Intuition, Logic, RS and Brain Teasers

2003-02-06 Thread Roger Pye
 Unless indicated differently everything written herein is my opinion 
and should be read accordingly.

Pretty well everyone in this community except those very recently joined 
should know by now that I operate by intuition and not logic. This does 
not mean, however, that logical processes do not have meaning for me.

Just as a reminder, the first questions I asked in the Brain Teaser 
series were:

1. Did Steiner really intend BD502-507 to be used solely in compost 
manufacture?
2. Did he identify equisetum as BD508 or was it someone else?
3. Is there a 'missing' BD509? If so, what might it and its purpose be?

RS was a scientist, a philosopher, a writer, a researcher. To achieve 
accomplishments in any of these (indeed, I would say any 'thing') he 
would have to have had a record system of some kind. He was also an 
Austrian and therefore a member of the Germanic branch of the Celtic 
race.  The Germans are recognised as being amongst the most 
logical-thinking of Earth's peoples, and quite rightly so. Therefore one 
would expect that his record-keeping would have been second to none and 
that it would have met at least two essential criteria - one (as a 
scientist) to enable him to find things quickly and in their right 
order, and another (as a researcher) to assist those who came after him.

RS was also personally 'compartmentalised' (a crude description but not 
meant to be insulting)  - how else might I interpret the fact that in 
his book 'The Story of My Life' the word 'agriculture' does not appear 
once, let alone 'preparation', 'dandelion' or 'chamomile'? My 
interpretation in fact is that very little of what he wrote in 350 
books, MSS and papers on a wide range of subjects gets  a mention in his 
'Story'.  That said, I imagine he thought those writings (eg his 
Agriculture Lectures) to contain enough on each subject to enable later 
researchers to follow on.

I think it can be taken as read that when the farmers of 1924 asked for 
his advice (perhaps I should say 'hounded' considering his reluctance), 
he set about preparing an answer that would be satisfactory to them not 
just as farmers but also as people - logical Germanic people. Whether he 
had the research 'under his belt' so to speak (probably from his 
researches into the oracle-sanctuaries of the Atlantean Era) or whether 
he received visionary insights is as irrelevant as determining who 
numbered the preps. The fact is that he would have had to begin 
somewhere in fashioning that answer and, leaving the cosmos and/or 
spirituality aside, there is only one logical starting point. The Soil. 
Following on from that, logically, the Plant. In each of its growth 
stages, from Mature Seed to Immature Seed. After that, again, the Soil.

How can I conjecture thus? I was a cabinet maker for 20 years during 
which I crafted furniture to traditional standards, mostly individual 
pieces that I designed from scratch, and all using recycled timbers. 
First, however, I had to research and plan and construct the 'set-up' 
which would allow me to research and design, make and finish the 
furniture; one does not make a two-metre high triangular wall unit out 
of ten different and mostly antique timbers without having a detailed 
plan of action and the tools to go with it.

Steiner would not have - nay, could not have - been any less exacting. 
He would have had the laboratory or trial set-up already and set his own 
criteria for the necessary actions. How must the Soil be constituted? 
What would restore it to that constitution? What was needed to germinate 
the seed? What would nurture the seedling and encourage it to grow? And 
so on - what, when, what with and how.

Think about this. I mean really think. In his agriculture course 
lectures he spoke of the herbal preps in a specific order, do you 
imagine he just pulled the order out of the cosmos or spoke of them as 
they came to mind? Of course not, no more than I would have finely 
sanded a piece of wood before it was ready for that to happen. No, they 
would all have fitted into a pattern, a pattern for life, for survival.

Often when analysing events it helps to 'go' into the future and look back.

In my hand I have some agapanthus seeds; I plucked them off a flowerhead 
at the ANU an hour or so ago. In their present state they're green and 
fresh and have a nice aroma and soon I'll put them somewhere dark and 
cool to mature and dry out, losing their smell in the process, until the 
season is ready for them to be planted.

When I do that, as far as the plant is concerned its one determination 
or purpose will be to produce more seed but the soil will have other 
reasons for encouraging or allowing its growth. This is important 
because the two are in a symbiotic relationship, each giving to and 
taking from the other.  There are other symbiotic relationships involved 
- soil/air and plant/air - and whatever we do must fit in with all 
three, not just one in isolation as, for example, does t

Who's Watching the USDA's Organic "Henhouse"?

