Backyard Coal Plant — New DIY Project
April 1, 2021
Today we’re announcing our new DIY project: a backyard coal plant. … More Backyard Coal Plant — New DIY Project
Author: lowtechinstitute
We bring nonindustrial subsistence technology to (over)developed societies. We exist at the nexus of ancient, ethnographic, and modern subsistence. We aim to 1) identify ancient and contemporary nonindustrial technologies appropriate for use in modern, small-scale, self-sustaining infrastructure; 2) create do-it-yourself, resource-light solutions to sustainability problems; 3) provide our findings to the public for free use; and 4) create platforms to share information related to sustainability, especially solutions derived from ancient or ethnographic sources. We prize simple solutions over complex ones and eschew needless complication.
Beekeeping Volunteer Opportunity
March 24, 2021
Join us in our research apiary and help us with our breeding program. … More Beekeeping Volunteer Opportunity
Snowblower vs. Shovel vs. Scoop: Snow Removal — Low Tech R & D, Video No. 1
March 5, 2021
In this episode, we summarize our comparison of a snowblower, snow shovel, and snow scoop for clearing a driveway. … More Snowblower vs. Shovel vs. Scoop: Snow Removal — Low Tech R & D, Video No. 1
Bill Gates’s View of the Future Is Dangerously Flawed
February 23, 2021
Bill gates was on Fox News Sunday this last weekend. He was there to promote his new book, How to Avoid a Climate Disaster. If this interview is anything like the book, Mr. Gates has a deep flaw in his solutions and ideas about the future. It’s not his fault. Most people are working under … More Bill Gates’s View of the Future Is Dangerously Flawed
New Video: No. 23 — Walipini: In-Ground Greenhouse
February 19, 2021
In this video, we put together photos, video, and other information about our in-ground Walipini greenhouse. We started this project in 2017. You can see some blog posts about this topic to read more: Design (https://lowtechinstitute.org/2017/11/07/walipini-earthbag-greenhouse-design/)Siting (https://lowtechinstitute.org/2017/10/12/walipini-earth-bag-greenhouse-siting-and-bags/)Foundation (https://lowtechinstitute.org/2017/11/06/walipini-earthbag-greenhouse-foundation-and-bags/)Update (https://lowtechinstitute.org/2019/12/18/walipini-update/) Please remember to subscribe to our YouTube Channel! You can find all of our videos under … More New Video: No. 23 — Walipini: In-Ground Greenhouse
Calories Grown in Foodmageddon
February 16, 2021
This last year, we challenged ourselves to grow our own food, as if fossil fuels disappeared. Starting in February, we simulated collapsing transportation and agricultural infrastructure by buying less and less at the grocery store: first we lost produce, then frozen, and by the end, even shelf-stable foods. In August, we were essentially cut off … More Calories Grown in Foodmageddon
“Attend” the Garden Expo Virtually and See Us There (for Free) — Feb. 20–21
February 15, 2021
This year’s PBS Wisconsin Garden & Landscape Expo is going virtual due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We are usually at this well-attended event in person, but this year we’re also making a virtual appearance. This is a great opportunity for those of you who are too far away to visit in person, as attending … More “Attend” the Garden Expo Virtually and See Us There (for Free) — Feb. 20–21
Foodmageddon, Episode 25: Chicken Butchery
February 12, 2021
In this episode we harvest apples and turn them into sauce, dehydrated fruit, cider, and juice. We also have a look at our pantry in January. … More Foodmageddon, Episode 25: Chicken Butchery
Foodmageddon, Episode 24: Apple Season
February 5, 2021
In this episode we harvest apples and turn them into sauce, dehydrated fruit, cider, and juice. We also have a look at our pantry in January. … More Foodmageddon, Episode 24: Apple Season
Foodmageddon, Clip 24.3: Apple Cider (and a Pantry Update)
January 30, 2021
The next clip of our webseries, Foodmageddon, is out today. Have a watch. Comment, share, and let others know about the project. In this clip, we make apple juice and apple cider. Plus we have a look in our pantry at the end of January. In order to get more short videos out and have … More Foodmageddon, Clip 24.3: Apple Cider (and a Pantry Update)