The dog days of summer are slowly coming to an end. Personally, I will miss the the long days and sticky nights as Autumn reigns in. This has been an extremely busy summer for our little pig farm. Building fences to allow the pigs to free range, fighting foxes and coyotes, that frequently visit the farm as if it were a buffet, and trying to erect a greenhouse that we acquired from a friend. All this plus the normal of tending the gardens, feeding the animals, and maintaining a full time job while we build our sustainable paradise.
Life off the grid is not for the faint of heart, nor the week of back. But the rewards are fabulous. The fresh vegetables have been fantastic. We have put(canned) many jars from the garden and even took the kids to a blackberry patch I stumbled on. If you have never tried homemade blackberry jam, put it on your “to do” list. Recently, we went to a friends vineyard and picked about 75 pounds of muscadine grapes. I’ll let you know how the wine turns out in about 5 months. In the meantime we will be making jams and jellies while the fall garden grows. I am particularly looking forward to this harvest, as we are planting peas, beans, several types of lettuce, tomatoes, winter squash, spinach, and a few others that have slipped my mind at the moment.
One of the most important projects are the rain barrels we picked up. Even though our well water is better than Aquafina, nothing is better for organic gardens than good ole rain water. The idea is to get gutters on all the structures so the rain water can be funneled into the barrels. Doesn’t sound that bad does it? For reasons beyond my grasp I still haven’t finished the first one. What a slacker! And now the rain is falling. Can you say slacker? When I get the system set up, we will be able to supply the green house with water, without putting additional strain on the well or depleting the aquifer. I’ll get some pictures up later.
There have been many changes that I want to share, but the cow is calling. It’s after 6:30 in the morning and she gets fussy if I make her wait to eat. Pregnant cows are just as bossy as pregnant women, but not as cute. 1000 lbs of attitude. Sounds fun doesn’t it!!
If any of you would like to share your experiences of going green or organic farming, please sign up and send me an email so I can set up an authors account. We’d love to hear your stories.
During the past few years the organic movement has increased by leaps and bounds. Not only are people in the private sector enjoying the benefits of going green, but many government agencies are seeing the need to switch to greener products. In 2003, the United States government passed a law requiring manufacturers of pressure treated lumber to stop using CCA ( chromate copper arsenate ), which is a form of arsenic. There are also many hazards in using inorganic pesticides. These chemicals can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and eye irritation, just to name a few. Inorganic fertilizers have been proven to contaminate waterways and kill fish, yet they are still sold and used for all lawn and garden applications.
One of biggest problems with not using organic fertilizer is run off. While some of the chemicals used to make fertilizers come from the earth, they are used in such high quantities that they cannot be absorbed into the soil, therefore watering and rain will cause excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous to flow into the aquifer and rivers. These high levels can be seen in drinking water and most notably at the mouth of the Mississippi River where every year fertilizer run-off causes a phenomenon known as the Gulf of Mexico “Dead Zone”.
The super inflated amounts of nitrogen cause algae to grow at an accelerated rate, then these algae die,which in turn burns up the oxygen that the fish and other plant life depend on. Inorganic pesticides are another common man-made chemical that have a lasting effect on our environment and our personal health. While the EPA has an extensive list of banned pesticide ingredients, manufacturers are continually trying to come up with new products to meet the demands of farmers, pest control professionals and hobby gardeners. Some of these chemicals are still so toxic that you may need to leave your home for a few hours to a few months. During these treatments, chemicals are inadvertently released into the air and soil. These are the types of chemicals that not only kill termites and roaches, but have the capacity to kill humans. Many of us enjoy a day outside barbecuing on the deck and spending time with family and friends. Did you know that manufacturers of pressure-treated lumber did not remove chromate copper arsenate (CCA) from production until 2004. CCA treated lumber was used for many outdoor projects including decks, playground equipment, gazebos, lawn furniture, and more. While this method of treating lumber was found to be an effective preservative, exposure to high levels of arsenic have resulted in using alternative methods. The EPA (environmental protection agency) has stated that using a penetrating oil to coat the wood reduces and possibly eliminates exposure to the CCA found in the wood.
The organic movement is becoming increasingly popular since more and more people are becoming aware of the dangers of using modern chemicals. For thousands of years the human race has flourished off the grid, using the tools supplied to us by Mother Nature. Now there are certified organic products available with Mother Nature in mind. We can all have a more sustainable life and leave the natural beauty of the world intact for generations to come.
Tags: aquifer, CCA, certified organic, chemicals, dead zone, fertilizer, greener, natural, nitrogen, organic, pesticides, phosphorous, poison
More and more people are realizing that you can still enjoy modern amenities while enjoying the independence of off grid living. Being off the grid means being exactly that, off the grid. No power lines, no electric bills, and being free of utility grid demands, not to mention their ever-rising rates. Off grid living is environmentally friendly and cost effective and it is an option available to almost any one owning a home.
The principles of off grid living may be applied to any home in the world, even those currently tied to the grid. From solar panels, hydro power and windmills, there is growing curiosity in off grid living and breaking free from fossil fuel burning power plants. The technologies have advanced and the costs have dropped greatly.
