The Sebastopol Energy Garden recently introduced a
hive of Western Honey bees to our suburban food system. Bees play a vital role
in sustainable food production; not only do they provide beeswax and calorie
rich honey (64 cal/21 g), bees play an important role in pollinating flowering
plants, and are the major type of pollinator in ecosystems that contain
flowering plants (80% of all insect pollination). It is estimated that one
third of the human food supply depends on insect pollination, most of which is
accomplished by bees, especially the domesticated Western honey bee. The value
added by honeybee pollination to American agriculture is estimated to range
from $5 billion to $20 billion a year.

[video]

In determining where to purchase our bees and what
materials to use for our hives there were many factors that were taken into
consideration. We wanted to use a hive constructed from locally harvested and
manufactured wood upon which chemical treatments had not been used. Rather than
the commercially available assembled frames which use plastics as the
foundation for honeycomb, we wanted to use a natural bee’s wax product that was
chemical free. We also wanted the bees
to come from a reliable beekeeper that didn’t use any chemical treatments for
mites and hadn’t experienced Colony Collapse Disorder amongst their hives. Our overall goal was to obtain responsibly kept, healthy bees and chemical free hives in a way that had the smallest energy footprint linked to it. 

A local beekeeper, Eric Rocher assisted us in
acquiring the bees and the hive materials. It is his goal to develop a network
of decentralized hives so as to encourage pollination and avoid the health
risks that threaten large scale beekeeping. Bees often gather the majority of their
food within 2.5km of the hive, but a bee will also visit familiar flowers up to
10km away. By distancing hives from one another, the area pollinated increases
and competition among the bees decreases; this improves the health of the food
system as well as the hives.

Attached is the 2008 Planting Plan for the Sebastopol Energy Garden. Within the document are site maps with designated locations for each crop, calorie assessments, a plant inventory, and the budget for the purchase of seeds and plants.

Updates on plantings, and lists of what is currently growing at the Sebastopol Energy Garden can be tracked on our Farm Notebook Site

The compost piles at the Sebastopol Energy Garden that have been decomposing for the last 6 months are now ready to be sifted and made into seedling mix. Sifting the compost with a 1/4" screen produces a fluffy, aerated compost blend, that when mixed with sandy loam at a 1:1 ratio functions as a seedling mix. Through producing nutrient rich soil onsite and processing it into seedling mix we are able to reduce our dependence upon external sources of nutrients and lower our impact upon ecosystems outside of the Energy Garden.

The compost sifters were both constructed onsite from an old fence that was donated to the garden. The pickets from the old fence make excellent handles and the salvaged 2x4" functions as a durable frame. All that was required to convert the fence into the compost sifters was a screw driver, screws, wire mesh, and a jig saw. All cuts were based upon the dimensions of the wheelbarrows onsite.

With the seedling mix that we produced, we used our seed block press to generate flats , into which we planted our seeds. The seed block press makes twenty 1 1/2" blocks with small depressions in the tops for
seeds which allows for labor efficient planting. Planted flats are then transfered to the straw bale cold frame where they are incubated and protected from external conditions.

Through allocating energy towards our crops in the early stages of their development we ensure the vaiability of our crops early on. Healthy crops bring higher yields and are less susceptible to pathogens.

With spring fast approaching, two needs recently became
apparent. We needed to increase our sheltered growing space as well as our soil
building capacities. To accomplish this, we created several designs for
increasing our growing abilities, and in the end, we decided to build an
integrated system.

Currently, we have a worm bin and three bins for compost.
We built the new system in the middle of the garden and it will serve as the fourth
stage of composting. From this bin, we will sift the compost and create our
soil mixes. Because of its placement, it is ideal for distributing the soil and
seedlings throughout the garden.

Twenty-one straw bales were used for the walls, and we used
onsite scrap lumber for the frame of the cover. The cover is plastic, and we
plan on upgrading it with windows from the local recycle center. The growing
space is separated from the compost bin by a wall of straw bales.

To integrate the two spaces we cut sections of rain gutter,
which was onsite from our water catchment project, and put them through the
straw bale wall. This allows the solar gain from the cold frame to heat up the
compost pile during the day, and it encourages the compost pile to release some
of its heat into the cold frame during the night.

We have extended our growing season, soil building capacity,
and when the system starts to decompose the straw will make an excellent top
dressing throughout the garden. The cold frame and compost bin are also well insulated
by the straw bales.

Winter is almost over, and with it the time for
introspection also draws to a close. The heavy rains and shorter days have given
us time to create a sign system that illustrates our priorities in the garden. In
the coming year some focuses like crop selection and soil building will stay
the same, and this season they will be enhanced by a winter of planning that we
did not have last year.

Education is also a key priority as we enter the 2008
growing season, and one of the primary tools that we developed this winter is
our garden didactic system. This collection consists of 23 concept signs and 30
profile crop signs. They will be scattered throughout the garden to greatly
enhance its accessibility.

This project was beneficial to the Energy Garden initiative
because in the process compiling the content, we were able to summarize our
work to date. In addition, the signs helped us to identify the focal points of
the garden and the methods that influence its development.

The concept signs consist of:

·
Goals of the Sebastopol Energy Garden

·
Community Compost Collection

·
The Sebastopol Energy Garden Growth Collage

·
Square Foot Gardening Method

·
Natural Farming – The “Do Nothing” Method

· Cover Crops

·
The Water Catchment System

·
Drip Irrigation

·
Culinary Herb Spiral

·
Mandala Garden: The Sheet Mulch Technique

·
Methods of Season Extension: Towards a “Four
Season Harvest”

·
Appropriate Technologies

·
Processing and Harvesting Techniques

·
Tree Guilds: Edible Forest Gardening

·
Garden Cycle Tracking

·
Ethanol Production

·
The Fractional Still

·
Recycling and Compost: Designing “From Cradle to
Cradle”

·
Chickens

·
Biointensive Concepts

·
Permaculture Principles

Each sign corresponds to something that is happening in the
garden or that has influenced its progression. There are also 30 profile crops
that we have chosen because of their ability to help us adapt to Peak Oil.
Instead of a lawn, we are selecting a great range of crops to benefit humans
and the environment. Please see http://www.energyfarms.net/node/1495 for a list
of these crops.

These signs will enable people with a wide range of
understanding of sustainability to experience a transformed suburban lawn. When
people visit this year, during our second growing season, they will be
introduced to a diversity of crops with a large variety of functions. In
addition, they will be exposed to techniques and technologies that are easy to
learn and have the potential to make a big difference in their lives.

The rains will soon stop, and spring will bring a time of
action. We will sow seeds of diversity in the garden and hopefully, inspiration
in the community. The Energy Garden is always open to visitors and we look
forward to helping more people experience the resilience of the Earth.

