Fisherman and Fisherwoman Huang Shen, Qing Dynasty, China, Nanjing Museum
My Chinese grandparents married because of fish.
They grew up on the eastern coast of China in Xiao Ao (Little Cove), due west of the Matsu Islands, named after the beloved Goddess of the Sea, patron of fishermen and sailors.
There were two fishing ventures in Xiao Ao. The first used a vast fleet to gather fish from the oft-dangerous waters of the East China Sea.
The other worked a tidal fence behind which coastal fish were trapped twice a day at low tide. No matter when low tide occurred, the workers gathered at the fence to bring in the harvest.
Grandmothers family owned the tidal fishery. Grandfathers family owned the fishing fleet. In the early 1900s, the families decided to join together. The union of the sea-faring fleet and the shore-bound fishery was sealed by the planned marriage between the two children.
If peace and harmony had prevailed, I might live in Xiao Ao today. But the merger ruptured when grandmothers brother became a devote of Mao Zedong (Grandpa was aide-de-camp to Chiang Kai-Shek). Grandma and Grandpa ended up fleeing China, and lived their last years in California, an ocean away from the land of their birth. ______________________________
I think Ive only caught two fishes in my life. Once I went fishing at Flaming Gorge in Utah. I didnt catch any fish with my line, but I did trap a fingerling in my cupped hands. I think someone else ended up using my fingerling as bait...
Some thirty years later I was on a research vessel in the Philippine Sea, and the crew lent us their fishing gear. At night the creatures of the sea ascend from the depths to feed, and I caught a squid on my first cast. Since it wasnt as huge as the squid a colleague bagged, I threw mine back in. The rest of the night I couldnt catch anything to save my life. ______________________________
Tomorrow I can go buy the heavy duty shelves. Hooray!
So a couple days ago I read about the Electric Waste Orchestra (EWO) in PSFK. It seemed like an idea that is harmoniously complementary to the Humboldt Electronic Light Orchestra were working to kickstart with the Humboldt Laser Harp project. Then today I met Tibora Girczyc-Blum, the director of SCRAP Humboldt, and I realized how well the EWO concept meshes with the SCRAP Humboldt mission. Per PSFK:
Electric Waste Orchestra hard drive instrument
"The Electric Waste Orchestra at Makerspace Urbana, located in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, takes outdated technology and turns them into pieces of fully functioning musical equipment. One guitar, shown in the video above, is comprised of an old keyboard number pad, six hard-drives, Arduino hardware and some software, all of which will not decay into toxic waste. They have other musical hardware in the works, including a Wiimote, and yes, they can all create beautiful music. The electric orchestra is a clever way to bring new life to these old technologies...It’s nice to see people taking these old gadgets out of the dumpsters
Arduino controlling the hard drive instrument
and onto the stage to bring others joy..."
Here is a YouTube list of the EWO videos. It looks like theyre in the early stages of learning to play somewhat traditional music with their Aduino-controlled instruments. However, some of the music played in the video embedded in the PSFK article seems closer to circuit bending than to traditional music. If youre not familiar with circuit bending, Wikipedia says circuit bending is:
"...the creative, chance-based customization of the circuits within electronic devices such as low voltage, battery-powered guitar effects, childrens toys and digital synthesizers to create new musical or visual instruments and sound generators. Emphasizing spontaneity and randomness, the techniques of circuit bending have been commonly associated with noise music, though many more conventional contemporary musicians and musical groups have been known to experiment with "bent" instruments. Circuit bending usually involves dismantling the machine and
Cateura sax from trash
adding components such as switches and potentiometers that alter the circuit."
Youll likely get a different definition of circuit bending from every person you talk to about it, but "BEND: A Circuit Bending Documentary" is a relatively good place to start if youre new to the genre.
While circuit bending is an aspect of the EWO that microcontroller people would likely enjoy, creatively reused materials seems to be an aspect of EWO thats more along the lines of what SCRAP Humboldt would focus on. When I did a YouTube search for arduino recycle electric instrument, two of the more interesting finds were The Recycled Orchestra of Cateura and Bash The Trash. There are countless other videos of musical instruments made from upcycled goods, so if Humboldt musicians and upcyclers want to join forces, there
Bash The Trash cardboard trombone
are plenty of examples out there to learn from, and homegrown ingenuity can add local flavor to the effort. Most of the instruments in these videos arent based on Arduino or other microcontrollers (MCUs), but there are plenty of musical instruments made with the SCRAP Humboldt approach to creatively reusing materials, and there are enough MCU-controlled instruments to make it an enjoyable challenge for the electronically-inclined members of the Humboldt Microcontrollers Group.
Make some music (with any type of instrument or source materials you prefer) and make the world a better place!
So basically I have been watching this girl from 15 feet away brush her hair furiously!
Honestly brushing it fast and rough makes split ends and tangles come even faster...and more furious.
so for you people with straight hair or curly hair that youd rather not properly take care of...here is how to brush your hair
step 1 pick up your brush
step 2 grab some hair
step 3 brush it from the bottom and work your way up
step 4 slowly detangle knots from the bottom
TIP never brush wet hair as it will snag and could break.
see was that hard?
now for curlies
step 1 wet hair thoroughly (shower works best)
step 2 grab some hair
step 3 use a wide tooth comb to comb from the bottom up.
step 4 detangle from the bottom
tip always comb wet hair. NEVER brush dry curly hair.
Tada
btw most hair doesnt need to be shampooed. Curlies only need to conditioned. Oily scalps can skip the conditioner and use only shampoo. Trust me on this
by Roger R. Locandro (Weeds Today/Early Spring 1982)
Dr. Roger R. Locandro, is Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Dean of Students at Cook College, Rutgers University. He is a weed ecologist and teaches a unique course in interesting and edible plants. The course is followed by a sequel "Interesting and Edible Meats." His experiences are an accumulation of a long, traditional, ethnic heritage, fine tuned by his weed science degrees and his continued interest in teaching.
