.g., Petrolia Store, The Hideaway
___ Local environmental group
___ Local construction
___ Private individual within the Valley
___ Outside the Valley
Do you derive income from any of the follow activities (check more than one, if appropriate)
___ Ranching
___ Agricultural products
___ Construction
___ Arts and Crafts, including hand-made furniture
___ Computer and/or internet services
___ Medical services
___ Legal services
___ Tourism
___ Retail (including restaurants, catering services, etc)
___ Other services