Permaculture's topics - tribe.net

Cistern & water-division tank designs needed

2008-07-25T19:35:12Z

Hi. I live in a valley in the mountains of southeastern British Columbia, Canada - and I'm new to this tribe (so, "hello").

I need designs for a reinforced concrete cistern (around 2400 gallons) and a reinforced concrete division tank (or "box") out of which several water lines can emerge.

My place now has a downhill water line on a gravity-feed water system shared with four other homesteads. I have many years of experience with this system. To this point, everyone has gotten by with one 600-gallon holding/division tank, from which the various water lines to the home sites originate. Ours is a creek-fed system. Up to now, a consistent enough inflow of water to the 600-gallon tank has been sufficient for our needs except during some periods in mid summer. But increasing demand for water in combination with changing weather patterns has meant we are now feeling the need to make a larger holding tank - a cistern - for overnight collection of water, offering a buffer of water during mid-summer days.

I want to find designs to consider. Must be fairly easy to construct (though I myself and all of my neighbors, who would do the construction, do have varying amounts of experience working with concrete). Must be easy to clean, once in use - say annually.

Please let me know of any on-line or published sources of photos, desings, etc. If you make reference to a design source that's not on-line, please give me enough of a description that I can decide whether the book or set of plans is appropriate enough for our situation here - don't wish to spend money unnecessarily on mail-ordering the wrong literature.

Thanks.

Tanemon

posted in Permaculture - 0 replies

COB Building Workshop at Organic Freedom Farm Painted Desert AZ Labor Day Weekend

2008-07-25T00:13:43Z

Join us Aug 30-Sept 1 for a weekend of stainability learning and idea sharing at the Organic Freeledom Farm as we construct an authentic Native American Style outdoor bread oven.

Our first meeting on July 4th weekend was a great success. We made many new friends and learned how others are creating a sustainable homestead in the sometimes hostile environment of the Four Corners region.

For those of you not familiar with the Organic Freedom Farm, we are in the proccess of building a small intentional community in the awesome AZ Painted Desert. Our ultimate goal is to create an "Eden in the Desert" while building a network of communities so that we can learn from each other as we trade goods, services, and ideas.

We ask that you please provide your own provisions for a camping trip to a remote primitive area, (food, water, etc...) Please no chemical based products on the property. Also be advised, the farm is located on high desert grassland with minimul shade.

Construction of an outdoor bread oven is the scheduled project for the weekend, however if there is a good turn-out we may be able to do additional cob projects.

In the spirit of community we ask that all attendees remember that although we all have our own individual goals, the purpose of our group gatherings is to share rather than "promote personal agenda" Please we ask, no politics and no religion.

for more information about how you can join the "Trade Network "or to RSVP please email organicfreedom@earthlink.net

posted in Permaculture - 0 replies

Looking for permaculture farms to visit for documentary (and more)

2008-07-24T06:44:38Z

I'm setting off on a cross country adventure to make a documentary on the issues most of the media ignores... sustainability, alternative energy, intentional communities, social and grassroots movements... and I am searching for stories that need to be told, businesses that should be supported and information that should be shared.

I'll be passing through at least thirty states in at least two months of travel. I have a general route but open to detours as they present themselves.

Please drop me a line!
Blessings!
Jessica/Catalysta
__________________________________

Intrepid mother daughter team fearlessly travel across the United States in their "trusty" Mercedes "tank" that runs on waste veggie oil! As they inhale the smell of freedom fries coming from their exhaust they search for stories that need to be told about our environment, our people, and the future of this country. www.jessicaandolivia.com

posted in Permaculture - 0 replies

A msg from the Moderator

2008-07-23T21:16:02Z

Hi all, fyi my original tribe account is inaccessable and was buggy for a long time thus I've started a new profile. I can't seem to reach anyone at tribe.net which is a bad sign of the future of this site. I can therefore not moderate any of the tribes I am moderating.

posted in Permaculture - 3 replies

farms in portugal

2008-07-18T15:29:57Z

ola people and ahoi christian... :)
looking for farms and creative operations to learn from and share with in portugal, preferably the north...any info would be great. we miss you at the dragonmill, say hello to everyone for us :)
ryan and andi

posted in Permaculture - 0 replies

Bay Area Permaculture Convergence July 25-27

2008-07-18T02:46:34Z

Hey Permie people!
We are hosting the 5th Bay Area Permaculture Designers Convergence next weekend in Sonoma County. Come join us of a weekend of Strengthening the Network. See <http://www.permacultureconvergence.com/> Sign up come play with us and make the world better one farm at a time.
~P

posted in Permaculture - 0 replies

HOW TO GROW FRESH AIR

2008-07-16T14:23:49Z

How to Grow Fresh Air
50 Houseplants that Purify Your Home or Office
by Dr. B.C. Wolverton

this is one of the best books i have seen for a while it's wonderfully put together with clearly laid out information and great photos.

did you know that formaldehyde is one of the most common toxins found in our homes? we are breathing it. it is released into the air from things like ceiling tiles, draperies, fabrics, toilet paper, tissue and paper towels. then there is benzene, ammonia, chloroform and others. these toxins can be the cause of sick building syndrome which results in symptoms like allergies, asthma, fatigue, headache and sinus congestion, to name a few. needless to say, children and the elderly are more susceptible.

the good news is that there are plants that grow well indoors that actually absorb these chemicals out of the air. boston fern, for example, has the quickest removal rate of formaldehyde from the air of any of the plants that have been tested. and in this book there are 50 plants listed so no lack of variety.

highly recommended. i bought it online at amazon.com for much less than retail even including shipping.

blessings to us all for our good health and well being

posted in Permaculture - 6 replies

Share your permaculture knowledge with those who need it!

2008-07-15T01:45:29Z

Looking for kind people to share information regarding permaculture, sustainability, and the environment at low-impact outdoor music and arts event on the Washington coast July 25-27. Any format would be considered, whether it be a display, short presentation, or workshop. Please help us to share the knowledge and the love!

One Sky is an environmentally-friendly camping event featuring some of the best electronic and live music the Northwest has to offer, a diverse collection of visual and performance art, yoga classes, and education about the environment, sustainability, and survival, all taking place in a beautiful outdoor setting on private property near the Washington coast.

Our mission:
To gather in celebration of art and music as universal languages and to promote awareness of how we can minimize our impact on the environment. To build awareness of the importance of community in helping to foster consciousness for the rest of the planet.

This event is designed to create awareness of the environment, promote sustainability, encourage diversity, and come together as a community of people who are looking for solutions to the problems we face. Music and art are powerful tools to convey any message, and it is our hope to use these mediums as a way to create a foundation that will urge people to change current societal norms and the misuse of the resources available to us.

More info available at www.burningcirclemusic.com.
If you are interested in sharing, please contact Mel Sky on tribe or email melissasky@gmail.com

posted in Permaculture - 0 replies

rabbits

2008-07-14T00:11:47Z

so does any one know of some good ways to work with hi populations of plant hungery rabbits? they are all over this island and there are no natural predators. so trying to rabbit proof fence every thing is impossible they allways make it through some how,...
are there any plants that repel them any thing beside a dog?

posted in Permaculture - 34 replies

trash talk

2008-07-10T14:29:28Z

Whatcha Gonna Do with All That Junk...?
By Summer Bowen
July 2008

http://wholelifetimes.com/2008/07/oor_1_0807.html

Two strapping young activists are redefining what it means to recycle, recently
setting sail on a 2,100-mile journey from LA to Hawaii atop a massive pile of
trash. Their aptly named vessel, "Junk," is an old airplane body tied down to a
raft, which floats on pontoons made of 15,000 used plastic bottles.

The raft's voyage is step two in a three-part plan by the Algalita Marine
Research Foundation (AMRF) to raise awareness about the massive amounts of
petroleum-based plastic polluting our oceans. Junk is the brainchild of Gulf War
veteran Dr. Marcus Eriksen, who is accompanied by researcher and filmmaker Joel
Paschal. The third member of the team, Anna Cummins, is heading up the land
operation, updating the world via the JUNK blog (junkraft.blogspot.com) on
day-to-day happenings of the two-man crew.

Sound precarious? Well, Eriksen has his fears. "Besides falling in or getting
run over," says the rafter, "the worst case scenario is that plastic trash
continues to fill our oceans." The amount of plastic debris currently clogging
the world's oceans — 3.5 million tons and (exponentially) growing — is certainly
frightening. AMRF has already made several trips to the "Great Pacific Garbage
Patch," a swirling vortex of plastic twice the size of the continental United
States.