Even do-it-yourselfers can take leaps into off grid living with many kits, resources and manuals available for instruction. As energy demands increase globally, those living off grid can rest easy knowing their own energy costs are diminishing.
The idea of off grid living can be scary to some who believe they will have to give up some of their most prized possessions and electronic gadgets to achieve such freedom. This is very far from the truth. Off grid living is simply about learning to moderate your use of electricity. It can be as simple as turning off lights that are not really in use. Purchasing appliances that don’t use energy when not in use (like clocks on microwaves and stoves). Learning to unplug, not just turn off. Things like computers and printers, well anything with the little green light that is always on, these items are stealing precious energy and adding to your bill. Wanting to become part of the off grid living adventure, doesn’t always mean giving up everything, sometimes it just means getting smarter about the things you have.
Off grid living has gotten so popular that even completely re-locatable high efficiency homes are being produced to meet those needs. Very similar to mobile homes and travel travelers in layout and definitely only designed for a one or two person dwelling, these housing units use solar power, passive solar design and a small amount of natural gas to provide off grid living that you can take with you when you move.
If you are interested in off grid living, but need more success stories to drive you over the teetering point then start your research on the Internet. There are tons of great resources available and individuals who took the plunge into off grid living with great success telling their stories. Imagine, no more gathering around that one little candle when the power goes out, or having the neighbors over to watch their favorite shows when there is a blackout. Off grid living is obtainable for anyone and you too can enjoy the life of off grid living no matter where you make your home.
Tags: green energy home, hydro power, off grid living, renewable energy technology, solar panels, windmills
Many of us have heard about the recent trend to living green and getting off the grid. But what does life off the grid really mean? For starters it doesn’t mean that you have become Amish and light the house with candles or oil you made from animal fat. It simply means that you are conscious about how much money you are spending on products and resources that you can produce yourself with a little effort.
To live off the grid, in reality, is to produce energy at your home, without using the overpriced energy supplied by your local power company. There are many ways to achieve energy independence and have a life off the grid. Two of the most popular are solar energy and wind energy.
Solar energy is getting more and more popular due to the vast majority of the world having sunshine. Solar energy can be very expensive to set up and does require routine maintenance. There is, however, a way that you can make a solar panel at home and save yourself thousands of dollars.
Wind energy has been around for centuries. Due to the rising cost of fuel and the expense of buying commercial made solar systems, windmills are making a come back. The pros and cons of making a windmill can be found at the how to make a windmill site.
Life off the grid can be achieved, but it takes a little work. And for those who truly like to be independent, you can take this even farther by growing your vegetables, raising chickens or pigs. All of these are excellent ways of preserving our natural resources. By having a life off the grid you are in fact deciding to save the planet, and provide a cleaner environment for all our children and grandchildren.
Tags: grid, make a solar panel, make a windmill, off the grid, solar energy, wind energy
Economic uncertainties, rising fuel and energy costs, and global conscience combine to make looking at solar energy a practical solution. Once reserved for the over-zealous environmentalists, solar energy is quickly gaining popularity among the general population. If you have ever considered solar energy you may have been apprehensive about installing it in your home because of the price. The demand is making this alternative feasible, and the reasons for doing it are plenty.
The biggest perk in having your own solar panel is that you are not under the thumb of the utility companies. No matter how much utility prices rise, you will be able to enjoy the sun’s energy as it heats your home and water, and provides a source of power to your appliances. We all know that utility prices are rising at an alarming rate. With the estimates of the savings with solar panels, the savings may be much higher than estimated if prices keep rising at this rate.
Solar energy is also a positive choice because the environmental impact is minimal. It is clean power, with no emissions, outages or maintenance costs. While the electric company is experience peak usage time (thus higher rates), your solar power is at peak production. In addition, you can research government sponsored rebates, tax credits and other financial incentives for installing solar powered energy. The best scenario for solar energy is producing enough energy to actually sell some back to the electric company! If you produce enough energy and have the converter, this is possible in some instances.
In addition to having solar panels, you can further lower your utility bills by making your home energy efficient. Install CFL light bulbs, use Energy Star appliances and turn off power not in use. Weather proof your windows and doors. Buy weather smart curtains to allow heat in or to keep the cold out. This combination will surprise you with the savings.
If you think it’s a stretch to install solar energy think again. Solar energy panels are easy to install. Full sun is the best. The life expectancy for the panels is 20 years. You have the option of having a technician install them, with prices expected to be about $3,000 depending on multiple factors. If you are handy, however, there is an alternative. You can make your own panels and install them for a fraction of that cost (about $200). The panels can be on the home, or on ground mounts, so there is likely a way you can make them work for you.
Solar energy will add value to your home, as well as lower your utility bills and while keeping our environment clean. With so many benefits, strongly consider adding solar energy panels to your home.
Learn how to make and install your own home solar panel. Stop wasting money on electricity that you can make for free.
Tags: clean power, Freddie Baumann, home solar panel, solar energy, solar panels
