Eco Camp is Underway!

We're off and running! Well, not quite running but the Campus welcomed the summer's first group of Eco Campers bright and early this morning. Campers took turns introducing themselves and learning a little bit about one another. Barb read the story The Commons and Jim (Harvey) Chamberlin lead a tour of the gardens.
Chatting about the chickens
Garden Trek
A Visit to the "Hoop" House

Gearing Up For Eco Camps

This month HDT turns its focus to Environmental Stewardship. While most of the work we do centers around how we can be kinder to the planet, one of our programs stands out as the largest in that area. For the past 5 years, we have offered Eco Camps in the summer months to school age children. These camps are one-week day camps, held here on the HUG Campus. Camp sessions have been developed to instill in children and their families the value of environmental stewardship. We hope that each family that takes part in our camps will become more environmentally conscious, and take steps towards a more sustainable lifestyle.

Eco Camp sessions are designed with all 3 of HDT’s focus areas in mind: environmental stewardship, energy conservation, and food and water security. We incorporate hands-on activities, experiments, demonstrations, games, role plays, literature, field trips, arts & crafts, and utilize our campus staff to share their expertise with the kids. Activities center around the 3 R’s, ecosystems, energy, food, resources, and sustainable choices. We include new activities each year to keep sessions “fresh” for our veteran campers.

I’ve been talking about camps for kids, but referring to the families that we reach through our Eco Camp program. We purposefully include the whole family in our program, rather than just focusing on entertaining the kids for a few hours each day. Parents are encouraged to pack waste-free, healthy lunches for their kids. The kids take home an Eco Footprint Quiz the first day and complete it together with their families to get an idea of where they stand as a household on the scale of sustainability. Families are invited to a Parent Show-Off at the end of each session, at which time the kids get to tour them around our campus, and show off all of the projects they’ve completed at camp. It’s a learning experience for the whole family!

Everything about our camp sessions is focused on being sustainable…even the snacks we provide. We utilize our garden on campus, and teach the kids about how to grow healthy food right in their own backyards. We do a garden scavenger hunt to teach the kids how to identify plants, and what companion planting is all about. We teach them about the benefits of composting, raising chickens, and eating local foods. They learn how to plant, tend, and harvest produce, as well as food preservation methods.

This year, we will be offering 5 sessions of camp throughout the summer. We are trying something new this year, and offering a pre-school session for kids who are 4 or 5 years old. We are also bringing back our session for middle schoolers entering 7^th or 8^th grade.

Information about Eco Camp sessions and registration forms are available for download on our website. Sessions are limited to 15 children per session, so register as soon as possible. Registrations must be in at least 2 weeks prior to each session. We hate to have to cancel sessions, but if we do not meet our minimum for a session, we will cancel 7 days prior to that session. We look forward to seeing a variety of familiar and new faces in the weeks to come!

HDT Hosts Exchange Group from Tasmania

Today Happy Dancing Turtle hosted five Rotarians from Tasmania this morning. The group is part of the Rotary Group Study Exchange. After coffee and mini muffins, they were treated to a tour of the HUG campus. 

The group is walking in between buildings in the brisk morning.

Here they learn about the Passiv Haus Standard;

a measurement to describe how well a building can heat itself

 

Yesterday they were able to tour much of the lakes area, tasting local delicacies at Fancy Pants Chocolates in Downtown Brainerd, touring the Baxter city police hall, and talking with teachers at Garfield Elementary in Brainerd.

The Bemidji Pioneer has a great article on the team. 

For the past several days they've been touring northern MN, North Dakota, and parts of Canada. For more information on the team, you can view their website. 

Earth Day 2012

Sunday, April 22 is Earth Day.

It's the day where some will plant a tree, take a hike in the woods, and little else. I think this is because there is a lack of definition in what Earth Day really means. Back in 1970, it was supposed to symbolize a  way to unite people into caring for the planet. However, back then, it wasn't even able to do that.

