Eco One

If you want to help with the effot and get great deals for Green Cleaning products
try Eco One get 10% off and know your helping Green Racine with getting the ED Clingman Experimental Organic Farm up and running. Use greenracine in the coupon code box

The Farm Part II

Going this morning to meet Cindy's partner in the land. Interested in hearing his ideas and getting a contract going. Mr.Chun Lin I understand is very interested in the modle I talked to Cindy about hoping for the best I will need to get going on many phashes of this at once from getting the land plowed to obataning the seeds and starting them and of course fund raising. I am betting that my understanding the new now will help in Fund Raising and getting the word out.

Spring and News!!

The winter sucks for doing much outside and I did do some Podcasting. Had Ms Mead on again from Victory Garden Initiative on again always a great interview.
Coming into Spring we have happy news! We may be renting up to 10 ac of land to go along with the 3 in Caledonia. I think this would make us one of the largest farms dedicated to growing food into the Farmers Markets East of I-94. The plan is to grow a range of food that one does not usually find in Farmer's Markets. A my Father would have said if everyone is growing Corn grow something else. there is a huge need in this area for good local products and I plan to help meet=t that need. If I must I will also create the distribution poit for the food as well
This will be a challenge but not one I can not overcome.
Nice thing is my Employer is helping me do this. I work for Pacific Sands as an outside sales and crazed Marketing guy. To say thinks to my Boss if you go to and use the code greenracine your save 10% and help me out too. Have great environmentally friendly products (End of plug.) Needed to say that as so many companies "do" green things Pacific Sands does. More very soon

Green Racine Products

This year Green Racine will offer for sale:

Offering

55 Gal Rain Barrels
250 Gal Water Tanks
55 Gal Composting Drums

Also help in creating Raised Bed Gardens

Starting in Late 4/10 Composted Horse Manure

Contact for more information

wclingman@wi.rr.com

Bird Feeders

Got the birds coming to the feeders. No major issues with Squirrels. Receiving Seed Catalogs in the mail. DO NOT USE OLD SEEDS I did to try and save cash but 90% of those seeds did not grow. So yes it might cost more cash but please IMHO new seeds maybe not each year after say two or three years use new. Might have been how we stored them but why take chances?
Found that Detroit is doing cool things with Urban Gardens wish Racine would. Looks more like to me that our Mayor thinks IMHO that it is more critical to enrich his pals then it is to say help feed the hungry.

Wind Education

Great use of funds to help educate for the fiels. One day I love to see this go on in Racine.

New Addition To Iowa Lakes C.C. Wind Studies Center Is Dedicated
in News Departments > New & Noteworthy
by NAW Staff on Wednesday 16 December 2009
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The new $550,000 addition to the Sustainable Energy Education Center/Wind Energy and Turbine Technology building on the Estherville, Iowa, campus of Iowa Lakes Community College has been officially dedicated.

KCUA-TV reports that the new 6,200 square-foot addition is ready for the spring semester, which begins on Jan. 14. Financing for the facility was paid, in part, with a $350,000 loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"This addition provides state-of-the-art technology for our wind energy students and allows them to learn necessary skills for the wind industry in a controlled environment prior to working on wind turbines," says Valerie Newhouse, college president. "The addition allowed the college to accept two more sections of students into the wind energy program."

SOURCE: KCUA-TV

UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen COP 15/CMP 5, 7 to 18 December 2009

UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen COP 15/CMP 5, 7 to 18 December 2009

Or is about the power and the cash not the Climate

Where do I begin? If any thinks this effort has anything to do with climate you should quit drinking.
Be it the UN The Government on the United States or ever the State of Wisconsin its all about the money and power.

