@decomposed,
Great post!
Around here, lots of people have gardens. You can see them driving down the road. There are likely more, but you just cannot see them.
I think of it as hiding in plain sight.
I trade seeds with my neighbors. Their honey or maple syrup for some of my bacon or pork.
Around here, it is a given every household has a firearm of some kind. More likely at least a deer rifle, a shotgun and a .22LR.
You might want to consider a .22 or .25 PCP air rifle for small game. Quieter than a .22LR and even cheaper ammo. Easy to work on, o-rings are cheap and last a long time if you keep them lubed. I got one air pistol with the original o-rings. It is 10 years old now.
Community is important and I cannot agree with you more. I talk to my neighbors, give them eggs when I have extra. I always wave to the Amish as they go by.