Tag Archives: Compost

California is turning farms into carbon-sucking factories

In a grand experiment, California switched on a fleet of high-tech greenhouse gas removal machines last month. Funded by the state’s cap-and-trade program, they’re designed to reverse climate change by sucking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. These wonderfully complex machines are more high-tech than anything humans have designed. They’re called plants.

Seriously, though: Plants breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen. They break open the tough CO2 molecule and use the carbon to build their leaves and roots. In the process, they deposit carbon into the ground. For years people have excitedly discussed the possibility of stashing carbon in the soil while growing food. Now, for the first time, California is using cap-and-trade money to pay farmers to do it on a large scale. It’s called the California Healthy Soils Initiative.

In April, trucks full of fertilizer trundled into Doug Lo’s almond orchards near Gustine, California, and spread composted manure around his trees. He then planted clover to cover the ground between the trunks. In theory, these techniques will pull 1,088 tons of carbon out of the atmosphere every year. Lo’s is one of about fifty farms getting money from the state of California to pull greenhouse gas from the air. California is paying him $50,000 to try it out.

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“We’re trying to sequester some carbon,” Lo said. “It should also help with the water-holding capacity of the soil, and the flowers in the cover crop should feed bees after the almond bloom is over.”

This is the first major utilization of farms as state-sponsored carbon-sucking factories. (To be fair, Oklahoma, of all places, has been experimenting with soil carbon since 2001, albeit on a smaller scale.) Agriculture and climate nerds — we wonkiest of wonks — have been anticipating this for the last decade as the scientific evidence accumulated.

In 2014 we wrote about the people pushing this research in California. And Grist told the story last year of how scientist Jonathan Sanderman put together key pieces of this puzzle after finding jars of old dirt, long forgotten in storage. And just recently, the New York Times Magazine ran a story summarizing the state of the science. But for years it’s felt like a lot of talk and not much action. That’s changing with the Healthy Soils Initiative, which makes money available for farmers like Lo, and monitors the results.

So how do you turn a farm into a carbon-sucking machine? Lo figured the money from the state would allow him to experiment without risk. He made a deal with a compost company to truck manure from dairies across California’s central valley then spread precisely 5.3 tons per acre under his almond trees as required by the state guidelines. An inspector from the California Department of Food and Agriculture showed up on the day the trucks arrived in April to make sure Lo was actually doing the work and not just doing the paperwork. Next, Lo planted clover and other cover crops in the rows between the trees.

A lot is riding on this, but it’s not a foregone conclusion that it will work. In theory, compost and cover crops should get carbon out of the sky and into the ground. But will it work in practice on Lo’s farm? With the farm’s particular soil structure, irrigation pattern, as well as the dirt’s microbiome? We don’t know how fast carbon will accumulate in his soil, or how long it will stay there.

When I asked Lo how confident he was that he was going to get exactly 1,088 tons of carbon into the ground he responded: “Well, that’s just what the soil scientists said. We’re going to see I guess!”

As of last Thursday the soil samples on Lo’s farm haven’t shown an increase in carbon content, but it takes about three years for compost to break down, he said. Other farmers and state officials will be watching this rollout of carbon-sucking farms closely. And if it works, and these farms manage to capture enough carbon, program could scale up massively. California’s Healthy Soils Initiative could serve as a model for other states.

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California is turning farms into carbon-sucking factories

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A permaculture food forest in the deserts of Jordan

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Battletome: Sylvaneth – Games Workshop

The spirit-song rises, and the sylvaneth march to war! The air sings with glorious life magic as the children of Alarielle surge into battle. Great Wyldwoods burst from the heaving ground, called forth by ancient spirits. The Wargroves of the glades advance, flickering along the spirit paths to strike at the enemies of Ghyran, the […]

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The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up – Marie Kondo

This New York Times best-selling guide to decluttering your home from Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes readers step-by-step through her revolutionary KonMari Method for simplifying, organizing, and storing. Despite constant efforts to declutter your home, do papers still accumulate like snowdrifts and clothes pile up like a tangled mess of noodles? Japanese cleaning consultant […]

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The Toxin-Free Home – Alison Haynes

With the amount of junk a family can amass, it seems impossible to keep a tidy home. Home Detox Handbook teaches you how to tackle every cleaning project in your home with ease, from washing stained laundry to scouring kitchen cupboards to creating your own shampoo from household ingredients. The methods presented are not just […]