1st example The bad cows are creating global warming so lets tax them http://businessandmedia.org/articles/2009/20081230165231.aspx effect raise milk prices Of course The states will follow more price increases. With State and the Feds running so much into debit who will vote no? Of course Milk consumption will go down because milk might become to costly for the poor to buy. They will then turn to suger favored drinks like Soda that will cause more obesity in the youth (another taxing opportunity tax soda so kids will not drink as much of it)

Then you have manure to worry about now used on many organic farms to fertilize crops crops to avoid the use of man made fertilizer manure could now be outlawed cause/forcing the use of more chemicals as inputs on your food. Of course this would cause food prices to go up too to pay for chemicals.
I love the fact that Al Gore is now worth 200 Million up from the 2 million after leaving the white house, thats a what 1000% growth I think? Must be nice consulting the companies that will grow very very rich if Cap and Trade goes down. Gee you do not think he getting paid to promote something that's not happening do you?? Not Al Gore inventor of the internet? I know that Gore has been invited to debate the FACTS behind Global Warning and he has yet to do so, he has had reporters mics shut off to stop the reporters from asking him questions. I believe Al Gore wants no debate on Global Warming (be easier to get his money??)

Renewable Engery is still a good idea

Climategate will even if the MSM will not cover it puit an end the the global warming BS. WE may have to take years to fix the damage that The US Government under Obama and The State Government under Jim Doyle will do.
However as the focus shifts we should still create as much as we can renewable Energy as we can.
Why? Well bluntly every doller we spend here on energy we produce is one less doller scum lake Hugo Chavez get to spend on hating this country, or Iran gets to buy weapons or give to groups that would attack this country. As well IMHO I think Obama/EPA might have tipped us to the point of The Shit has hit the fan. so the more our homes can be powered by Wind/Solar etc the better off we can be.
I am very happy about the jobs starting to come to Wisconsin as this State puts up more wind turbans.

CLIMATEGATE.

The leaked emails etc the lawsuit to force NASA to release data under the Freedom of Information Act is going to stop this silly Global Warming BS. Might take some time there are lots of money beuing made on this (Al Gore).
With Billions on the line The Global Warming wackos will not go quietly into the night

At the same time no one wants dirty water or air. We need to do more to support the Buy local food movement.
Lets not toss the baby with the bathwater

Falmouth MA In the News

Now Racine WI is on the lake and we have a browns field that would be great to place a good three turbines. Will we? I think not very poor thinking from the City Leadership

Mass. Town Installs Turbine

by NAW Staff on Monday 23 November 2009


The Town of Falmouth, Mass., has installed a single Vestas 1.65 MW wind turbine on an 80-meter tower at its wastewater treatment facility. According to the Falmouth Energy Committee, the project is the first in the state owned by a municipality (but not a municipal utility).

The turbine will provide about 33% of the municipal electrical load, and a second 1.5 MW turbine is scheduled to be installed in 2010, which will help the town generate more than half of its own electricity from wind.

A general obligation bond has been issued and the project revenue will cover the debt and operating costs.

In 2002, Falmouth joined the ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection program and committed to reducing its dependence on fossil fuel and associated greenhouse gas emissions by 10% by 2010.

SOURCE: Town of Falmouth, Mass., Energy Committee

South Carolina sees win of Cost

From North America Wind

Wind Turbine Visibility On The Coast
in News Departments > FYI
by NAW Staff on Monday 16 November 2009
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Residents of the South Carolina shoreline could see an offshore wind farm eight miles or more out in the Atlantic Ocean, according to a photo simulation conducted for utility company Santee Cooper by Clemson University's South Carolina Institute for Energy Studies (SCIES).

Typical summer haze would reduce the visibility by about half, according to the simulation. The photo simulation is part of Santee Cooper's ongoing research into the viability of a potential offshore wind farm that would generate renewable electricity for the state-owned utility system. Santee Cooper has set a goal of generating 40% of its electricity by 2020 from non-greenhouse gas emitting resources.

In addition to researching available wind, transmission capabilities, anticipated costs and other factors, Santee Cooper is considering visibility and how that will impact existing onshore land use and tourism considerations.

Offshore wind farms have proven to be tourist attractions in parts of Europe, fostering chartered boat tours to the farms, notes Marc Tye, Santee Cooper's vice president of conservation and renewable energy.