So, what does it mean today? What are you supposed to actually do on an Earth Day? I believe that it's necessary to, yes, make that token effort (ie, plant a tree), because that's what people will see and that's how people measure progress. However, it is much more important to open up dialogue with others about WHY you care about the planet. This dialogue will help other see the importance of sustainability.

Sustainability implies a long outlook; a perspective that takes into consideration more than your morning Facebook check or your daily lunch choice. With proper perspective, humankind will be able to "save the planet. However, If you listen to George Carlin, it doesn't make a difference what your long term outlook is because the Earth will be just fine. (Mind the swearing...it is George Carlin, after all.) According to Mr. Carlin, it's not the Earth that needs saving, it's the people living on it that do!

And it's true. Planet Earth doesn't need humankind to survive. BUT, we need a healthy Planet Earth to survive.

That's why it's important to do the token gestures. If everyone starts doing them, they become a movement.  The Earth Day Network offers up these suggestions:

Volunteer. Go to a festival. Install solar panels on your roof. Organize an event in your community. Change a habit. Help launch a community garden. Communicate your priorities to your elected representatives. Do something nice for the Earth, have fun, meet new people, and make a difference.

These are just a few steps that will create awareness. Doing some of these things WILL make a difference to more and more people as we continue to demonstrate the WHY. Earth Day is about building awareness and we must take that long term perspective.

2nd Annual Dam Park Fish Fry Fundraiser!

 

Save the date! 

Fish will be larger than this little guy.

The 2nd Annual Dam Park Task Force Fish Fry will be taking place on Saturday, May 19th from 4-7pm at the Pine River American Legion.

Last year was busy. Buy your tickets early.

Tickets can be purchased at local (Pine River) businesses and the Pine River Information Center.

Here's the details!

Last year was a huge success, but the Dam Park still needs your help to get built. So, help out your community get the beach it needs and eat very well at the same time!

Bottled Water. Why?

This month we're highlighting the need for water conservation, so, I've been delving into many different water related facts. I've stumbled upon (not using stumble-upon, BTW) the HUGE use of bottled water in the USA. Apparently, America opens up one thousand (1000!) bottles of water every second. That adds up to a tune of 30 billion (with a B!) bottles of water used every year in just the Unites States alone.

There are more stats, but I won't bore you. The basic topic I propose to you today, in a world where water is so scarce, is why do we drink so much bottled water? At an enormous increase in cost to us, we have decided that bottled water is something that we need to buy. It is a necessity to us. 

BUT WHY?

Is it the taste?

Well, let's go back to the idea of a franchise. You can eat a cheeseburger at a Wendy's in downtown Minneapolis and it will taste like the cheeseburger you can get at a Wendy's in Anchorage. This is because these industries put so much effort (read *Spend loads of money*) in getting a product to look, smell, and taste the same everywhere! 

The same can be said for the water industry. A bottle of Dasani is filtered (tap water) with a special blend of minerals that will make every other bottle of Dasani taste like every other bottle of Dasani. They put efforts (*loads of money*) into creating that taste; claim that it's a feature of their water, that Dasani's water is somehow better because of its taste.

Here's a video of a guy who, after drinking so much types and brands of bottled water, has, in fact, become a true bottled water connoisseur. 

Four out of six is pretty good. But still, would the average bottled water drinker be able to tell the difference?

Blind taste tests prove that there is no discernible difference in taste between tap water and commercially bottled water. 

The dude over at Subliminal Science made a little video where he tested this theory on his teenage kids. And, I understand, while it isn't the most clinically scientific study, it can show some of the basics behind the studies.

Pretty interesting, right? Tap water wins out over Dasani & Fiji waters to the average drinker.

So WHY?

Is it the fear of the dirty dirty tap?

There have been many many dollars put into advertising to perpetuate the idea of tap water as unclean. According to the American Water Works Association, 35% of people who drink bottled water are doing so just because they think it's cleaner and safer than tap water.