Exquisite cuisine can be discovered in the wild world of weeds. Some of the finest tasting, most succulent vegetables remain virtually untouched in fields and roadside areas. Americans have generally abandoned the European/Oriental tradition of the utilization of edible and medicinal wild plants. Standard of living appears to play an important role relative to direct dependence or even interest in wild things. As the standard of living increases, people rely more and more on specialized groups of people - farmers - to produce food.
Half of our family originated in a little town in the hills of Sicily and half from the Netherlands. Sicilians are grand masters of plant and fungi taxonomy and "culinary" economic botany. They know whats good, interesting and edible! Sicily is a mountainous, rocky island in the semitropics off southern Italy. Steep-walled valleys, covered with a thin mantle of soil, surrounded by a marine environment, are the basis of the Sicilian agrarian/fishing economy. The soil and geology is such that much of the farming is only subsistence level. Families make every inch and every plant count. While the Netherlands is a considerable contrast, the older European wild plant traditions are still evident.
Teaching weeds with an "interesting and edible flavor" unlocks excitement, interest, and motivation in all students, young and old. The opportunity to teach weed taxonomy, ecology, biochemistry, etc., through the medium of interesting and edible plants, with an ethnic twist, has proved to be very successful. From an infinite population of plant species, I have selected five plants and will claim that they are unbeatable for table fare. Most of the species are easily located and harvested.
1. Dandelion-Taraxacum officinale
2. Pokeweed-Phytolacca americana
3. Greenbrier-Similax rotundifolia
4. Lambsquarters-Chenopodium album
5. Burdock-Arctium minus
Dandelion
In New Jersey we start picking tender, succulent dandelions on southern slopes in early March. Dandelions are ubiquitous and can be found almost anywhere in the world. The rest of the world relishes this wild treat. In Italian we would say "chicoria," somewhat descriptive of the chicory-like leaves of dandelions. An interesting note is the constant increase in the production of domestic dandelions in vegetable growing areas of the United States.
What do you do with a dandelion? Eat it fresh in salad, use it as a vegetable, a main course, or drink it! The youngest plants - those without flowers - are prime. They make the best salad with a dressing of your choice. Dutch style provides a hot dressing of chopped bacon bits, bacon drippings, sugar and vinegar to taste. The hot mix is simply poured over freshly cleaned dandelions and blended together.
As we move from the fresh product, an important lesson is worth learning. Steam, do not boil, vegetables. Boiling effectively removes large quantities of water soluble vitamins and minerals. Steam helps to preserve the nutritional qualities, along with the fine, delicate flavors and textures. Steam the dandelion greens until tender and serve as you would domestic greens -spinach, Swiss chard, etc. The difference here is that the dandelions are fresh, free, and they dont come in plastic bags!
Now for the Sicilian treatment. Take the drained, steamed dandelions or any other green that you wish to use, and cut them into half -inch pieces. Mix them with just enough beaten egg to hold the greens together. Add your favorite Italian grated cheese to taste and a touch of finely chopped garlic. Form hamburger-like patties with a large spoon or with your hands. Fry the patties in olive oil. Drain. Here is another good tip: always drain fried food on a cake rack for a nice dry all-over texture. My only problem is not being able to cook enough dandelion cakes for my family and students. This style, or cuisine, is reflective of Sicily. Limited quantities of wild or garden vegetables, combined with small quantities of eggs and cheese, are artfully stretched to provide a balanced meal for a family.
If you are planning to eat dandelion greens, fresh or raw, harvest only up to the flowering stage. Plant chemistry changes considerably when the flowers are in bloom. But dont stop now. Wait for full bloom, and begin the dandelion wine process. The wine is made from the golden blossoms. The following recipe is from the Dutch side of the family. They settled in New Jersey over two hundred years ago.
DANDELION WINE
10 quarts blossoms, no stems
15 quarts water
Boil water, add blossoms and remove from heat. Allow to stand overnight. Next day simmer for one hour. then strain and retain only the liquid.
Add ten pounds of sugar, eight sliced oranges, eight sliced lemons, two pounds of raisins. Place in large crock or plastic container. Ferment for nine days. Stir twice a day. Place in bottles or jars until fermentation is complete. If the first fermentation does not begin within one or two days, add a cake of bakers yeast or dry yeast.
Do not seal the jars at this point. After the second fermentation has stopped in the jar or bottle (the time interval depends on the temperature of fermentation), remove sediments by siphoning off the liquid into clean bottles. Again, allow the bottle cap to remain loose until no further fermentation takes place. Seal the bottles, store away, and prepare for some old "medication"!
Burdock
Burdock starts to grow in early May in New Jersey. The plant is characterized by large, rhubarb-like leaves and edible stems and roots. This is another plant species enjoyed by the rest of the world. in Africa it is known as "gobo." To Italians it is "cardone." The best part is the young, succulent stem. Dont eat the leaves. Try the roots. . . theyre okay as a steamed vegetable but not as good as the stems. Cut the stems into half-inch pieces and steam until tender. Proceed to use the Sicilian formula with the eggs, cheese, garlic and olive oil. You may also enjoy burdock in stews, soups, or served as a cooked vegetable.
Pokeweed
I predict that pokeweed will be completely removed from the wild scene when discovered as a good vegetable. Prepared and served as asparagus, and alongside of asparagus, people will select pokeweed almost every time. The highly succulent, tender, sweet shoots are harvested in the early spring. Pick the shoots up to eighteen inches in length. Strip off all the leaves beginning at the base. Stripping downward removes some of the outside cuticle in the process. Retain the leaves in the whorl at the tip. Cook them along with the stems. if you say pokeweed is poisonous, youre right. The plant contains an alkaloid - phytolacin. Fortunately, the alkaloid is highly soluble and can be easily extracted from the plant tissue. The alkaloid is generally concentrated in the roots, fruits, and leaves and, to a lesser extent, in the stems and young shoots. Cut the prepared shoots into two-inch segments and - break a rule - boil for thirty seconds. Pour off the water and proceed to steam until tender. Serve as you would asparagus, as a vegetable, in soups, or try the Sicilian treatment.
