Using sand to preserve food isn’t a new method by any means, but it’s certainly effective, and can be used a few different ways to extend the shelf life of root veggies and certain firm-fleshed fruit. The link below describes how to do it … Read more
Garden Towers A sustainable, efficient solution for food production
A simple, sustainable way to grow food in a rural or urban setting. Why grow food in a Garden Tower? * Saves space - you can generally grow about 40-50 plants on a 1.5 sqm space. *Saves water - since the plants are located above each other, any surplus water drips on to the next plant and is easily collected at the bottom * Pest control - since the plants are grown on a separate soil, there are much less diseases and pests to tackle. *Urban solution - suitable for balconies, roofs, or … Read more
Greenhouse of the Future Grow Food and Create Space to Relax
Interested in building your own greenhouse, but don’t know where to begin? Now, there’s the Greenhouse of the Future. Filmmaker Curt Close teamed up with Anaconda Productions and the non-profit SolutionEra to release a DVD, eBook and step-by-step guide on how to build a passive solar greenhouse that utilizes renewable energy and is built from natural and recycled materials. Follow the link for more information:- … Read more
Wicking Beds An easy way to grow food at home, save water and offset some carbon
The wicking bed is a highly productive growing system which not only produces more food from limited water, but also recycles waste organic material to provide plant nutrient and capture carbon. The essence is to form an underground reservoir of water or pond contained by a waterproof container or liner below the surface. Problems would arise if the underground pond was routinely filled by applying water from the surface. The water percolating down through the soil would absorb nutrients which … Read more
Solar Dryer for Food Sovereignty Sustainability all year round
The solar dryer is a solar-powered food dehydrator, that is entirely autonomous and “off grid”, and supports both local food autonomy and economic resilience. Once installed, it enables a farm to preserve seasonal surpluses of fruits and vegetables (which is a local traditional practice). This basic “tunnel” solar dryer is essentially a table-top greenhouse, with active ventilation provided by electric fans and a dedicated photovoltaic panel. It provides optimal airflow and temperature for … Read more
Seed Exchange Market Empowering and supporting farmers to preserve local varieties
Palestinian farmers are continually replacing local seeds with genetically-modified company-manufactured hybrid brands that are inept and inadequate with the surrounding environment, and from which farmers cannot yield a sufficient seed stock. Seed Banks in Palestine are preserving local seeds, producing, storing and improving a seed stock that is immune to the local viruses and diseases, and at the same time producing sufficient quantities to distribute and exchange in markets. … Read more
Composting Toilet Saving water. Producing compost.
In the Palestinian Territories the access to water is largely controlled by Israel, which makes it a very expensive resource, and not always reliable. The same happens with the access to land where it is possible to farm. Composting toilets can definitely reduce the amount of water needed per family, and they can also produce good quality compost that can seriously improve the soil's quality in a short amount of time. A composting toilet can be built largely with recovered materials. The … Read more
Vertical Planting Urban Gardening
In the Palestinian Territories the access to farming land is largely controlled by Israel, not allowing a traditional farmers society to continue its way of living and of prospering. In urban areas without easy access to land, and with restricted movement, urban gardening becomes a survival strategy. The Palestinian market is flooded with subsidized Israeli products, and food sovereignty becomes a political statement and a way to become independent in terms of food production. Vertical gardens … Read more
Cooking with the Sun Solar cookers for energy sustainability
Difficult or expensive access to energy resources can be overcome by installing a solar cooker! With plenty of sun in this area, a cheap and easily built solar cooker can provide for many needs in the family and beyond. Baking, boiling water, cooking... … Read more
Weed Control without Herbicide Could this Replace RoundUp?
Botanists have known for a long time that boiling water kills weeds. The problem with making thermal technology available on a commercial basis has been finding a way to keep the heat on the plant long enough to kill it. Hot water alone doesn’t work well enough. Foamstream, a biodegradable foam made from natural and renewable plant oils and sugars can be precisely applied to weeds with hot water and the combination effectively eradicates weeds. Heat is applied to the weed in the form of foam … Read more