ENERGY GARDEN CROPS

The following is
a list of the crops currently growing in the Sebastopol Energy Garden as well
as those selected for the 2008 growing season. The crops have been categorized
by the major anthropocentric functions they fulfill and the morphological plant
parts of use. By assessing the crops in this manor we can correlate them with
their appropriate zone within the garden. In addition to providing the common
names and functions of the selected crops, optimal planting conditions are
provided for annuals, and background information is provided for profile crops.

PROFILE CROPS

Profile Crops support
the goals of the Sebastopol Energy Garden by offering local means of energy
security, food production, soil improvement, and water conservation. These
crops are most often cultivated in Zone 2 of the property.

Energy Security: Crops that function as potential sources of
energy are those high in calories (carbohydrates and lipids) grown for human
consumption, biofuel production, and anaerobic digestion.

Food Production: Crops grown as
local sources of food are chosen as profile crops if they display stacked
functions, are area-and-weight-efficient crops, or are beneficial
non-conventional crops.

Soil Improvement: Crops which
improve the soil are those capable of accumulating large quantities of minerals
and producing large amounts of carbon. These crops provide the required materials
for onsite preparation of compost and mulch, as well as function biologically
in the improvement of the health of the soil.

Water Conservation: Crops grown
for the purpose of water conservation are those which require low amounts of
water or those which improve the quality of water by functioning as
hyperaccumulators of water contaminants.

The following is the background
information of selected profile crops. They are organized by function in the
same order as above.

Switchgrass: (Panicum
virgatum) is a perennial grass native to North America. Because it is
native, switchgrass is resistant to many pests and plant diseases as well as
being very tolerant of poor soils, flooding and drought. It is easily
germinated from seed, and capable of producing high yields with very low
applications of fertilizer. Switchgrass makes for a great energy crop because
it grows fast, capturing lots of solar energy and turning it into chemical
energy which it stores as cellulose. Switchgrass reaches its full yield
potential after the third year planted, producing approximately 6 to 8 tons per
acre; that is 500 gallons of ethanol per acre. At maturity, widely spaced
switchgrass plants can measure 20 inches in diameter at ground level.
Switchgrass has a huge, permanent root system that penetrates over 10 feet into
the soil, and weighs as much as the above-ground growth from one year. It also
has many fine, temporary roots. All these roots improve the soil by adding
organic matter, and by increasing soil water infiltration and nutrient-holding
capacity.

Miscanthus: (Miscanthus
x giganteus) is a tall perennial grass that has been evaluated in Europe
during the past 5-10 years as a new bioenergy crop. Like other energy crops,
the harvested stems of miscanthus may be used as fuel for production of heat
and electric power, or for conversion to other useful products such as ethanol.
Because the crop is a sterile hybrid it is established by planting pieces of
the root, called rhizomes, which develop into the mature plant. Miscanthus is
ready for harvest within 2 years and yields continue to improve until they
level off around the 5th or 6th year. Speculating from European data, under
typical agricultural practices over large areas, an average of about 3 tons per
acre dry weight may be expected at harvest time.

Miscanthus
exhibits:

Relatively high yields 8-15 t/ha (3-6 t/acre)
dry weight.

Low
moisture content (as little as 15-20%).

Annual harvests, providing a regular yearly
income for the grower.

Relatively good energy balance and
output/input ratio

Low
mineral content, which improves fuel quality.

Jerusalem Artichoke: (Helianthus
tuberosus L.) is an annual flowering plant native to North America.
It grows 1-3 meters tall with flowers similar to the sunflower but much smaller
(4-8cm in diameter). Jerusalem artichokes are grown throughout the temperate
world for their tubers, which are used as a root vegetable. The tubers are
gnarly and uneven, vaguely resembling ginger root, with a crisp texture when
raw. Unlike most tubers, but characteristic of members of Asteraceae (Sunflower
family to which it belongs), the tubers store the carbohydrate inulin instead
of starch. The inulin is isolated on the basis of its high solubility in hot
water; by boiling the tuber and allowing it to cool polysaccharides can be
extracted. Yields tend to vary with soil conditions, cultivar and season, but
fresh weights in excess of 100 tons per hectare have been recorded, which is
around 8 tons per hectare of sugar. For this reason, Jerusalem artichoke tubers
are an important source of energy.

Sugar Beet: (Beta
vulgaris L.), a member of the Chenopodiaceae family, is a biennial plant
whose root contains a high concentration of sucrose, accounting for 30% of the
world's sugar production. During its first growing season, it produces a large
(1–2 kg) storage root whose dry mass is 15–20% sucrose by weight. Sugar beets
have the potential to produce 30-40 tons of roots per hectare under
non-irrigated conditions and 50-70 tons per hectare with irrigation. The
research done by the Agronomic University of Bucharest in the South zone of
Romania has recorded ethanol production at 5,508 liter ethanol per hectare. The
sugar beet may become, in the future an important energy crop.

Soybean: (Glycine max)
is an annual legume (Fabaceae). It may grow prostrate, not growing higher than
20 cm (7.8 inches), or stiffly erect up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) in height.
Soybeans provide the principal oil being utilized for biodiesel in North
America. To produce soybean oil, the soybeans are cracked, adjusted for
moisture content, rolled into flakes and solvent-extracted with commercial
hexane. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service
Agency, one bushel of soybeans yields approximately 1.4 gallons of biodiesel.
Soybeans contain about 20% oil, so it takes almost 7.3 pounds of soybean oil to
produce a gallon of biodiesel. In addition soybeans enhance the nitrogen
content of the soil and provide the soil with many nutrients.

Dale Sorghum: (Sorghum
bicolor L.) is an annual tropical grass that is easily propagated from
seed. A prolific producer, averaging
about twelve feet in height at maturity; sorghum is a short rotation crop,
meaning that it can be harvested multiple times throughout the year. Sweet
sorghums have been selected for their high sugar content and are normally grown
for molasses production. Dale Sorghum is a drought resistant variety of sweet
sorghum that requires less intensive irrigation. It is an early maturing (115
day) variety with superior disease resistance to many older common varieties
and is well adapted for syrup production, which can be converted to methane or
ethanol. It produces on average 40 tons per hectare of cane, 25 tons per
hectare of juice, and provides a grain yield of 2-6 tons per hectare. It is
estimated that for each ton of cane yield 40 liters of ethanol can be produced,
that is 1600 liters of ethanol per hectare of Sorghum.