Lambsquarters
Lambsquarters is probably the closest relative to spinach only its better! Taste tests continue to indicate a high preference for lambsquarters over spinach. Steam and serve. In New England, lambsquarters is canned for winter use. Pick out only the young shoots or allow a couple of large plants to grow and continue to harvest the new side shoots. The more you pick, the more lateral budding is induced.
Greenbrier
The best is saved for last - greenbrier, Rapidly growing vine tips are harvested in the spring and summer. Snap them off the ends of the vine with your fingers. They will crack where the tender shoot extends out from last years woody tissue. Serve as a hot vegetable, add fresh to a lettuce salad, or use the "treatment." This is another Italian delicacy, also known as "rauni." its hard to believe that such a fine, delicate treat as similax comes from a thorny, green bramble tough enough to be used as a cattle fence.
Not all weeds taste good or are pleasant textured. And be very cautious to avoid plants or plant parts that are poisonous. We spend little time foraging among the sticks and stones and concentrate on the many good and edible plants.
An extended list of eating delicacies include the highly underutilized wild onion, Allium vineale; chickweed, Stellaria media; yellow rocket, Barbarea vulgaris; watercress, Nasturtium officinale; day lily, Hemerocallis fulva, and many others.
Your introduction to edible plants may serve as an entryway to an exciting, dynamic career in plant sciences. From the fields and byways, the classroom and laboratory ... bon apetit!
Purslane
Comment by Scott Bloom
Purslane contains more omega-3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid in particular[4]) than any other leafy vegetable plant. Research published by Artemis P. Simopoulos states that Purslane has 0.01 mg/g of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). This is an extraordinary amount of EPA for a land-based vegetable source. EPA is an Omega-3 fatty acid found mostly in fish, some algae, and flax seeds.[5] It also contains vitamins (mainly vitamin A, vitamin C, and some vitamin B and carotenoids), as well as dietary minerals, such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, and iron. Also present are two types of betalain alkaloid pigments, the reddish betacyanins (visible in the coloration of the stems) and the yellow betaxanthins (noticeable in the flowers and in the slight yellowish cast of the leaves). Both of these pigment types are potent antioxidants and have been found to have antimutagenic properties in laboratory studies.[6] 100 Grams of fresh purslane leaves (about 1 cup) contain 300 to 400 mg of alpha-linolenic acid.[7] One cup of cooked leaves contains 90 mg of calcium, 561 mg of potassium, and more than 2,000 IUs of vitamin A. A half-cup of purslane leaves contains as much as 910 mg of oxalate, a compound implicated in the formation of kidney stones, however, note that many common vegetables, such as spinach, also can contain high concentrations of oxalates. When stressed by low availability of water, purslane, which has evolved in hot and dry environments, switches to photosynthesis using Crassulacean acid metabolism (the CAM pathway): At night its leaves trap carbon dioxide, which is converted into malic acid (the souring principle of apples), and, in the day, the malic acid is converted into glucose. When harvested in the early morning, the leaves have ten times the malic acid content as when harvested in the late afternoon, and thus have a significantly more tangy taste.
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), raw, fresh, Nutritive value per 100 g. (Source: USDA National Nutrient data base)
Principle
Nutrient Value
Percentage of RDA
Energy
16 Kcal
1.5%
Carbohydrates
3.4 g
3%
Protein
1.30 g
2%
Total Fat
0.1 g
0.5%
Cholesterol
0 mg
0%
Vitamins
Folates
12 µg
3%
Niacin
0.480 mg
3%
Pantothenic acid
0.036 mg
1%
Pyridoxine
0.073 mg
5.5%
Riboflavin
0.112 mg
8.5%
Thiamin
0.047 mg
4%
Vitamin A
1320 IU
44%
Vitamin C
21 mg
35%
Electrolytes
Sodium
45 mg
3%
Potassium
494 mg
10.5%
Minerals
Calcium
65 mg
6.5%
Copper
0.113 mg
12.5%
Iron
1.99 mg
25%
Magnesium
68 mg
17%
Manganese
0.303 mg
13%
Phosphorus
44 mg
6%
Selenium
0.9 µg
2%
Zinc
0.17 mg
1.5%
Mike Oehler on Cattails
Harvesting Wild Thistle This is reprint from Michigan Bio-Char
What Weeds Tell Us About The Soil
Posted onMarch 17, 2012byMark
Those nasty weeds, always complicating our lives and making more work for us than what we desire. Weeds are bad…..right? Well, not all of them. Simply put, the definition of a weed is “a plant out of place.” It’s good to think of them that way because some of those plants are edible and very healthy for you! So, it’s really not a bad idea to learn about weeds and their effects on your diet as well as their effect on your garden. Let’s take a look at some common weeds that you probably have growing in your garden.
DANDELIONS. Believe it or not, these critters are beneficial weeds! They are edible, and can be found usually in salads. They are beneficial because they add good minerals to the soil. They attract pollinating insects, and release ethylene gas, which helps fruits to ripen. Dandelions also have been used as medicines for such ailments as infections, liver problems, and cancers.
MORNING GLORY. Does this plant have any uses? It is on the Federal Noxious Weed list, and technically it is illegal to grow, import, sell, or even have in your possession. It is edible, being known in southern states as water spinach. The Morning Glory grows fast and tolerates poor, dry soils. Some species vine, and are used for creating shades on building walls, helping to reduce heating and cooling costs. The roots do have minerals which can be returned to the soil when composted.
CHICKWEED. If you have chickweed growing in your garden, it is a good indication of some very good soil. This plant has a tendency to accumulate some great minerals such as potassium and manganese, which return to the soil upon decomposition. They are edible, commonly being used in salads.
CLOVER. This plant indicates low fertility in your soil, especially low nitrogen levels in the soil it grows in. It is used a lot as a cover crop. Farmers will use clover to help control soil and water quality, weeds, pests, and diseases.
DOCK. This weed indicates a poorly drained soil that is becoming acidic. Some species are nuisance weeds, but others are edible. There are not that many known uses for this particular plant.
HORSETAIL. This weed is widely known as a nuisance weed. It is difficult to get rid of, even after pulling it out as it grows deeply into the ground. It grows in poor, acidic soil. However the Horsetail does accumulate some good minerals which go back into the ground when it decomposes. Increasing the PH level in your soil will do a lot to get rid of this pest.