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Marie Kondo’s The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing Summary – Ant Hive Media

Made for those who find themselves drowning in clutter, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo is a must have. What makes this book special is that it delivers a whole new approach called the KonMari method when decluttering, arranging and storing items at home. Author, Marie Kondo, is a Japanese cleaning […]

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Spark Joy – Marie Kondo

Japanese decluttering guru Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up  has revolutionized homes—and lives—across the world. Now, Kondo presents an illustrated guide to her acclaimed KonMari Method, with step-by-step folding illustrations for everything from shirts to socks, plus drawings of perfectly organized drawers and closets. She also provides advice on frequently asked questions, such as whether to […]

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White Dwarf Issue 128: 9th July (Tablet Edition) – White Dwarf

White Dwarf 128 brings a Season of War! That’s right – there’s a great new Summer Campaign for Warhammer Age of Sigmar kicking off this month, and we’ve got the lowdown plus an exclusive 8-page pullout packed with background to the campaign! As if that wasn’t enough, the Horus Heresy Space Marines from Betrayal at […]

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The Horus Heresy Legiones Astartes: Age of Darkness Legions (Enhanced Edition) – Forge World

This book provides you with updated and revised rules to field units, characters and even the mighty Primarchs of the Legiones Astartes in your Space Marine Crusade army in games of Warhammer 40,000 set during the galaxy-wide civil war that was the Horus Heresy. Compiled within are rules for the Primarchs of thirteen of the […]

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How to Paint Citadel Minatures: Sylvaneth – Games Workshop

Packed with techniques, tips and useful information, this book is an essential resource for any hobbyist interested in the stunning sylvaneth range of Citadel Miniatures. Contained within are step-by-step painting guides consisting of highly detailed photographs and easy-to-follow instructions, and full details of seven different glade colour schemes. Add to this special sections covering Kurnoth […]

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How to Raise the Perfect Dog – Cesar Millan & Melissa Jo Peltier

From the bestselling author and star of National Geographic Channel’s Dog Whisperer , the only resource you’ll need for raising a happy, healthy dog. For the millions of people every year who consider bringing a puppy into their lives–as well as those who have already brought a dog home–Cesar Millan, the preeminent dog behavior expert, […]

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The Art of Raising a Puppy (Revised Edition) – Monks of New Skete

For more than thirty years the Monks of New Skete have been among America’s most trusted authorities on dog training, canine behavior, and the animal/human bond. In their two now-classic bestsellers, How to be Your Dog’s Best Friend and The Art of Raising a Puppy, the Monks draw on their experience as long-time breeders of […]

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A permaculture food forest in the deserts of Jordan

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How to Lead a Nearly Zero-Waste Life

Last winter, a video started circling the internet that covered how a young woman, Lauren Singer (blog here), has been able to decrease her trash output to the point that her two years of garbage can be kept in a single mason jar.

That’s impressive. A little shocking, even. How is that even possible?

Lauren is a part of a growing trenddubbed the Zero Waste movement — a slowly growing practice that empowersparticipants to produce no garbage and ultimately preventit from entering landfills where it may do irreparable harm to theplanet.

Exploring Zero Waste

The philosophy of Zero Waste is two-fold. First, it requires people to find alternatives to their transient, wasteful habits by prioritizingcreativity and longevity. Second, it encourages the practice of minimalism: learning to live with less and ultimately want for less.

This isn’t exactly a new concept. Countless religions and philosophies encourage contentedness and urge us away from the greed that clutters our lives with stuff. Stuff gets in the way of real life and a lot of the time harms the living things around us, earth included.

Ryan and Joshua, founders of The Minimalists (a blog centered on minimalism and secondarily zero waste) say on their website, “Minimalism allows us to focus on what’s important in life — health, relationships, passion, growth and contribution — so we can find happiness fulfillment and freedom.”

Lauren Singer says something similar, but from the Zero Waste perspective: “I wanted to lessen my impact, so I started my Zero Waste journey. This is when I really decided that I not only needed to claim to love the environment, but actuallylive like I love the environment.” She calls this value-based living.