If we look at this video (made by Annie Leonard of "The Story of Stuff" fame), we can get a large picture of what bottled water companies are doing in marketing. 

Pretty neat video, right? It helps to put the entire process into context. With all of the negatives on drinking bottled water (Plastic Bottles Used, Money Wasted, Not as Tasty) we have to ask ourselves the ultimate question:

WATER BOTTLES. WHY?

We know that we are using enormous quantities of creating power to make these plastic bottles. And they DONT DEGRADE!

We are spending up to 1000 times what we should normally be spending on tap water. (If you were to drink your eight recommended glasses a day of tap water, you'd end up paying only 49 cents for the YEAR!) 

We are being told that the bottled water is cleaner, healthier, and tastier than tap water. Tests have proven that this is not  the case.

And this isn't even the worst part. Water is so precious and we're are spending (*wasting*) so much money on this product for no good reason. We have clean, tasty, and practically free water readily available right in our houses and we are NOT DRINKING IT! 

Put this into comparison to some parts of the world where people must walk miles to get dirty and diseased water because this is all they can find. I found a quote from P.H. Gleick that just says it all:

"Suburban shoppers in America lug cases of plastic

water bottles from the grocery store back to homes supplied

with unlimited piped potable water in a sad unintentional

parody of the girls and women in Africa, who spend countless

backbreaking hours carrying containers of filthy water from distant

contaminated sources to homes with no water at all."

We are better than the wasting we are doing.

Drip Irrigation Systems

One of the most difficult problems that gardeners face is proper use of water. They either use too much or too little. The ones that use too much will set a sprinkler on and forget about it during the day (wasting way too much water) and the ones that use too little simply forget to set the sprinkler out (for those keeping track, I'm one of 'em!)

So, what do you do if you are either of these bad examples? Do you simply wait for the rain? No! You prepare your garden with a drip irrigation system.

Drip irrigation is a method of watering your garden that will use less water, less maintenance, and help discourage less weeds. There are, however, different ways to set up a drip irrigation system, but they all differ in how much time and money you want to put into them.

Here's a video to go over the basics.

If you're just getting started, I'd recommend a simple soaker hose. Known as the “grandfather” of the modern drip irrigation system, the soaker hose, as you saw in the video, is a hose that has (tiny) little holes drilled into it to let water drip out. The pluses for this method is that it is pretty darn cheap. However, unless you move the hose on a regular basis (weekly), mineral deposits from the water will clog the (tiny) little holes.

More advanced systems have something called “emitters.” These will control the flow of water.  These emitters take care of the flow problem in long tubes and help regulate how much water is actually used. Compared to a regular sprinkler system, which can use up to 180 gallons of water per hour, properly installed drip emitters can lessen the water needed to as little as one gallon of water per hour.

So, get out and prepare for the upcoming gardening season. You'll be able to save water and money if you just plan accordingly. 

Monitoring Your Energy Bill - 3 Ways Reviewed

In our final blog post showing the different ways to save energy, I thought it would be good to go over some of the different ways to monitor your energy bill. I like to think that I am far too busy to read (let alone understand!) my utility bill. There are numbers, kilowatts, and other data that the average person just doesn't understand. So here's a little guide on some different monitoring software that will help you save money and more importantly use less energy.

1) Opower is a company that will take data from your neighborhood and tell you where you fit in according to energy used and money sent. It will collect the data a send you a monthly report with all the different ways you are spending energy. While knowing how much energy you use each month is elementary, this program lays it out in an easy to read format. 

The downside to this program is that the individual consumer can't subscribe. Opower works directly with utility companies. So, if you're interested, you have to call up your electric company to see if they will consider signing up.

2) EnergyHub is a set of gadgets that you plug on top of your outlets. You then place whichever device you want to monitor (like your TV or computer) into this gadget. It will send the energy used to a separate monitoring device that keeps track throughout the month. It will also kill any electricity leaching to add savings.