Peredovik Sunflower: (Helianthus
annuus) is an energy and protein rich annual that at maturity (12 weeks
after germination), reaches a height of 4 feet. Second only to soybeans,
sunflower oilseed varieties are the most important source of high-quality
vegetable oil in the world. This Russian cultivar produces small, black seeds
that yield more oil than most other sunflowers (approximately 952 liters of oil
per hectare). While typical sunflower seeds contain 25–35% oil, the peredovik
sunflower can contain up to 50% oil. According to the Duke handbook of Energy
Crops, a hundred kilograms of dry seed will yield about 40 kilograms of oil,
15–20 kilograms of hulls, and 40 kilograms of proteinaceous meal.

Rapeseed: (Brassica
napus) contains erucic acid, which is mildly toxic to humans in large
doses. The word "canola" is derived from "Canadian oil,
low acid;" it is a particular cultivar of Rapeseed developed
to produce low amounts of erucic acid. Rapeseed is the third leading source of
vegetable oil after soybean and oil palm, and the world's second leading source
of protein meal. The oil content runs 42.0–44.5%, and oil yields of more than 1
MT/ha are reported. Due to this high oil production per unit of land area
rapeseed oil is the preferred oil stock for biodiesel production in most of
Europe. The crop is particularly of interest because it not only produces
higher yields during the autumn growing period but the oil percentage of the
harvest is higher as well.

Flax: (Linum
usitatissimum L.) is an erect annual with slender stems that is
grown for its seed and fiber. It is not generally a crop that is spoken of in
relation to alternative fuel sources; however, there are groups looking into
the possibility of using the long tough stem fibers of oilseed flax as
feedstock for large scale burners. Flax seeds contain 20–30% protein, and are
the source of linseed oil. Flax straw has a per ton heating value similar to
soft coal that is much greater than other crop residues. Not only is the straw
cheaper than conventional fuels; it is also carbon neutral fuel; meaning that
the plant takes carbon from the air during the growing season to produce the
straw, reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. With seed
yields of 1000–4000 kilograms per hectare, and reported oil content of 34–37%,
flax has the potential to yield 1500 kilograms of oil per hectare.

Safflower: (Carthamus
tinctorius) is a member of Asteraceae; it is a thistle-like plant growing
30-150 cm tall with globular flower heads (capitula) of commonly, yellow,
orange or red flowers. . Safflower is grown exclusively for its oil which is
high in essential unsaturated fatty acids. Oil yields approach 50%, leaving a
meal with 21% protein, 35% fiber, and 1-3% fat, a great source of nutrients for
feedstock. According to Khoshoo (1982), the BTU value per gallon of safflower
oil is 130,730. The crops viscocity of 32.7 has been described in concern;
however, tractors were run on 100% safflower oil for over 90 hours to cut hay
and cultivate in Australia, and diesel engines fueled with safflower oil were
run more than 700 hours in Idaho with no obvious difference ascribed. It has
been reported that for every 212-262 gallons of extractable oil harvested per
hectare 25 gallons of fuel is required. (Khoshoo, 1982). High oleic safflower
oil is virtually free of sulfur.

Castor Bean: (Ricinus communis), a member of Euphorbiaceae,
has been cultivated for centuries because of the energy rich oil it produces in
its seeds. The seeds contain between 40% and 60% oil that is rich in
triglycerides. The crop grows 3 to 10 ft, producing several branches with
terminal spikes that are 6 to 12 in. long. Each spike bears 15 to 80 capsules,
which contain within each of them three seeds. Yields of about 2,200 lb/acre
have been reported in Nebraska tests. Average production is estimated at 750
kilos per hectare. The seeds and roots of the plant contain high concentrations
of ricin, a poison, which is also present in lower concentrations throughout
the plant making it a great gopher poison.
The crop is also harmful to humans and livestock and for this reason
caution must be taken in disposal of the crop after cultivation.

Sesame: (Sesamum indicum L.) belongs to the Pedaliaceae
family. It is an annual herb that can grow to a height of 60 inches. The seeds
that it produces, which have been estimated to achieve yields of as much as
2,300 lb/acre under irrigation in California, consist of approximately 50% oil
and 25% protein. Sesame seeds contain 825 calories per cup of which 644 are
from fat. Among edible oils, sesame oil has the highest antioxidant content,
namely due to the presence of the compound sesamin; this allows for greater
shelf life plus improved flavor. In addition the seeds with hulls are rich in
calcium (1.3%) and provide a valuable source of minerals for both human and
livestock consumption.

Quinoa: (Chenopodium
quinoa) is grown primarily for its highly nutritious edible seeds, which
are small yellow flattened spheres, approximately 1.5 to 2 millimeters in
diameter; however, the leaves of the plant can also be eaten. The seed coat
contains bitter saponin compounds that must be removed before human
consumption, but it is this bitter pericarp that keeps the crop nearly
untouched by birds. In addition to containing a balanced set of essential amino
acids for humans, quinoa’s protein content (12%–18%) is very high, making it an
unusually complete foodstuff; this means it takes less quinoa protein to meet
one's needs than it does wheat protein. Quinoa is a good source of dietary
fiber and phosphorous and is high in magnesium and iron; it is gluten free and
considered easy to digest. There are about 1480 calories in one pound of quinoa
flour or seeds (55.3% carbohydrates, 13.1% protein, 5.8% fat, 13.6% fiber,
9.3% water, and 2.9% minerals).

Oats: (Avena
sativa) are an annual grass that reach 1.3 meters in height. Producing an
average of 125 bushels per acre, which is 8,000-12,000 pounds per acre of biomass,
oats are primarily grown for livestock feed; in fact less than 5% of the total
production in this country is for human consumption (mainly as oat flour). Oat
is the only cereal containing a globulin or legume-like protein, avenalins, as
its major (80%) storage protein. The protein content of the hull-less oat
kernel, or groat, ranges from 12–24%, the highest among cereals. Oats help
conserve soil, they require relatively less chemical fertilizers, pesticides
and herbicides; they reduce water contamination by agricultural chemicals, and
provide nutritional benefits to both humans and animals.

Corn: (Zea mays
L.), the single largest U.S. crop, is increasingly being used as a biomass
fuel. It is currently harvested from 30 million hectares within the United
States, which is almost ¼ of all the harvested cropland in the country. The
average yield of moist corn grain is 8600 kilograms per hectare; that is
approximately 150 bushels per acre. According
to the National Corn Growers Association, 1.3 billion bushels of corn were
allocated towards ethanol production in 2004. David Pimentel, a
professor from Cornell estimates that one acre of U.S. corn can be processed
into about 328 gallons of ethanol, but planting, growing and harvesting that
much corn requires close to 140 gallons of fossil fuels and costs $347 per
acre; that is $1.05 per gallon of ethanol before the corn even moves off the
farm, meaning that 70% more energy is required to produce ethanol from corn
than the energy that ethanol contains. No research has been done; however, as
to whether corn may serve as a sustainable energy crop when grown organically
and at a much smaller scale. Corn residues, including the stalk and cob may
also prove useful in future energy production.

