DIG-L: Syllabii for eco-farm

[Mike Barnett <dreadlox@cwjamaica.com>]

APOLOGIES FOR CROSSPOSTINGS.

Hello again!

I have been away for a long time from list activity as I have been
finally working on a project that I believe will encompass a lot of 
what I have been working on for years. The group has actually acquired
some property and are busy in the setup phase.
I now need to ask for your help in the area of syllabii or training
materials for those of you who teach, have been taught or have resource
materials in the following areas of eco-farming and alternative energy.
This project will take youth from juvenile institutions, who have no
family or homes to go home to, host them for 3 years, and equip them in
a three year course to be able to understand and operate a small farm
enviro-logically.
I have enclosed the proposed modules for Alternative Farming and Energy.

If you have such materials or can assist in creating a (three year  or
shorter) syllabus, please contact me onlist where applicable to others
needing this material, or offlist at dreadlox@cwjamaica.com .

Please crosspost to applicable lists!

Thanks for all constructive inputs!

========================================================================
Sustainable Agriculture Module. 

Description of course :

"Sustainable farming and aquaculture at (blip) Christian Outreach
Ministries is a means of glorifying God our Maker through profitable
production, efficiency of natural resources, best aquatic and
environmental practices and a way forward to keep pace with our
Ministries' and Jamaica’s vegetable, meat, food and fish consumption
without  compromising the overall ecological integrity of our
ecosystems."

Purpose of module: To fully equip the residents to be able to operate an
organic farm based on sustainable principles, and learn all principles
of good Stewardship towards Nature.

Trained by: Farm Manager, Farm Supervisor, and/or Agricultural
Instructor.


Modules:

Rearing of Goats,Pigs, Horses, Cows and Poultry.
Biodigestion and proper operation of a biodigester.
	Biogas manufacture and use 
	Biofertilizers use and application
	Biomass reuse and composting
	Composting, Small and large scale

Composting - Recycling vegetable and garden waste into valuable soil
fertiliser. The waste is put into a container which allows air in, and
then it is broken down by micro-organisms into compost, which can then
be spread on the garden.

Aquaponics

Aquaponics- a term coined to describe a special growing system of food
production combining aquaculture and hydroponic growing techniques
without expensive equipment. Aqua (from the Latin aqua - water) combined
with hydroponics techniques, but replacing the mineral nutrient salts
with natural input of nutrients from a biological source - fish
effluent.


Schools-Aquaponic Curriculum and School Visit Info
At a later stage of growth, the Christian Outreach Ministries model
could be used as a showcase and as a outing venue for schools from all
across the island to visit and adopt. By getting information packages
from the source at Christian Outreach Ministries, potentially thousands
of children's lives could be touched and their thinking about Gods
creation and Nature affected!

Raised Bed Farming
We build raised wooden frames from recyled pallets and fill them with
good organic soil. The benefit is that in a few weeks after setup, we
can harvest HIGH VALUE Organic fruits and vegetables.

Geo-Hydroponics

Hydroponics
Hydroponics is an agricultural technique through which one can cultivate
plants without the need for soil as a source of the necessary nutrients
needed for their  development.

Aquaculture of food fish, shrimps, and lobster.
Aquaculture - The controlled "culture" or raising of aquatic animals for
food and recreation. These could include carp, bass, and tilapia for
food fish, redclaw lobsters, shrimps, and aquatic plants for chicken and
other animal feeds. Waste fish grown can be used for pig food.
Recycling and alternative design of farm implements and housing.
	Ram pumps 
Crop cycles and rotation
Soil management and Irrigation.
(Alternative) Plant pest management
Basic Veterinary Practice. 
Farm Equipment Operation.
Biogas Run Engines
	Tractors
	Pumps
Wastewater Recycling and Management
Wastewater Lagoons for Water Treatment
Alternative Energy System Management.
Vermiculture
Vermi-Composting, in the broadest sense, is simply the biologic
breakdown of organic matter, using special worms to decompose all paper
and organic fruit and vegetable waste including lawn clippings and tree
cuttings. The final product is an organic soil, which is highly rich in
nutrients
Larvaeculture

Course Outlines/Syllabi in Appendices


===================================================================
Alternative Energy Systems Module. 

Description of course :

"Understanding various Alternative Energy Systems which can be used to
supply the needs of, and run micro-industries, farms, and properties,
without  compromising the overall ecological integrity of our
ecosystems."

Purpose of module: To fully equip the resident at the end of the three
year tenure to be able to understand, build, and operate a variety of
alternative energy systems.

Trained by: Farm Manager, Farm Supervisor, and/or Agricultural
Instructor.


Modules:

Heat Creation from Recyling - Paper and paper products used as fuel for
hot water ( for showers, farm, and kitchen). Also a "Bab" burner using
waste cooking and automotive oil can be used for hot water for cooking,
sterilisation and destillation of recycled water.

Solar Equipment, Hot water heating and Solar Lighting - Supply Design
and Installation, Solar Drying of crops, and fruits, making fruit
leather.

Biodigestion of Manure/Sewage for Biogas The wastewater and feces from
the entire facility as well as from the animal farm can be biodigested
and the resulting biogas used for the entire cooking needs of the
kitchen, ELIMINATING the need to buy expensive cooking gas. The flame
can be used to run gas fridges and freezers resulting in FREE
refrigeration. Excess gas can also be used on the periphery of the
property as lighting. The resulting sludge can be dewatered to make an
excellent fertiliser and potting/bedding soil amendment.

Wind Power- wind power can be used for some lighting and water pumping
needs. This could be used to save the power needed to power a pump for
the property.


Alternative Cooling of Buildings

Using the roof as a source of power and light and heat, drying fruits
and vegetables using solar heated air, could be another high value added
source of income.

Alternative Building (eco-friendly building.)
Recyled material use, where Storage areas made of recycled wood, bamboo,
auto tires, metal can be incorporated into the design of the buildings.

Lighting 
Rain Water Catchment systems. 


-- 
Mike Barnett, JAMAICA, West Indies.

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