Unfortunately, there aren't any life vests for the sea — the plastics in our
oceans will never biodegrade. "Instead," writes the AMRF, "plastic goes through
a process called photodegradation, where sunlight breaks it down into smaller
and smaller pieces until there is only plastic dust." No matter how small, the
plastic remains a polymer within the ecosystem, endangering the lives of the 300
animal species consuming it.

Eriksen concedes some types of plastic are necessary — for pacemakers, car
seats, and the like — but disposables are the target issue of the trip. "We're
shooting ourselves in the foot with this disposable culture," says Eriksen. "We
use these things once and throw them away, but there is no such thing as 'away.'
Where is 'away?'" Increasingly, "away" is sea bound — 80 percent of the plastic
soup in the ocean
arrives via storm drains from landlubbers like us.

You can help by checking AMRF's research, encouraging and voting for legislation
that bans and taxes disposable plastic, and for goodness' sake, making the easy
choice to carry a reusable bottle and bag.

posted in Permaculture - 1 reply

Water reclamation system question

2008-07-09T23:18:54Z

I'm thinking about making a water reclamation for Burning Man this year. I figured I could combine an evaporative/condensate unit with an activated carbon filter unit to create water suitable for washing dishes and showering in. I'm a little scared to drink it, though. Would any of these things be possible with that system, or am I risking infection?

Thanks,
Jason

posted in Permaculture - 9 replies

beer

2008-07-08T16:42:06Z

Last 2 weeks i start to make the left over beer (last sipps) in to my watering can!
One sipp on 10 Liter`s.

And i watered nearly everything with it.
It is german organic beer, and the results are amazing good !!!

Just to let you know!

I thing it is because of EM in it.

Organic Beer is sooo good, but take care with Schnaps!

posted in Permaculture - 0 replies

Eco-Permacultur Project „Nature Island Dragonmill" / Europa / Germany

2008-07-07T18:43:17Z

If you want to change the results and you cannot change the circumstances,
then you must change what is possible. This website is dedicated to
reinventing what is possible: Just stop. Build an ark.