VETCH This plant also indicates a poor soil that is low in nitrogen. Like some of the other weeds, it does accumulate some good minerals which go back into the soil. It is a plant that is occasionally used as a cover crop also. There are no other good uses for this particular weed.
QUACK GRASS. Not much to say about this particular plant. It is hard to get rid of because of the creeping rhizomes (underground root system) which allow it to grow quickly. Quack Grass is usually considered an invasive weed. A sick dog will dig it up and eat the roots to cure its ailments. It has been used in herbal medicine since the time of the Greeks.
THISTLE. This particular weed usually is found in compacted soil. Butterflies like these plants. The Thistle is the national emblem of Scotland. It is also the emblem of Encyclopedia Britannica, which originated in Scotland. Other than that, no medicinal uses and you surely do not want to eat it!
SORREL. Yet another type of weed that exists in soil that is acidic and low in lime. The leaves of this product can be found in soups, salads, and sauces. In little quantities, it is harmless for human consumption. However, if a person ingests too much of this weed, it can be fatal. Oxalic acid, which is a poison, is found in Sorrel; thus, the reason why a large quantity can be deadly to the person eating it.
PLANTAIN. Here is another one of nature’s products that is found in acidic, compacted, and low fertility soil. This plant has been used since prehistoric times as an herbal remedy. Other than that, not an item you want to find in your soil.
Make sure you are careful if you are thinking about eating the plants that are listed as edible. There are many species of each plant, and you want to make sure you are eating the right one. Talk to a master gardener or well experienced produce person to get the right answers. You know the saying “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em?” In this case it’s more like “if you can’t weed ‘em, eat ‘em.” Just section off a part of your garden and grow some of these pesty weeds. Nurture them along with some water during the hot months and you’re all set. Happy gardening!
This entry was posted in Home Gardening, Soils by Jesse and tagged chickweed, clover, dandelion, diet, dock, garden, horsetail, morning glory, plantain, quackgrass, sorrel, thistle, vetch, weeds. Bookmark the permalink.
Heres a couple of short videos showing my water cooler-style auto top up
Bottle Empty
Inserting Full Bottle
I didnt think to pull out the base to show you, but it is just one of the bottles I used to use for my window farm. I cut off the top of a standard 5-gallon water bottle (I drilled a 1-inch hole near the top, then used tin snips, finishing the edge with some 1/4-inch tubing sliced so it could fit over the raw edge of the plastic). Since I need water to flow in and out of the base, I drilled additional 1-inch holes near the bottom. If you drill too fast, the plastic can rip (why would I know this...).
Heres a picture showing what the 5-gallon bottle looks like with the lid snipped off (I originally did this to create a fish tank for my aquaponics window farm system):
Aquaponics The other day I picked up the latest Backwoods Home Mag issue and they had have an article on Aquaponics. Ive read a little bit about it and types of systems and watched alot of videos on YouTube. Basically, Aquaponics is..
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BENEFITS, CHALLENGES, AND SOLUTIONS OF THE INCORPORATION OF AQUAPONICS INTO A HIGH SCHOOL TILAPIA Oreochromis niloticus PRODUCTION SYSTEM Island Coast High School Academy of Natural Resources 2125 DeNavarra Parkway Cape Coral, FL 33909 cherieas@leeschools.net Island Coast High School in Cape Coral, Florida began a unique program in the Fall of 2008. The Academy of Natural Resources teaches students to run a successful business sustainably using the practices of recirculating aquaculture, aquaponics, and alternative energies. Students can enroll in the program for one to four years with the forth year culminating in a research/capstone course. Students are responsible for the daily care of over four thousand... ...oooOooo...
Fish plans move closer
PLANS for a new fish and aquaponics unit at Todmorden High School have moved a step closer after town councillors recommended approval of the application. ...oooOooo...
AREVO Aquaculture & Aquaponics (Pty) Ltd
AREVO produce 10-times the seafood biomass compared to traditional open-air pond farming on the smallest land footprint ever, indoors under controlled bio-secure conditions using ...oooOooo...
Aquaponics Media Posts
Dear Fellow Aquapons, I would suggest that we post any responses and suggestions on the related Discussion so that we do not bury the initial post :-) You are welcome to Start you own ...oooOooo...
INTRODUCTION TO AQUAPONICS WORKSHOP Time: March 15, 2011 at 1:30pm to April 30, 2011 at 5:30pm Location: UH-Kauai....
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Aquaponics - Wild Fish?
Would it be possible to catch adult channel catfish and then use those in a backyard style aquaponic setup?
Talking with a friend of mine who worked with commercial aquariums in the past stated that it was possible but to expect some initial die-off due to the stress
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Sean Shorts Blog Posts Tagged fish (11) My First Aquaponics System
It feels good to type this, because one of the biggest parts of goal setting and goal achievement
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Saint Aquaponics: A pioneer packs up his farm and comes to town
In aeroponics, plants are grow on a sponge like material with suspended roots. The roots are consistently sprayed with a nutrient-rich water. Harston and his partners hope to combine the technologies of aeroponics and aquaponics at a new commerical farm in a Chicago suburb. Just off the Dan Ryan Expressway in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, clean plywood cordons off the first floor of a brick walk-up apartment building. But inside the place ...oooOooo...
Growing Virginia breaks ground in Brosville By SUSAN WORLEY/Star-Tribune BROSVILLE - Growing Virginia, LLC held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday morning for an aquaponics, aquaculture, hydroponics, horticultural technologies company locating in the Brosville Industrial Park off U.S. 58 west.
Developers Rory Smith and Chris Moore ...oooOooo...
Plant Nutrient Management in an Aquaponics System
(This is a reprint of an article I wrote that ran in UrbanGarden.com) red pepper
When I first stumbled upon aquaponics in early 2009 it was while I was still running product development, and by extension the plant laboratory, for AeroGrow International. While I am not a scientist by education (my undergraduate degree is in Agricultural Economics) I learned a tremendous amount about hydroponic nutrients in my various plant research roles at
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Vertically Integrated Farms
3:32am Mar 4
We need your help. There are 9 acres of land in Hunts Point, South Bronx, New York, where we would like to build commercial farms (including CSAs), a school of aquaponics & urban farming, and a number of other endevours. We need partners and HELP. ...oooOooo...
