schoolsucks 286 autonomy through agorism part 3 permaculture mail bag and barnyard aftershow

First I read some emails from listeners regarding the first two shows in this series (full text below, with links).

Then we'll switch to a recent After School Sucks Special where Baxter, Osborne and I discuss

-Pig slaughter skill sets
-Causes of food waste
-chicken tractors
-Paddock-shift systems
-juicing vs. blending
-chickens like eating eggs?
-making a low-carb/paleo shake
-composting
-small-scale chicken-keeping
-factory farm eggs
-exciting new ways to consume eggs
-grass- and grain-fed beef
-supplements and protein

Look Closer:
Agorism Resources - http://agorism.info/

Design Principles of Permaculture - http://www.fincatresanillos.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/designprinciples.jpg

Geoff Lawton - http://www.geofflawton.com/

Salatin: Everything He Wants to Do is Illegal - http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/joel-salatin-interview.aspx#axzz31mpRyYjJ

Permaculture Design Principles Expansion - http://permacultureprinciples.com/principles/



Emails:
Hello Brett,
I've been a listener of school sucks for about 2 years now. I was just listening to the recent Permaculture podcasts you've been doing. I think it's awesome that you're starting your own garden. I definitely think the suggestions for double digging, wicker pots and tire raised beds are awesome ideas, as these are some things I'm applying in my own garden/ agorist farm this year.
I recently came across the concept of straw bale gardening, which with companion planting, you can do it so there's little input and a plentiful harvest. I decided to write you once finished listening to the podcasts because I think the idea of straw bale, hassle and labor free gardening might be appealing to you.
The concept is that you take straw or hay bales(hay is apparently better for the plants and you can get moldy hay for cheaper because it can't be used for animal feed. The fungus is however desired in gardening. ) You essentially put them where you want them and water with some organic fertilizer for a few days to get the natural compost action going. Then you part the hay/straw, add some compost, a plant that's ready to go outside(one that's been hardened) and a little soil. Water the whole bale in and you're good to go. If done right there will be little maintenance and high yield. The bales hold water well so there's less watering. The are people in the desert gardening this way because it's the only way they can, but honestly works everywhere. Over the season the hay composts providing your veggies with food and at the end of the year, just put the bales in a pile and by next spring you'll have compost if you are around for another season. It's a great no dig, low effort way to get into gardening.

As I mentioned, I'm starting a farm with one other person using primarily Permaculture techniques, especially hay bale, sheet mulched raised beds, tire raised beds and the like. My plan is to make a living this season using these methods, and believe it or not, I'm a pretty noobish gardener. My last years garden was laughable, but with these methods, I should be able to feed myself and make a decent living. You don't have to put a bunch of work in to do this stuff, it's really easy! Hopefully this peaked your interest, I had to share.

Thanks for doing what you've been doing. Hope this helps and I hope your garden goes well.

-Rachel

Hey Brett
Thought I throw a few tips your way as for your gardening,
check out the following on youtube, wiki, etc
Biochar, add 3-5% by weight of soil, 1cu ft covers almost 50 sq ft
which works in synergy w/ Mycorrhizal fungi
(the fungi powder is kinda expensive but you don't need much & might
be worth it if really wanting to boost root growth)
As for fertilizing consider making your own organic aerated compost
tea in conjunction w/
vermipost (earthworm compost). It's easy & great way to fertilize w/o
chemicals.
Just a few pieces of equipment like air pump, air stones, large
bucket/ garbage can, paint strainer/ compost bag. & premixed tea
powder. To keep bubbles down, a teaspoon or so of olive/ canola oil
helps. Mix 1 part aerated compost tea to 2 parts water, when it's
ready.
Grow bags are the bomb, either plastic or fabric, & are a great option
especially if you plan on moving &/ or wanna move your plant around.
They're WAY better than typical hard plastic containers.
I find all these have increased my yields & have been the best return
on my investment.
Also see Scribd - 'Teaming w/ microbes'

-Eric

Brett, I wanted to pass on some information related to your most recent podcast. Jamin and Karen mentioned the container/bucket method of growing but there's also a fully hydroponic bucket method. Recently I have been collecting the materials needed and setting up my first bucket. You can get the pump for around $10 at your local pet store and most of the other materials at a home improvement store or a local plant shop. I chose the bubbler bucket system based on its simplicity and relaxed maintenance routine. I hope this helps.

http://www.simplyhydro.com/hydrou.htm

http://youtu.be/5Y0rbxnGcE0

-James


Brett,
Just listened to your agorism 2 episodes. I have had a ton of success using the methods in a book by John jeavons called On Bio-Intensive agriculture. Just Google the name and there is a ton of good info

-Jonas