THERE IS NO 'WE' IN RESPONSIBILITY.

~~~

Eco-Permacultur Project
„Nature Island Dragonmill"

"Our old ways are mostly memories, but our ideas march to their beat."
-Squaxin tribal elders.

And thats how it started: We Remember :
In summer 1999, at the European Rainbow Gathering in Hungary, our dream of a holy Permacultur Dragonplace started,
that became what we now call „Nature Island Dragonmill" . We were searching whole Europe ...
even to Sri Lanka ... Schweden ... searched for 3 years until finaly the dream became truth.
At October the 30th 2003 a handshake made the deal perfekt ! lol !
... to buy thy old Mill of Schweta, in todays called Saxony.

The Dragonmill, a place like from ancient times … as the Dragonmill-Island is surroundet by folldplains, alders, ditches,
smalls creeks …, fields and woods ...
a tumulus and just across the ditch in direct neighbourship there is a protected area for spring- blossoms- flowers.
Since 2007 the Nature Island of her Dragonmill is in the middle on " FFH " (Flora and Fauna Habitat) area of the European Union.
For the preservation and further cross-linking of passages (Wolf) and habitation areas for Flora and Fauna in whole Europe!
This is becomming a new big task, and a lot of local engagament is needed ...
A bit further in our bio region … the more than 700.000.000 years old Collm-vulcano, hill graves, stone circles,
and a „Dragon“-limetree aged more than 1200 years …
... the Mill its self, like it stands now was rebuild approx.. 1849 from boulders and slate ...
what was before it is a secret showing up slowly... the first proofs of humans here date back approx ... 150.000 to 200,000 years.
This was an stone axe, found just behind her Mill and is now in Dresden in a Museum,
besides this there were finds from the entire history of last thousands of years. Like 5000 Years !
A ancient historical and important place next to the Collmvulcan and the Elbe!
Schweta!

To the property of the Monument-Protected Mill still belong
a big nice old baking house, granary, barn, vault stables, beehive and a picturesque chicken house!
All the buildings are settled around a paved and from herbs covered court !
To the property belong up to now: 5 hectars divided in: Yard and buildings, grassland, fruit meadow,
forest (with a tumulus) and the system of ditches and streams for her Dragonmill.
Our 11 goats and 6 sheep help us with the extensive landscape conservation,
above all they give us fresh milk, wool, and its daily animating Meck Meck Meck, some times also meat and skins.
A smal crowd of ducks and chickens take care of the snails and process our leftovers,
on the compost pile , what brings us also fresh eggs to e.g. bake mmmmh...
Next coming 4 Waterbuffalos for thy forest work and a Milk-Cow Family !

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The goal of the "Nature Island Dragonmill" and us is it, to create a durable eco place for Workshops & Seminars
as well as a dynamic exchange of experience!
Without any capitalistic background.

And : What we Realy want is :

BioRegional Animism / Permaculture / Sustainability

>> Living in a world, were all humans take care of there environment, in order to make a live near
to nature possible for future generations,
with the aid and co-creation of all of the other than human persons that compose our bioregion.
so that our relationships with the source of our being is reciprocal and sacred in nature.
A solidary society, in which dreams,
ideas and conceptions can be realized self-organized and base- democratically. <<

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In this sense we also founded the „Association to conserve independent ecological ways of live“.

The Associaion expresses, what our main focus is:

-to experiance and understand Mother Gaia (earth) as a living beeing.
-The future of our children, in conformity with their nature.
-A way back to the naturalness and to independence.
-Natural Sustainable Development (holistic).
-To reconcile culture and the wildness again.
-To develop ourselfs in and with nature.
-Discovering new (old) life possibilities from nature and converting them in everyday life.
-Self-providing organic food, without affecting, exploiting or even poisening the ecological system.
-species- and nature- appropriate husbandry + extensive grazing of the marshes, wet and dry meadows
in der Kulturlandschaft Döllnitzaue. In the cultural landscape Döllnitzaue.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Invited are all, who want to develop thereselves towards and with their nature!

... green people, jugglers, musician, good earth beeings, greens, organic Hippis,
Natural Rainbows,
Permaculturefreaks, Ethnobotanics,
Craft fellows, elves, Pixis, world natural citizens, organic tree house builders,
Holy Gardeners, plant friends... free nice honest people, lovely people...,
... Carpenters... Bricklayers... Forestry experts...

Thus you're inspired and you want to come:
Heya and Holle, take the chance to be part of the "Nature Island Dragonmill",
we want to become a self-sufficient permacultur comunity till 2012/13.

Please bring along:

Flashlight (with Akkus!), pocketknive, slippers in the house :)

Matter of expense:

for organic food, eco-power and good sleep opportunity.
depending upon situation: about 8, - EUR a Day or e.g. on roll is free...
for more Details have a look at dragonmill.net/gaestezimmer.htm ...

... and a little something else if you come:

-Leave, as far as possible, your problems outside the gate, live with good mood and patience in the: Now and Here-
Please bring only organic, wildgrown or with love prepared food
(... otherwise, we have sufficiently large Organic food supplies ....)
Donations are helpful us: e.g. for working material...
Show and integrate yourself with "your qualities", helf along and learn new
"take part and become a part of the Dragonmill-crew"
your children are also welcome, our sons Pan (4) and Landon (1) are looking forward (... give a call...)

and consider:

-You are also responsible for the health everyone, so please pay attention to hygiene -
(tell in advance us please if You have a infectious illness...)
Respect grandmother earth and our mother nature!-
Please, bring no chemistry with You ... like Silicon shower gel, hair spray, Nèstle and hazardous waste... etc.. -
-please leave your dogs at home, we have many free animals !
The Dragonmill is also about very diverse wildlife, embedded in nature sanctuarys, thats not a place for dogs.
-Moreover, the Dragonmills Island, for the most part, is a cigarettes and a mobile phone-free zone
Tere are beautiful places for smoking nearby...
- mobiles ... be rather glad that there are still mobile phone-free of places...
... a wired connection is here for all who need it...
... if you have a laptop, bring it with you...

But !

Courage, motivation, inspiration, creativity and ingenuity are not enough to realize our project. We are dependent on people,
supporting us with financial means. We are pleased about every donation whether regular or unique.
Upon request we issue a donation receipt. Since we are a non-profit association, donations can set down tax.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

! Our constantly updated homepage is to get an actual overview.
www.dragonmill.net

... Directions:
between Dresden and Leipzig
... Muegeln/Schweta... Dragonmill.
... by train to Oschatz
e.g.... change to the old narrow-gauge steam-train "Wild Robert"

... please tell the driver, that you want to leave at „Schweta Gasthaus“!
... walk back along the tracks (north), on the road up to the 90° degree curve... end of the village...
... Zur Mühle... Dragonmill.

Address:
Permacultur Project
"Naturinsel Drachenmühle"
Dragonmill
Zur Mühle "To her Mill"
04769 Schweta
0049-(0)34362-4439 -- 0, (usualy just mailbox)

Good luck and a lot of blessings to your natural ways, see you soon!
Dragonmillcrew.

posted in Permaculture - 0 replies

Building with pallets

2008-07-03T15:23:53Z

I ran across this idea from an old thread in the Green Building tribe. It seems to me that a structure made out of pallets would be nice to live in and easy to build, as well as VERY cheap. It would be very easy for me to set up all the systems I want like greywater, passive & active solar, and catchment given the savings i will have.

One concern that was brought to my attention is that some pallets are treated with methyl bromide.
Look under Health Effects:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bromomethane

I don't know if having pallet walls would give off enough to be harmful/

Has anyone had experience in a pallet building, or ideas/suggestions?

posted in Permaculture - 9 replies

Experiment

2008-06-29T18:59:25Z

My hubby and I had a hamster, he died. In memorium we took his leftover hamster food, and threw it in our old compost heap, and into a huge planter. It's unreal how many red beans, sunflower, millet, wheat, and other plants have popped up with really no effort on our part, other than spraying them down on occasion. I'd say it has been a fun, and fruitful experiment.

posted in Permaculture - 0 replies

need planter box liner that won't leach chemicals

2008-06-29T17:24:21Z

I have built some large planter boxes out of redwood in which I'll plant organic vegetables and flowers. I want to line the inside of the boxes so they last longer (ie less soil to wood contact), but need to use a liner material that won't break down and leach chemicals. This is on an organic farm that will soon undergo certification so I need a materiel that won't hurt our veges nor compromise our organic certification process.

posted in Permaculture - 10 replies

Manifesto : Planet Diversity!

2008-06-29T12:16:12Z

MANIFESTO

We peoples of Planet Diversity gather to celebrate the rich biological and cultural diversity that is our heritage and to affirm our commitment to pass on that heritage undiminished to future generations.

We reject the despair of a world focused on consumption and competition and we assert that we do not accept distrust, greed, violence, and fear as ways of relating to each other or to other beings. We think that another world is possible, one based in peace and justice and economic opportunity for all.

We cherish all regions and ecosystems, but we especially treasure those centers of origin that are the source of the diversity on which so much of our lives depend.

We value localization and regionalization, not globalization; we seek equity and reciprocity, not domination over others.

We understand ourselves as part of nature, not as masters over nature.

We endorse the wisdom that joins precaution to the search for knowledge. We see that precaution is needed to prevent harm to all that we love and value and steward and seek to understand, and we know that whoever arrogantly discards the precautionary principle puts at risk the very foundations of life on earth.

