Scouting Ahead – The Blue Zone

For our newest assignment, the Orange Brigade took on the job of scouting possible food sources during the zombiepocalypse within each of the zones laid out for our Tasty Survival series. One thing we’re all guilty of is not looking in our own backyards for ways to survive. Check for local farms you can hit on your escape routes to add to the canned/dried goods that should already be in your go bags. Grab fresh produce while you can. It will not last long once there is no one to tend to the crops. Kill only what livestock you need to feed your party. Don’t waste food others could use.

This is what we discovered for the Blue Brigade’s zone on the Northeast coast:

Maine:

maineOnly 7% of the land in Maine is used for farmland.

60% of farms in the state house livestock, focusing on dairy products, chicken eggs. Aquaculture is also important—cultivating fish, shellfish, and other aquatic species.

The remaining 40% of Maine farms grow crops ranging from potatoes, to blueberries, apples, and corn.

 

We suggest grabbing as many potatoes as you can carry. They have vital nutrients and do not spoil quickly if kept in a dry, dark environment.

 

New Hampshire:

A small percentage of New Hampshire is utilized for farmland—roughly 8%.

44% of the farms are used for livestock, with cattle, dairy products, and chicken eggs being the most prevalent.

56% of New Hampshire farms are used for crops. The main focus is on greenhouse plants, however many farms also produce apples, sweet corn, and maple products.

 

Don’t linger long in the state. Route your escape routes to hit a couple farms, then head to a state with a wider variety of food available.

 

Vermont:

21% of the land in Vermont is farmland.

The majority of farms in the state—85%—house livestock or create livestock products. By far, the number one commodity in the state is dairy products.

Only 15% of Vermont farms produce crops.

 

 

 

The main crop is greenhouse products, not very useful. However you can still find apples, sweet corn, and maple products in the state.

 

Massachusetts:

A scant 10% of the state is dedicated to farming.

23% of the farms house livestock, with a focus on dairy products, cattle, and seafood.

The remaining 77% of Massachusetts farms focus on producing greenhouse plants, cranberries, sweet corn, and apples.

 

 

Grab what food you can on your way out of the state. The supplies won’t last for long.

 

New York:

A quarter of the land in New York is used as farmland.

63% of the farms house livestock, with the main commodity being dairy products, followed by cattle and chicken eggs. New York is the only state producing duck for consumption.

37% of New York farms produce crops. You’ll be able to find apples, onions, potatoes, and cabbage on your way to safe haven. The state ranks second in apple production.

 

Grab a duck, some apples, and an onion to roast together. Dang, I made myself hungry.

 

Rhode Island:

Rhode-IslandApproximately 9% of the small state is utilized as farmland.

15% of Rhode Island farms house livestock. The main focus is on dairy products and cattle.

A vast majority of the farms produce greenhouse plants. However, you may be able to find sweet corn, potatoes, and apples if you know where to look.

 

Grab and go, guys. Rhode Island isn’t large enough to sustain large numbers of survivors.

 

Connecticut:

Only 12% of the state is used for farmland.

34% of Connecticut farms focus on dairy products, chicken eggs, and seafood.

The remaining 66% of farms in the state grow greenhouse plants, sweet corn, and apples. If you’re lucky, you’ll also find farms with peaches, pears, and mushrooms.

 

 

There you have it, the local resources housed in the Blue Zone. This isn’t a resource-rich area farming-wise unless you are near the coast and are able to fish. Take extra care when plotting your escape routes. Make sure to hit a few farms on your way through to a safe haven.