Energy Inputs to Corn Production

Nitrogen fertilizers (all fossil
energy)

Phosphate, potash, and lime (mostly
fossil energy)

Herbicides and insecticides (all
fossil energy)

Fossil fuels: diesel, gasoline,
petroleum gas, and natural gas

Electricity (almost all fossil energy)

Transportation (all fossil energy)

Corn seeds and irrigation (mostly
fossil energy)

Infrastructure (mostly fossil energy)

Labor (mostly fossil energy)

Potato: (Solanum
tuberosum) a member of Solanaceae, ranks with wheat and rice as one of
the most important staple crops in the human diet around the world.Within 10 g of the tubers are 80 calories (320
kJ). A medium potato (150g/5.3 oz) with the skin provides 27 mg vitamin
C (45% of the Daily Value), 620 mg of potassium (18% of Daily Value), 0.2 mg vitamin
B6 (10% of Daily Value) and trace amounts of thiamin, riboflavin, folate, niacin,
magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc. Moreover, the fiber content of a potato
with skin (2 grams) equals that of many whole grain breads, pastas, and cereals.

Buckwheat: (Fagopyrum
esculentum) is a short season crop that does well on poor, sandy, somewhat
acidic soils. Plants will begin blooming in about 40 days from seeding, with
the first seeds mature after an additional 40 days. This rapid production
allows for many harvests throughout the year makes the crop ideal for growing
as a local source of calories. The seed is an achene, similar to a sunflower
seed, with a hard outer shell and soft inner meat. Most of the buckwheat grain
utilized as food for humans is marketed in the form of flour but whole grain
may be used in poultry scratch feed mixtures as they are high in protein. As
well as being a food crop, buckwheat is used for its biomass.

Amaranth: (Amaranthus sp.)
with 60 recognized species, makes up its own family, Amaranthaceae. The
herbaceous annual grows 5 to 7 feet, with broad leaves and a showy flower head
of small, red or magenta, flowers. The seed heads resemble corn tassels, but
are somewhat bushier, composed of tiny (1/32"), lens shaped seeds that are
a golden, creamy, tan color. Amaranth resists heat and drought; it has no major
disease problems, and is among the easiest of plants to grow. Each plant is
capable of producing 40,000 to 60,000 seeds that like buckwheat and quinoa,
contain protein that is unusually complete for plant sources. The leaves also
are a very good source of vitamins including vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C,
riboflavin, and folate, and dietary minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium,
phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, and manganese. Several studies have shown
that like oats, amaranth seed or oil may benefit those with hypertension and
cardiovascular disease.

Black Salsify: (Scorzonera
hispanica) is a member of Asteraceae cultivated for its calorie rich black taproot
which grows up to one meter long and up to 2 cm in diameter. In ½ cup of Black
Salsify are 50 calories; potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, and vitamins
A, B1, E and C are also present. In addition to the root, the foliage is edible
and functions as a great nutrient source for livestock as well as a source of
salad greens for humans. Because the crop is relatively untroubled by pests and
cold tolerant it makes an easy to manage crop for the organic farmer.

Parsnip: (Pastinaca sativa) a member of Apiaceae, offers a great source of calories during the
winter while the rest of the garden is dormant. Parsnips are very frost
resistant; in fact, frost is necessary to develop the flavor and nutrients for
the hardy root crop. In 100
g of parsnip root are 55 calories; that is 230 kJ of energy. Parsnips are richer
in vitamins and minerals than its close relative the carrot, and in addition to
providing calories to the diet, they are a good source of fiber, folate,
magnesium, potassium (600 mg per 100 g), Vitamins C and E, calcium, iron, thiamin,
riboflavin, niacin, and B6.

Barley: (Hordeum vulgare)
a member of Poaceae, can be grown in both spring and autumn. It retains yields
under harsh conditions
and poor soils where other grains don’t produce well. Barley contains twice as
many fatty acids as wheat which accounts for its 10% higher calorie count. In
addition barley contains 68% more thiamin, 250% more riboflavin and 38% more
lysine than wheat, giving barley a more balanced protein. One hundred grams of
barley contains 135 calories and provides 54.5% of the recommended daily
fiber (both soluble and insoluble fiber). It has been documented in both
the Journal of the American College of Nutrition and the American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition that increase barley consumption correlates
with cholesterol reduction.

Lentil: (Lens culinaris)
a member of Fabaceae, grows 15 inches tall and produces many pods which contain
within each of them two seeds. Estimated yields in excess of 2,000 lb/acre have
been achieved at small levels of production. Protein content of the crop ranges
from 22 to 35%, but the nutritional value is low because lentil is deficient in
the amino acids methionine and cystine. In 100g of lentil are 371 calories. Apart
from a high level of proteins, lentils also contain dietary fiber, vitamin B1,
and minerals. Red (or pink) lentils contain a lower concentration of fiber than
green lentils (11% rather than 31%). Lentil provides more folic acid than any
other unfortified food. One cup of cooked lentils contains 90% of the
recommended daily allowance. As a result consuming lentil effectively reduces
homocystein blood levels, reducing risk for heart problems.

Rye: (Secale cereale) a member of Poaceae, grows in both spring
and august and function as a cover crop in addition to providing carbon and
calories for the small scale farm. Yields of 70 to 80 bu/acre can be obtained
with good management. The food value of rye consists of 1.5% fat, 73.9% complex
carbohydrates, and 12.2% protein. The energy content of the grain is
intermediate to that of barley and wheat. It contains 335 calories within100g
(1402kj). Although rye flour does not develop true gluten, it is the only
cereal grain other than wheat to have the necessary qualities to make bread.

Millet:
(Panicum miliaceum) a member of Poaceae, grows well on poorly fertilized and dry soils and fits well in hot
climates with short rainfall periods and cool climates with brief warm summers.
For this reason it is considered a staple food crop among 1/3 of the world’s
population. Millet is highly
nutritious, non-glutinous and like buckwheat and quinoa, is not an acid forming
food so it is easy to digest. In fact, it is considered to be one of the
least allergenic and most digestible grains available and it is a warming grain
so will help to heat the body in cold or rainy seasons and climates. Millets
are rich in B vitamins, especially niacin, B6 and folacin, calcium, iron,
potassium, magnesium, and zinc. The
seeds are also rich in phytochemicals, including Phytic acid, which is believed
to lower cholesterol, and Phytate, which is associated with reduced cancer
risk. Contained within 100g of millet seed are 228 calories with 66,000
to 81,000 seeds/lb. Each seed contains nearly 15% protein. Yields up to 2500 to
2800 lb/acre are realistic for this climate.