We seek a world of good health and nutritious, safe, and affordable food for all. And we unabashedly revere the beauty and interrelatedness of all biodiversity.

When it comes to the diversity of our own species, we celebrate it all, but we especially hold dear

*
the savers of seed and the keepers of traditional knowledge,
*
the sowers and the gatherers of healthy crops and the preparers and the eaters of slow food,
*
the small farmers, peasants, and campesinos who fed and sustained us,
*
the small farmers, peasants, and campesinos who feed and sustain us,
*
the activists who demand accountability, transparency, and public participation,
*
the artists and the poets who compel us to open our eyes and our hearts,
*
the peacemakers who nudge us towards mutual respect and well being,
*
the scientists who teach us to act in cooperation with nature and with each other,
*
the scholars who remind us of what we owe to the past,
*
and the prophets who warn us how we will be judged by the future.

Finally, we celebrate those with whom we do not agree for they are the ones who push us - as we push them - to greater wisdom.

With great respect, we embrace them all and we acknowledge that we are all, all of us, the fortunate heirs and responsible ancestors of this, our shared home, Planet Diversity.

posted in Permaculture - 0 replies

Confirmation Reminder for July 4th Camp-Out/Pot Luck at the Freedom Farm

2008-06-26T14:45:00Z

The Four Corners Trade Network, a community of Intentional Communities
is holding its first gathering on July 4th 2008 at the Organic Freedom
Farm (www.organicfreedom.com)

All are invited and encouraged to take part in trade of goods,
services, and ideas community related.

If you have not yet sent us your confirmation as of yet, please do so
via email organicfreedom@earthlink.net and/or join the Four Corners
Trade Network at

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TradeNetwork/?yguid=219225594

Blessings,
Frank and Cherri

posted in Permaculture - 0 replies

a study in dear repellant

2008-06-21T09:25:03Z

Any gardener knows the destruction that a dear can reighn on a garden in one meal; eating a bite of every fruit to taste each one their heavy holves become death below crushing raised garden beds. All of us have our own methods I am sure for deterring them from the garden (A N ELEVEN FOOT TALL FENCE) my favorite is after a hot afternoon in the garden I take my shirt off over my head and pick it on a garden pole. I believe this to work when I grew a quarter acre garden without a fence to deter dear and raccoons. The raccoons the culprit of the loss of an acre of heirloom corn that WAS inside an eleven foot tall deer fence. The odor of humans acts a deterent from wondering foragers.
Better than that I believe the scent of DOGS to act as an even greater deterant of deer in country settings. ThUS, I am in the city, urban farming and do not have to worry about roaming city deer. My dog though is shedding and I would be willing to send his fur as the tools to use as an organic replenishable deer repellent . For real. leave me a message. It is beautiful white fluffy stuff that smell like shedding wolf.

RRR Rethink Respond Real

A Native American midwestern Indian would tell you to grow four seeds: one for the wind, one for the animal, one for tomorrow, and one for you. But who has room for that. Its a good saying though that speaks of the not worrying about what the animal takes and there is still plenty for everyone?

I also while on the topic do not hesitate to pee around the garden, literally making a ring around it. Whatever works.

Love and Light
madmark

posted in Permaculture - 3 replies

Is Linux Permaculture ?

2008-06-14T00:24:42Z

Linux

Linux (pronunciation: , lin-uks) is a Unix-like computer operating system. Linux is one of the most prominent examples of free software and open source development; its underlying source code can be freely modified, used, and redistributed by anyone.
The Linux kernel was first released to the public on 17 September 1991, for the Intel x86 PC architecture. The kernel was augmented with system utilities and libraries from the GNU project to create a usable operating system, which later led to an alternate term, GNU/Linux. Linux is now packaged for different uses in Linux distributions, which contain the sometimes modified kernel along with a variety of other software packages tailored to different requirements.

posted in Permaculture - 3 replies

what to do with glass

2008-06-13T23:53:51Z

I have come into 7 33" X 89" sheets of glass. Double pane store front windows. The seal is broken so there will be some condensation but otherwise perfectly useable. One sheet is going into the bigger solar air heater this winter. But what can I make with the other 6 panels?

posted in Permaculture - 9 replies

City repair Ahoi !

2008-06-13T23:44:01Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYgQAfxXHqk&feature=related

posted in Permaculture - 0 replies

flash hugelkulture instruction from Gaiacraft

2008-06-12T14:19:20Z

http://student.vfs.com/~dd07simon/flash_t2/preloader.html
http://www.gaiacraft.com/

posted in Permaculture - 3 replies

PRAYERS NEEDED FOR THE DRAGON MILL!!!!

2008-06-10T10:36:07Z

this is permaculture, too
because if we have to go, there will be no dragonmill permaculture with us. please support her on here.

http://tribes.tribe.net/bioregionalanimism/thread/ae1fabc0-f627-4817-b59d-d742bceb9385

bless and blessings

Dragonmillcrew i.R. :

Christian Sven Schembritzki

posted in Permaculture - 2 replies

4th of July Camp-Out/Pot-Luck at the Freedom Farm

2008-06-09T17:21:53Z

This is the first gathering of the Four Corners Communities Trade
Network. Our goal is to bring together like minded Communities,
members, homesteaders, and survivalists and plan for our future
through trade of goods, services, ideas, etc...

We are in the process of building the Freedom Farm, so things are very
primitive. We would ask that you bring all accomodations required for
a camping trip, in addition to your pot-luck contribution.

We would like to do an informal pot-luck 2ish on the 4th, but if you
would like to arrive a day early and/or stay a day or two more that
would be great!

For the Pot-luck we would ask that you bring some sort of vegetarian
dish, enough to feed 10 hungry people (I will let you know if this
changes) Your own place setting, and beverage.

This project too is in its early stages, and we don't anticipate a
huge turnout, however many people have contacted us regarding the
project and we do expect the idea to grow throughout the quad state area.

The collapse of our economy as we know it is happening quite rapidly,
and we need to band together now!

Please rsvp to: organicfreedom@earthlink.net

Bright Blessings,
Cherri
www.organicfreedom.com

NOTE: If you would like to join the Trade Network follow this link:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TradeNetwork

posted in Permaculture - 0 replies

new thread for zero mile diet

2008-06-06T02:12:51Z

I was interested in having a real discussion of this topic. Is it okay to start a new thread?
For a lot of folks, I'm sure the 100 mile diet was revolutionary, something that had never occurred to them. I'm hoping it got people thinking about where there food came from.
I like that the proponent of the zero mile diet is taking action on his ideas. Selling seed packs is just brilliant. My grandfather was a country boy and who grew an organic garden without knowing it. He only fertilized with compost. He grew most of his own veggies because he didn't like the flavor (or lack) of store bought veggies.
If the general public can start with a 100 mile diet, they'll be more open to a zero mile diet.

posted in Permaculture - 14 replies

zero mile diet

2008-06-04T04:32:46Z

Growing the zero-mile diet
With fears of GMOs and widespread carbon guilt, cultivating your own veggies is poised to be the new competitive sport

FIONA MORROW

From Friday's Globe and Mail

May 23, 2008 at 9:01 AM EDT

VANCOUVER — So you've bought into the 100-mile diet. Eco points to you. If you're looking for serious ethical kudos this season, however, you're going to have to dig even deeper - literally.

Serious locavores are working on a zero-mile diet, courtesy of the old-fashioned vegetable garden. As Canadians break ground in many parts of the country this month, concern over the carbon footprint of the global food trade is inspiring them to reach for their spades. And the hunger for a diet free of genetic modifications means the demand for organically grown and heirloom varieties has never been so great.

Dan Jason should know. The owner of Salt Spring Seeds has been promoting an intense local diet for 20 years from his home on British Columbia's Salt Spring Island. After he was interviewed by Vancouverites Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon for their groundbreaking book, The 100-Mile Diet, Mr. Jason was struck with an idea.

"I thought, 'What is this 100-mile diet? We should be aiming for a zero-mile diet.' "
Dan Jason, owner of Salt Spring Seeds in British Columbia, has been promoting a local diet for 20 years.
Enlarge Image

Dan Jason, owner of Salt Spring Seeds in British Columbia, has been promoting a local diet for 20 years. (Deddeda Stemler for The Globe and Mail)
The Globe and Mail

Inspired, he set about writing a pamphlet listing his best, most popular and most reliable crops. Then he took 12 of them - everything from wheat, flax and barley to kale, garbanzo beans and tomatoes - and combined them to form the Zero Mile Diet Seed Kit. The $36 kit went on sale in January and was sold out by the end of February.

"I thought I'd be lucky to sell 100 packs," Mr. Jason said. "I sold 300 before I ran out of seeds. It's pretty radical - until this year, no one was buying wheat or barley at all. And sales of quinoa have increased fivefold."

Other B.C. seed producers are also struggling to keep up. "I would say sales are up 50 per cent from last year," said Jonathan Alcock, owner of Kelowna-based Sunshine Farms. "We've sold out completely of several varieties of soy beans, peas, peppers, carrots and lettuces."

The rise in enthusiasm for homegrown produce reflects the increasingly politicized food arena.

"The new customers coming our way tell us they want to support non-GMO [genetically modified] seeds," Mr. Alcock said. "They are concerned about the corporate control of food and they want to support local businesses."

Though a family of four would need about an acre of land to become self-sufficient, Mr. Jason is excited to see people deciding to grow their first foods.

"You don't have to do the whole thing straight away," he said. "Whether you plant a couple of lettuces or a 100-foot row of beans, you've grown something you don't have to go to the store to buy. And it all counts."

