Urban Farm Tour

Our property was invited to participate in the First Annual Urban Farm Tour, Saturday, May 7 hosted by the Greenville Organic Foods Organization: "Come see fantastic examples of how city residents are practicing sustainability by growing their own food and implementing energy efficiency. The self-guided tour will showcase urban farms, edible gardens and energy efficiency located within 10 miles from downtown Greenville."

We are absolutely thrilled to be a part of it! See below the blurb for our property:

"This urban homestead is where the action is! Urban Acre Farm is truly a site where you can get exposure to a little of everything. The family originally established the Urban Farm with the hope of moving eventually to the country and starting their own farm. At this site you’ll learn about making great compost through vermiculture practices. Three hives of bees along with a multitude of various fruit trees and bushes makes this site perfect for all those aspiring to “give it all up and move to the country,” but don’t want to do it just yet…If you have been looking for economical ways to insulate the roof and reduce summer cooling costs come see their Supertherm white roof. And to top it off on May 7 site owners will be cooking with a solar oven to show folks how easy it is."

The link can be found here: http://www.greenvilleuft.com/tour-sites?page=2

Compost Guide

This is a good little informative article about composting. We will start the composting process soon in order to begin our garden proper Spring 09. That gives us a good six months to get a good pile of compost ready.

Harvesting Rainwater

This article, "A Better Way to Harvest Rainwater" by Cheryl Long in the May 20, 2008 edition of Mother Earth News discusses water catchment systems. In short, you use your house to collect water, and there is quite a bit to collect: "During an inch of rainfall, more than 900 gallons flows off of a house with a 30-by-50 foot roof. Why not make use of all 900 gallons?"

The article ends with some good beginning books as resources. I've paraphrased below:

Water Storage by Art Ludwig focuses on tank storage design.

Create An Oasis with Greywater by Art Ludwig discusses how to recycle greywater (water that has drained from house appliances and showers).

Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands by Brad Lancaster comprises Vol I (basics of rainwater harvesting) Vol II (collection of water in earthworks, swales, ponds, and terraces) and Vol III (roof catchment and cisterns).

Rainwater Catchment Systems for Domestic Supply by John Gould and Erik Nissen-Petersen discusses the technical, social and economic factors in water catchment for your home. It discusses roof and ground systems with a variety of photos, illustrations and case studies. Very detailed and thorough.

Article About Solar Power

Jen found this which is an article titled "Harnessing the Sun: Facts and Myths About Solar Power." It's a kind of Solar Power 101. Good read.

Homesteading Article from Get Rich Slowly

This is a link from a non-homsteading website which argues the frugality of homesteading. It serves as a nice, little "how do you do" for someone who might be thinking about it.