Fababean: (Vicia faba ) is
the plant for which the bean family, Fabaceae, was named. At about 25% protein,
the crop is very nutritious and high in energy, and is frequently cultivated
for human and livestock consumption. Average yields of 2261 lbs/acre have been
achieved under irrigation. Frost hardy to about 7°F,
it is one of the most important winter crops for human consumption in the
Middle East. More so than a food crop, fababeans are the most efficient of all
legumes at fixing nitrogen within the soil. The crop is capable of fixing up to
200 pounds of nitrogen per acre. In addition their extensive root system breaks
up soil to 2 feet deep, and brings up soluble nutrients from 10 feet deep.

Alfalfa: (Medicago
sativa) is a cool season perennial legume, growing to a height of 1 meter.
Like other legumes, its root nodules contain bacteria, Sinorhizobium
meliloti, capable to fix nitrogen (estimated to fix 83–594 kg N/ha/yr),
producing a high-protein feed, giving it the highest feeding value of all
common hay crops. Forage yields are 5–75 MT/ha per year (with 8–12 cuttings per
year). Seed yields are 186–280 kg/ha annually. Alfalfa grows well in the cool
months, producing enough vegetation to yield the energy equivalent of 2 to 7
barrels of oil per acre. Basing estimates on average alfalfa hay yields,
participants at the Fourth Annual Alfalfa Symposium concluded that we could get
nearly a ton of leaf protein per acre from alfalfa. This would mean 55 million
tons of protein from 62.5 million acres—about 10 times what Americans need in
their diet. Residues remaining after protein extraction would yield the
equivalent of 250 million barrels of oil in residues.

Hairy Vetch: (Vicia villosa) a member of Fabaceae, is the only vetch species that can be
fall-seeded and reach maturity the following July. Capable of enriching the soil with nitrogen up to 60 to 120
lb/acre, and aerating soil up to depths of 30-85 cm, the legume is used primarily
for soil improvement. Hairy vetch is also said to facilitate the availability
of potassium to other, shallower-rooted, crops The protein content of vetch hay
ranges from 12 to 20%; however, and can function as a beneficial food source
for livestock. Vetch produces a hay yield of 1.5 to 3.5 ton/acre dry weight.

White Clover: (Trifolium
repens) a member of Fabaceae, is the
world’s most widely grown clover. It is often under sown with cereals to
provide a perennial source of nitrogen and increase their yield. White clover yields of 100 lb of N/acre have
been documented. White clover can be “frost seeded” (in early spring when the
soil is still frosted) into existing grass pastures to improve pasture
production and quality. It is highly nutritious and palatable and aside from
improving the soil of the pasture is offers a source of winter forage for
livestock. The protein content of white clover will exceed 15% and the
digestibility 70%. Dry matter yields will range from 2000 to 4000 pounds per
acre per season depending mainly on soil moisture. The crop tolerates trampling
and mowing, and can therefore be seeded as an alternative to conventional
lawns.

Comfrey: (Symphytum officinale L.) is a
prolific perennial herb belonging to the Borage family (Boraginaceae) that has
long been recognized by organic gardeners for its great usefulness and
versatility, both medicinally and as a fertilizer. Because the majority of
comfrey under cultivation is hybridized, it is typically propagated from root
cuttings. It is a sturdy plant, reaching a height of 2 to 3 1/2 feet with very
large, hairy lower leaves, as much as 15 to 20 inches long. Its roots draw
nutrients from deep in the soil to produce the energy rich foliage that offers
many methods of application as a fertilizer.

Comfrey
offers many uses as a fertilizer:

-
Comfrey as a compost activator

-
Comfrey as liquid fertilizer

-
Comfrey as a mulch

-
Comfrey as a potting mixture ingredient

PROPERTY ZONING:

The Sebastopol
Energy Garden is partitioned into three specific zones of use, with the lowest
numbered zone representing the area of highest traffic and crop yield (Zone 1),
and the highest numbered zone being that which requires only periodic care and
offers reduced yields (Zone 3). That zone which falls between Zone 1 and 3 (Zone
2) represents an overlap of the two. By viewing the garden as three separate
zones with individual characteristics, we can plan the layout of selected cropsmuch more strategically.

ZONES 1-2: BACKYARD

ZONE 1 is the portion of the garden in closest
proximity to zone zero of the property, the house. The crops grown in this area
are primarily consumed by humans. Crops in this zone fall within the categories
of nutrition, and root calorie crops. Water remediation occurs in the zone of
the garden as well as the growing systems.

ZONES 1-2: FRONTYARD

ZONE 2 is the portion of the garden beyond zone one that is still
used for annual crops. Crops grown in this area are primarily calorie and
carbon crops. This is the part of the
garden allocated towards testing and demonstration, and is where there is
opportunity to profile those crops that we see fit. Compost production, egg
production, tool storage, and processing and harvesting occur in this part of
the garden.

ZONE 3: BACKYARD

ZONE 3
is the portion of the garden farthest from the house. Crops grown in this part
of the garden are primarily perennials that provide nutrition and calories,
attract and repel insects, fix nitrogen, accumulate nutrients, or increase the
health of the garden ecosystem. This portion of the garden is independent from
irrigation and is self managing.

The Sebastopol Demonstration Energy
Garden, an initiative of Post Carbon Institute, has begun constructing a
wetland water catchment system capable of treating grey water. The system
reflects the goals of Post Carbon Institute by demonstrating reduced
consumption and facilitating localized production. It allows for extended
retention of runoff water on the property so that it may be diverted to areas
of necessity during times of scarcity. In addition, it demonstrates sustainable
urban methods of treating contaminated water and low impact techniques for
re-integrating it with groundwater. This project aims at establishing a tool
that allows for the investigation of constructed wetlands in the remediation of
contaminated waters as well as providing literature on the replication of such
systems.

The selected site, at 327 Murphy
Avenue in Sebastopol, California lies within the Laguna de Santa Rosa
Watershed. It is characterized by the moderately slow permeability of its soil,
and the relatively high annual rainfall it receives. Onsite are three separate
buildings, of which the system utilizes only a fraction of one, an 8.5x24’
portion of the 1500 square foot house capable of collecting 5,205.825 gallons
of rainfall over the course of an average year. Due to the seasonal differences
in precipitation and soil permeability on site, the system was designed such
that it could receive grey water (pending approval from local authorities) during summer months when water is scarce but
sunlight is ample, and rainwater during winter months when soil permeability
and bioremediation are reduced.

