Tag Archives: farming

General Posts

Sunday Afternoon Ramblings

2 Comments

Here’s a quick update on the farm:  The irrigation system has been completed for the prototype, and it works perfectly.  There are still a couple of parts to add in, like the timer and the water sensor, but the basics are in place.  It’s simple and efficient and should be easy to replicate, which is extremely important because I’m gonna have to build dozens more over the next few years.

Next up is the lighting system, which by far will be the most expensive part, but it’s also the most important.  I’ve decided on the Quantum T5 Badboy as my system because of the performance and the efficiency, but each one is pretty expensive, so it will take some time to get the lighting completed.

So far, I’m pleased with the prototype.  The basic components are simple, and it functions very well.  There’s still a long way to go and a lot to learn, but it’s coming together.  I’m also proud of myself because this has been a big challenge, and so far I’ve been up to each step.  That feels good.  After the last few years, it’s nice to have a little positive momentum.

General Posts

Sunday Afternoon Ramblings

1 Comment

After the most grueling semester of my career, I desperately needed the break.  However, because of that crazy illness and then the week with my sons, I ended up only getting a couple of days to relax and rest.  We start back to work tomorrow, and I’m about as far from ready as I can be.  I’ve got until Thursday before I’ll be in class, so maybe I can get a jump on my prep and be somewhat prepared going in.

I’m so ready for a change.  I really can’t see myself doing this for much longer.  The toll is too great and the return is too little.  Yes, I chose this as my career, so I’m as much to blame for my situation as anyone, but I think most teachers would agree with me that we are called to this profession by a deeply rooted need to give back to our communities.  I didn’t expect to spend 13 years doing this.  I thought maybe 5-7, but here I am, exhausted and overwhelmed from the relentless wave of grading poorly written essays by apathetic students who would rather be surfing YouTube than listening to class notes.

I don’t mean to be negative, and I’m sorry for complaining, but I feel so defeated by this job.  I have to get the farm moving forward.  The illness and the weather kept me from making any progress over break, so I have get some momentum back soon.  My health and my sanity need to make this change happen, and the sooner the better.

General Posts

Sunday Morning Ramblings

2 Comments

I woke up early this morning from a nightmare about heights and couldn’t go back to sleep.  Not being ready to dive back into the pile of grading, I’ve spent the morning researching the crops we’re gonna focus on.  So far, we’re strongly leaning towards cauliflower, cucumbers, tomatoes, green beans, and lettuce, and most of my research this morning has been on the particular strains of each we want to specialize in.  The variety is staggering, but I think I’ve got it narrowed down to 2-3 of each.  I’m so excited I can barely contain myself.  While I have no delusions about the hard work ahead, I’m looking forward to it.

The prototype is shaping up nicely, too.  I’ve got the basic frame and irrigation network put together.  Now, I just need a pump, a holding tank, and the lighting unit.  The lights will be by far the most expensive component, so I have to get the right unit that will give the best return on overall price and operating expense.  I think I’ve found the best choice, but I’ll wait until I’ve tested it before I give any endorsement.  On the other end of the spectrum, the water pumps won’t be nearly as expensive as I had originally thought, so that will help out quite a bit.

Also, as we get the aeroponic units operational, we’re gonna work on installing the solar panels.  To me, this is the most crucial step of the farm.  My goal is eventually to have a 100% self-sufficient farm, and the most important aspect of that is energy consumption.  While aeroponic farming is much more efficient, it’s also requires considerable electricity to operate the lights, pumps, fans, and climate control elements, so if we can produce at least as much energy as we consume, the farm will be much more sustainable than if we rely on the grid.

Okay, I’ve stalled long enough.  Back to the pile of grading.