You need to be a member of Colorado Aquapons to add comments! Hey all,
I was just wondering if you are required to obtain a aquaculture license in CO to run an operation. I noticed they have them for $100, http://www.colorado.gov/oed/industry-license/42IndDetail.html and was wondering if anyone ...oooOooo...
Get ready Sydney as Aquaponics is about to rock your town! One Day only!
The one day workshop with Dr Wilson Lennard, one of the world’s leading scientific experts on Aquaponics will be flanked by SBS-TV Gardening Guru Costa Georgiadis and our own Murray Hallam. You all know Murray Hallam of course, an experienced Aquaponics Kit manufacturer and presenter of all those great Aquaponics DVDs that we make at Ecofilms. This rare event is scheduled to be held on....
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Now Lets Spread to other areas 15 Herbs to Save Money on Medical Bills Studies show EGCG inhibits the growth of cancer cells and promotes the death of damaged cells. Juliette Borda Times are tough. So we scrimp where we can and keep a sharp eye out for new ways to save. But there is one area where spending a little now can actually save a lot later—your health.
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The Lowdown on Companion Planting
By Lauren Holt and Gina DeBacker February/March 2011 Alliums (like the onion in bloom pictured here) are traditionally planted to repel whiteflies and aphids from the garden. Some plants are friends; others hate each other. Such is the premise behind companion planting—the practice of growing specific crops in close proximity so that...
...oooOooo... Well thats it Sorry I missed Friday was stuck in sick bay. OK Take care O Z Z I E
Ive forgotten what they call them in England, but the Zuchinis as well as the cucumbers are powering on again now that the Nitrates are climbing. Its amazing how quickly they have turned around.
I should mention I did give everything a dose of Iron Chelate and Im delighted how quickly they color up after this wonderful stuff. Its like Angel Dust for Aquaponic grown plants that are showing yellowing, veiny leaves.
Its notebook time...
I thought I might take on the Bio-digester and throw up some sites to deliver an explanation about the principles. Let me say first of all, if you have set up an Aquaponics system with gravel or expanded clay as your growing medium and you have the system in balance, you dont need a digester. If however you are putting together a system with floating rafts, you will have to have some form of digester so on with todays tour of the net.
First a Commercial look at digesters and the principals behind their existance..
Here is an extremely exaustive PDF on this important subject.
Im now going to include two sites that give two views and perspectives. They are both giving their views on commercial undertakings, but each of them show several different slants and are worthy of digesting (sorry about the pun). As I was researching todays Blog, I became very aware of the way modern commercial aquaponic systems have become so complex that they could become unviable.
The first is Semper Aquatic Food Exports
Next this approach from Aqua Biologics
Next I would like us all to consider the fundamental reasons for embarking on the Aquaponic and sustainability road. This next site shows a number of videos, some of them may make you feel a bit uncomfortable but they will also remind us of the state of this planet and many of the communities that can be helped through the push for Aquaponics and a more sustainable approach in all things human, by humans, for humans and it only takes an effort by people with time on their hands.
Now a little closer to home...
Aquaponics and Organic Gardening
Im going to blackout proof my planned, larger, aquaponics system by building an electrical backup.
By the time this blog is posted, I’ll be on the Big Island in Hawaii getting a fast-track immersion in aquaponics
Transition Steamboat Urban Garden Tour attendees visit the Community Roots Garden
WARNING WARNING We have completed the first cell which we can now easily duplicate.
Thats it till next time Enjoy yourself and be good to each other OZZIE
This sandwich is something of a regular mealtime of mine and while it can be eaten everyday, you wouldnt want to devoir this then go on a date. With a whole clove of garlic freshly grated, this sandwich will saturate your mouth with the aroma of 100 Italian meals at once. There is no skimping on taste here, bold basils and old cheddar cheese, radish sprouts and mammoth dill, Italian parsley and spiced coriander, all add up to a sandwich fit for a king or queen. This is almost a completely raw sandwich besides the bread but Im sure there is a substitute for some type of raw bread if needed. While this may be to strong for some people, I mainly look at the idea of health and then taste, when it comes to my preparations sometimes health wins out more, so if you think grating up a large clove of garlic and putting it on toast is to much, some of my meals might blow you away. ( tweaking may be needed ) and generally I dont like to give exact amounts, it just seems funny to me, everyone likes there meals with a different variance of certain taste, so take my amounts with a grain of salt and play around to match your liking. Lets start.
Simply toast the bread of your liking ( we use organic Kamut ), grate up a whole clove of garlic and spread on the bread, add hummus on top of the garlic, ( add sea salt and pepper here ), then apply cheddar cheese of your amount, layer X amounts of lettuce ( we use redina and black seeded simpson ), add radish sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, red clover sprouts, and canola sprouts ( sandwich blend )? ( non GMO, we use Mums seeds ), combined with italian parsley, spiced coriander, ruffles basil, + red ruben basil, arugula, mammoth dill.
Optional items ( help mix it up!! )
Jumping jack flowers chicken nasturtium leaves or flowers candied ginger chives Hot sauce or hot peppers Sweet pepper ( we go for poblano, cubanelle, or bell ) cucumber ( for crunch ) smoked paprika smoked salmon avocado
Resolved Question Show me another » Getting a aquaponics system for my room and cant decide on what type of fish? Because the tank is only ten gallons, that put most fish out of the question. I really dont want koi, but I was wondering if there were smaller breeds of tilapia I could get, something I can eat.
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker its not worth it. Go for....
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Homemade Aquaponics update
Added by Abdul Aleem Shekhani
View Videos
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Aquaponics alive, expanding in former Case plow factory RACINE - In Joe Heinemans last job, as a wholesaler, he often had trouble getting retailers to even return his calls. "Now I call them," he said, "and they say, ‘Well be there tomorrow." The commodity thats whetted retailers appetite is lettuce - locally, organically, hydroponically and...