The system currently consists of a
surge tank that receives water from the roof of the house, two constructed
wetland tanks, and an outlet tank containing a solar powered effluent pump,
each connected to the next with 1 ¼” PVC. Once water is allowed entrance to the
circuit from the surge tank it travels through each constructed wetland tank as
well as the outlet tank many times over until it is manually released into a
branched drain that empties at fruit tree mulch basins. The system was designed
such that it can accommodate the estimated 30.5 gallons of daily grey water
input during summer months and 35.6 gallons of daily rainwater input during the
winter.

Implementation of the system began
in November of 2007 and shall continue through 2008, with maintenance
continuing indeterminately. Construction of the system began with excavation of
the selected site, followed by the setting and plumbing of the tanks, and
development of the surrounding landscape. Upon establishing the hydraulics of
the system as well as the stability of the wetland flora and fauna, the system
will be ready for the integration of grey water components. Monitoring of the
water quality, sediments, and biota has begun and will continue as the wetland
develops. The data produced will allow for investigation of constructed
wetlands in the remediation of contaminated waters, and assist in pursuing Post
Carbon Institute’s goals of demonstrating reduced consumption and facilitating
localized production.

[video]

PROJECT
GOALS:

It
is the goal of Post Carbon Institute to demonstrate reduced consumption and
localized production. In this project we are focusing primarily upon the use
and conservation of water in the garden and surrounding landscape. One purpose
of this project is to prolong the retention of runoff water on the property so
that it may be diverted to areas of necessity during times of scarcity. Another
purpose is to demonstrate practices on the compact scale for the treatment of
used water so that it may be safely recycled into the ground. By reducing our
consumption of water, we consequently reduce our consumption of energy.

It
is the goal of Post Carbon Institute to provide information on actions that
enhance regional sustainability to the scientific community as well as the
local community. This project serves as a tool for the investigation of
constructed wetlands in the remediation of contaminated waters as well as a
replicable model for future systems.

SITE ANALYSIS:

Post
Carbon Demonstration
Energy Garden

327
Murphy Ave

Sebastopol,
CA, 95472

WATERSHED

The
Energy Garden belongs to the Laguna de
Santa Rosa watershed, the largest tributary of the Russian River, capable
of storing over 80,000 cubic feet (99,000,000 m³) of stormwater. Soil types
within the Laguna vary depending upon location; those onsite have been
classified as Sebastopol Sandy Loam, characterized by moderate to rapid runoff;
and slow permeability. During the winter months the soil remains moist and the
water table high, with summer conditions being very dry.

Month: J F M
A M
J J A S
O N D
Moisture: M M M M MD MD D D D MD MD M

M = Moist
all parts
MD = Moist some parts
D = Dry all parts

(National Cooperative Soil Survey, U.S.A.)

Energy Garden Weather Station

The average annual rainfall for the
region is 40.83 in/year; months that express high rainfall correlate with those
in which the soil expresses high moisture content. The wettest month of the
year is January with an average rainfall of 8.65 inches.

Month: J
F M A
M J J
A S O N D

8.65 7.64
6.15 2.25 1.03
0.25 0.08 0.11
0.52 2.01 5.85
6.29

(Graton Weather station, 3.20 miles from Sebastopol)

SITE CAPABILITIES

Onsite
are three separate building, an office that is 216 square feet, a garage that
is 323 square feet, and the 1,500 square foot house, all of which are equipped
with gutters and downspouts. The amount of rainwater that each roof is capable
of collecting can be determined by the following equation.

Area of house (sqft) *
Annual rainfall (in) = Cubic feet of water collected by roof over
course a year

12

Because
7.5 gallons are contained within one cubic foot of water it can be concluded
that the roof of the house on the property has the potential of collecting
38,278.125 gallons/year.

(1500 * 40.83)/12 = 5103.75 * 7.5 = 38,278.125
gallons water/year

During a 62 day period
(6/30/07-8/31/07) the household and the garden consumed 160 cubic ft. of water.
This includes the needs of the household and the irrigation needs for the 3,500
square foot garden. By projecting these summer meter reading, in which no
rainfall occurred, upon the whole year it can be predicted that no more than
7,181.298 gallons are consumed by the household each year. Considering that the
roof alone is capable of collecting 38,278.125 gallons per year, there should
be no reason that the garden cannot be irrigated on collected rainwater alone.

160 cubic ft * 7.5 gallons/cubic ft = 1196.883
gallons
1196.883 gallons * 6 = 7181.298 gallons used

The
amount of grey water produced by the household can be estimated using proposed
calculations. Art Ludwig, author of The Grey Water Builder’s Manual and Create
an Oasis with Grey Water, has projected volumes of grey water output upon
plumbing fixtures, based on their weekly use and the number of occupants. It
has been estimated that for each occupant a top loading washing machine
produces 45 gallon/week, a bathtub 30 gallon/week, a shower 65 gallon/week, and
a bathroom sink 10.5 gallon/week. The reason that other potential sources for
grey water output have not been considered is due to the legality of their implementation
in grey water systems. The household onsite functions as both a place of
residence and business and therefore the amount of grey water output must
reflect a more frequent usage.

Occupants: 2 adult residents,
1 child

4 onsite
employees

Top loading washing machine:
3 * 45GPW = 135GPW/7 = 20GPD

Public bathroom Sink: 7 *
10.5GPW = 73.5GPW/7 = 10.5GPD

Private bathroom sink: 3 *
10.5GPW = 31.5GPW/7 = 4.5GPD

Shower: 3 * 65GPW = 195GPW/7
= 28GPD

Grey water produced = 345GPW
= 50GPD

So
as to determine the rate of absorption by the soil, the irrigation demand of the fruit trees was calculated.
The site selected for water deposit is more
than capable of holding the amount of treated grey water that the system will
emit each week.

Irrigation Demand = Regional
Evapotraspiraton value * Plant water usage factor * Irrigated area * 0.62

Irrigation
Efficiency

ID = (1.0) * (0.8) *
(300sq ft) * (0.62) = 186 gallons water/week

0.8 *
All values can be found in Art Ludwig’s, Grey water
Builder’s Manual. (0.62 is conversion from inches/sq.ft. to gallons.

DESIGN

Upon
evaluating the water consumption of the property, the capabilities for
rainwater catchments, and grey water output, as well as having researched the
biological and environmental potential of phytoremediation, we have selected a
location for a seasonal grey water system. The selected location falls within
zone one of the energy garden, close enough to the house to collect grey water,
but not too close to violate the law as presented by CPC/UPC, which states that
the minimum distance of 5 feet from buildings and structures is required.

