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Wednesday, June 19, 2013, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm (Note return to our regular time)
House + Earth, 1214 West 6th Street, Austin, Texas, Suite 120, 78703 (map) (Note slightly different address. H+E has moved to the eastern side of the retail center. Turn right one driveway sooner than previously – Before the big Julian Gold sign.)
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Interest in Biochar is growing rapidly because of its unique ability to sequester carbon while improving plant/tree performance. Biochar holds the promise of being able to:
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increase the ability of soil to hold more nutrients, making plants stronger, healthier and more nutritious.
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contribute baseload renewable electricity to complement peak solar and wind production;
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reduce methane and nitrogen emissions from intensive livestock operations, landfills, and composting operations;
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improve the holding of nutrients (increased fertilizer value) and water in the soil, meaning less run-off and erosion.
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remain in the soil for up to 1,000 years as a fixed carbon source.
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bind toxic elements in the soil, making our food and trees less toxic.
While Biochar holds much promise, it is controversial due to fears that its use will cause deforestation, and fears that the same facilities may be used for the combustion of garbage to energy – a step backwards in the Zero-Waste hierarchy of a cleaner planet.
This presentation will explore the origins of biochar and its mechanics in the soil. The presenters will also provide context for how biochar’s benefits can be attained while respecting policy constraints that prevent our ecology from slipping backwards.
Our local guest presenter, Patrick Van Haren, started Microbial Earth in 2008 with a mission to improve the soils of central Texas through the use of microbes. Jeff Wallin, one of the foremost biochar entrepreneurs in the country is a co-founder of The Biochar Company and the senior partner of HMI Biochar in Kauai, Hawaii.
DBL is a volunteer-run educational organization providing valuable information, and optional donations at the door are always appreciated. No RSVP required. For more details, email us via “Contact Us” or call Scott Clay at 512-689-1149.
Saturday, June 15, 2013, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Norris Conference Center, Austin
Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) holds its one-day Green by Design workshop several times a year. Austinites preparing to build, buy, or remodel a home can learn how to improve energy and water efficiency, increase comfort, and reduce maintenance.
The workshop includes:
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A full day of instruction with Austin Energy Green Building staff.
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A comprehensive workbook, Green by Design.
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Free advice from local green building professionals.
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Continental breakfast, lunch, and break refreshments.
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A chance to win cool door prizes from local green businesses.
What You Will Learn
This workshop will give you an overview of the green building process. You’ll come away with a framework for making better design and building decisions, including:
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Assessing what your family needs in a home.
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Choosing a designer and builder.
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Selecting a lot or making the most of the one you have.
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Increasing comfort and reducing utility bills.
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Making smart material and appliance choices.
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Operating your home more cost-effectively.
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Creating a home that benefits your family and the planet.
This is an excellent and affordable way to learn about green building in central Texas and what the Austin Energy Green Building Program has to offer. To register, visit Austin Energy’s Green By Design.
 The spring 2013 crop of wheat and barley straw bales is starting to come in.
We just got word from Ken Richter, our bale friend near Taylor, Texas (less than an hour north of Austin) that straw will start being baled the week of May 13. For the best price ($4/bale), go pick up your bales right out of the field. If you can’t pick them up, Ken and other regional farmers can deliver. Not near Austin or Taylor? Check around for growers in your area. Try StrawLocator.com or email us if you have trouble locating bales near you.
Parts of our 2012 straw bale post deserve repeating:
Need bales but not quite yet? Ken can store your purchased bales. Remember: The more times a bale is handled (picked up out of the field, put into storage, loaded onto a trailer, etc.), the more expensive it gets. So getting your bales right out of the field is the most cost effective way to do it.
In addition to the usual checks for quality (density of the bale, dryness, color, strength of the fibers, mold-free, etc.), Ken offers these cautions when selecting bales:
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For structural bales (wall construction), do not use bales made by a rotary combine. A rotary combine chops the straw into short pieces and the bales are not as sound.
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Ask your bale source if he/she has baled for construction before. If not, be careful.
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Make sure the cut straw was baled before being rained on in the field.
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Beware of bales offered on CraigsList. Do your research and inspection.
To inquire further or purchase bales from Ken Richter in Taylor, Texas, call him at 512-963-5807.
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