Our Impact

Scale of Impact

$4,000

Value of donations received

2,000

Volunteer hours logged

2+ Tons

Organic matter diverted from the dump

50

Trees planted

Stories

We measure our success in actual lives changed. These stories are a testament to the difference that communities can make when we come together to create lasting change.

Grow Biointensive Demonstration Garden

Glen Ellen, California 
Food. Organically grown food is great. Yet, we must feed ourselves without relying on fossil fuels. The only way to eat that way today is by growing it ourselves. 

There are many reasons for raising our own food. Growing food is part of the lifestyle of people who live in Blue Zones. (Blue Zones are areas with unusually large number of people living over 100 years.) And food insecurity has been something people in the Third World have had to address. As the effects of global warming and supply chain problems become more severe, citizens of the developed world may find reasons to take gardening more seriously.

There is a method for growing zero carbon footprint, organic, non-GMO, food sustainably. This program has been developed by Ecology Action. The effectiveness and efficiency of the Grow Biointensive method has been proved during the last 50 years. As students of John Jeavons, we have been honing skills to raise food using GBI methods.

As with most Farmer Teacher Trainers, we took what we learned and made it our own. Our Grow Biointensive garden is available for viewing by appointment.

Circular Economy of Food

We are working on the circular economy for food. Just a few generations ago, farmers understood and practiced what we now refer to as circular economics.

It made sense to collect waste from homes and spread it on croplands. Partly because of this agricultural practice, farmers preserved soil fertility for millennia. Over time doing so has fallen out of favor and soil fertility is degrading. We have prioritized invigorating the practice.

Our first task to refine graywater practices in order to raise food with it. Water is always a priority for farmers. It is especially so for farmers in drought prone areas like the American southwest.

Our water bill shows that the amount of water we use inside the home can be used to grow a lot of food. 

Graywater proponents developed a variety of systems distribute graywater to the garden. Technology exists, and there are hurdles to overcome.

Plumbing Codes don't currently allow above ground irrigation with graywater or using kitchen water in a graywater system. While rainwater catchment has more momentum than graywater it is not practical for gardens in the Sonoma Valley.

We look forward to refining technologies and helping the practice gain acceptance. 

Bye-Bye Automobile

Automobiles take fossil fuel. For getting around we recommend walking, taking public transportation, riding bicycles and electric bikes. Our own bikes have character enough to have names, and they have stories to tell. We expect that cars will be used only for certain businesses in the near future.








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