Due to the elevated ground water table
that occurs in Sebastopol during winter months in which rainfall is most
frequent, and also due to the impeded rate of phytoremediation during this
season, we have chosen to employ a seasonal grey water system. During the
summer months when water is scarce but sunlight is ample we will allow grey
water from the nearby bathroom sink and washing machine into our constructed
wetlands to be filtered by the growing flora, and during winter months the
system will function as storage for rainwater that runs off the asphalt
roof.

[video: index=1]

The designed system consists of a
surge tank that receives water via a rain chain from the asphalt roof of the
house, two constructed wetland tanks, and an outlet tank containing a solar
powered submersible pump. Each tank is connected to the next with 1 ¼” PVC
within which we have installed manual on/off valves to allow flexibility in the
hydraulics of the system as well as to provide a means for future maintenance.
Once water is allowed entrance to the circuit from the surge tank it travels
through each constructed wetland tank as well as the outlet tank many times
over until it is manually released into a branched drain that dumps it at the
base of the fruit trees in zone three of the property.

The tanks were sunk level with the
surrounding walkways and have been secured with a 6 inch layer of gravel
beneath and around them. The surrounding landscape was designed so as to
compensate for any potential overflow that might occur. Native plant pockets
have been incorporated into the design as well as a perennial wetland pocket
and xeriscape pockets. Each micro-habitat has been developed with the intention
of demonstrating possible bunker flora for grey water systems as well as to
investigate the most successful method of utilizing the space surrounding grey
water systems. The selected plants are
neither root crops nor low growing edibles, but rather plants that exhibit
phytoremediating capabilities as well as function as pollinator attractants so
as to benefit the ecology of the surrounding garden and constructed wetlands.

The
rainwater that feeds the system during winter months is diverted from an 8.5x24’
section of the roof (capable of capturing 5,205.825 gallons of rainfall over
the course of a year. The system was intentionally designed to account for
January, the wettest month of the year, in which the average daily input of
rainwater into the system is 35.6 gallons per day.

8.65 monthly in. rainfall/31
days = 0.279 daily in. rainfall

0.279 * 204sqft = 4.7 daily
cubic feet water * 7.5 gallons/cubic ft = 35.6 daily gallons of water

12

During
summer months, the system was designed to receive grey water from the washing
machine and public bathroom sink. Using the proposed grey water output values
per person per week, we can estimate that 30.5 gallons of grey water will enter
the system each day. For phyotremediation to occur it is recommended that the
water be allowed 2-4 days circulation within the constructed wetlands. With a
360 gallon system we could afford an input rate of 90 gallons per day. This
compensates for the projected 30.5 gallons of daily grey water input during the
summer and 35.6 gallons of daily rainwater

input during the winter.

Upon
circulating through the system for 2-4 days, a portion of the water is removed
and replaced with the contents of the grey water surge tank or the rain water
catchment surge tank. The proposed area in which treated grey water shall be
distributed lies within zone 3 of the property; it is distributed through
branched drains which deposit into mulch basins surrounding fruit trees. The trees
receiving the treated water are located 55 feet away from the system. So as to
comply with legal requirements stated in CPC/UPC, all pipes involved in the
disposal of treated grey water are buried at depths lower than 9 inches.

IMPLEMENTATION

Throughout the
implementation of the system, aerial photographs have recorded each procedure,
step by step. These provide us with both documentation of the procedure
involved in building a grey water system and serve as to-scale diagrams of the
system. We have intentionally recorded the construction pictorially as well as
through written report so as to meet the requirements laid out by CPC/UPC.

Because the system will not operate in the
phytoremediation of grey water until permits allow, we have not yet installed
the tanks associated with that process, but rather focused our efforts on the
rain water catching components of the system. Although the design and
construction of the system is site specific, we have created what we consider
to be a general implementation plan. It outlines the steps that were required
through the progression of implementation.

WINTER IMPLEMENTATION
PLAN

Phase 1: Excavating
and Setting Rainwater Catchment Tanks

* Upon determining the necessary
capacity of the system and appropriate tank size, and having already selected a
site

-
Remove topsoil and hard pan

-
Deposit layer of drain rock

-
Determine desired slope of pipes per/foot

-
Design layout for pipes

-
Design layout for garden/constructed wetland pockets

-
Trench for pipes

-
Line garden/constructed wetland pockets with fabric

-
Set tanks and level

Phase 2: Plumbing Rainwater
Catchment Tanks (Hydraulics)

-
Determine desired width of pipe

-
Mark and cut holes for tank adaptors
once tanks are set at level

-
Measure and cut PVC and install manual ball valves for
maintenance

-
Install pump

-
Test the hydraulics of the system and check for leaks

-
Determi

ne the method of flushing system and dispersing
treated water

-
Design layout of branched drain

-
Trench for drain

Phase 3: Softscaping

-
Determine plants to be included in
constructed wetland

-
Deposit layer of drain rock

-
Secure valve boxes around manual ball valves

-
Deposit top layer of pea gravel

-
Fill garden pockets with soil or Wetland pockets w/ lava
rock

-
Cover branched drain with soil and establish community
of plants where water is deposited

SPRING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Phase 4:
Establishing Constructed Wetland Ecosystem

-
Plant determined plants within tanks and in surrounding
pockets

-
Slowly integrate mosquito eating fish, and bottom
feeding fish

-
Systematically add beneficial microbes

-
Monitor condition of established ecosystem

SUMMER IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

* To begin upon approval of the proposed grey water system

Phase 5:
Excavating and Setting Grey Water Surge Tank

* Upon determining the necessary
capacity of the system and appropriate tank size,
and having already selected a site close to rainwater catchment system.

-
Remove topsoil and hard pan

-
Deposit layer of drain rock

-
Determine desired slope of pipes per/foot

-
Design layout for pipes

-
Design layout for garden/constructed wetland pockets

-
Trench for pipes

-
Set surge tank level

*
Must be 5’ from house or building

Phase 6: Plumbing
Grey Water Surge Tank

-
Install optional grey water valve into household
plumbing

-
Determine desired width of pipe

-
Mark and cut holes for tank adaptors once tanks are set
at level

-
Measure and cut PVC and install manual ball valves for
maintenance

-
Connect grey water output pipes to grey water surge
tank

-
Connect grey water surge tank and rain water catchment
system

-
Test hydraulics of the system and check for leaks

*
There can be absolutely no leaks

FUNCTION
AND MAITENANCE

The proposed
system functions by employing the remediation capabilities of wetland
ecosystems. The plants selected are hyperaccumulators of the heavy metals and
organic contaminants found in grey water, as well as substrate for promoting
microbial remediation. As the plants grow, toxins are removed from the water,
and it becomes available for reuse. In order for the system to function
properly, certain methods must be employed in the introduction of grey water,
and the removal of treated water to and from the system.

