The past two days of rain broke into a gorgeous but slightly chilly day today. Youssef and I worked to tidy up some things. Particularly we cleaned up the garage where I was doing some construction months ago. Youssef pulled his car into the spot we cleaned out, and he helped me push the Toyota farm truck into the garage so it can be hooked up to the trickle charger that will keep the battery topped off through the sometimes extended durations that it isn't moving.
From there our focus switched to the shop. We moved some equipment and began stacking wood in the corner. That went quickly.
The aguaponics setup is progressing very nicely. The sump tank situation seems to be remedied with lots of extra room. Tomorrow the whole thing should come together and the six weeks of cycle time before the fish can be added will start.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Adding the body pannels
Construction continued today with essentially a quarter of body panels studs being added to the survival shelter. Some pine saplings were woven into further add support that will create the negative space inside the debris pile.
These smaller vertical studs are lashed to the frame.
The stud pattern continues.
One body panel almost done but could use a little further stuffing before the debris layer.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
The frame is complete
After checking on the chicken's water project from yesterday to positive results as well as the other daily necessities, Youssef and I continued work on the longer term survival shelter completing the frame and beginning to add lattice to the outside that will eventually support the debris pile.
The final ring added.
Saplings laced to further support the debris covering. I am most proud of the even spacing on the left hand side of the picture. Square lashings made from excess rope from the frame lashings hold the vertical basket weave in place.
I saw this really awesome hawk earlier so I followed it down to the pond because it reminded me that I wanted to see what was going on down there water wise. It was right before sunset. The ground was still wet so the truck slid down the hill with the ABS doing nothing except making me nervous. After pumping the breaks it slid to a stop. There was a second that I though I was going into the pond. I am waiting until the ground freezes a little bit more. I just got back from closing up the chickens and the dirt there was solid, so I will go drive my truck out in a minute.
8:02pm edit: The truck drove out easily on the now frozen ground. The tire tracks had a bunch of look like chicken layer crumble but dirt in the floor of the track. I think it was where the ABS was going off. My tracks from earlier were an inch into the ground where now Youssef and I could walk easily on the surface of the concrete like dirt.
As a note, if you are viewing this blog without the aid of Google's hover-zoom through the Chrome browser or something similar, you are doing yourself a disservice having to follow the links to make the small thumbnails something visible.
Cold as ice
Youssef got back last night and jumped right out of substantially cold weather to slightly less substantially cold weather. The weather report said that last night's lows were 5^o F.
We made a tripod that supports the net above the chicken run. The longest part of the process was the half hour spent shooting sparks at a bird's nest that had fallen on the ground full decaying leaves and tree moss using a ferrocerium rod similar to this.
After building the tripod and lashing everything together, we went to the hardware store to pick up electrical heat tape to rap around the chicken's automatic watering unit. The previous application of 30ish feet of heat tape and a heat lamp was not sufficient to keep the pipes from freezing. Today we added an additional 15 ft of heat tape and streamlined the original installation. It will be interesting to see the outcome tomorrow morning.
Update on the mouse: It was very fat at its time of passing under the kitchen sink caught by a conventional mousetrap from a big box store using peanut butter as bait. In the review of the mousetrap that I made, I needed a better round spinning trigger and a larger bucket. I plan to experiment with a five gallon bucket in the shop soon.
We made a tripod that supports the net above the chicken run. The longest part of the process was the half hour spent shooting sparks at a bird's nest that had fallen on the ground full decaying leaves and tree moss using a ferrocerium rod similar to this.
I plan to add several more rungs for the birds to roost on at some point. It will just have to be a support for the net until we get to it again.
After building the tripod and lashing everything together, we went to the hardware store to pick up electrical heat tape to rap around the chicken's automatic watering unit. The previous application of 30ish feet of heat tape and a heat lamp was not sufficient to keep the pipes from freezing. Today we added an additional 15 ft of heat tape and streamlined the original installation. It will be interesting to see the outcome tomorrow morning.
Update on the mouse: It was very fat at its time of passing under the kitchen sink caught by a conventional mousetrap from a big box store using peanut butter as bait. In the review of the mousetrap that I made, I needed a better round spinning trigger and a larger bucket. I plan to experiment with a five gallon bucket in the shop soon.
Monday, January 6, 2014
Goals for the new year
We are about a week into the new year, and I wanted to share my goals for the new year.
-Cover Crop: There is roughly 20 acres of hayfield that needs to be converted to food forest over time. While projects at the farm prohibit me from designing the area currently, doing the proper preparation will amend the soil without oversight.
-Goats: I want to section the goat pasture into 5 sections to rotationally feed the livestock and install the automatic watering unit. Watering unit at minimum. Fencing may not happen depending on size of herd.
