Subsistence Farming Day 1 - Coming Clean

The skip arrived this morning right at 8 o'clock, in the pouring rain. Will it ever stop?

This morning we discussed Recycling 101 including the 'how-to' and 'why'. We talked about landfills and other final resting places of refuse that is not recycled or recyclable. We talk about ways to reduce and re-use resources and decided that although we have always recycled, or re-used materials, there is still much we can do. It's amazing what you realize about the way in which your family consumes - how much impact one family truly has on its environment. Sharing with other families what we have learned - and will learn - is an important part of what we are doing to make our impact softer.

Brian and the boys gamely braved the cold and rain filling the skip with items from the basement and yard. Their fortitude will be rewarded by a hearty meal of roast beef, potatoes and all the trimmings. We are taking care of construction materials that were left behind by the previous owner - PVC plumbing, a bedframe, tires. Tires will be saved and used as nests for our future geese. Yard waste like branches and twigs have been picked up and sorted. They will be reused and made into useful objects in the garden such as pea and flower trellis, hurdle fencing, and perhaps a garden chair!
The cleanup part of our project is making way for classrooms/workspace in our basement and will set the stage for clearing the back acre, where permanent vegetable and herb gardens, a livestock area, and orchard will go.

If you missed today's session, we hope you will register to join us for the rest of the project. If you'd like to order today's resource materials ($5 per set, plus postage), please drop me line at nissa.gadbois@navigo-online.com.

Wednesday's class will see the beginning of preparing the temporary vegetable garden with sod stripping and digging. We'll have information on organic preparation practices, layout of a vegetable garden, crop rotation and choosing vegetable plants. The forecast is for sunny spring weather, so we hope we'll see you there. Remember, you need to contact us AT LEAST 24 hours beforehand so that we can prepare sufficient materials for participants.