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Our new Aquaponics Greenhouse!
I see aquaponics like this a means to an end and I do not have a greenhouse system just a fish tank and a growbed set up on my back porch and the ground beside it. I was looking for a way to grow some fingerling channel catfish to stock my pond with... ...oooOooo...
Earth Solutions Little Tokyo Aquaponics Container Gardening without A Tank, OTG-FB06 The Farm in a Box is a self-contained aquaponics system which allows you to grow organic fish and organic vegetables....
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AquaBundance Aquaponics System Charcoal Overview - Online stores - Details AquaBundance Aquaponics System Charcoal Includes 60 gallon tank, 12" deep bed, steel frame with casters, pump, fittings, 150 liters of hydroton, timer, and DVD.... ...oooOooo...
Food desert no more: Nonprofit sets up aquaponics greenhouse in northeast Denver By Katherine Doan For the Colorado Daily I recently drove through the industrial area of Elyria-Swansea in northeast Denver, and it was hard to believe I was on my way to a greenhouse. The Nestle Purina Pet Care Company manufacturing facility stood out among vast warehouses, manufacturing plants, junkyards and signs for auto body repairs...
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Hands-on Aquaponics
Sun, 07/24/2011 - 10:00am - 4:30pm
This hands-on aquaponics intensive workshop will provide valuable information and skills necessary to build a personal or community aquaponic systems from locally sourced and repurposed materials. The course covers:
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Bedroomponics finally up and running Location: redmond, washington I have not been on in a while because of other things in my life but i finally have set up a "mini" system in my room. I have a 10 gallon fish tank, 50 gph pump, heater, small grow bed, and a light. The fish are "fancy" guppies 2 males and 4 females. i have basil and heirloom tamatoes growing. I am using... ...oooOooo...
Aquaponics in Florida Looking for people interested in Aquaponics. Naples area in Florida would be my area. Follow on Facebook "Aquaponics in Florida" and post your information or request. Here is a link that might be useful: aquaponics in Florida... ...oooOooo...
Aquaponics with Vermiponics i am not referring to adding a few red wrigglers to a grow bed, but where the worm bins actually become an active part of the system. anyone working with this? I have set up as part of a total system, 28-5gal buckets each in itself is a worm bin and each contains one plant veggie or flowering...
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Aquaponics Made Eazy Hey Everyone! Welcome to "Aquaponics Made Eazy" page. This page is for anyone who want to create their very own Aquaponics system the EAZY way. Check it out at...
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Commercial Aquaponics Training With Applied Permaculture Design May 16, 2011 at 6pm to May 20, 2011 at 7pm – Ukiah High School Course Description Aquaponics is one of the most sustainable and productive farming systems in the world. It combines Aquaculture and Hydroponics to create a truly self-sufficient closed loop system… Organized by Nor Cal Aquaponics and Living Mandala | Type: course/training ...oooOooo...
Malamalama, The Magazine of the University of Hawaii System O?ahu landscaper Fred Lau believes investment in aquaponic farming is an investment in the future.
video Web extra: Introduction to Home Aquaponics
Clyde Tamaru stands on a small rise, dense trees and the verdant Windward face of the Ko?olau range...
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Aloha Mahiai Aquaponics
From desert to forest.
Videos - Loess Plateau Rehabilitation - Interview J. Vogele
www.thewaterchannel.tv
World Bank task manager Juergen Vogele introduces the experiences in the initiation and implementation of the Loess Plateau project and shares his thoughts on how and why this project has succeeded. The experience shows the crucial importance of listening to the indigenous people, understanding the
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Watching Lettuce Grow – Aquaponics Research by Island School Students
Lactuca Sativa [April 1, 2011 – April 4, 2011], known to his friends and family as Green Grand Rapids Tropicana Lettuce passed away last Monday as a result of faulty irrigation systems. He lived his short life in the farm beds on TheIslandSchool campus, under shady ...oooOooo...
Eat Well and Make Money with Aquaponics Author: Denise Clarke Eating well and feeding your family through aquaponic gardening is a very attainable and earth friendly endeavor. In the future, it may become commonplace for every family to have their own aquaponics garden, where they grow their own fresh organic produce, instead of buying grocery store produce which is chemically... ...oooOooo...
The Home School Aquaponics Curriculum Package is designed for grades 7-10 and is an excellent tool for home schoolers who are currently using or intend to use aquaponics to teach many principles of science, agriculture, math and business. The Home Schhol Aquaponics Curriculum Package is packed full of information and tools for home schoolers teaching aquaponics. It includes: 1 Printed Educators Guide 3 Printed Student Manuals 1 Introduction to Aquaponics Video on VHS or DVD 1 Printed Desktop Aquaponics
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A Brief Introduction to Aquaponics [I wasnt sure where to post this. This was written as a 300 word article for a local gardening publication. It was written for an audience that has an interest in gardening, but does not know anything about aquaponics and may not even have a pre-existing interest in it. Any feedback would be appreciated as it has not printed just yet; so, I can make adjustments if needed. Thanks for reading!]
AQUAPONICS: The Dirt On Soilless Gardens
As the name suggests, aquaponics is the combination of hydroponics and aquaculture. If youre not familiar with either of these, let me explain. In hydroponic gardens the plants
One of my goals for this blog is to identify ways for Humboldt microcontroller (MCU) users to earn money and to try to highlight those money-making opportunities for people who are interested in them. It will help Humboldt people and the regional economy if we can increase the number of Humboldt MCU-related paid projects and jobs.
