Posts filed under 'Community Gardens'
SMS at KCA June 16, 2009 – Review of Meeting
GROWING OUR FUTURE, TOGETHER
June 16, 2009, 68 p.m., Kihei Community Center, 303 E. Lipoa St. Kihei, Maui, HI
The Kihei Community Association hosted South Maui Sustainability for a slide presentation and breakout group discussion of community gardens, renewable energy, reef sustainability and recycling and conservation.
SUGGESTED ACTION ITEMS FROM BREAKOUT GROUPS
RECYCLING AND CONSERVATION DISCUSSION
Curbside Recycling
Advocate for full service curbside recycling
In the meantime set up neighborhood recycling groups where neighbors take turns transporting to the recycle/redemption centers.
- Money collected could go to:
- The person who transports the materials
- The whole group
- Other organizations as a donation.
Advocate for the recycling of office paper.
- Packaging
- Charge for plastic bags in the stores. This stick might be a more effective way to reduce use of plastic bags than the carrot of getting a small refund for using your own bags.
- Find a way to get money for plastic bags (by weight) to motivate the pubic to pick up the bags, especially off the beaches.
- Energy and water Conservation
- Clean the exhaust ducts from electric dryers
- Turn off dishwaser “drying cycle”.
- Watch your wattage on all appliances with KillaWatt or other metering devices.
- Lower thermostat on hot water heater. 100 degrees is enough.
- Upgrade any appliances older than 10 years to Energy Star.
- Clean off the radiator tubes of your refigerator.
- Turn dishwashing and hand washing water off when not actually using it to wet or rinse.
- Turn off electricity for hot water heater, then turn on 15 minutes before needed. A timer box by the heater is better than using the circuit breaker for this.
- Plug appliances, sound and computer equipment into power strips and then turn off power strip when done.
- Use drip irrigation whenever possible
- Promote graywater usage and public policy.
- Advocate for Xeriscaping.
- Advocate for bike lanes, especially on the Norht/South Kihei collector road.
- Encourage bus usage
- Whenever possible rescue freshly dug up plants from beting taken to the landfill. Can take them to schools, Aloha Shares, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, churches, homes, etc. Also see www.MauiPlantRescue.com
- Use used coffee cans for storage.
- Convert old cloths into bags or material to chrochet into rugs.
- Take old towells to the Humane Society for use with the anmials.
- Use the library instead of buying new books.
- Use passive solar jugs to store heat for upcountry greenhouses
- Take used magazines to your doctor and dentist’s offices.
REEF SUSTAINABILITY DISCUSSION
Most important issues
- Carbon dioxide deposition, nutrient rich waters going into ocean.
- Run off from development (concrete, better construction, land use)
- Street run off, golf courses. Irvine& Newport Beach already doing good things. John Tetamer.com
- Decline in fish, over fishing
- Water quality
- Sewage dumping.
- Community ed. is poor, need to raise awareness. Population and growth problem
- What needs to be done?
- Start at worst problem and work back.
- Put filters in run off areas, since wetlands are already built over.
- Promote natural wetlands, have penalties to over fishing, rules and regulations.
- Neighborhood watch program.
- Mooring. Rotationrest rotation – put into law?
- Small steps s/b encouraged faucets, car washes, look at selfbehaviors.
- Consulting Hawaiian Kahuna
- More gray water use – education
- Apollo alliance –Pam lightfoot
- Water recycling link west Maui, establishing political strength, Gary Hoosier, political advocacy, Malama Kauau = connecting
- Pick two/3 political issues, strength together State issues DNLR enforcement, 24 county offices to work with.
- Use wastewater instead of dumping It., proactively protecting reefs now. Spending now to save reefs/water later.
- What is being done by other groups?
- Pump don’t Dump. Putting signs up to help protect reefs. Educating visitors PSA on Airlines, Ziggy Lovenut. “Eyes on reef” –How to recognize Coral Disease and algae Growth.
- Darla White. Shoreline reef cleanup Diving, snorkeling, beach line
- Aquamarine collection Legislation Dyer?
- What can we do? And how will we do it?
- Education. Create Hawaiian island alliances to gain political power.
- Encourage –testify legislators – to save reefs and waters
- Create Education programs, all age schools
- Presentations –water quality, respecting our waters.