If cutting costs is important to you, EnergyHub may not be the best bet. With a minimum price tag of $300 per kit, you will have to monitor your energy usage for quite a while before this gadget pays for itself.

3) ThinkEco has a similar product called a Modlet. If I were to suggest an introductory device, this would be it. You plug in the Modlet into your outlet and it will automatically (and wirelessly!) track energy use from the device plugged into it. You can track on your computer, set up weekly schedules and even shut down devices from your cell phone.

The price point is $50 per Modlet kit, so if you want to track your refrigerator, computer, TV, phone charger, and alarm clock, it will add up to a lot of dough. But, this may be a good entry point for seeing exactly where you spend your money on electricity.

Here's the bottom line, though. If you're looking to save money on your bill, START SMALL! Turn down your thermostat a couple degrees. Stop having the TV on for background noise. Change your bulbs to compact flourescents. These are simple and cheap options. Once you start doing the simple stuff, then you can continue on to the more advanced methods of saving energy (like tracking). You'll have better results and you will do more good for the environment.
For more information on how to use less energy, I'd recommend going to the MN Power of One Portal. There is SOOOOO much good information for whether you're just starting out or are already exploring alternative energies.


Related Articles-
1) 10 Ways Big Data is Remaking Energy. (gigaom.com)
2) Do Smart Energy Gadgets Actually Save You Money? (moneyexpert.com)

Who Wants to See My Disgusting Air Filter?

I put up a short video describing why it's important to change your furnace filters frequently. If the visual aid doesn't help, I'm not sure what will.

Video of my disgusting air filter, right here!

Really, folks. Changing your air filter will save you money and keep the air you breathe in your home cleaner. The filters themselves can range in cost, but you don't need to spend a lot to get the desired effect. You just need to remember to change them. I put a reminder on my calendar to at least check them monthly.

I've found that buying several filters at a time will make the routine maintenance that much easier. Find a method that works for you.

People, Turn Your Thermostats Down!

I came across a wonderful article on Grist that covers the importance of programmable thermostats (in addition to other heat saving measures like proper insulation and sealing) when trying to save money on your utility bills. Also, there are several comments below the article that show (through physics!) why you save so much energy when you keep your thermostats down.

The article dropped in 2008, but the data is still sound.

Ask Umbra Article

Happy Reading!

Save Money and Energy? Why, Yes, Thank You!

This month we are going to focus on the Energy Conservation pillar of HDT's mission.

 

With the first article, we would like to point out that buying and installing a programmable thermostat is not only a good way to save you money, but also help you use less energy.

A normal thermostat will monitor the temperature of your house and based on what setting you have it at, will heat or cool you house automatically. For example, if you set your thermostat to 68 degrees, it will start to heat your house when it detects the ambient temperature to be below 68 degrees. No problem, right? Well, your ol' fashioned run-of-the-mill thermostat will do this if you're in the house or not. So, unless you change the setting every time you leave the house you would be paying for the gas to heat the air when you're away at work, cooking classes, or perhaps the rodeo. In essence, your current thermostat is being asked to keep your house warm (or cool) even when you are not at home! Why waste the money?

Installing a programmable thermostat might be the solution for you. For as little as $30 you can get one of these bad boys, but the ones with the most useful setting will set you back about $50. Regardless of which model you get, they will all do the same basic thing. They can be programmed to heat and cool your house when you are in the house. You can set it to begin heating in the morning when you usually wake up and to stop when you and your family are off at work and school. It will kick back in when you head home and turn off when you head to sleep. You can even get ones that are pre-programmed to maximize energy savings.

If you're looking to get one of the deluxe versions, I've read that they can even monitor your furnace use and tell you when you need to get a tuning or when to change the air filters...based on how long your furnace has run! They may not be for everyone, because they can reach upwards of $300. (But it links with your cell phone!)

Here's a quick video from the EPA on programmable thermostats.

