May 2010 Blog Posts (22)

Hooked on 'ponics

Hi all,

I'm doing a blurb here to share what I have been finding out about hydroponics and aquaponics. The main difference visible in the names is that hydroponics uses and nutrient

solution supplied to the system and aquaponics uses fish to supply

the nutrients after being fed.

At this point my credentials on the subject are as follows, I have actively watched Murray Hallam's…

Continue

Added by Geoff Buddle on May 28, 2010 at 9:13am — 2 Comments

Community Finance Schemes

Very good summary of the many options available to finance community projects (from LA):

There are many ways of sharing finances within communities, including time banks, LETS systems, barter, and

other creative sharing arrangements. Some of these are ways to meet our

needs cash-free. Others are ways to reduce costs, or to access things

we might not be able to get alone.

Community-based finances are

part of… Continue

Added by Daniel Bida on May 27, 2010 at 10:38pm — No Comments

Vermicasting

hi all,

I recently wrote a factsheet for OMAFRA on vermicomposting, which is an odorless way to make organic fertilizer for local gardens
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/10-009.htm

I hope that's useful!

Hala

Added by Hala Chaoui on May 27, 2010 at 8:00pm — No Comments

Awareness Raising - Movie Database

I've spent the last while compiling a list of films that should prove useful in awareness raising for TTo. The list has been organized in terms of subject, with a main focus on (but not restricted to): The Transition Movement, Peak Oil and Global Warming, Resource Depletion, and Permaculture. Most films listed are available through either the Toronto Public Library, University of Toronto…

Continue

Added by Josh Graham on May 27, 2010 at 1:26pm — No Comments

Why urban farming needs to be organic - Hala Chaoui

The success of urban farming might be in the details. Achieving a safe, environmentally
healthy and socially acceptable kind of urban farming requires re-designing agriculture to
address its current side effects. Some technologies, currently in development, could revolutionize agriculture

The full article (6 pages) can be downloaded here

Added by Daniel Bida on May 26, 2010 at 7:49pm — 1 Comment

Humber Arboretum Centre for Urban Ecology to test Sustainable Landscape Rating System

"TORONTO, May 25 /CNW/ - The Sustainable Sites Initiative(TM) (SITES(TM)) announced the selection of the Humber Arboretum Centre for Urban Ecology as one of the first landscapes to participate in a new program testing the nation's first rating system for green landscape design, construction and maintenance.

The Humber Arboretum Centre for Urban Ecology will join more than 150 other projects from 34…

Continue

Added by Heather Clemenceau on May 25, 2010 at 5:00pm — No Comments

Transition Town Totnes

If anyone is interested in reading what Transition Town Totnes has been up to, the newsletter was just released: http://totnes.transitionnetwork.org/central/bulletin/homeTot

Added by Jennys_Food_Ink on May 25, 2010 at 8:49am — No Comments

Just for Fun......Sustainable Dance Floor - Movement towards kinetic architecture

For a bit of lighthearted fun, check out this "sustainable dance floor."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IXCL2bmPHM

It's part of a European movements towards kinetic or responsive architecture - the design of buildings which are transformative, mechanized structures are capable of changing with the climate, need, or purpose. The concept probably originated with Nicholas Negroponte, an architect and computer scientist… Continue

Added by Heather Clemenceau on May 24, 2010 at 8:45pm — No Comments

Martina's Transition Notes #01: Training For Transition, May 15-16/2010

It was a spectacular morning and the sunshine already very warm, as I bounced across Guelph University’s campus. My gaze was directed up towards the trees from which emanated a cacophony of birdsong. The robins and Northern cardinals seemed just as deliriously happy as me about this beautiful start to this Sunday, which followed a frigidly cool previous day.…

Continue

Added by Martina Rowley on May 24, 2010 at 11:31am — No Comments

TTo cookbook?

The yummy lemon bread at last night's meeting made me wonder about a TTo cookbook. The couple of folks I mentioned it to at the end of last night's mtg were positive. I emailed & Daniel replied with interest. He thinks we could use it as a fundraiser, & is wondering how to differentiate a TTo cookbook from all the others out there.

A 50-Mile Cookbook (or whatever radius we decide on) could be the theme. There are a zillion possibilities for veg, meat, poultry, fruit, breads,… Continue

Added by Ellen Michelson on May 21, 2010 at 10:42pm — 5 Comments

Terra Madre

For anyone whom has not seen Terra Madre yet, it will be showing for free down at Harbourfront Centre on July 3rd. Follow this link for more info: http://harbourfrontcentre.com/worldroutes/festivals.cfm?id=2099

Added by Marisa Meléndez on May 21, 2010 at 7:26pm — No Comments

TED talk link mentioned at last night's meeting.