2003-02-06 Thread Merla Barberie
Today I got the latest copy of the Organic Farming Research Foundation's
Information Bulletin.  Looks like Allan's appraisal of the value of
Organic Certification could become a reality if we all don't comment to
Mr. Mathews (at the bottom of this email) just like we did on the
Organic Rule.

I don't have a scanner.  I retyped this article so all who don't get
this journal could read this.  There's another article, but I'll do that
one another day.

Best,

Merla

February, 2003
Organic Farming Research Foundation
Information Bulletin Winter 2003 Number 12

Who’s Watching the USDA’s Organic "Henhouse"?
By Joe Mendelson, Legal Director, Center for Food Safety

On October 21st USDA Secretary Ann Veneman announced the final rollout
of the country’s first national organic food standards and the
marketplace appearance of the new green and white label identifying
foods as "USDA Organic."  The label represents the culmination of a
decades-long struggle by organic farmers, environmentalists and
consumers to create a viable alternative to our industrial agricultural
system.  The implementation of the organic standards represents a
critical moment for the future of organic food and farming.

With the National Organic Program in place, however, top USDA officials
clearly have focused on other issues.  In a recent speech, Secretary
Veneman seemed more intent on supplanting organic agriculture with
genetic engineering as the agency wrestles with a vision of "sustainable
agriculture."  This apparent administrative apathy toward the role of a
successful organic program has created an NOP that exists as an insular
bureaucracy, failing to ensure continued public involvement and
oversight in the evolution of the program.  The result is that decision
making and policy discussions on critical issues have happened with
little, if any, public notification or involvement.

Since the October launch the impacts of USDA’s decision-making have
become increasingly real.  In particular, consumer and environmental
advocates have raised questions about whether the NOP is properly
performing its role as accreditor of organic certifying organizations.
Fueling concern is the appearance of numerous new, previously unknown
certifying agents applying for accreditation into the USDA program.

During development of the final standards in 2000, the USDA identified
49 existing organic certifying agents, including 13 state programs.  In
anticipation of its role as accreditor, the USDA predicted no
significant growth in the number of certifying agents seeking
accreditation by the new USDA-run program.  Contrary to such
projections, the number of applicants has far surpassed this number to
now total 122.  This large number of accreditation applicants presents
important questions about whether an apparently disinterested agency is
able to properly process and oversee the large volume of prospective
organic certifiers for adherence to organic standards.

The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) clearly anticipated the
potential for bureaucratic compromise during the accreditation process,
specifically by calling for an accreditation Peer Review Panel as a
public oversight mechanism to ensure that accreditation procedures are
followed.  The panel is critical to consumer confidence in the integrity
of the organic label. AFTER ALL, THE ORGANIC FOOD LABEL IS ONLY AS GOOD
AS THE CERTIFYING AGENTS ENFORCING THE STANDARDS (my capitals).

While a February 2002 website posting by the NOP acknowledges this
requirement, unfortunately, USDA has yet to establish the mandatory Peer
Review Panel, despite having already accredited more than seventy
organic certifiers, including a significant number of new certifying
agents.  This flaunting of the law has already shaken confidence in the
process.  Last spring, one company, Fieldale Farms, attempted to
pressure the NOP into relaxing the 100% organic feed requirement for
organic chicken production.  While the agency did not accede to this
demand, the NOP did accredit Fieldale’s organic certifying agent,
Georgia Crop Improvement Association.  This raises questions as to how
thoroughly USDA scrutinized this certifierís application and whether the
processes of accreditation review and decision making are rigorous
enough to prevent acceptance of new certifying agents intent on
manipulating or weakening the organic standards.

Unfortunately, attempts by consumer and environmental organizations to
analyze the USDA’s performance in overseeing the first round of
accrediting organic certifiers have been met with stiff government
resistance.  Several months ago, the Center for Food Safety (CFS) sought
public release of all the documents used by USDA in making accreditation
decisions.  Absent the Peer Review Panel, the documents are the only way
the public can determine whether the integrity of organic standards will
be preserved by certifiers.  To date, CFS’s Freedom of Information act
request seeking the documents has been rebuffe

The water farmer of Zimbabwe

2003-02-06 Thread flylo
Farming water in Africa

http://ag.arizona.edu/OALS/ALN/aln46/lancaster.html




Re: Canberra Peace Rally; was re: Dalgety

2003-02-06 Thread Roger Pye
Liz Davis wrote:


I'm traveling by Canberra on the 15th on the way to Albury.  Where & what
time is the Peace rally?  May see you there, if not see ya in Albury.