The hunger for homegrown is not confined to British Columbia. "Interest has never been higher," said Judy Newman, office manager for Seeds of Diversity, a Toronto-based charitable organization that encourages the cultivation of heirloom and endangered food crops.

"It's no longer the case that people will sit back and wait for whatever fruits and vegetables their grocery store chooses to sell," she said. "The awareness that there is such diversity of food available to them is gaining, and that, with the interest in eating local, organic produce, has captured the collective imagination."

The group's "Seedy Saturdays" swap meets take place all across the country and offer members the opportunity to trade with each other and sell to the public.

Heirloom tomatoes are already an obsession among gardeners, Ms. Newman said. "People will hear of a certain type and suddenly it's the new big thing. This year it was the Black Krim."

Even heirloom melons are gathering a following. The Citron - planted by the pioneers - is becoming popular. "It's hard as a rock and can sit on your kitchen counter for months," Ms. Newman said.

"We are monitoring closely how much we are selling," said Bernie Martin-Wood, who owns Two Wings Farm in Metchosin, west of Victoria, and specializes in heirloom tomatoes, salad greens, peas, beans and peppers.

"Sources for some of our heirloom varieties are quite scarce, so we have to make sure we keep enough seed back to plant for next year."

Ninety per cent of the produce Mr. Martin-Wood grows is left to go to seed - the natural state of a vegetable if left unpicked. Left alone, a round lettuce will eventually grow flower stalks with puffy heads similar to dandelions that can generate thousands of seeds. Tomato seeds are harvested through a fermentation process after the fruits are crushed.

Both Mr. Martin-Wood and Mr. Alcock are encouraging home gardeners to save their seeds, with tips on how to gather and store them for planting next year. If demand remains as high next summer, Sunshine Farms may cut their Internet and catalogue sales and only sell locally.

Mr. Alcock said even those without prime gardening space are keen to get involved; using pots on decks or signing up for community gardens.

"People at the farmer's market say they're digging up their lawn to plant more veggies," he said.

"I gave a lecture at [the University of British Columbia] recently and handed out heirloom beans. A young fellow asked if they would grow on his balcony in a pot - he just wanted to do something that wasn't part of the industrial agriculture complex. Hopefully, he'll be able to make at least one pot of soup with his harvest."

*****

Plant a salad ...

We consulted Jonathan Alcock of SunshineFarm.net and Linda Crago of TreeAndTwig.ca for the following recommendations:

Tomatoes

Stupice tomatoes produce early and will keep growing right up to the first frost. In cold climates or patio pots, try Black Russian - a sweet, spicy black/brown fruit - or Morden Yellow, a mid-sized yellow fruit.

Lettuce

Deer Tongue dates from the 1700s and copes well in high temperatures. Bronze Arrow grows quickly, producing red and green oak-shaped leaves.

Onions

Chives and scallions work well in pots, as do cipollinis, as long you use good quality potting soil and water sufficiently.

Garlic

In cold climates try Spanish Roja, prized for its taste. Red Toch produces large, pink-streaked cloves that can be eaten raw.

Seedy Sources

For general information on growing heirloom seeds, check out Seeds.ca and OrganicGardening.com.

To mail-order seeds, try to find a source in your province, as they will carry varieties appropriate to your climate. In British Columbia, try SunshineFarm.net or TwoWingsFarm.com. In Saskatchewan, try PrSeeds.ca.

Manitobans can check HeritageHarvestSeed.com and in Ontario there are HeritageSeedAndProduce.com and TerraEdibles.ca. In Eastern Canada, try New Brunswick's HopeSeed.com.

Fiona Morrow

... and save the seeds

Always save seeds from healthy plants that produced good fruit. Dry them thoroughly before storing in an airtight glass or metal container in a cool, dark place.

Tomatoes

Cut open fully ripened fruit and gently squeeze out the jelly-like substance that contains the seeds. Place in a small, loosely covered jar in a warm location and let sit for three days, stirring once a day. After three days, fill the seed container with warm water and drain off contents, repeating until a layer of seeds is sitting at the bottom and the water runs almost clear. Drain and allow to dry completely. Break into individual seeds and store.

Peas and beans

Allow pods to dry brown, about six weeks after eating stage. Open pods and remove beans, and let them dry thoroughly. Before storing, place inside freezer for 72 hours to kill any insects that may be hiding inside.

Lettuce

Lettuce produces self-pollinating flowers, each of which has one seed. Wait until half the flowers on each plant have gone to seed, then cut entire top off plant and allow to dry upside down in an open paper bag.

Onions

As soon as majority of flowers have dried, clip off. Allow to dry in cool, dry location for 2 to 3 weeks. Fully dried flowers will drop clean seeds naturally.

Garlic

Since garlic isn't grown from seed, you can save garlic bulbs to replant each year.

Sources: SeedSave.org and

VictorySeeds.com
www.theglobeandmail.com/servle...ifeMain

posted in Permaculture - 13 replies

Solar Oven

2008-06-03T23:30:27Z

We're planning to build a solar oven. I googled it and have lots of designs and plans. But I'd like some input from people who've actually built one and used it. What did you like about your design and what would you do different?

posted in Permaculture - 14 replies

soil science

2008-06-02T05:23:58Z

is any one focusing on soil science in regards to their permaculture design? benifical microbes and mycological additions to the soil to increase nurtients in the food?

posted in Permaculture - 8 replies

Kitchen Manager position available on Organic Sustainable Farm/Educational Center/Community

2008-05-31T18:29:05Z

Punta Mona, Center for Sustainable Living and Education is an intentional community where we practice sustainability and Permaculture. We are looking for a motivated and inspired Kitchen Manager to work on our Organic Farm. Currently, we have 10 staff members. Interns flow in and out monthly and there are up to 15 at any time. The Kitchen Manager would be responsible for planning 3 meals a day while directing interns and other kitchen help to facilitate feeding 20 - 65 people. It will be up to you to manage your team accordingly. Cooking/cleaning and maintenance of the kitchen will be your responsibility.

The kitchen manager will be cooking over a wood fire for 2 meals a day (gas stove for breakfast). He/she will be in charge of directing and educating the interns in the kitchen. Please be willing to learn about the edible farm food and working with our agricultural manager in incorporating the food in our meals. We get new visitors everyday and the kitchen manager will have to adjust to feeding new guests, sometimes with only a few minutes notice. You will be living communally. Our intern/staff housing is shared. The property runs on solar energy (there is limited internet access and none when there is cloud cover), a rainwater catchment system is used for drinking & cooking water and we use composting toilets. This is off the grid living.

Our farm is located between Manzanillo and Gandoca on the Southern Caribbean Coast. We are right on a beautiful, private beach in a jungle nature-reserve. The land is truly incredible and it is a privilege to live here. To get to Punta Mona it is a gorgeous, scenic 1 1⁄2 hour hike in the jungle or a 20-minute boat ride. If you like the idea of being a bit cut off and living with a community that is ever transient this is the place for you!

In your free time you can swim, kayak, snorkel, garden, learn about sustainable practices, hike in the jungle or just lay in a hammock.

3-month minimum commitment. $250 per month. Includes meals, lodging and limited Internet access.

Position is available ASAP. Please write us an email about why you would be the best candidate for this position and what you would like to offer our community.

jandertom@yahoo.com
puntamona.org

Peace, Pura Vida, Blessings!

posted in Permaculture - 0 replies

europe ecovillages

2008-05-31T10:00:20Z

hello all,
i am currently in europe and will be here until the end of august. i was originally planning on doing a big bike trip but decided it would be best to settle in with a nice community with good things on their mind. that being said, any insight you may have regarding intentional communities, ecovillages, or permaculture operations anywhere in europe (east and west) would be amazing. thanks very much, enjoy :)
ryan

posted in Permaculture - 4 replies

Permaculture video

2008-05-30T18:43:52Z

http://video.stumbleupon.com/#p=495ntje2mt

Good way to show people who don't understand, and just interesting to those of us who already do.

posted in Permaculture - 4 replies

Georgia Permaculture Guild

2008-05-25T05:46:46Z

Hi All,
I am trying to start up a f2f Permaculture Guild in Atlanta and also a "roving" one, in different cities around Georgia.
If anyone is interested, please join http://tribes.tribe.net/gapermacultureguild and email me!
Let's do it!!!
ISabel

posted in Permaculture - 1 reply

Spiritual Healing center in Peru looking for Permaculturist

2008-05-22T09:25:33Z

Hello,

I'm helping coordinate the creation of a spiritual healing center. Our main focus is to create a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for women. We will be using sacred plant medicines such as ayahuasca and san pedro as well as eastern spiritual techniques such as yoga and meditation. There a other aspects to the project as well, you can read up more here: http://www.sacredvalleysangha.org/

We want to build our center sustainably, and therefore we would love to work with an experienced permaculture practitioner to help us fulfill our vision. At this point, we are looking for a volunteer, but depending on the person, we might be able to pay for some expenses.

Blessings,
Deryk

posted in Permaculture - 1 reply

biodynamic calendar online

2008-05-13T00:09:39Z

there is an online biodynamic calendar - it only does a month or two ahead but thats enough eh and theres a leaf root fruit conversion table and stuff - its at http://www.onbrightsky.co.uk/digest.htm

posted in Permaculture - 1 reply

Good article from GRIST...

2008-05-11T15:41:06Z

http://grist.org/feature/2008/05/09/

This is a good article about soil/ carbon relationships. peace!

posted in Permaculture - 0 replies

biodynamic calendar online?

2008-05-10T21:27:06Z

First off I am surprised there isn't a biodynamic tribe. Second, I was wondering if there is a free online biodynamic calendar for determining when it is best to plant trees/shrubs, etc... Thanks. Capt Salamander