"Other experience does show that an offshore wind farm in South Carolina could complement existing tourism attractions in the area we are studying," he says.

In the simulation, SCIES photographed ocean views from various coastal points along Horry and Georgetown counties, roughly matching the two areas hosting an ongoing wind buoy study by Santee Cooper and Coastal Carolina University.

SOURCE: Santee Cooper

Green Racine

Fact its not the City Government that is moving forward with real Green efforts. The City is far too busy IMHO destroying Farmer's Markets.
The real effort is by folks like you and me ideas like Racine County Compost Co-op, Racine Urban Gardening Network, and Eat Right Racine, are efforts of grassroots groups.

Sure some members of the groups might be looking to City Government for leadership (HA!)but they will soon find that the leadership does not care. When thay happens my thought is the groups will simply do it.

True change comes from the Grassroots. Be part of that change what can we do TODAY?

WTF

New York like Racine WI would rather have lots gather garbage. IMHO Racine rather have kids live on snack food then support a Farmer's Market why? The Mayor can fight 2 million to have a new "program" for recycling, the one we have now works just but claim a City Composting( even when the cost be very very small.) site is too much. Update Myself and others have started to form a Composting site.
We have an alderman who hates the idea of a neighborhood taking ownership of a troubled area that would become a garden. Do not worry he should not be reelected.
The Mayor wants a spashpad in the inner city but not food gardens.
Why is so much hate and control focused on the inner city? I will explore this

Cuba we need to help NOW reprint of Reuters

Cuba's energy situation termed "critical" * Some factories, workshops to be closed through December * Most other economic activities to be reduced By Marc Frank HAVANA, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Cuba has ordered all state enterprises to adopt "extreme measures" to cut energy usage through the end of the year in hopes of avoiding the dreaded blackouts that plagued the country following the 1991 collapse of its then-top ally, the Soviet Union. In documents seen by Reuters, government officials have been warned that the island is facing a "critical" energy shortage that requires the closing of non-essential factories and workshops and the shutting down of air conditioners and refrigerators not needed to preserve food and medicine. Cuba has cut government spending and slashed imports after being hit hard by the global financial crisis and the cost of recovering from three hurricanes that struck last year. "The energy situation we face is critical and if we do not adopt extreme measures we will have to revert to planned blackouts affecting the population," said a recently circulated message from the Council of Ministers. "Company directors will analyze the activities that will be stopped and others reduced, leaving only those that guarantee exports, substitution of imports and basic services for the population," according to another distributed by the light industry sector. President Raul Castro is said to be intent on not repeating the experience of the 1990s, when the demise of the Soviet Union and the loss of its steady oil supply caused frequent electricity blackouts and hardship for the Cuban public. The directives follow government warnings in the summer that too much energy was being used and blackouts would follow if consumption was not reduced. All provincial governments and most state-run offices and factories, which encompasses 90 percent of Cuba's economic activity, were ordered in June to reduce energy use by a minimum of 12 percent or face mandatory electricity cuts. The measures appeared to resolve the crisis as state-run press published stories about the amount of energy that had been saved and the dire warnings died down. The only explanation given for the earlier warnings was that Cuba was consuming more fuel than the government had money to pay for. The situation is not as dire as in the 1990s because Cuba receives 93,000 barrels per day of crude oil, almost two-thirds of what it consumes, from Venezuela. It pays for the oil by providing its energy-rich ally with medical personnel and other professionals. Cuba has been grappling with the global economic downturn, which has slashed revenues from key exports, dried up credit and reduced foreign investment. The communist-run Caribbean nation also faces stiff U.S. sanctions that include cutting access to international lending institutions, and it is still rebuilding from last year's trio of hurricanes that caused an estimated $10 billion in damages. In response, the government has cut spending, slashed imports, suspended many debt payments and frozen bank accounts of foreign businesses. It reported last week that trade was down 36 percent so far this year due mainly to a more than 30 percent reduction in imports.(Editing by Jeff Franks and Eric Beech)


As you know I have called for the end of the embargo, thinking now that MTV and Coke would have a huge impact on Goverment change in Cuba and trade would help both counties. Big bunis do a number on Chavez in Venezuela. Please write/call/Email your reps in Washington

Thank you

Composting

So far this week working with Racine County Composting Co-op. We have placed over 150 lbs of composted manure in area food gardens to include The Capt. Jones Victory Garden and the West 6th st Kids garden.
In the few days of this operation we have also reached out to others in the City of Racine to educate them on why composting rocks.

