A highlight was our newly operating commercial scale Feed in a Box system, where we are now producing over 1000 lb. per day of delicious livestock micro-greens (sometimes called fodder).  We have a 40 foot long shipping container that has been used for our building for our proprietary system.  Dustin Dorband designed this incredible system, and we have now been successfully operating it and getting daily nutritious livestock feed for over two months.

There were hayrides for the kids, fishing all day in the ponds and a recycled box building center.  Several young folks caught their first fish ever.  What a joy.  The baby alpacas were a treat to see and guests were able to see our aquaponics systems functioning also.

We are looking forward to year five in 2013 and many years to come.  Come and visit us when you get a chance.

US driving habits contribute to the carbon footpint

It can’t be stressed enough the importance of reducing your carbon foot print, but the task can be daunting and if not undertaken correctly, overwhelming. I want to list some simple things that you can do to reduce that foot print, not break the budget (and even expand it), and relieve levels of stress.

First, let’s talk energy. You don’t need to run out and buy solar panels or wind turbines in order to save energy. There are many simple things that will help reduce the amount of energy that you use. Turn off the lights. It may seem too simple, but it helps. If you aren’t using the light or if you leave the room, flip the switch. If you aren’t pumping electricity to your house then the power plant supplying your electricity isn’t burning as much fossil fuels. Replace your light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. They are a little more money, but they last longer and don’t use as much energy. Work with the least amount of light that you need. When you are on a laptop make sure you have it on the energy saving. This will reduce the amount of electricity it uses and will save the battery for longer use. Lastly, replace old appliances with ones that have an energy star rating. This is a little more costly, but you find a significant change in your utilities bills.

Hydroelectric dam in Ghana - photo-G. Meyers

What about water? What can you do to save water? Rain collection is a great way to reduce the amount of water you may use in watering your garden. More efficient dishwashers and washing machines also help. Washing your clothes in cold water rather than hot is just as affective and saves water. Don’t spend too much time in the shower. That will help a lot with saving water. Just be conscious of the amount of water you use.

Food and health are very important in going green, but this always seems to be the most expensive thing to do. Shopping at Safeway is one of the best ways to do this. I have found that the majority of organic products offered there are cheaper than the competing brands. Another great thing to do is buy fruit and vegetables that are in season. This will give you the cheapest price for you quality and quantity. Lastly, shop your farmer’s market. This will give you home grown, organic produce that gives you the assurance of the greenest veggies and fruits (unless you were to grow them yourself).

Transportation is a key in going green. You can get a more fuel efficient vehicle but you are still burning gas and releasing it into the environment. There are healthier and cheaper solutions. If you are close enough, ride your bike to work and places you are going. You will stay in shape and help the problem of pollution. Public transportation is also a good way to help the environment, but the buses still emit pollution. Walking and bicycling are some of the healthiest forms of transportation for yourself as well as the environment.

These are just some very simple, very cheap things for you to do to go green. You don’t have to be an eco guru to make a difference on the environment and just because you care about the planet you live on doesn’t make you some sort of crazy tree hugger, it just makes you intelligent. Simple life style changes can really make a difference.

There are many different plants that can be used to create fuel. One of the most common is corn which creates ethanol. Sugar cane and palm trees are also used. These plants are can’t make over 650 gallons of fuel per acre of production, where as algae can make 2,000 gallons per acre. Algae are able to take amble amounts of carbon dioxide and turn it into lipids which can be used to create biofuel. Exxon is partnering with a company that studies the genes of plant life and discovers ways to create alternative fuel. They have found a way to make algae take in more carbon dioxide. This will not only allow the algae to produce more fuel, but it will also be able to help with carbon emissions which is another hope of Exxon. They would like to be able to start algae farms near industries that produce a lot of carbon dioxide so as to reduce the amount of carbon that is emitted into the atmosphere.

These ideas are just formulations caused by the new standards that the Obama administration is putting into play. This is one of the many steps that are being taken to curb the impact of climate change. I believe that algae would be a great alternative fuel. I know from experience that it can grow in almost any water (fresh or salted) and it is not a product that is farmed immensely for other reasons (like food). Corn is such a substantial food in other countries that a mass use of it for biofuels could create a shortage of corn for food, not necessarily in the United States, but in third world countries. By using a plant that can grow quickly, can be grown wherever there is water, and is not used much in any other industries; we may just have ourselves a fine alternative fuel. Do you think so?