IoT concept graphic (from comsoc.org)
Wired.com had a short July 25 article, "Tech Giants Begin Recruiting for the Next Big Platform Wars", which talked about a technology-economy trend that Humboldt MCU people should be aware of and should look at as an opportunity for projects or jobs. The article says that the Internet of Things (IoT) is going to be a huge revenue opportunity for MCU developers, the next big platform. The killer app for the IoT hasnt come over the horizon yet, and there is no clear leader among companies competing to cash in on the billions of dollars expected to be spent on embedded computing systems and other IoT products and services. Even though no company has a firmly established lead, those organizations who want to have a chance in this race are hiring technical people, including MCU developers, to create and improve their organizations products. As Wired puts it:
Microcontroller (from ti.com)
"The Internet of Things is still young, but it’s real. There are already dozens of internet-connected devices available, ranging from home-automation tools to wearable fitness trackers. And it’s about to start growing at an even faster pace. According a new survey...17 percent of the world’s software developers are already working on Internet of Things projects. Another 23 percent are planning to start an IoT project within the next six months. The most popular devices? Security and surveillance products, connected cars, environmental sensors and smart lights and other office automation tools. The world’s largest tech companies are already in fierce competition to attract developers to their respective connected device platforms. After all, the winners of these new platform wars will define the future of computing."
Two previous technology-economy trend platforms early stages that employed a lot of developers were when businesses started having websites on the Internet and when the iPhone catalyzed a huge market for smartphone apps. New sustainable trends have a tipping point where the trend actually becomes an important economic factor and creates a significant amount of ongoing sales and reliable employment. The IoT appears to be approaching that tipping point, and the Wired article is saying the trend is sustainable and there will be a large number of steady employment opportunities for IoT developers. The Barrons.com article "Silicon Labs Tuned In for Upside" phrased it this way:
"...we dont think IoT for Silicon Labs will turn out to be an overextended hype cycle. Connected/smart-home adoption has parallels to smartphones in 2008, where developers created unanticipated high-value applications on a platform to drive rapid adoption. From that perspective, 50 billion IoT devices by 2020 does not seem unreasonable."
Other recent articles about MCUs, embedded computing and the IoT have also talked about MCU-developer opportunities in the upcoming months and years. So the question at this point is, how can Humboldt developers get involved with the IoT platform to make money? Ill talk more about this topic in some of the future posts on this blog. But for now, Humboldt MCU developers and users might consider doing some or all of the following activities.
Learn a lot about the IoT and microcontrollers and keep up-to-date on these two topics.
Learn more about the IoT and MCUs by designing and building unique projects and document them online.
Use the internet to document and promote your IoT and MCU knowledge and skill.
Teach a class about Arduinos, MCUs or the IoT.
Build and promote interesting MCU / IoT products and sell them online.
Identify and reach out to knowledgeable and interesting people who are relatively well-connected in the IoT and MCU communities.
Use craigslist and other online developer job boards to look for MCU / IoT job or project opportunities and to advertise your availability for MCU / IoT projects and employment.
All the above activities can be done without participating in any of the Humboldt Microcontrollers Group meetings or collaborative MCU projects.
But the above money-making activities can also be done with people who are active in the Humboldt Microcontrollers Group. In my experience, its often more fun and more interesting to work on projects or activities with other people who have complementary or similar knowledge and interests. If youre interested in discussing any of the above IoT money making opportunities, come to the next MCU meeting. Or email me at arcatabob (at) gmail {dott} com.
While reading through the AP (aquaponics) forums this morning I came across this from Vlad. It made me laugh. Vlad has a way of hitting the nail right on the head. This was in response to a questionable ad -
"...Well, OK maybe its even a bit less hokey...somebody please just shoot me in the fucking head if I ever start rambling about how some overly priced, energy intensive AP system is going to feed some poor backwater village in the middle of the African desert...I mean its nice for middle class white folks to have a feel good hobby and all, but when folks use the very real and legitimate suffering and misfortune to tug at the heart-strings of Mr. and Mrs. Jones of Lakewood in order to sell them something...it kinda gets my goat. Sorry for the rant..."
Vlad and I are on the same page concerning AP. Quoting Vlad again (sic) "Aquaponics is a romantic attraction".
You may wonder where my allegiance lies. This is of course a blog about aquaponics. I do like aquaponics, but its not the only way to garden (Bioponics or Wicking beds may better suit your needs), and by no means is it cheap or as easy as some would have you believe.
A well managed AP system can out perform a soil based garden, but well managed is the crux of the matter and the term that requires definition.
In any case dont let the lure of technology lead you into grand ideas of easy profits and abundant crops of fish and vegetables. It may not be rocket science, but it is a science that requires a fair amount of attention.
This system has two radial filters and a media bed to keep the deep water culture raft very clean, An airlift pump keeps the water moving via an air compressor; no mechanical water pumps are required
Water levels in all the tanks are the same. By not raising the water from a sump tank only a small amount of energy is required to move the water laterally.
If this entire system were buried flush with the ground the thermal mass of the earth would help regulate the temperature very well during both summer and winter
Airlifts provides both water circulation and aeration. I believe airlift pumps can be more efficient than an external pump. (Ive never understood why submersibles are always less efficient, but the specs tend to indicate this). Airlifts can be calculated. This article Performance Study of an Airlift Pump with Bent Riser Tube presents an interesting conclusion is that bends in the riser pipe do not effect the performace of an airlift pump. OPTIMIZATION OF A BACKYARD AQUAPONIC FOOD PRODUCTION SYSTEM is a very good paper about aquaponics and it would be a very good source for information about airlift pumps but a critical table is missing. Id still recommend reading it for everything else it presents.
I found this calculator for airlift pumps. It is spot on against the real life experiments Ive conducted.
From my own experiments without math; I believe an airlift will provide enough water circulation. That is also what Keith Tatjana demonstrates in his paper in which he assumes a circulation rate of one fish tank volume twice per hour. I think air blowers are more reliable than water pumps, and less expensive. Blowers do not provide the pressure like a compressor so this is a limiting factor when using a blower, but if at all possible use an air blower because air compressors like the Hydrofarm 70 and 110 lpm units tend to vibrate themselves to death. I have not done any experimentation with how much ambient air temperature will affect the water temperature, but logically this would occur whether it be from an air stone or an airlift pump. Other papers Ive found are
Performance Characteristics of Airlift Pumps withVortex Induced by Tangential Fluid Injection
Explore the Potential of Air-Lift Pumps and Multiphase Explore the potential of air-lift pumps
A geyser pump, an improved airlift pump
The Geyser Pump improved the amount of water pumped from 40 gpm to 60 gpm in one experiment I conducted. This Video shows the Geyser Pump I built. http://youtu.be/ztHBHULkHNQ
[See Part 1 of the Humboldt Laser Harp project here]
So, Im still glad Im part of the Humboldt Laser Harp (HLH) project. But boy do I feel useless and clueless about whats going on from a technical standpoint...