COMMUNITY GARDEN DISCUSSION
- Possible Sites
- Kalama heights, Churches, ML&P land, Technology Center
- KCA back and front. Safeway –North Liloacatchment
Interested parties – Kirk Surrey, Anne, Michael
- Ideas for bringing in the community
- Church out reach, parents of children in schools, Rotary, SMS mailing list, Advertising in Maui Weekly etc. Flyers on Apt. doors.
- Master Gardeners. Marin County model.
- Tova
Challenges of water cost.
Do prototype, then “sell” idea.
Create a social network.
RENEWABLE ENERGY DISCUSSION
- Funding – Done by county or state – solar install paid on property tax bill and passes on to new owner w/tax credits over 50% it is a good return on investment 1017%. Also prop value goes up. $24,000.00 = 3KW system. Fed Gov will lend money for this. Standard measurement unit is peak power output of solar panels….?
- New units prices going down due to supply and demand
- MECO can invest in solar elect, themselves and will start doing installs.
- New super efficient glass which gives 3% better absorption of solar light.
- Panel warranties going up to 20 yrs.
- Efficiency = conservation w/out sacrificing
- Great person in Kihei for solar – Steve Fryer
- July 18th solar Town call Hawaii PV coalition.org
- Know what you need – Willy Bennett can do this for you.
Add comment June 30, 2009
Ecology Action
Ecology Action is a Santa Cruz, CA nonprofit environmental consultancy delivering cutting edge education services, technical assistance, and program implementation for initiatives that assist individuals, business and government to maximize environmental quality and community well being.
Since 1970 Ecology Action has combined municipal, foundation, and private funding to establish cutting-edge conservation programs, prove their effectiveness financially and operationally, and establish each program as a permanent community resource.
They seek innovative ways to instill environmental awareness, promote pragmatic change, and create opportunities for individuals, businesses, and community agencies to save money, create jobs, and contribute to a sustainable local economy.
Browse some of their current programs:
Add comment May 16, 2009
A Way to Control Nut Grass
This information on getting rid of nut grass (Purple nutsedge or Cyperus rotundus) comes from a C/T/H/A/R (College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources—University of Hawai’i Manoa) publication.
This is from removing from ornamental areas but seems appropriate for organic veggie gardens too—if you have 2-4 months.
Weed cloth, or woven black polypropylene weed mat, can be effective in suppressing purple nutsedge when used properly. It is porous to air and water and can be an effective tool for reducing underground tubers without the use of chemicals or tedious hand-weeding. It is a very durable material that can be re-used many times if handled carefully to avoid making holes by tearing. Using weed cloth against purple nutsedge requires that the garden area be fallow (not planted or tilled) for a period of 2–4 months. After the last crop is harvested, remove all plant residues by mowing or rototilling, and cover the planting area with the weed cloth. The method of securing the cloth to the soil is crucial in preventing purple nutsedge penetration through the weed cloth. The preferred securing method is to use long (10–12 inch) spikes fitted with a large flat washer. These spikes secure the weed mat to the ground but should not be used to pull the weed mat too tight. There should be enough slack to allow some air space between the soil and the weed mat. The worst way to secure the weed mat is to use rocks, soil, or other heavy objects. When the weed mat is held tightly to the ground, purple nutsedge shoots can push through the fabric.
With the weed mat properly in place, purple nutsedge is induced to sprout by generous and frequent watering. A new weed mat tends to repel water, but after a 2–3-week exposure to full sunlight, shrinkage occurs and water can pass through the material. As the purple nutsedge germinates, it pushes the weed mat upward, as if it was inflating it. The purple nutsedge grows so fast that when the pointed tip of the leaf blade gets caught in the weave of fabric, the rapidly elongating leaf blade starts to crinkle up behind it, and penetration of the cloth is thus prevented.
The weed mat must remain in place long enough for weeds to germinate below it and die from lack of sunlight. After several cycles of weed growth and die-back during the 2–4-month period, the weed mat can be removed and the garden replanted. Most of the weed propagules (including purple nutsedge tubers) will have tried to emerge and died.
When the plastic is removed, it is important not to disturb the soil unnecessarily. Cultivation brings up lower layers of soil that will likely contain viable weed seeds and purple nutsedge tubers. Mulching the soil surface after removing the weed cloth will help to suppress any weed seeds remaining in the soil and slow nutsedge germination by preventing increases in soil temperature.