Racine County Compost Co-Op Green Racine Farmers Markert

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=188183415768 Is the facebook group location.

THe idea is since The CAA of Racine and Kenosha County have no clue on how to get work done but love to have meeting to have meeting to plan idea that need more meetings.
I thought if this was going to happen it be up to me and other locals not government or NGO's are not going to do it. IMHO the goals that CAA about food networks can not be met with the silliness.

So that means I got to do it. Had one false start that I blame the Town of Mt. Pleasant for, either The town leadership is dumb (Organic crops cause run off) or My guy in Racine got to them to refuse my idea. Thank God that I was able to find a farmer in another area who believes in what I am trying to do. So at this time I have an acre for the composting pile and a few hundred squre yards for a truck garden.
So after the land is tilled we will be planing crops to over winter mostly Garlic. Will also use lots of dung on my truck garden area, best of all the truck garden is very close to good running water.
The crops grown in the Truck Garden will be sold at a Farmers Market that I will form to be located I hope at the school near my home or an area near a group of churches. The Market will run on Sundays.

We can do this

Horse + Worms = Love

So I put about 20 lbs of horse poop in my compost about 5 days ago. Turned the pile as I do each week and blow me down I had a population explosion of Red Worms! Got more horse poop today and will be filling 55 Gal containers if Sweet Water/VGI wants some.
Boy so neat. Advice? Make friends with a farmer with horses.

When the shit hits the fan

Question being are you even remotely ready if the Shit hits the fan? I see so many who have no idea what is going on. Truly sad.
How hard is it to keep a few days of extra food/water? Extra blankets and medicine? Not only for you but your pets?
Be it a bad snow storm or a Katrena type event you could find yourself cut off from the local food stores or even cut off from power. Have a few days worth of stuff could be the difference from being inconvenienced to well much much worse.
Both FEMA and the Red Cross have information that can help get you started. The choise are be ready or be a sheep and hope that the magic elfs are coming.
Please please at least think about it

Wind in Cuba

Havana – DTC - Cuba's economic authorities have taken actions to make better use of renewable energy to boost the island's development and save resources. As part of those initiatives, the company Industria Mecánica Caribe (IMECA) has built 280 windmills to be used in agriculture and cattle raising farms. The windmills, which supply water to farms, have become a major economic alternative. In addition, experts are designing a new windmill that works better when the wind is mild. IMECA's production is expected to increase in 2010, considering that several companies are interested in acquiring the windmills.

As you can see Cuba understands how even little efforts can go along way.

Racine Urban Garden Network.

Racine Urban Garden Network, as you may know was formed in the early Spring of this year. A room full of folks from high school kids to retired elders met to talk about what could be done to start a network of Urban Gardens for many resions from to help improve diet to a fun hobby.
Well from a great start I must say in sadness nothing nothing has happened. Well not quite true the large group that met in May/June is down to 5 -7. Why? Well no mission, leadership from the hammer, a "goal" but no plan how to get there. Seams to me lots of meetings to have meetings.
Of course RUGN walks lock step with the Mayor/City so unsted of going for unused city land then RUGN waited until The City gave them 5 areas in Racine. At least one the City is back peddling on
perhaps because its near the Condos that I hear the Mayor has an interest in. I would think that have a place to garden would be a good thing, but I digress
Going to be a huge meeting about a food network in November but do nit know anything about it. Be nice to go but think I will have to crash it due to the fact that whats left of RUGN it pretty ellete the way I see them and not too willing to give out info.
A lot more to cover on this but need caffine