SparkFun MIDI breakout board
There have been a few emails back and forth today between Ed, Nick and me about the HLH project. Eds getting a lot of the programming concepts figured out, e.g. "...I think Ive solved (assuming that any of this actually talks to a MIDI thing, anyway) the 16 string limit. The 16 MIDI channels are now dynamically assigned to different strings as needed, and released when the string is released. Not sure what would happen if you broke more than 16 beams. Probably the beams >16 simply wouldnt be played. Currently the notes have a hard cut on the end of them rather than a fade...Ill work on that if/when I have a sudden flash of insight. The number of analog input pins are the only limiting factor for the number of strings now. Given external comparators or an external (fast) ADC or analog multiplexer an Arduino could do a ton of strings with more or less this same code..." Nick is doing his part by pulling apart a laser and 3D printing a holder for the laser so we can easily fine tune where the laser is pointing. Hes also going to dig up a USB MIDI input for Ed to use during the design phase of this project.
SDS-50J MIDI connector
Tonight Ed evaluated using a SparkFun MIDI breakout board vs. the SparkFun MIDI shield vs. rolling his own MIDI connection. He decided to roll his own, and at this point, all he needs is a CUI Inc SDS-50J MIDI (DIN 5 pin) connector and a Lite-On Inc 6N137 optocoupler. Hes ordering those from Digi-Key, for a total of $1.78 plus shipping. Heres the optocoupler datasheet link if you want to read up on that.
Me? Im mostly reading the emails about what theyre doing.
6N137 optocoupler
Oh well, The important thing is a laser harp MCU device is being designed, the Humboldt Microcontrollers Group has launched their first group project, and well end up with v.1.0 of what will eventually be an interesting example of what you can do with MCUs.
Returning to the HLH launch meeting we had yesterday, here are a few other points about the project as it currently stands.
The laser harp will be the framed style rather than the unframed style. See the two pictures below.
Unframed laser harp
The tentative height of the v.1.0 harp is 36 inches. The laser harp frame will probably be placed on a table when its exhibited in public, and probably on a somewhat lower stand when a laser harpist is sitting in a chair playing it. The width will likely be between 36 and 48 inches, so that its portable, so that an open horizontal hand can easily interrupt just one beam without accidentally breaking an adjacent beam, and so a laser harpist can comfortably reach all the beams.
Nick will provide computer speakers, a MIDI sequencer and an amplifier.
The goal of this project is to make a musical instrument, not just an electronic tone generator.
Yesterdays post referred to the Electronic Light Orchestra. The reason I used the word Light in that descriptive name is because:
When the laser harp is in a dark environment, the laser beams will be a light source.
Framed laser harp
Nick has a color organ we will work to integrate into the HLH. The light organ has RGB LEDs that change intensity and color in response to music (audio frequency range) and the settings of the organ.
If I understood Nick correctly, we may also try out incorporating some background laser light show effects with the HLH.
One aspect of the laser harp we need inspiration and a bit of technical expertise, or at least some creative thinking, is laser beam presence enhancing. I hope that term is self-explanatory, but the issue we need to address is how to make a low-powered laser beam most noticeable by a person if the laser harp is not in a very dark environment or if the person playing the harp is not looking closely at the laser beam. Some of the enhancing techniques weve discussed are:
a fog machine, especially some type of fog generator that specifically is generating or concentrating fog in the area where the laser beams are.
a black booth or mini-pavilion that can be set up to enclose the laser harp and make the laser beams more visible.
Fog machine
an air pulse generator that would put a concentrated air stream in the same location as the laser beam.
a water jet that runs in the same area as the laser beam.
Some other type of haptic signal that the laser harp player would feel when their finger or hand was breaking the laser beam.
Im going to research laser safety issues to make sure we understand what laser strength or power is acceptable for use with the general public so we dont have anyone get burned by the laser (skin or eyes).
Enough for tonight. More HLH posts will be showing up over the next couple weeks. Maybe Ed or Nick will have something they get so interested in whilst working on their parts of the laser harp that theyll feel compelled to write a blog post or two!
to the soil. They attract pollinating insects, and release ethylene gas, which helps fruits to ripen. Dandelions also have been used as medicines for such ailments as infections, liver problems, and cancers.
Some plants are friends; others hate each other. Such is the premise behind companion planting—the practice of growing specific crops in close proximity so that...
and Im delighted how quickly they color up after this wonderful stuff. Its like Angel Dust
for Aquaponic grown plants that are showing yellowing, veiny leaves.
and throw up some sites to deliver an explanation about the principles. Let me say first of all, if you have set up an Aquaponics system with gravel or expanded clay
as your growing medium and you have the system in balance, you dont need a digester. If however you are putting together a system with floating rafts, you will have to have some form of digester so on with todays tour of the net.
and many of the communities that can be helped through the push for Aquaponics and a more sustainable approach in all things human, by humans, for humans and it only takes an effort by people with time on their hands.
By the time this blog is posted, I’ll be on the Big Island in Hawaii getting a fast-track immersion in aquaponics
"...we dont think IoT for Silicon Labs will turn out to be an overextended hype cycle. Connected/smart-home adoption has parallels to smartphones in 2008, where developers created unanticipated high-value applications on a platform to drive rapid adoption. From that perspective, 50 billion IoT devices by 2020 does not seem unreasonable."
But the above money-making activities can also be done with people who are active in the Humboldt Microcontrollers Group. In my experience, its often more fun and more interesting to work on projects or activities with other people who have complementary or similar knowledge and interests. If youre interested in discussing any of the above IoT money making opportunities, come to the next MCU meeting. Or email me at arcatabob (at) gmail {dott} com.