The proposed
system functions as a circuit; into one end grey water and rainwater are
introduced and from the other treated water exits. In order to monitor the
impact of the wetland ecosystem on contaminants in the incoming water, samples
must be taken from the suspended grey water and rainwater runoff prior to entering
the system. Likewise, the treated output must be collected and analyzed.
Quantitative data will provide insight on contaminant levels and microbial
activity of the water at each stage of treatment and serve as an indication of
how long water should remain within the system. So as to eliminate the
possibility of removing untreated water from the system, treated water must be
removed prior to the addition of grey water.

Monitoring of plant tissue is required so as to assess
the health of the system and the accumulation of contaminants. Data produced
from such analyses will indicate when phytoextraction is most productive and
provide information about the capabilities of each plant. Because the removal
of contaminants relies upon the plants and microbes within the system, and they
undergo seasonal changes and winter dormancy, grey water should not be added to
the system during periods of dormancy. At this point, all grey water must be
redirected into city sewer lines and the system switched over to rainwater.

Due to the
importance of maintaining the hydraulics of the system, the submerged effluent
pump must be monitored daily. The addition of grey water must cease at any sign
of pump malfunction. Grey water must not be allowed into the system until the
pump is repaired or replaced. All repairs and
improvements upon the system should be made with caution and in keeping with
the goals of the system.

This past
weekend was a busy one at the Sebastopol
Demonstration Energy
Garden. After a summer of
soaking in sun and filling their stalks and seeds with sugars and starches, our
Dale Sorghum crops went full cycle. From the 212 sq ft. that we had under cultivation
we harvested 9 kg of dry seed and 115kg of sugar rich stalks. From the stalks
that we harvested in addition to the 110 kg of stalk that were donated to us by
Live Power farms (225 kg in total), we produced 10 gallons of sorghum juice. Of
the 10 gallons produced, we fermented 8 gallons and with the other two produced
approximately 57 oz of sweet sorghum syrup; this demonstrates the multiple
possibilities that the crop offers. In addition we were able to utilize the
carbon in the pressed stalks by adding what we didn’t use as a layer in our
sheet mulch as an ingredient to our compost piles. The chickens quickly
consumed the fresh leaves that topped each pile.

It took three
of us approximately three hours on Friday to harvest the stalks and seeds; this
includes removing the leaves from the stalks. The process entailed one man
cutting the stalks at their base with a pair of hand held clippers while
another tied the stalks in bundles and removed the seeded florets which were
processed by a third. The seeds were separated and laid thin upon screens in
the sun to be dehydrated and the stalks were stacked in the shade to be pressed
the next day.

To press the
stalks it required three people an additional 3.5 hours of labor on Saturday. We
used the Improved Chattanooga #12 to press the stalks and caught the juice in 5
gallon buckets; the juice that emerged was a pea green and contained 15% sugar
by volume. By comparing the measured weights (lbs) of bundles of four stalks
with the volume (mL) of liquid that emerged we determined that on average 162.3
ml of juice is produced for every 1 kg of stalk pressed.

Overall
harvesting and processing the stalks required about 21 hours of labor. We
produced 10 gallons at 15% sugar from the 225 kg of stalk that we pressed
giving us a 22.5:1 ratio of kilograms of stalk for each gallon of juice
produced.

[video]

Data published
in the Alternative Field Crops Manual reports yields of 10 ton/acre for Dale
Sorghum, of which 70% is comprised of the stalk. This is synonymous to 6350.3 kg of
stalk/acre, which would indicate that 282.24 gallons could be achieved for each
acre of Dale Sorghum under cultivation. Seeing that the juice produced from
pressing the stalks is 15% sugar, fermentation should yield 282.24 gallons of mash
at 7.5% alcohol. This shows that from one acre of Dale Sorghum, 21.17 gallons of
200 proof ethanol can be produced; the theoretical yield that they indicate however is over 400 gallons/acre.

Data published by Morris J. Bitzer
at Blairsville, GA, and Quicksand, KY shows yields of Dale Sorghum at
20 tons of stalk/acre, 20321.28 kg stalk/acre, double the yield
proposed by the Alternative Field Crops Manual, whose data was compiled
from Waseca, MN.

Data published by Oak Ridge National Labratory, acquired from 4 different test sites in Indiana and Alabama, reported yields of 22.2 Mg/ha (9.9 tons/acre), similar to that published by Alternative Field Crops Manual.

Data Published by Texas A&M Extension agronomist, Juerg Blumenthal said the highest yield he'd acheived was 12.4 tons of dry
matter per acre with the production of 395 gallons of ethanol per acre.

No indication of the
proof of alcohol produced was provided in any of these studies, but I
do not see how it is possible to yield such high volumes per acre. In each case either the juice pressed from the stalks is of a higher
sugar percentage, their method of pressing is more
efficient, or the sorghum is being grown in higher densities; none of
this information was provided. Somehow, in each case, higher volumes of
ethanol per acre were produced from lower masses of stalks per acre

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proposed yields of sorghum stalk/acre: 10 ton/acre, 12.4 ton/acre, 22.2 Mg/ha (9.9 tons/acre), 20 ton/acre

Average = 13.075 ton per acre

1 acre = 43559.46 sqft

Harvested 212 sq ft = 0.005 acre

0.005 * 13.075 = 0.065 ton/acre

1 ton = 907 kg

Harvested 115 kg stalk = 0.127 ton stalk/0.005 acre = 25.4 ton stalk/acre

*25.4 tons stalk/acre being grown on site > 13.075 ton/acre proposed yield

Proposed yields of ethanol/acre: 400 gallons of ethanol/acre, 395 gallons

Average = 397.5 gallons ethanol/acre

Produced 10 gallon juice from 225kg stalk, of which 115 were grown on site

115/225 = 0.51 * 10= 5.1 gallons juice produced from grown sorghum

1 acre/0.005 acre = 200 * 5.1 gallons of juice produced = 1020 gallons of juice/acre

15% sugar will ferment to 7.5% ethanol

1020 gallon juice/acre * 7.5% ethanol after fermentation = 76.5 gallons ethanol/acre

*76.5 gallon of ethanol/acre produced < 397.5 gallon ethanol/acre proposed. This data correlates more with the projected 21.17 gallons of ethanol/acre that I proposed based on the obtained 22.5 kg stalk:gallon juice ratio and the assumption that starting with a 15% sugar content will produce a 7.5% alcoholic mash after fermentation.

Here are some of the pictures from the fall cleanup, harvest, and planting. We will be growing many covercrops and winter vegetables and the transition is fun to watch. Directly seeded covercrops are sprouting already because we started them on the new moon. Check back later for more pictures. - Aaron