posted in Permaculture - 19 replies

moss

2008-05-10T17:20:07Z

just read a little article about a man who grows moss. i am impressed and want to grow some. he makes an acidic combination of sulfur powder and aluminum sulfate, to lower the ph to around 5 or 5.5 and the moss magically appears.

anyone ever experiment with this?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/01/garden/01moss.html?pagewanted=2&ei=5087&em&en=25539f8036b0efdc&ex=1210132800

posted in Permaculture - 3 replies

chile?

2008-05-10T08:04:02Z

any one doing permaculture in chile?

posted in Permaculture - 0 replies

dharma in the dirt from the ny times

2008-05-09T02:39:36Z

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/08/garden/08zen.html

fun read about an ole time permaculturist.

posted in Permaculture - 0 replies

Grow with the flow. Liquid Gold tells you how!

2008-05-06T21:34:01Z

Synopsis
Don't flush it down the loo - save your pee and fertilize your garden! Because it is not recycled, our urine is wasted and pollutes the water system. Yet it could provide 50 per cent-100 per cent of the nutrients needed to grow our food. Use your pee to make a liquid manure: recycle, save water and energy, and prevent pollution, all at the same time! In the 19th century you could sell your urine for a penny a bucket - or 1.5 pennies if you were a redhead Early Romans used urine as mouthwash In some cultures, urine is used to clean wounds and as a health tonic Urine can be used in curing leather, and as a tattoo pigment Discover the delights of the urine-diverting composting toilet, the activists' urinal, and the urinal for women; find out about customs and rituals connected with urine, the science and technology of its use, and profiles of liquid gold at work all over the world in farms and gardens. Take to the fresh air when nature calls and fertilize your garden for free with Carol Steinfeld's entertaining and fact-filled book!

From the Inside Flap
Grow with the flow. Liquid Gold tells you how! Every day we urinate nutrients that could be used as fertilizer for plants, which in turn could be used to make beautiful landscapes, food, fuel, and fibre. Instead, these nutrients are flushed away, either to be treated at high cost or discharged to waters where they pollute and choke off aquatic life. Liquid Gold: The Lore and Logic of Using Urine to Grow Plants tells you how urine – which contains most of the nutrients in domestic wastewater and usually carries no disease risk – can be utilized as a resource. Starting with a short history of urine use – from ritual to medicinal, to even culinary – and a look at some unexpected urinals, Liquid Gold shows how urine is used worldwide to grow food and plants, while protecting the environment, saving its users the cost of fertilizer, and reconnecting people to the land and the nutrient cycles that sustain them. That’s real flower power!

posted in Permaculture - 16 replies

The Paradise Destroyed by the Straight Line ...

2008-05-05T21:23:40Z

The Paradise Destroyed by the Straight Line

by Friedensreich Hundertwasser

An ecologist without a conscience is doomed
to failure, and the same is true of an artist
who does not bow to the laws of nature.

The world has not improved.
The dangers felt have turned into reality.

Nevertheless, today, although
nothing has been done,
my longstanding warnings are at last
being taken seriously.

Yet there are still no lawns on the roofs,
no tree-tenants, no plant-driven water
purification plants, no humus toilets, no rights
to windows, no duties to the trees.
The essential reafforestation of the town
has not come about.

What we lack is a peace treaty
with nature.

We must restore to nature the territories
we have unlawfully taken from it.
Everything horizontal
under the sky belongs to nature.
Everything touched by the rays of the sun,
everywhere where the rain falls is nature's
sacred and inviolable property.
We men are merely nature's guests.

In 1952 I spoke of the civilisation of
make-believe, the one we must
shake off, myself, the first of all!
I spoke of columns of gray men on the march
toward sterility and self-destruction.

The same year I used the term
"transautomation" to show the way beyond
the rationalism of technocrats
toward a new creation
in harmony with the laws of nature.

In 1953 I realised that the straight line
leads to the downfall of mankind.

But the straight line has become
an absolute tyranny.

The straight line is something cowardly
drawn with a rule, without thought or feeling;
it is a line which does not exist in nature.

And that the line is the rotten foundation
of our doomed civilisation.

Even if there are certain places where it is
recognised that this line is rapidly leading to
perdition, its course continues to be plotted.

The straight line is the only sterile line,
the only line which does
not suit man as the image of God.

The straight line is the forbidden fruit.

The straight line is the curse of our civilisation.

Any design undertaken with the straight
line will be stillborn.
Today we are witnessing the triumph
of rationalist knowhow and yet,
at the same time, we find ourselves
confronted with emptiness. An æsthetic void,
desert of uniformity, criminal sterility,
loss of creative power.

Even creativity is prefabricated.

We have become impotent.
We are no longer able to create.
That is our real illiteracy.

posted in Permaculture - 6 replies

Permaculture careers in SF bay area?

2008-05-03T05:49:29Z

Greetings all,

My name is Aaron Cohick and I am the sole proprietor of ABC Maintenance. I specialize in property maintenance, repairs, and remodels in the San Francisco Bay area.

I have over 20 years experience in electrical, plumbing, carpentry, drywall, painting, masonry, fencing and deck repair, appliance repair and installation, a/v installation, landscaping/irrigation, computer repair, automotive and machinery mechanics, etc.

My college education is in art and design as well, so my work quality is has a strict attention to detail and aesthetics.

I have always worked with an eye toward recycling as much as possible and utilized green methods, (when possible), in doing any project. I have a keen interest in the permaculture concepts and lifestyle, have read the manuals, visited the center in Australia, and taken courses on rammed earth/adobe construction.

My dream in life is to find a way to make a decent living utilizing my natural talents, but in a way that is even more wholistic and true to permaculture.

So I am hoping we can discuss some resources one could use in order to find work in this area?

Thanks for any help in advance,

Aaron Cohick
ABC Maintenance
Office (415)564-3904
Mobile (415)606-8281

posted in Permaculture - 4 replies

The BioDaVersity Code

2008-05-01T13:06:49Z

http://www.daversitycode.com/

posted in Permaculture - 0 replies

Scheißkultur - die heilige Scheiße

2008-04-29T10:12:52Z

a n other good one :)
hahahhhahaha
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friedensreich Hundertwasser
Scheißkultur - die heilige Scheiße

Ich möchte über die Hauptursache des Zerfalls unserer Zivilisation sprechen.

Die Vegetation hat Jahrmillionen gebraucht, um die Schleimnis, die Giftstoffe, zuzudecken mit einer Humusschicht, einer Vegetationsschicht, einer Sauerstoffschicht, damit der Mensch auf Erden leben kann.

Und dieser undankbare Mensch holt eben diese mit langwieriger kosmischer Mühe zugedeckte Schleimnis und eben diese Giftstoffe wieder an die Oberfläche.

So wird durch die Untat des verantwortungslosen Menschen das Ende der Welt zum Anfang aller Zeiten. Wir begehen Selbstmord. Unsere Städte sind Krebsgeschwüre. Von oben sieht man das genau.

Wir essen nicht das, was bei uns wächst, wir holen Essen von weit her, aus Afrika, Amerika, China und Neuseeland.

Die Scheiße behalten wir nicht. Unser Unrat, unser Abfall wird weit weggeschwemmt. Wir vergiften damit Flüsse, Seen und Meere, oder wir transportieren sie in hochkomplizierte teure Kläranlagen, selten in zentralisierte Kompostfabriken, oder aber unser Abfall wird vernichtet. Die Scheiße kommt nie auf unsere Felder zurück, auch nie dorthin, wo das Essen herkommt.

Der Kreislauf vom Essen zur Scheiße funktioniert. Der Kreislauf von der Scheiße zum Essen ist unterbrochen.

Wir machen uns einen falschen Begriff über unseren Abfall.

Jedesmal wenn wir die Wasserspülung betätigen, im Glauben, eine hygienische Handlung zu vollziehen, verstoßen wir gegen kosmische Gesetze, denn in Wahrheit ist es eine gottlose Tat, eine frevelhafte Geste des Todes.

Wenn wir auf die Toilette gehen, von innen zusperren und unsere Scheiße wegspülen, ziehen wir einen Schlußstrich. Warum schämen wir uns? Wovor haben wir Angst? Was mit unserer Scheiße nachher geschieht, verdrängen wir, wie den Tod. Das Klosettloch erscheint uns wie das Tor in den Tod, nur rasch weg davon, nur schnell vergessen, die Fäulnis und Verwesung. Dabei ist es gerade umgekehrt. Mit der Scheiße beginnt erst das Leben.

Die Scheiße ist viel wichtiger als das Essen. Das Essen erhält nur eine Menschheit, die sich massenweise vermehrt, an Qualität sich vermindert und eine Todesgefahr für die Erde geworden ist, eine Todesgefahr für die Vegetation, die Tierwelt, das Wasser, die Luft, die Humusschicht.

Scheiße aber ist der Baustein unserer Wiederauferstehung.

Seit der Mensch denken kann, versucht er, unsterblich zu sein. Der Mensch will eine Seele haben.

Die Scheiße ist unsere Seele. Durch die Scheiße können wir überleben. Durch die Scheiße werden wir unsterblich.

Warum haben wir Angst vor dem Tod? Wer eine Humustoilette benützt, hat keine Angst vor dem Tod, denn unsere Scheiße macht unsere Wiedergeburt möglich.

Wenn wir unsere Scheiße nicht schätzen und in Humus umwandeln zu Ehren Gottes und der Welt, verlieren wir unsere Berechtigung, auf der Erde anwesend sein zu dürfen.

Im Namen falscher Hygienegesetze verlieren wir unsere kosmische Substanz, verlieren wir unsere Wiedergeburt....

Als Pasolini in einem Film Schauspieler Scheiße essen ließ, war das ein Symbol des Kreislaufschließens, ein verzweifeltes Beschleunigen-Wollen.

Diesselbe Liebe, dieselbe Zeit und Sorgfalt muß aufgewendet werden für das, was 'hinten' herauskommt, wie für das, was 'vorne' hineinkommt.

Diesselbe Zeremonie wie beim Speisen, mit Tischdecken, Messer, Gabel, Löffel, chinesische Eßstäbchen, Silberbesteck und Kerzenlicht.

Wir haben Tischgebete vor und nach dem Essen. Beim Scheißen betet niemand.

Wir danken Gott für unser tägliches Brot, das aus der Erde kommt, wir beten aber nicht, auf daß sich unsere Scheiße wieder in Erde umwandle.

Abfälle sind schön. Das Sortieren und Wiedereingliedern der Abfälle ist eine frohe Tätigkeit.

Diese Tätigkeit spielt sich nicht in Kellern und Hinterhöfen, auf Miststätten, Toiletten und Aborten ab, sondern dort, wo wir leben, wo Licht und Sonne ist, im Wohnzimmer, in unserem Prunkraum.

Es gibt keine Abfälle. Abfälle existieren nicht.