-Chickens: Grow the laying flock to 100 birds to judge holding capacity of the coop. Install a door that allows the birds to till the soil around the fruit trees. Create mobile meat bird chicken tractors to further till the soil for cover crop see Joel Salatin. Determine regulations on processing birds.
-Greenhouse: Finish aguaponics station. Clean it out again. Provide starts to local farmers, gardeners, and myself. If you are starting to plan your garden and would like to speak with us about starting seeds for you, you can contact me through sustainablehomesteadinstitute@gmail.com.
-The Gardens: Two garden plots will be the focus of my attention this season. They both need to be fenced in and set up for efficiency. The larger section of 5 acres will be an interesting challenge of planning.
-Campsite: The primitive shelter that Youssef and I have been working on will be completed shortly and habitable. A small cabin campsite will be completed.
-The Organizations: As campsites develop, it is a top priority to offer more classes and opportunity for interns through a charitable organization.
-Personal Development: It is my goal spend more time in the shop creating beautiful things I need rather than purchasing items.
-Icing on the cake: If the greenhouse and well pump could be powered by solar electricity. That would make me really happy. Also included a rocket mass heater in the kitchen.
-Cover Crop: There is roughly 20 acres of hayfield that needs to be converted to food forest over time. While projects at the farm prohibit me from designing the area currently, doing the proper preparation will amend the soil without oversight.
-Goats: I want to section the goat pasture into 5 sections to rotationally feed the livestock and install the automatic watering unit. Watering unit at minimum. Fencing may not happen depending on size of herd.
-Chickens: Grow the laying flock to 100 birds to judge holding capacity of the coop. Install a door that allows the birds to till the soil around the fruit trees. Create mobile meat bird chicken tractors to further till the soil for cover crop see Joel Salatin. Determine regulations on processing birds.
-Greenhouse: Finish aguaponics station. Clean it out again. Provide starts to local farmers, gardeners, and myself. If you are starting to plan your garden and would like to speak with us about starting seeds for you, you can contact me through sustainablehomesteadinstitute@gmail.com.
-The Gardens: Two garden plots will be the focus of my attention this season. They both need to be fenced in and set up for efficiency. The larger section of 5 acres will be an interesting challenge of planning.
-Campsite: The primitive shelter that Youssef and I have been working on will be completed shortly and habitable. A small cabin campsite will be completed.
-The Organizations: As campsites develop, it is a top priority to offer more classes and opportunity for interns through a charitable organization.
-Personal Development: It is my goal spend more time in the shop creating beautiful things I need rather than purchasing items.
-Icing on the cake: If the greenhouse and well pump could be powered by solar electricity. That would make me really happy. Also included a rocket mass heater in the kitchen.
Friday, January 3, 2014
This neighborhood rocks! Duh.
Most of the northeastern United States is covered in snow, but it just seemed to miss us here. The weather delayed my sister's departure, and this morning we got breakfast on her way out of town. While we missed the snow, the temperatures last night resulted in the lock on the front gate being frozen or broken in the shut position. The cylinder turned but didn't move anything. I went back to the house and grabbed the bolt cutters, which now live in the truck.
After a few minutes of me trying to cut through the lock, my sister reminded me that I bought the one that was impossible to cut through. This duh moment resulted in the quick snipping of the chain that held the lock. And we were off.
At some point during the day the bolt that held the gate collar to the gate had finally come unfastened. This is the 3-5 time fixing the gate. The first time I had to remove the post from the original 10ft gate to get some equipment in. The second fix I had to remove the post from the 14ft gate that replaced the 10ft gate to move a building out. The third time I concreted the post in place. The collar has fallen off several times. Each time we further crushed the side of the gate hoping it will stay.
I did not have the opportunity to fix at the gate. After delivering some compost to a friend, I stopped by Southern States to pick up a new collar. I saw the lights off and the man sweeping inside, I knew I was too late.
So sad, I headed home as the sun still managed to light up the horizon slightly. Coming down the road I see the gate hanging beautifully. Freddie had gotten out there with his car jack and fixed it while I was gone. We spoke for a little bit, and he came up with an idea to fix the collar so it would never slip out again. I was convinced I was going to have to bring a welder and generator. Freddie pointed out that if I drill a hole and run a bolt through the whole thing, it would do the job better.
A lot of "permaculture principles" are the duh way of fixing things. We as a society have come so far that we do not realize that the easier way is often more efficient. In the example of a healthy forest, all layers support each other through nutrients from decay, and there is production at minimum seven levels. Our modern agriculture system requires endless amounts of fertilizer from fossil fuels, yet production is limited to only one level. I was ready to jump to the welder and generator when all I need was a hand drill and a bolt. The problem with duh moments is that you need somebody to remind you to take a step back. On the way out of the house to deliver the compost, I saw a huge hawk perched on the electric line surveying the ground for food. I have herd it mention that the medicine of the hawk reminds us to take a step back when we are so wrapped up in things that we fail to see the full picture.