Taking Steps Toward Zero Waste

Bea Johnson of Zero Waste Home, could be considered the one who beganit all for modern audiences. Her 5R Guidelines: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot (in that order) are the foundation of her approach to Zero Waste.She says:

“Refuse what you do not need; reduce what you do need; reuse what you consume; recycle what you cannot refuse, reduce, or reuse; and rot (compost) the rest.”

Here’s what all of that looks like in practice:

1. Refuse anything that will ultimately end up in the trash. Plastic water bottles? Refuse. Pre-packaged foods? Refuse. Disposable shopping bags? Refuse. Paper towels? Refuse.

2. Cut down on junk mail.Rather than sorting your mail and instantly dumping the rejects into the recycling bin, make an effort to cancel the mail altogether. Just cancel the mailings! It saves everyone in the long run.

3. Use reusable everything, and less of it!Don’t fall prey to the convenience factor. Make it a habit to always bring a reusable shopping bag to the store. Use cloth bags and glass jars for bulk grocery items. Limit your wardrobe to the items you truly adore and that fit you right now.

4. Don’t give in to future-based hoarding.If you have a tendency to purchase and hold onto things for the sake of preparedness, now is the time to cut it out.Can you purchase the item secondhand to prevent waste and manufacturing? Can you borrow it from a friend? Can you donate your old things to someone else in need? Do you remember the last time you used it?

5. Compost (or r0t) excess food bits.Find a large container appropriate for composting, that is aesthetically pleasing and as convenient as possible. Peel fruits and veggies straight into your bin, discard table scrappings and scrap into the bin before loading your dishwasher. It should be odorless and easy to maintain!

Whatsolutions have you found that help you to create less garbage and waste? What in this article really struck home for you? Let us know in the comments!

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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How to Lead a Nearly Zero-Waste Life

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Harvesting Liberty: Short film explores reintroduction of industrial hemp to US

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Black & Decker Complete Guide to Wiring, 6th Edition – Editors of Cool Springs Press

The best DIY wiring book on the market . . . six times over.   Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Wiring has led the pack as the United States’ best-selling consumer wiring book for more than a decade now, with previous editions selling over one million copies collectively. Simply put, you won’t find […]

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The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up – Marie Kondo

This New York Times best-selling guide to decluttering your home from Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes readers step-by-step through her revolutionary KonMari Method for simplifying, organizing, and storing. Despite constant efforts to declutter your home, do papers still accumulate like snowdrifts and clothes pile up like a tangled mess of noodles? Japanese cleaning consultant […]

iTunes Store
Spark Joy – Marie Kondo

Japanese decluttering guru Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up  has revolutionized homes—and lives—across the world. Now, Kondo presents an illustrated guide to her acclaimed KonMari Method, with step-by-step folding illustrations for everything from shirts to socks, plus drawings of perfectly organized drawers and closets. She also provides advice on frequently asked questions, such as whether to […]

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Retired Racing Greyhounds For Dummies – Lee Livingood

“The next best thing to having an experienced Greyhound owner living with you.” —Joan Belle Isle, President, Greyhound Project “Anyone who reads this book and follows its guidance will have a happier, healthier dog and be a happier, more relaxed dog owner.” —Hal and Karen Hawley, Greyhound Friends Northwest The Greyhound has been celebrated in […]

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White Dwarf Issue 124: 11th June 2016 (Tablet Edition) – White Dwarf

The Lost Patrol is found! That’s right – White Dwarf 124 is here and with it the return of a classic, the boxed game Lost Patrol, in a new, updated edition. This game is a challenge and no mistake – read all about it, and how the White Dwarf team got on trying to battle […]

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Marie Kondo’s The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing Summary – Ant Hive Media

Made for those who find themselves drowning in clutter, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo is a must have. What makes this book special is that it delivers a whole new approach called the KonMari method when decluttering, arranging and storing items at home. Author, Marie Kondo, is a Japanese cleaning […]

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Inside of a Dog – Alexandra Horowitz

The bestselling book that asks what dogs know and how they think. The answers will surprise and delight you as Alexandra Horowitz, a cognitive scientist, explains how dogs perceive their daily worlds, each other, and that other quirky animal, the human. Horowitz introduces the reader to dogs’ perceptual and cognitive abilities and then draws a […]

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Training the Best Dog Ever – Larry Kay & Dawn Sylvia-Stasiewicz

