those that have completed some of the game, what seems to be the best tech to buy first?
i seem to need something to help out with food, but there is no farming tech.

Alchemy and nature faction I'd say. Usually going in order of costs helps. Click on the "?" next to techs, it gives you more info.

thanks

There isn't one right order to buy the Tech. Some will choose their faction first, others will get Restoration, Leadership, Medicine or even Science first.

You can play several games and decide which strategy is right for you.

IMHO, restoration is the most important and should be bought first. I actually goofed and bought nature faction first. But then I bought restoration and then medicine. (Medicine is quite useful. It's the best way to train doctors)

Do you need restoration in order to fix the lift?

Yes!

Okay, thank you! So right now I have about 2000 tech...should I wait til I get 7000 in order to get restoration so that I can fix the lift (we're almost out of food)? Or should I do my faction first and then get the 7000? I feel like that is too risky.

Well, even after fixing the lift, I will say, it will take a little while before you'll actually get food.

Depends on how many peeps you have, how often you go mushroom hunting, and how much food you have (remember that island events can give and take food). If you aren't running terribly low on food (or if you don't mind mushie hunting), then get your faction first.

Magic faction will help you gain tech points a little bit faster, nature will replenish the food a little bit faster... and I think there are different benefits at the end, too (I think the magic faction gets more population, can't remember straightaway - my game is off so I can surf the forums!)