After a few minutes of me trying to cut through the lock, my sister reminded me that I bought the one that was impossible to cut through. This duh moment resulted in the quick snipping of the chain that held the lock. And we were off.
At some point during the day the bolt that held the gate collar to the gate had finally come unfastened. This is the 3-5 time fixing the gate. The first time I had to remove the post from the original 10ft gate to get some equipment in. The second fix I had to remove the post from the 14ft gate that replaced the 10ft gate to move a building out. The third time I concreted the post in place. The collar has fallen off several times. Each time we further crushed the side of the gate hoping it will stay.
I did not have the opportunity to fix at the gate. After delivering some compost to a friend, I stopped by Southern States to pick up a new collar. I saw the lights off and the man sweeping inside, I knew I was too late.
So sad, I headed home as the sun still managed to light up the horizon slightly. Coming down the road I see the gate hanging beautifully. Freddie had gotten out there with his car jack and fixed it while I was gone. We spoke for a little bit, and he came up with an idea to fix the collar so it would never slip out again. I was convinced I was going to have to bring a welder and generator. Freddie pointed out that if I drill a hole and run a bolt through the whole thing, it would do the job better.
A lot of "permaculture principles" are the duh way of fixing things. We as a society have come so far that we do not realize that the easier way is often more efficient. In the example of a healthy forest, all layers support each other through nutrients from decay, and there is production at minimum seven levels. Our modern agriculture system requires endless amounts of fertilizer from fossil fuels, yet production is limited to only one level. I was ready to jump to the welder and generator when all I need was a hand drill and a bolt. The problem with duh moments is that you need somebody to remind you to take a step back. On the way out of the house to deliver the compost, I saw a huge hawk perched on the electric line surveying the ground for food. I have herd it mention that the medicine of the hawk reminds us to take a step back when we are so wrapped up in things that we fail to see the full picture.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Chicken Hawk Barrier Complete (photo heavy)
The chicken coop draws closer to its inevitable completion. Today Freddie helped me to secure the net over the top of the coop. About a month ago I lost two birds to a hawk. I am confident the addition of this net I have had in storage will allow the birds to free range unmolested.
My sister came midway through the day and helped by cutting the final strands of extra netting and taking a bunch of pictures. Here are some:
My sister came midway through the day and helped by cutting the final strands of extra netting and taking a bunch of pictures. Here are some:
After a trim
Soon to be automatic chicken door
Knuckles
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
The Law of Laziness
The Law of Laziness defined today. The location of the rabbit hutches has simply been too far away from their food and water. By moving them closer to the chicken coup, Freddie and I created a better way to manage their daily feedings as well as the entire manure/compost system. Permaculture people talk about zones. Today we narrowed the animal zone for human input efficiency.
A while back I posted about IBC composting. Initial testing revealed that it is difficult to turn the compost in the bin because it is prohibitively heavy. The revised plan is to empty the coop and rabbit cages into a pile that is moved by the tractor up the hill.
A while back I posted about IBC composting. Initial testing revealed that it is difficult to turn the compost in the bin because it is prohibitively heavy. The revised plan is to empty the coop and rabbit cages into a pile that is moved by the tractor up the hill.
The pile to the left consists of several months worth of waste from the chicken coop and rabbits.
The new pile starts with the fresh hay just removed from the chicken coop. It was interesting that the volume of freshly cleaned hay from the chicken coup was three tractor buckets, while the volume of the composted pile was two buckets despite three additional cleanings in the pile.
After the pile was moved, Freddie and I cleaned the cages and moved them one by one to their new home. After digging a few holes and filling them with gravel, the first sits pretty level.
Two in place featuring Freddie's hunting cap.
All three in place. This more efficient setup almost looks like it was meant to go there from the start.
"Looks good if you ask me." - Freddie
Happy rabbit inside.
Soon to be fresh compost.
Last year we grew leaps and bounds, personally and as an organization. Thank you for your support and continued encouragement over the next year. From all the animals and people in the Sustainable Homestead family, may the new year bring you happiness and joy beyond expectations.
I love you all!
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Merry Christmas
Around town I have seen several new barns under construction. If they are anything like their counterparts in Bethlehem, it is a miracle that Jesus ever left the manger. Maybe that is why no one mentions him for thirty years.
Merry Christmas.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Hunting Rabbits
Freddie and I left pretty early this morning after loading his dogs for a rabbit hunt. We loaded up with snout meat, egg, and cheese biscuits before driving to the hunting grounds.
We did not stay until almost sunset per usual, but went for a good walk with our guns. When the sun was out the weather was perfect, but as the sun dipped behind cloud cover for any length of time a jacket became mandatory.