Die Humustoilette ist ein Statussymbol.

Wir haben das Privileg, Zeuge zu sein, wie sich mit Hilfe unserer Weisheit unser eigener Abfall, unsere eigene Scheiße in Humus umwandelt, so wie der Baum wächst und die Ernte reift. Bei uns zu Hause, als wärs unser eigenes Kind.

Homo - Humus - Humanitas, drei Schicksalswörter gleichen Ursprungs.

Humus ist das wahre schwarze Gold.

Humus hat einen guten Geruch. Humusduft ist heiliger und Gott näher, als der Geruch von Weihrauch. Wer nach dem Regen im Wald spazierengeht, kennt diesen Geruch.

Natürlich ist es etwas Ungeheuerliches, wenn der Abfallkübel in den Mittelpunkt unserer Wohnung kommt und die Humustoilette auf den schönsten Platz zum Ehrensitz wird.

Das ist jedoch genau die Kehrwendung, die unsere Gesellschaft, unsere Zivilisation jetzt nehmen muß, wenn sie überleben will.

Der Humusgeruch ist der Geruch Gottes, der Geruch der Wiederauferstehung, der Geruch der Unsterblichkeit.

____________________________________________________________________________

Bauanleitung Kompostklo nach Friedensreich Hundertwasser

_________________________________________________________________________________
Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Wien 1975
Scheiße wird zu Gold

Scheiße wird Erde, die man aufs Dach legt, wird zu Wiese, Wald und Gärten.
Scheiße wird zu Gold. Es befriedigt sehr, so immer reicher zu werden.
Der Kreislauf ist geschlossen. Es gibt keinen Abfall mehr, die Umwelt gesundet.
Immer wenn ich ein englisches Wasserklosett benutze,
habe ich dasselbe schlechte Gewissen,
wie wenn ich Auto fahre oder Flugzeug fliege.
Die Wasser Toiletten sind eine der vielen gefährlichen Sackgassen unserer Zivilisation:
Verschwendung von Unmengen reinem Trinkwasser,
um etwas Scheiße und Urin fortzutragen.
Aus 1 kg Wertvollem werden so 50 Liter gefährlicher Substanz,
die Grundwasser, Brunnen, Flüsse, Seen und Meere verseucht.
Der Raubbau wird durch Wegspülen von Lebenswichtigem vervielfacht.
Das Land verarmt.

Kunstdünger ist kein Ersatz.
Wasserklosett: Aus 1.000 Gramm Scheiße wird 50.000 Gramm Unrat-Gift. Humusklosett:
Aus 1.000 Gramm Scheiße wird 50 Gramm Rohstoff-Gold.
Muß ich meine Scheiße verschenken und damit die Umwelt vergiften?
Ich behalte sie mir lieber und wandle sie in Gold um.
In einer Humustoilette werden Scheiße und auch Küchenabfälle
zu nur 5% des ursprünglichen Volumens und Gewichtes zu Rohstoff kondensiert.
Kein Wasserverbrauch, keine Kanalisation, keine Krankheitserreger,
keine Seuchenverbreitung, kein Müll, keine Müllabfuhr, keine Latrinen,
keine Senkgruben, keine Jauchetransporte, keine Chemikalien,
billig, Einsparen von Kläranlagen, geruchfrei, Wiederverwertung als Humus.
Man braucht nur einen großen Kübel, ein Brett mit 2 Löchern,
eines zum Hineinmachen, eines für den Luftabzug,
einen Deckel, der Luft hineinlassen soll, ein Ofenrohr,
eine kleine Lampe oder Wärmequelle, Luft, Feuchtigkeit,
Wärme und Humusbakterien, um zu beginnen.
In Schweden gibt es viele Humustoiletten:
Clivus Mull-Toa, Mullbänk, Multrum und andere.
Sie sind moderner als meine, vollautomatisch,
von den Gesundheitsbehörden geprüft und empfohlen, und man kann sie kaufen.

________________________________________________________________________

posted in Permaculture - 2 replies

Permaculture Design Course in Winlaw, British Columbia May 25 - June 7, 2008

2008-04-28T03:39:00Z

Permaculture Design Course
Dates: May 25 - June 7, 2008
Location: Kootenay Permaculture Institute
Winlaw, British Columbia, Canada

Monday April 28th is the early registration deadline for the upcoming
Permaculture Design Course in Winlaw, May 25 - June 7, 2008.
There are still spaces available in the course if you are interested.
Please get in touch with us if you want to reserve your space.

Description: This is the basic Permaculture Design Course. This
intensive 13 day course combines theory with
practical hands-on learning.
Topics includes: permaculture design principles & techniques, site
analysis, soil fertility, organic gardening techniques, herbs &
medicinal plants, fruit & nut trees, water uses, ecological
buildings, uran permaculture, etc. This is our 7th annual Permaculture
Design Course offered at the farm in Winlaw in cooperation with
Selkirk College.

Instructor: Gregoire Lamoureux & guests

For more information or to register
Contact: Gregoire Lamoureux
Kootenay Permaculture Institute
Winlaw, BC, Canada

Email: spiralfarm at yahoo.com

http://www3.telus.net/permaculture

posted in Permaculture - 0 replies

grow with cob!

2008-04-28T02:20:33Z

so ive found that the romans used to grow pomegranate's and citrus in england by growing them next to cob walls that were in the position of absorbing the suns light and storing the heat. this allowed them to create a micro climate making plants that normally will not grow well in an area grow really really well....
i just saw lemons growing in the snow and ripe and yellow right next to a cob house facing the rising sun in pots.
building cob walls around your garden and integrating them into your permaculture design can aid you in growing tropical and sub tropical crops in temperate zones.

posted in Permaculture - 12 replies

Intro to Practical Permaculture

2008-04-27T23:21:15Z

This is a friend's website: www.practicalpermaculture.com

I'm posting it because she says:

"I can teach a class for you *in your location* if you can get 20 people to sign up for the class, and find a place to have the class with yard or land for doing the hands on work. I will make posters for you."

I feel incredibly informed and inspired by her. She has loads and loads (and loads!) of info and does a comprehensive class both with slides and hands on!
I think you'll enjoy learning with her and you'll get a lot out of her class!!
Please check out her website: www.practicalpermaculture.com
Thanks!

posted in Permaculture - 0 replies

digging up concrete

2008-04-24T17:04:02Z

Does anyone know of some good resources out there for converting concrete and asphalt covered land into greenspace?

Am still working out in my mind how to retrofit LA into a utopian community-of-the-future (trying to envision the possible, and how it could actually happen)... I'm thinking that, at some point - the concrete-and-asphalt-covered-everything must come up to make way for restored natural systems (with humans as part of nature to a sustainable extent)

Would also just be good info to have for people wanting to convert driveways and other paved areas back into greenspace for personal use and gardening.

Any info and leads are welcome - thanks!

posted in Permaculture - 9 replies

sugar beet sugar manufacture

2008-04-24T16:57:58Z

sugar beet can be a good sugar producer ive been finding and is pretty easy to make sugar from...

How to Make Sugar from Beets

Many years ago sugar was a priceless commodity. And only as distant as WWII sugar was rationed and prized as a bartering tool.
Kings and Queens have throughout history given and received sugar as tribute and as royal wedding gifts.

You can make this prized sweet from sugar beets very easily. Make sure you are growing or purchasing Sugar Beets. Scrub the beet well and chop it up into small pieces.
In a large pan, cover the beet pieces with water and bring to a boil.
Cook the beets til they are tender and the juice is extracted. Drain out the juice and reserve it.
Boil down the juice to about 1/3 it's original volume. Let cool and scrape out the crystals. Boil the juice again, til it is all gone, remove the crystalized juice again.
Your sugar will not be pure white and it may have a slight beety flavor, but it will be far superior nutritionally to refined sugar.
Store our sugar in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Use it just as you would refined sugar.

growing sugar beets in your design can bring some sweetness into your life... especially if your allergic to bees and dont wish to design a couple of bee nests into your design for honey production...

posted in Permaculture - 2 replies

wabi sabi of permaculture

2008-04-24T16:53:29Z

"wabi-sabi nurtures all that is authentic by acknowledging three simple realities: nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect."

so i get hung up on permaculture some times because it uses the word permanent... in life i have learned nothing is permanent... buddhism makes a study of permanence.
so its hard for me when i use the word to reconcile what i know about the natural world... what ive been enjoying pondering lately is how wabi sabi has been an asthetic in japan and a design philosophy... the actual definition of wabi sabi is not contrary to permaculture other then a semantic differance in these concepts of permanence in design... permaculture like wabi sabi is paradoxical... permaculture creates a permenant system by including impermanence into the system... this is exactly the type of thinking that is what makes wabi sabi... ive been wanting to focus more on the concepts of wabi sabi and intigrate them into permaculture design and philosophy... to me the two are so very closely related they would create a unique and excellent synergy by being melded more formally...
has any permacultrue designers our there looked at wabi sabi as a design concept?

how do the ideas in wabi sabi of "nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect" relate to some of the basic principles of permaculture and permaculture ethics... any one else notice the similarities?

posted in Permaculture - 2 replies

greywater and hair care

2008-04-24T12:45:00Z

so we have a greywater system that uses the water from the bath and washer, filters it through 2 feet or so of spearmint and comfrey, and ends up on a garden bed which we plan to grow tomatoes in this year. everything is totally non-toxic/greywater safe, EXCEPT my shampoo and conditioner, which i do have to use. so how bad are they? what ingredients should i avoid? even so-called organic stuff has ingredients that i don't know what they are, and dr. bronners doesn't work on my hair. or is all shampoo and conditioner safe for the garden, because the cosmetics industry cares so much about health (ha HA)?

(i do know that you are officially not supposed to use greywater on veggies, but there are those lovely cucurbit greywater swales in the manual. i figured that fruiting vegs would be ok, just not root or leaf crops...)

posted in Permaculture - 1 reply

come visit me

2008-04-23T21:08:10Z

website up:

http://www.abundancepermaculture.com/

and im looking for a few summer interns.

I took my PDC in 2003, and teachers course in 2004, and have just wraped up a masters in sustainable ag (thats what kids are calling permaculture these days....) and will offer up to 5 no charge permaculture certificates this summer in return for an 8 week internship. none of the $1200 dollar plus airfare stuff you see out there, none of that "pay to fix up someone else's property". Your time for mine, I walk away with chores done, you walk away with a design certificate.