Add comment May 8, 2009
Victory Gardens
What is a Victory Garden?
During World War I and World War II, the United States government asked its citizens to plant gardens in order to support the war effort. Millions of people planted gardens. Emphasis was placed on making gardening a family or community effort — not a drudgery, but a pastime, and a national duty.
Why plant a victory garden?
Today our food travels an average of 1500 miles from farm to table. The process of planting, fertilizing, processing, packaging, and transporting our food uses a great deal of energy and contributes to the cause of global warming.
Planting a Victory Garden to fight global warming would reduce the amount of pollution your food contibutes to global warming. Instead of traveling many miles from farm to table, your food would travel from your own garden to your table.
How can my actions make a difference? I’m only one person.
Each one of us may only be one person. However, we each have an impact on the environment and can make changes to reduce our impact.
I have no backyard, what can I do?
You can combine vegetable plants with flowers in your frontyard. You can plant in containers on your porch, patio, or balcony and can grow sprouts indoors. You can also choose to purchase foods which are grown close to home by visiting your local farmer’s market. If local foods are not available to you, choose foods which use fewer chemical pesticides – such as organics, are in season, or have minimal packaging.
Do I need to use a lot of pesticides to increase yield?
Organic soil building with compost pays for itself with increased plant productivity.
What do I do with the food that I grow?
Eat what you can and then share or preserve the rest.
Wondering how to get started?
Contact your local County Extension office for information on gardening in your area.
Community
Growing food with family, friends, and neighbors can be a community building experience. Trade produce and share tools with neighbors. Visiting the farmer’s market can bring you into direct contact with the people who are growing food.
Look for more information at:
Revive the Victory Garden website
Future FarmersVictory Gardens 2007+ website
Add comment May 7, 2009
Focus Maui Nui—Victory Gardens
Add comment May 7, 2009
Free Film! The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil
Thursday April 23rd, 7:00 pm
Maui Community College – Ka Lama Bldg, Rm 103
Can Maui learn from Cuba and make the changes needed to feed the people?
Guest panel:
Hector Valenzuela, PhD, Vegetable Crops Extension Specialist, UH
Vincent Mina, Maui Aloha`Aina
Gerry Ross, Kupa`a Farm, Kula
Questions? Can you help out? Call 572-1865
www.gmofreemaui.org
www.hawaiiseed.org
Add comment April 18, 2009
White House Vegetable Garden – A Reality
Clck here to read New York Times Article: Obamas Prepare to Plant White House Vegetable Garden.
Click here to see detail of White House garden layout.
Add comment March 22, 2009
Demand grows for community gardens
Portland, OR, 9/24/08, KGW TV
If you’re trying to get a plot in the city’s community gardens — get ready for a long wait. More than 1,000 people are waiting and there are only 1,200 plots available citywide. The only expansion planned is 22 new plots in Southeast Portland. Volunteers say it’s not nearly enough to cope with record demand. The 31 community gardens sprung-up as Portland grew more dense. And there’s little turnover.
In the last year, the waiting list has grown by more than 400-people.
Click here for video with details.
Add comment March 22, 2009
First Family To Plant White House Veggie Garden
March 18, 2009 11:57 AM
ABC News’ Brian Hartman Reports: President Obama’s latest shovel-ready project is close to home — in fact, right in his own yard. In an effort to promote healthy eating, the first family will be planting a vegetable garden right on the White House grounds.
ABC News’ Ann Compton and Sunlen Miller report that the new White House vegetable garden will be dug up and planted on the South grounds of the White House — near the fountain but out of view of the main house.
Though the 16-acre complex is maintained by the National Park Service, one worker who preferred to remain anonymous assured ABC News that National Park Service staff won’t do the sowing and planting. The White House residence staff will handle that.
As first reported online by food writer Eddie Gehman Kohan, who reports on food issues related to the Obamas, First Lady Michelle Obama told Oprah Winfrey’s “O” magazine, “We’re … working on a wonderful new garden project.”
In the April issue of the magazine, Mrs. Obama tells Winfrey, “We want to use it as a point of education, to talk about health and how delicious it is to eat fresh food, and how you can take that food and make it part of a healthy diet.”
A variety of organic food and sustainable agriculture advocates have been pressing the Obamas to plant such a garden.
1 comment March 18, 2009