 If you adjust your thermostat just one degree over 15 hours, you could save upwards of 2% on your fuel bill. Since most households spend about $1000 a year on heating and cooling, that thermostat would pay for itself in under a year. Hooray for saving money!

Related articles

• How To Save Money On Heating Bills (mydecorarticles.com)

Cool App for Planning Your Garden

For those that think gardening is a new idea and don't really know where to go for ideas or plans, I would recommend this neat little app.

Over at Mother Earth News, they developed a computer program called Vegetable Garden Planner that takes some of the guesswork out of planning your first garden. Here's the link. 

It has a pretty large database of popular plants so you can do your research on what you'd eventually like to grow. If you have your garden plot designed, it will help you with proper spacing of plants for optimal growth. It will tell you important dates based on your location (such as first frost free day).

It is not a free program, however. There is a yearly $25 cost, but there is a trial version you can get your hands on before you decide to buy it or not.
They also have an app for the iPad.

But, regardless of what tools you use or the research you want to begin, it is important to just get out there and get your hands dirty. Now amount of planning or expensive tools will do the work for you, so don't be afraid to start planting.

2012 Seed Catalogs

It's the time of year when you want to start looking at what types of fruits and veggies you want to grow. With proper planning, gardening can be more hobby than grunt-work. There are many things to look into, such as what size you want your garden to be, where you're going to plant, or what you're family likes to eat. However, in this blog post I'm going to focus on the many different seed companies you can choose from, because, YES! that can make a difference.


The big daddy that we use primarily is the Seed Saver Exchange. Based in Decorah, Iowa, the Seed Savers is one of the largest seed companies that focuses on protecting genetic diversity in their seeds. Organic is not just a catchphrase for them. They specialize in open pollinatied heirloom varieties, adhering to strict production standards that ensure that each seed maintains its uniqueness. Now, while you will be able to peruse the wide selection (online, in person, or in catalogs), you will have to pay a little more for that diversity.




If you want a beautifully depicted description of almost every plant known to man (slight exaggeration), then the Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds catalog, based in Mansfield, Missouri is the only seed catalog you'll ever need. They have fully described pictures of their seed varieties. They even have stories about the origin of the seed species, which adds to the knowledge base you'll walk away from after reading the catalog. They pride themselves on every seed being non GMO and with over 1,300 heirloom seeds available, they have the largest heirloom seed collection available. The catalog, itself, is a beautiful book. I have a copy on my coffee table. I would recommend picking up a copy.


If you are a beginner to gardening, I would recommend Johnny's Selected Seeds, out of Winslow, Maine. They have a section that points out fruits and veggies that beginner gardeners would most likely use. They branch away from strictly heirloom and organic seeds, but they would be the best place for rookies to start.






If you're looking to garden on a dime, I might recommend The Territorial Seeds Company from Cottage Grove, Oregon. They don't have the largest organic selection but you can save a lot of money by going through them. They have instructional videos on their site and have some good pointers on getting started.





There are, literally, hundreds of seed catalogs out there. Don't stop at these four. Do your own exploration and tell me what you find!

10 Ways to Shop Organic

Finding the time and money to eat healthy can be challenging. Here are a few ideas and resources to help you locate and prepare more local, fresh and chemical-free food. 

1) Buy from your local farmers' market. There are many great deals at farmers' markets. You can find local meats, cheeses, eggs, vegetables, fruits, and many other goodies in one place. The food is fresh and grown locally and you have direct access to the farmers, a great time to ask them how their raise their animals or grow their produce. Markets usually start in May but the best selection becomes available as the growing season gets into full swing. Farmers' markets usually last through September in this area. Plus, if you use EBT (SNAP/Food Stamps), many Markets will accept them. The Lakes Area Growers Market in Brainerd, the Pine River Market Square in Pine River, and the Onamia Area Farmers Market are great places to get started locally.