drop a line and lets shine together.

posted in Permaculture - 9 replies

Building an Eco-Ark

2008-04-23T20:30:32Z

Aloha,
The Eco-Ark Project - growing a diverse assortment of useful (food, medicinal,
fiberous)and threatened plants in order to ensure the
continuation of their species into the future.
I am Zen. I have a small 3 acre place out in the rain forest on Hawaii. I am interested in making a botanical garden/ nature preserve/ food producing park and joining with my neighbors new and old in forming a loose and independent community out there. There are a few other families out there with similar community goals and I am offering my place as a stepping stone for others to live and hopefully purchase other lots in the area in order to grow our community without having to rule and control anyone (Freedom rules)

http://members.fortunecity.com/fbush2/hnf.html

http://members.fortunecity.com/fbush2/guide.html

I'm putting a small group together that want to give Hawaii a try and help plant trees and make trails and garden areas. It only requires one short day a week to cover camp space and with even a lousy job (The biggest town on the Island, Hilo, is only fifteen miles away) you can save enough to buy your own 3 acre lot in the neighborhood. Water falls from the sky out here (180"/yr) and when the changes come we have the resources to survive.

Launch date is early November, and space is limited. So contact me early if interested.

posted in Permaculture - 1 reply

Cohousing, affordable, urban permaculture

2008-04-21T20:56:02Z

(please support us by forwarding this to any individuals or lists where people might be interested. Thank you.)

Playful shared meals, clucking chickens, children, artists, cooperative economics, outdoor movies, bicycles, musicians, gardens, bees, healers, social change work, biodiesel, fruit trees...

These are some of the things you'll find in North Oakland...
...at Mariposa Grove.

Is this for you?

COHOUSING/INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY - 2BR CONDO FOR SALE
Sales Price: $32,000 to $83,000 (after subsidies)
Income limits apply

Applicants must attend an open house! See below for details.

MARIPOSA GROVE (open house info below)
"Mariposa grove is a member-owned, consensus-based intentional community in an urban setting that supports sustainability, social justice activism, creativity and the arts. We are creating a permanently affordable home, a physical and social space where we share resources and responsibilities, grow together and support each other to fulfill our personal dreams while providing a model for the larger community of which we are a part." - Mission Statement of Condo Association

We have a rich web of relationships and history among the adults and children living here. Our community culture attempts to reflect our mission, supporting us and our society.

We're also just plain good folk. We enjoy a good time, both together and separately. Most of us have also been involved in both the arts, social change and/or sustainability work. Among the folks here (both in the affordable condos and in the house next door) we include 5 couples, 3 single adults, 4 (soon to be 5) children under 6, and a 13 yr old. Hopefully you'll get a bit of a sense of some of us at an open house. We have bios of many of us in the application packet.

All applicants must attend one of our open houses, read all materials supplied, and complete a written application. A description of our community, open house & application information, membership criteria and directions are contained in this email after the description of the units available.

UNIT DESCRIPTION

828A 59th St. - 2 BR, approx. 530 sq. ft. apartment
This efficient first floor space has beautiful Pergo style floors, new slate floor in bathroom, ample closets in the bedrooms, gas heat and stove, a dishwasher, an herb and flower garden outside the south facing front window and a kitchen skylight. It was remodeled in 2001.

Financial Details
Purchase Price: $197,000
Subsidies Available: $114,000 - $165,000 (depending on income & assets)
Estimated Monthly Cost: ~$750-$1050, (depending on income & assets, Including mortgage, taxes, condo fees, etc. - based on $10,000 downpayment and good credit)
Likely Necessary Annual Income: $25,000
Maximum Annual Income:
$46,350 (for a 1 person household), $53,000 (for a 2 person household), $59,600 (for a 3 person household)
Deposit/Initial Investment: $5,500.00 (Required before move-in. Applied to purchase as part of down payment)
Move in: Negotiable - June 1 to July 1
Monthly Rent between move-in and Close of Escrow to Purchase: $1,135 (+ supplies fee)

This cohousing community is just finishing the process of converting to condominiums. By the time our new member/purchaser moves in this should be completed. Our new member/purchaser should expect to rent until they can complete the process of of obtaining their loan to buy. This could take as long as three months . They will also need to provide a $5500 deposit. Since the unit will be purchased by our new member/purchaser shortly after moving in, they must prequalify with a bank for a loan to buy the unit as part of the application process before moving in.

If your income is higher than the maximum above for your household size, your application cannot be considered. We will also need 3 years of tax returns, recent pay stubs and a credit report as part of the application process, both to verify that your income is not too high, and to make sure you will be able to get a loan. This is also for people who have not owned a home during the last 3 years (possible exceptions for displacement due to divorce, or comparable situations).

Depending on your income & household size, from $114,000-$165,000 in combined subsidies will be available for you from the city of Oakland, the state, and the nonprofit we are affiliated with for first-time homebuyer downpayment assistance. This is what will keep the monthly purchase cost as low as listed above.

THE COMMUNITY (more info in person and in application packet)
Condo association- 3 buildings on 2 lots sharing back, side and front yards. Total of 6 units, plus a common unit, cohousing style. Willow House, an adjacent house, is legally separate but we are in most ways socially one community and share resources (like our yard and gardens).

Physically we're about 10 min from Ashby Bart in North Oakland, close to Berkeley Bowl, Whole Foods, independently owned cafes and farmers markets. We're a collective/cooperative/consensus-based group, and we eat together about twice a week right now. There's also lots of shared space - our common unit contains shared living & dining rooms, a kitchen, guest room, laundry, art room, office, and more. Our community hosts fruit trees and gardens, 6 chickens, bees, a children's play area, a cozy swing nestled in back yard, a firepit, kiwi vines, many fruits and vegetables growing around the back and front yards, a covered workshop area, an enclosed deck, especially good for classes and gatherings, and open decks ideal for quiet contemplation over morning coffee/tea.

The community was founded in 1999 and a friendly non-profit (Northern California Land Trust - NCLT) purchased the condo property in 2005. Mariposa Grove condo members are co-owners with the Land Trust and formed an LLC corporation which oversees the property and has worked with NCLT to do the condoization (should finish in early May).

Monthly rent (or condo fee after you have finished your purchase) of each unit includes water & sewer, but not PG&E. There is also a small household fee assessed per adult that covers supplies like toilet paper, DSL, laundry soap, dish soap, community retreats, chicken feed and some shared entertainment.

OPEN HOUSES & APPLICATION
We are having two open houses for anyone interested in the units:
Sunday, April 27th, 1pm-4pm
Saturday, May 3, 11am-2pm

We will hand out applications and other materials at the open house. We will not distribute applications by email, or at any other time other than open houses.

If you are interested, you MUST come to one of the open houses. Applications are due Wednesday, May 7th. (note: it is unlikely, but there is a slight possibility that we will add a 3rd open house - if you absolutely cannot make it to one of our open houses please email us to tell us why, and let us know more of your availability. If we add a 3rd then we will attempt to coordinate your availability with that of others in the same situation)

If we invite you to an interview you will need to submit additional financial information.

If you want to learn more about Mariposa Grove, please visit our website (which is in the process of being updated. Please revisit within a couple days) at http://www.healthyarts.com/mariposagrove. Bring any questions you might have to the open house. Please do not email questions. We expect many people will be interested and we can't commit to responding to them via email. Thank you for your understanding and interest.

MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
The owners of the affordable condos will be selecting our new member/purchaser.
Here is part of what we will look at in choosing a new member.
More details are in the application packet.
- desire to live in a cooperative/collective environment
- willingness, interest, & ability to share the
workload of organizing the community including
attending regular group meetings
- willingness & interest in cooking for the group
semi-regularly
- skills in dealing with conflicts
- emotional and communication skills
- involvement in social justice/social change
work/activism
- interest and ability to carry projects that will
make Mariposa beautiful, interesting and open to
broader communities
- creative, artistic sensibility
- experience living or working in diverse environments

DIRECTIONS
Mariposa Grove
828, 832 & 834 59th St., Oakland
cross street Martin Luther King Jr. Way

via BART: get off at Ashby. Come out on the west side of
the station (towards MLK rather than Adeline), cross MLK,
and walk South down MLK. Stay on MLK as it goes under
the BART tracks. Turn right on 59th St. to 828 & 832.

via CAR/FREEWAY: take 580 to rte 24, then take the 51st
Street/MLK exit (first exit). Stay to the left for
MLK. 59th street is the 3rd light. Turn left onto 59th
and go to 828 & 832.

BOTH: 828 & 832 are a little past halfway down the block,
on the right. One house is green with red & yellow trim the
other is yellow with red & cream trim. Down the driveway
in the middle is the backyard and where you will likely find
people. Give a yell if you need to. If you don't find someone
quickly, knock on any door.

--

Mariposa Grove
CoHousing / Cooperative / Community
Creativity & Social Change

email: <mariposa@ic.org>
web: http://www.healthyarts.com/mariposagrove/

posted in Permaculture - 0 replies