The theme of today was broom straw and briars. Freddie was standing in one patch while the dogs circled around him. One dog came back to sit by his side and from directly next to his foot jumped a rabbit.
Before that jumping I saw one coming right for me. It stopped in its tracks when it saw me. And I was startled that it stopped. We just looked at each other for a minute. Then I whiffed two shots and he ran away. The second shot was really a hope and prayer as he jumped further into the high grass. My rabbit gun of choice is a Revelation bolt action 410 shotgun from the mid 50s or 60s. It isn't a really nice gun. But is has character and I like it. Something about a bolt action!
We did not stay until almost sunset per usual, but went for a good walk with our guns. When the sun was out the weather was perfect, but as the sun dipped behind cloud cover for any length of time a jacket became mandatory.
The theme of today was broom straw and briars. Freddie was standing in one patch while the dogs circled around him. One dog came back to sit by his side and from directly next to his foot jumped a rabbit.
Before that jumping I saw one coming right for me. It stopped in its tracks when it saw me. And I was startled that it stopped. We just looked at each other for a minute. Then I whiffed two shots and he ran away. The second shot was really a hope and prayer as he jumped further into the high grass. My rabbit gun of choice is a Revelation bolt action 410 shotgun from the mid 50s or 60s. It isn't a really nice gun. But is has character and I like it. Something about a bolt action!
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Sleeping next to the rocket stove
I would be lying if I said I wasn't tired from the past several days working on the survival shelter intended for a longer term stay. Youssef left this morning. I worked on several things, but mainly just wandered around. I burned the rocket stove for most of the evening as the sun was setting. I awoke still seated on the wooden chair and feet propped up on a cinderblock sometime later to my friend's car's headlights as he came over to return some borrowed items. Sitting next to the rocket stove when it is burning properly is amazingly peaceful. I think I might loose some greenhouse table space to a recliner.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Coyotes, Bobcats, & Ashmonsters, Oh My! - Happy Holidays
Well I've been here for just under four weeks, and tomorrow morning I will be heading back home for the holidays to spend time with my family and close friends. The first half of my stay has absolutely flown by, but I guess that's to be expected working on a farm all day. Before the homestead I had never done any type of construction (aside from foxholes), and in less than three weeks (accounting for rain) we've built a rocket mass heater and nearly an entire frame for a large survival shelter. The early sunset in these winter months really stagnates progress each day, but despite this the two of us have been knocking these projects out piece by piece, step by step, until we can't see or move any more. The always evolving design of the structure doesn't help, taking time to make sure our one-of-a-kind home doesn't come custom crumbling in on itself. The size is what impresses me most of all; I thought I would be living in a space no bigger than a walk in closet (yes, I once lived in a walk in closet) yet the slanted floor has been a blessed curse, giving passengers plenty of room to maneuver.
During the length of my stay I've been soaking up information from Scott on all sorts of survival techniques, do's, don'ts, warnings, tips, tricks, and meditative advice. I will transition from a backpack and minimal support from Scott (i.e. food, companionship) to an all out four letter word situation, with nothing but one, maybe two tools and Ashmonster to keep me alive. Assurances have been made coyotes and bobcats won't like me very much (not such a great audience), and I'll be in walkie range the entire time in case of an emergency. Should be fun.
Scott has been an absolutely amazing host, being very flexible and incredibly hospitable to me. I only wish these pictures and video could give you all an idea of what life is like at the institute, but as with any, justice isn't given. It's been a pleasure to be a part of the farm and help build it up for the short time I'm here, and I am eager as well as dreading the challenging part of my stay. A survival video "debris hut diary" series may even be in order. All that is to come, for now though, I'm relaxing and enjoying my last night on the farm. I'll say goodnight to the blog until 2014, refreshed and ready to go. Until then, check out this brief progress update.
Happy Holidays with love,
Youssef
During the length of my stay I've been soaking up information from Scott on all sorts of survival techniques, do's, don'ts, warnings, tips, tricks, and meditative advice. I will transition from a backpack and minimal support from Scott (i.e. food, companionship) to an all out four letter word situation, with nothing but one, maybe two tools and Ashmonster to keep me alive. Assurances have been made coyotes and bobcats won't like me very much (not such a great audience), and I'll be in walkie range the entire time in case of an emergency. Should be fun.
Scott has been an absolutely amazing host, being very flexible and incredibly hospitable to me. I only wish these pictures and video could give you all an idea of what life is like at the institute, but as with any, justice isn't given. It's been a pleasure to be a part of the farm and help build it up for the short time I'm here, and I am eager as well as dreading the challenging part of my stay. A survival video "debris hut diary" series may even be in order. All that is to come, for now though, I'm relaxing and enjoying my last night on the farm. I'll say goodnight to the blog until 2014, refreshed and ready to go. Until then, check out this brief progress update.
raw
50%?
Happy Holidays with love,
Youssef
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