2) Buy into a CSA. A CSA is a community-supported agriculture program - participants buy a share of the farm's yield. Every week you will get a box of fresh produce (often delivered directly to your door!). CSA share boxes are a great way to experience a variety of produce items. Some CSA programs provide recipes and cookbooks with their produce in an effort to give the consumer fun ways to prepare their food. Some local CSAs are from The Farm on St. Mathias in Brainerd, the Farm of Plenty in Randall, and Island Lake Farm just east of Brainerd.

3) Join a food Co-op. From the outside, many co-ops look like other grocery stores, since a co-op provides products and services like their conventional counterparts. It's what goes on behind the scenes that makes the difference. A co-op exists to serve its members. Unlike conventional grocery stores, co-op members are also the owners. So, in addition to getting the products and services you need, you also have a say in the buisness decisions your co-op makes. Additionally, co-ops frequently source local products, employ knowledgeable staff and offer products that may be tough to locate at a mainstream grocery. There are several good local co-ops. Crow Wing County Food Co-op in Brainerd, Harmony Co-op in Bemidji, and Good Earth Food Co-op in St. Cloud will be good places to get started.

4) Buy in bulk from local farmers. What do I mean buy "in-bulk?" For grass fed beef, you can buy a quarter side of beef, which equals about 1/4 of a cow. From this quarter side, you can get approximately 40-50 pounds of ground beef, 6-7 T-bones, 5-6 porterhouses, 10-15 roasts, ribs, soup bones, if you want them; round steaks, sirloins, and ribeyes. Ask around, to get the best price with the raising practices you want. Prices range from $2.25-$5.00 a pound. Buying chickens locally can also save you money. If you look in grocery stores, organic chicken can cost up to $10.00 a pound, buying directly from the farmer could save you half that cost per pound. If you want to see where you can buy local, check out the Minnesota Grown website.

5) Shop in Season. Organic produce can vary significantly in price depending on when you buy it. For example, organic strawberries in the spring are relatively cheap at $3.50 a pound when compared to almost $8.00 a pound in the winter. By shopping in season, you can save a lot of money. Like I said, the local farmers markets get started in May, but the bulk of the produce becomes available as the growing season gets warmer. For instance, vegetables that are available early in the season are the leafy crops, such as kale, radishes, and lettuce. Common late season produce are gourds and apples. Plan accordingly! Also - look to pick-your-own locations for berries, apples, pumpkins and more.



 6) Always Comparison Shop. While this idea isn't exclusive to shopping organic, it's a great way to stretch your food budget. In my area, I can get a 3 pound bag of organic potatoes for $7.99 and just down the street about 4 miles I can get the same bag of potatoes for just $3.99, It is important to comparison shop to get the best deals.

7) Create your Meal Plan Around the most Affordable Produce, Meats, and Sale Items. Organic does go on sale, especially when it's in season. Some delicious meals can be made with a few ingredients. Let your tastebuds have an adventure and try new things - like fresh herbs!

 

8) Grow your own Organic Food. I have my own little garden that produces much of my families produce. You can grow a lot of produce with just a little time and a very little space. When growing your own food, you control how you fertilize, deal with pests and which seeds you choose. By growing your own organic (chemical free) food, you can save money! It is really rewarding to bring your own food from garden to table. Last season, I grew baby red potatoes in my front flower bed! This year I'm trying tomatoes.



9) Preserve your Food - When it is Season. Preserving food when in season is a great way to trim the grocery budget. Did you know that peppers, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, and many other foods can be frozen whole, sliced, or chopped? You can also learn how to can, dry and pickle your own food. It may take a little time up front, but it will save you money down the road. We've got some tips on how to start preserving your own produce.

10) Transition Gradually to Organic Food. It takes time to make permanent changes in life. You are much more likely to succeed if you slowly make this transition. Start with foods that have the highest amounts of pesticide residue, like apples. Here is a list of the "dirty dozen" and "clean fifteen" - great information on chemicals on your food. http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/