Hi all,

There are actually two links that really show what sort of stuff can be done.

Number one is the William McDonough "Cradle to Cradle" talk that at the end shows designing a green city from the ground up. Starting with a green field and preserving lots of it. Link: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/william_mcdonough_on_cradle_to_cradle_design.html

Number two is… Continue

Added by Geoff Buddle on May 21, 2010 at 11:08am — No Comments

International Pollinator Week

June 21-27 is International Pollinator Week. We need pollinating animals in order for our plant cycle to continue naturally. Maybe we could each promise to buy a bee-, bird-, butterfly- and/or bat-friendly plant or flower and plant it that week. I am planning on contacting Friends of Dufferin Grove to ask if we could perhaps have an area to plant flowers with kids/ anyone who is interested. Anyone interested, contact me at jen.crinion@gmail.com

Added by Jennys_Food_Ink on May 21, 2010 at 9:00am — No Comments

Worm Bin and Linux Cafe after the meeting tonight.

Hi,

just to let you all know I haven't had a taker yet for the worm bin. It is still on offer and I'll reiterate that it will include fresh bedding and some worms to start with.

As well, after the meeting tonight I'll be heading to the Linux cafe 9:30ish till 11pm to catch the open-mike music and pickup the week's coffee grounds. Anybody going to the meeting or not is welcome to join me. In fact, even if you just want to go listen to the music independantly, well that's fine… Continue

Added by Geoff Buddle on May 20, 2010 at 7:57am — 1 Comment

The Science Barge - a sustainable urban farm floating on the Hudson River

This 1300 square foot barge on the Hudson River is a controlled experiment which demonstrates how food can be grown in the city in vacant lots or on the tops of buildings. This of course reduces food transport, making the food grown in the manner more carbon-neutral.

The barge not only grows vegetables, but fish as well! The controlled environment of the greenhouse consists of a recirculating hydroponic system, powered by renewable

energy sources and irrigated by

rainwater… Continue

Added by Heather Clemenceau on May 16, 2010 at 10:10pm — 5 Comments

Upcoming Permaculture Events

Just wanted to let the network know of two cool events coming up this summer.

I'm bringing Gregoire Lamoureux from the Kooteney Permaculture Institute into Ontario to conduct two intensive hands-on workshops:

The Fundamentals of Permaculture Design (July 17 to 24) and

The Design Practicum (July 25 to August 1) which will give students a certiicate as a permaculture designer.

For the last… Continue

Added by Russell Scott on May 12, 2010 at 5:12pm — No Comments

Worm Bin for trade!

Hi all,

you may have come across my previous blog and the stuff about my new worm bin system... well that has rendered my old bin obsolete. I have run out of printable 8x DVD +/-R's with which to hand out my library so I would be willing to stock my old batch-type worm composter for a 50 DVD spindle ($10-15).

Yes, I think there is a better way to worm compost but this would be a cheap way to familiarize yourself with worms and take a couple of months to build up a herd/flock/tangle… Continue

Added by Geoff Buddle on May 12, 2010 at 9:00am — 3 Comments

"Power of Community" film at the Upper Beach Cafe

Hi all,

I went to the film viewing at the Upper Beach cafe last night and would like to report that all seats were filled, the film well received with a lot of chatter rapidly starting up at the end of it.

Several people contributed their thoughts and ideas, one included

gathering various cycling groups together to push for cycling lanes

in larger united numbers. As well, the topic of green roofs was broached. A

few years ago we considered applying for the city grants…

Continue

Added by Geoff Buddle on May 12, 2010 at 8:11am — 2 Comments

Totnes Energy Descent Action Plan now available!

Totnes, the world's first Transition Town, has completed its Energy Descent Action Plan! The full document can be read here:

http://totnesedap.org.uk/

"20 months in the making, many hundreds of members of the local community involved, 230 households surveyed, contributions from local artists and schools, many oral histories carried out, and now the UK’s first comprehensive Energy Descent Action Plan is available. It is a sizeable…

Continue

Added by Andrew James Knox on May 11, 2010 at 11:46am — No Comments

Film Review - "The Real Dirt on Farmer John"

Wow,

borrowed the aforementioned film from the library and watched it this weekend. What a jam-packed inspiring film. It seems to have everything you could want in it, what great luck that John's mum got a camera in the 1950's and filmed everything. Intact rural life back then, what a beautiful portrayal. On to John's dad dying, a kid running a dairy farm, and going to college too. Trouble with the (conservative) neighbours, giving up and going away only to see farmers who still touched the… Continue

Added by Geoff Buddle on May 10, 2010 at 8:26am — No Comments