Training the Best Dog Ever , originally published in hardcover as The Love That Dog Training Program , is a book based on love and kindness. It features a program of positive reinforcement and no-fail techniques that author Dawn Sylvia-Stasiewicz used to train the White House dog, Bo Obama, and each of Senator Ted Kennedy’s […]

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The Art of Raising a Puppy (Revised Edition) – Monks of New Skete

For more than thirty years the Monks of New Skete have been among America’s most trusted authorities on dog training, canine behavior, and the animal/human bond. In their two now-classic bestsellers, How to be Your Dog’s Best Friend and The Art of Raising a Puppy, the Monks draw on their experience as long-time breeders of […]

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Labrador Retriever Dog Training & Behavior Book – Steve Stephens

Raising your Labrador Retriever will be much easier when you read this book. With this dog guide book, you will be able to understand why your dog does some of the silly things they do, and also you will be able to correct their bad behavior very easily. You will learn about dog biting, jumping […]

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Harvesting Liberty: Short film explores reintroduction of industrial hemp to US

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5 Urban Homesteading Projects for Beginners

Urban homesteading is on the rise in cities and suburbs across the country. The practice of urban homesteading involves making your household as self-sustaining as possible by producing your goods and foods at homethink raising chickens, growing vegetables, sewing your own clothes and beekeeping.

People start homesteading for a variety of reasons. Some want to know where their food, cleaning products and clothes come from and whats in them. Others simply like the idea of minimizing environmental impact by keeping all production close to home. Still more want to transition to living off the grid completely.

Rest assured, you dont need to go all in all at once. If you want to give urban homesteading a shot but arent quite ready to jump right into raising goats, here are some great projects for beginners:

Start a Small Vegetable Garden

If you have the space, a small vegetable garden can help you start growing your own food. Dont feel as though you need to convert your entire yard into a vegetable garden right away. A small strip of land alongside your house (that gets adequate sunlight) is perfect for constructinga raised bed that runs the length of your home, and will give you plenty of space for growing veggies. Beginners should stick to the basics. Lifehacker recommends salad greens, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers and green beans for those new to gardening.

Compost

Composting is really quite easy and only requires a little bit of effort each day. Once youve gotten into the swing of it, youll have ready-made compost that canact as fertilizer for your yard and vegetable garden. In order to compost successfully, your mixture will need organic matter, some moisture, warmth and oxygen, according to self-proclaimed composting guru The Compost Guy. Store your compost bin in a warm place, make sure to mix it up regularly to allow oxygen into the mixture, keep it moist and add plenty of organic matterkitchen scraps, manure, fall leaves, grass, straw, cardboard and hair are great for composting.

Collect Rainwater

This is a pretty straightforward tip. Collecting rainwater is great for water conservation as you wont have to turn on the hose in order to water your plants, wash your car, do your laundry or scrub your dishes. If you really get into it, you canpurchase a water purification system to use your rainwater for showering and bathing (though that would require quite a bit of rain). Collecting rainwater is super easy, too: Simply place a rainwater collection tank outside.

Make Your Own Cleaning Products

Cleaning products are expensive and often toxic. Making an all-natural, all-purpose cleaner at home is super easy, if you have the right ingredients. The natural homemaking blog Wellness Mama recommends combining 1 teaspoon of Borax, 0.5 teaspoons of washing soda, 1 teaspoon castile soap and a few drops of your favorite essential oil with two cups of distilled water. Put the mixture into a spray bottle and use it anywhere in your home without fear of toxins.

Hang Your Laundry to Dry

Wet clothes dont necessarily need to go into an electric dryer. Conserve energy by hanging your clothes out to dry! During the winter months, you can assemble a drying rack within your home thats quick and easy to take down once your wardrobe has driedtrust us, your clothes with dry just as efficiently and you wont use as much power.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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5 Urban Homesteading Projects for Beginners

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Why You Should Clean Up Fallen Leaves (and How to Make It Easier)

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Why You Should Clean Up Fallen Leaves (and How to Make It Easier)

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Will Canada export its fresh water or will the US just take it?

It’s probably one or the other, whether Canadians like it or not. Link: Will Canada export its fresh water or will the US just take it? ; ; ;

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Will Canada export its fresh water or will the US just take it?

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4 Ways to Reduce and Recycle in the Bathroom

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4 Ways to Reduce and Recycle in the Bathroom

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How & Why You Should Start Winter Composting

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How & Why You Should Start Winter Composting

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