11am at Garema Place in Civic

cheers roger





%%
What we knows we knows,
and what we don't know we don't want to know (English farmer 1856)
%%

Reiki Healer, Earth Healing, Natural Energy Divination
Earthcare Environmental Solutions
PO Box 2057 Queanbeyan NSW 2620 Australia
Ph: +61 2 6255 3824
Fax: +61 2 6255 1028
Mob: +61 410 469 541
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]





Re: Canberra Peace Rally; was re: Dalgety

2003-02-06 Thread Liz Davis
on 6/2/03 10:31 PM, Roger Pye at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:


> Yes, robin and I are driving down on the 15th after the Canberra Peace
> Rally, we're staying at the Albury Georgian Motor Inn in town. Looking
> forward to the workshop. Be a busy week, I've got a landcare conference
> in Braidwood 13/14th. You're going to Toowoomba aren't you?
> 
> 
>
>> 
>Hi Roger,

I'm traveling by Canberra on the 15th on the way to Albury.  Where & what
time is the Peace rally?  May see you there, if not see ya in Albury.

L&L
Liz 
> 




for Aussies mainly? TODAY! Have your say on GE @ The Age

2003-02-06 Thread Christiane . Jaeger

-- Forwarded by Christiane Jaeger/NRE on 07/02/2003
09:51 AM ---


[EMAIL PROTECTED] on 06/02/2003 10:43:55 PM

To:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
cc:

Subject:!!!Fwd: TODAY!  Have your say on GE @ The Age



>X-Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Date: Thu, 6 Feb 2003 12:50:55 +1100
>To: GeneEthics <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>From: GeneEthics <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Subject: TODAY!  Have your say on GE @ The Age
>X-Filtered-With: Ruralnet Attachment Renamer - badlist filter
>
>
> YOUR VIEWS ON GE
>
>A front page story in the Age today (SMH P3&8; Australian P4) reports on a
>letter to Nature magazine. It suggests that the genes in plants cells may
>be more mobile than earlier thought and thus more difficult to contain ...
>
>The Melbourne Age newspaper is giving readers a chance to have a say
>about GE crops today - log on and tell them your views ...
>
>http://www.theage.com.au/yoursay1/2003/02/06/index.html
>
>
>
>
>PLEASE NOTE: GeneEthics Network has moved. New address follows.
>
>..
>
>Bob Phelps
>Executive Director
>GeneEthics Network
>Level 1, 60 Leicester St, Carlton 3053 Australia
>Tel: 03 9347 4500 {Int Code 613} or 1300 133868
>email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Bob Phelps)
>WWW: http://www.geneethics.org
>
> The problem with the gene pool is, there is no lifeguard.
>
> Knowing is not enough, you must also act.
>
> "If the people will lead, the leaders will follow." David Suzuki
>
>..
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> APPEAL FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS
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>use."








Re: Jane 's information

2003-02-06 Thread NEILLCO
I too would like to be on Janes list.

Thanks, RB




Farm Bill money available for conservation

2003-02-06 Thread Merla Barberie
One thing I learned at the Western SAWG meeting was that they worked
their little tails off to get the Conservation money in the Farm Bill.
It was passed by the Democratically controlled Congress.  Now the
Republican Congress is trying not to fund it.  There is a comment period
now which everyone could respond to, whether or not they qualify for the
program, so that the program will remain open for those souls who DO
qualify.  "Comments on the advanced notice will be taken into
consideration as USDA prepares the final version of the Proposed Rule
for CSP."

This is being sponsored by the Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS)  There are a number of programs--Environmental Quality Incentives
Program (EQIP), ,  the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP),
Forestry Incentives Program (FIP), Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), the
Conservation Security Program (CSP) (The law makes CSP an entitlement
program with no specific budget cap--all who are eligible and develop
and implement approved conservation plans may receive CSP payments.
Check with the Land Stewardship Project
)

There's a Value-Added Agricultural Product Market Development Grants
program and a Direct Marketing program.  Check 

I have 4 inches of paper on this and it's quite hard to understand.  We
were told that they were trying to nullify CSP by not funding technical
aid, but that we should get as many people as possible to inquire about
it to keep it open.

