Our busy mid-summer has taken me away from institute business, but nevertheless, things have been moving along with a well-like workshop this last Saturday and the launching of the Sustainability Skill Share. Research Projects It is the slow and steady part of our potato study. The plants are plenty high and most participants report good … More Last Four(!) Weeks at the Institute — Jul. 1–28, 2018
Summer is here: high temperatures, thunder storms, and prolific growth. Weeding and infrastructure were the focus these last two weeks. As we’re working to establish new beds, the weed pressure is pretty strong, but each week we are able to put down cardboard sheets and mulch to smother unwanted growth. The chicken coop needed permanent … More Last Two Weeks at the Institute — Jun. 17–30, 2018
ddd Recent 90°F temperatures are unseasonable for us in June, but the warm-weather crops are loving the extra heat: tomatoes, corn, beans, and others have taken off. Unfortunately the weeds have also used the abundant sunlight to take over any unmulched space. Even the managed spaces are difficult to manage, but the goals here are … More Last Two Weeks at the Institute — Jun. 3–16, 2018
It feels like summer, with high 80°F temperatures over the last two weeks. This has caused some cool-weather crops to bolt and profuse sweat to be a daily battle. The potato research project is all planted out, ending the busiest period of that project for the institute staff. Otherwise, we’re working to put down garden … More Last Two Weeks at the Institute — May 20–Jun. 2, 2018
Spring is our busiest season and the last two weeks were typical: planting the garden, building infrastructure, and working on research projects. It’s a busy time for other animals, such as the robin who decided to build a nest on a cross brace in the chicken coop frame — right over the entrance, so the … More Last Two Weeks at the Institute — May 6–19, 2018
It’s been another busy two weeks at the Low Technology Institute. We had a apple planting, pruning, and grafting workshop and tabled at the Nelson Institute’s Earth Day Conference. We’ve been busy in the garden and building on the greenhouse. Research Projects Things are coming together for the potato study. Seed potatoes have been ordered … More Last Two Weeks at the Institute — Apr. 22–May 5, 2018
It’s been a busy two weeks at the Low Technology Institute. After some unseasonably cold temperatures and a late snow storm, the chicken coop is complete enough for the hens to take up residence. This has been the top priority as we ran into an “Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly” situation: we had to … More Last Two Weeks at the Institute — Apr. 8–21, 2018
Spring sprang and then winter came back for a week, yet work on the chicken coop continues on the grounds. Inside, we’re making items for sale at the upcoming Nelson Center Earth Day Conference (and on our website). Research Projects Behind-the-scenes work on our research projects continue: grant applications, gathering supplies, and coordinating with participants. … More Last Two Weeks at the Institute — Mar. 26–Apr. 7, 2018
We’ve been busy working on the institute grounds and infrastructure. Part of that is working to build the tool library. We’re still raising money for the tool library. Please head over to our crowdfunding campaign to raise money for our tool library: http://www.youcaring.com/lowtechtoollibrary. Donations over $50 come with a free year’s membership and over $100 … More Last Two Weeks at the Institute — Mar. 11–25, 2018
We’ve been busy in the maple bush this week but still got some good funding news. We’re still raising money for the tool library. Please head over to our crowdfunding campaign to raise money for our tool library: http://www.youcaring.com/lowtechtoollibrary. Donations over $50 come with a free year’s membership and over $100 gets your name on … More Last Two Weeks at the Institute — Feb. 25–Mar. 10, 2018