Scenedesmus algae bottles

We are the Shipyard algae lab community.

We have created the world’s first community algae lab for the development of open-source, DIY-oriented algae technology, to facilitate the co-operative pursuit of this new form of agriculture — and we invite you to come learn how to raise algae and transform them into exciting products!

Source: AlgaeLab

Our first Algae Lab got started in April, 2008, when Aaron Wolf Baum, Ph.D., confabbed with Jim Mason, the founder and executive chief of The Shipyard and All Power Labs of Berkeley, CA, picked a 20′ shipping container for the portable laboratory and issued a call for budding algae enthusiasts. These intrepid individuals soon built the world’s first community algae lab. By removing the roof and replacing it with a rack for 16 2′x3′ ponds, and filling the inside with algae growth bottles, bubbling tubes and other laboratory equipment, they soon had a space for open-source investigations of algae technology.

Algae the new crop harvested by home-growers

Raising spirulina requires a complex mix of nutrients, acid/base balance, temperature and other physical requirements. But Baum says it’s the food of the future because it can grow in ultra-compact areas, cleans greenhouse gases, and reproduces in a matter of hours so it can be harvested every day.

While laboratory algae tanks can cost tens of thousands of dollars, Baum’s seven-hour workshops costs $150 and hand-built tanks go for $150, pretty much at cost.

“I think everyone was pretty thrilled, excited to get growing. It seemed like a lot more possible for the common person, even with no science background,” said Katia Sussman, 26, who attended a recent workshop in Berkeley.

Baum’s so serious about making algae accessible that he’s offered to help workshop participants install their tanks for free if they run into trouble.

Baum wants to continue to form the Linux of algae – a DIY community that uses low-cost materials and shares information. He has hundreds of people on his mailing list and fields inquiries from as far as Italy and Japan.

“Aaron could’ve made a lot of money but he’s committed to doing it open source,” said Mike Gittelsohn, a software engineer and fellow algae-phile. “A lot of companies want to keep their knowledge proprietary.”

Source: SFGate

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In a city? Just Food will help you! Here’s info on an upcoming workshop series:

Interested in how to get fresh, local and organic produce in New York City? Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) connects local farmers with New York City residents through a unique, pre-paid share system. Members buy a share at the beginning of the CSA season and in exchange, receive a weekly share of 7-10 types of locally grown, organic vegetables – enough for a family of 2-3 people. Members pick up their vegetables for an average of six months at a neighborhood distribution site. CSA supports local farmers while CSA members receive fresh produce weekly and have the opportunity to form a relationship with their farmer and fellow community members.

If you or someone you know might be interested in bringing CSA to your neighborhood, we invite you to attend our Starting a CSA Workshop, which will be held on three different dates. We will discuss ideas and information regarding how to start a CSA and answer questions such as, where to find a farmer, where to set up the distribution site, how to recruit members, etc. You could help build your community through CSA!

Each workshop will be similar in content. The dates and location for the Starting a CSA in 2010 workshops are as follows:

Day: Friday, September 25th, 2009
Time: 6:00-7:30
Location: Just Food Conference Room (1155 Ave of the Americas, 3rd Floor)

Day: Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
Time: 6:00-7:30
Location: Harlem Center for Healthy Living (163 St. Nicholas Ave.) 

Day: Wednesday October 28th, 2009
Time: 6:00-7:30
Location: Just Food Conference Room (1155 Ave of the Americas, 3rd Floor)

To RSVP for a workshop, please e-mail Wen-Jay at Wenjay@justfood.org. If you can not make it to one of these workshops but are hoping to start a CSA for next season, please e-mail Paula at Paula@justfood.org. We hope to see you there!

Posted in Ag Classes, events ]]> http://uniteddiversity.com/want-to-start-a-csa/feed/ 0 http://uniteddiversity.com/stroud-pound-to-be-launched-in-threadneedle-street/ http://uniteddiversity.com/stroud-pound-to-be-launched-in-threadneedle-street/#comments Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:58:00 +0000 josef Continue reading →]]> The official unveiling of the exquisitely designed Stroud Pound will take place on Threadneedle Street, outside the offices of the Stroud Valleys Project and opposite Stroud’s very own Old Lady (Teashop) on Saturday 12th September at 10 am. Four denominations of Stroud Pound vouchers will then be available to exchange for sterling on a 1-to-1 basis.

The notes, designed by local artist Ronan Schoemaker and produced by local currency collector Steve Charlwood, are like miniature histories of the economic and cultural life of the Five Valleys. The most prominent local celebrity to feature is Laurie Lee, author of Cider with Rosie, who was born in Stroud and is buried in the Slad Valley. Local wildlife is represented by the rare Adonis Blue butterfly found on Minchinhampton Common. Stroud’s economic heritage is commemorated by the teazle itself, while the lawnmower, invented in Stroud, the green felt cloth that is still made in the town and Thomas the Tank Engine also feature.

Events will kick off at 10am, with a short presentation by Dr Peter North of Liverpool University, an international expert on local currencies. He will describe developments from Argentina to Japan, and link them to the history of radical economics in the UK. Then Molly Scott Cato of Stroud Pound Co-operative will introduce the currency and at around 10.15 the notes will be unveiled. Stroud pounds will be available for sale from 10.30 and 100 of them will be given away to random shoppers.

The Stroud Pound is an initiative of Stroud Pound Co-op Ltd, which grew out of Transition Stroud. It aims to:

• Retain more locally created economic values within the locality and prevent
leakage into the global economy, as happens with sterling exchanges;
• Increase and sustain local economic activity and help insulate Stroud’s
economy from the worst effects of Recession;
• Increase trade and support the creation of more jobs
• Help consumers identify which businesses support the local economy.
• (Reduce the length of supply chains for local consumers;)
• Stimulate greater local production

Should be a great networking opportunity and a good place to tell people about Commons Creation

Birmingham, 17th – 19th September.

The Development Trusts Association is planning the biggest ever community sector conference in the UK. Enterprising Communities 2006 is for anyone interested in creating community assets, setting up new community enterprises, accessing finance, tackling poverty, celebrating diversity – and for anyone who wants to be inspired. We are expecting 600 people to attend, from front-line activists to key policy makers including ministers Ruth Kelly and Ed Miliband.

Enterprising Communities 2006 is on 17th – 19th September in Birmingham.

For further information go to: http://www.dta.org.uk/Content/current_activities/conference%202006.htm

via Social Enterprise London