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Author Archives | Derek

Hyperlocavores, Yardsharing, and Distributed Urban CSA Farms

I’ve heard the cliché recently that “Local is the new organic.” In response to that, a buddy of mine said “No, local is the original organic.” And he’s right. In the last 100 years, our food system has gone from a local farm, kitchen garden, and green grocer model, to a globalized heavily travelled agri-industrial [...]

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Newbury Film Series Launches “Waste?” Documentaries

Newbury Film Series Launches “Waste?” Documentaries

A non-profit from Boston, the Newbury Film Series, launched a series of documentaries this Earth Day. The series is comprised of web vignettes profiling people who derive innovation from excess, who are redefining what we consider waste – recyclers, architects, musicians, retailers, and artists. “When we started this project, we knew it would be interesting – [...]

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Veggie Trader: Trade, Buy, or Sell Local Homegrown Produce

Veggie Trader: Trade, Buy, or Sell Local Homegrown Produce

So you've harvested more apples than you could possibly eat, but you really want a bunch of tomatoes to put up for the winter. Or all of a sudden you have oodles of cucumbers in your garden, but no peppers. Maybe you want to sell your garden surplus to other local folks, but don't have a way to get the word out. A new online community, Veggie Trader, could help you to make all of the local garden connections you need this summer.

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Seasteading: Homesteading the High Seas

Seasteading: Homesteading the High Seas

Seasteading is a movement to begin homesteading on the high seas, building permanent dwellings on the ocean. It’s one of the most innovative ideas that I’ve seen that addresses many of the issues that arise with building on land, within a particular political system. “We believe that current political systems are outdated and work poorly, for [...]

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Rainwater HOG: Discrete and Functional Rainwater Catchment

Rainwater HOG: Discrete and Functional Rainwater Catchment

This summer, give your local water supply a break by catching rainwater for watering your yard and garden. It’s low-tech, passive, and the yield of water from one rainfall can be phenomenal. A barrel or two under your gutter downspouts is the quick and easy solution, but if you’re looking for a better looking rainwater [...]

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Recycled Fruit Juice Pouch Bicycle Pannier

Recycled Fruit Juice Pouch Bicycle Pannier

If you’re trying to green up your lifestyle, riding a bike whenever you can is a no-brainer. But hauling groceries or work stuff or your lunch can be problematic, even awkward, without a good set of panniers. The Toocan Juicy is a great way to support recycling and a grassroots women’s cooperative business.

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10 Great Resources for Organic and Heirloom Garden Seeds

10 Great Resources for Organic and Heirloom Garden Seeds

It’s time to get some seeds in the ground for this year’s garden, and if you want to ensure the very best quality organic produce, you need to start with organic or heirloom seeds. If you purchase from a reputable seed merchant, you can be confident that you aren’t planting GMO seeds or any hybrids [...]

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Organic Soup + Bicycle Delivery = SoupCycle

Organic Soup + Bicycle Delivery = SoupCycle

Two enterprising Portlanders are fueling their passion for organic food, local agriculture, and bicycles with a soup-er business: SoupCycle. Jed and Shauna, self-proclaimed Soupetarians, delivery fresh, homemade soup, bread, and salad direct to homes and offices by bicycle. It’s almost enough to make me want to move to Portland…

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National Landscape Conservation System Approved by Congress

National Landscape Conservation System Approved by Congress

The permanent establishment of the National Landscape Conservation System was approved by Congress yesterday, helping to restore and protect some of America’s most ecologically important lands. This system, which covers Wilderness Areas, National Monuments, National Scenic and Historic Trails, and National Conservation Areas, is the first of its kind in 50 years.

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Practical Solar Heliostat System: Solar Thermal Heating with Mirrors

Practical Solar Heliostat System: Solar Thermal Heating with Mirrors

Direct sunlight exactly where you want it, for heating, lighting, or whatever purpose you like. The world’s first computer-controlled heliostat system from Practical Solar reflects the sun's energy into your house for heating and lighting, taking advantage of solar energy that doesn't even directly reach your house. The system can be installed using just hand tools, but the high-tech tracking technology software does the hard work for you, controlling the angle and the focus as the sun moves through the sky, making for an efficient, practical thermal heating setup.

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