Hope this helps.  I do not have any particular insight on this myself.
You're going to have to do your own research.

Best,

Merla





sheep know, so do cows

2003-02-06 Thread flylo
In 1964, my Daddy put down a good deal of chemical fertilizer. We 
had pretty good pastures and they instantly went to 'lush green 
fields' he was pleased. But it made him 'sick as a dog' to handle 
the stuff, and we ended up having to buy hay mid summer because 
the cows wouldn't eat any of it. They were up to their bellies in 
'showplace green' and wouldn't touch the stuff.
That was the last and only time anything has been added that 
came out of a bag. If the cows didn't want it, I didn't see any point 
in it. 




Re: Raw Milk

2003-02-06 Thread gideon cowen
Old Plaw Hatch farm in Sussex sells raw milk thru a milk round available to
anyone who wants it in the local area, the reusable glass bottles must carry
a disclaimer saying the milk could contain harmful organisms, and right at
the bottom it says that this also true of pasturised milk !! ho ho.
unfortunately here in Scotland there is no such thing as raw milk.
gideon.
- Original Message -
From: "Tony Nelson-Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2003 5:45 PM
Subject: Re: Raw Milk


>
> British milk producers might like to confirm what I remember about the
sale
> of non-pasteurised milk in the UK:  it is prohibited on a casual basis,
but
> can be sold to individual named customers.   Tony N-S.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _
> Overloaded with spam? With MSN 8, you can filter it out
>
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail&pgmarket=en-gb&XAPID=32&DI=1059
>




Re: Dalgety

2003-02-06 Thread gideon cowen
Hamish is the tall thin guy on the left of the photo. He hauls this rig
around the whole country..
gideon.
- Original Message -
From: "Allan Balliett" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2003 1:54 PM
Subject: Re: Dalgety


> Roger - Are there just the 4 pictures? If so, it loaded instantly
> with my DSL. The only thing that I would recommend is that you keep
> the 72dpi and resize your uploaded originals to the size you want
> them on the webpage rather than uploading very large pictures and
> re-sizing with html. You pix weigh in at 156k, not that bad, but they
> could be as small as 20k, with a little work.
>
> Interesting stuff. Which person is Hamish? DOES HE SELL FLOWFORMS??? ;-)
>
> later
>




Re: Dalgety

2003-02-06 Thread Roger Pye
Allan Balliett wrote:


Roger - Are there just the 4 pictures? If so, it loaded instantly with 
my DSL. The only thing that I would recommend is that you keep the 
72dpi and resize your uploaded originals to the size you want them on 
the webpage rather than uploading very large pictures and re-sizing 
with html. You pix weigh in at 156k, not that bad, but they could be 
as small as 20k, with a little work.

Interesting stuff. Which person is Hamish? DOES HE SELL FLOWFORMS??? ;-)

later



Like I said, it's the first time I'd done anything like that. The 
maximum I can get on a geocities template page is 8 photos; what I'm 
doing is practising before going on to bigger and better things.

I have at least a thousand images of that site on this system and as 
many more of other properties and stuff such as the making of a BD 
compost pile, compost from grain dust (that's the 8% protein waste that 
blows your silos sky high), organic and BD farms and many other things.

Hamish is the person in the waistcoat.

I represent the Australian flowform manufacturer (Living Water 
Flowforms), any info you want, just ask.

roger


%%
May I have given you seeds,
that you can turn into roots,
that will bear fruit in the future. (Rudolf Steiner)
%%
Reiki Healer, Earth Healing, Natural Energy Divination
Earthcare Environmental Solutions
PO Box 2057 Queanbeyan NSW 2620 Australia
Ph: +61 2 6255 3824
Fax: +61 2 6255 1028
Mob: +61 410 469 541
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]





Re: Trace elements & hybrid corn

2003-02-06 Thread Lloyd Charles


> This month Acres had an interview with DR Gerald Olarsch. The article
claims
> that research done in forties indicated that crops grown from hybrid seed
> (particularly corn) 'are incapable of taking up nutrients or trace
> elements'.  Being a sweet corn junkie this came as rather a shock. Is this
> true? Anyone familiar with these studies ?
>
> Ron Poitras
Hi Ron
   I dont know the science of this but its pretty well accepted in
eco farming circles that hybrids are able to grow successfully on trace
element deficient soils conversely that open pollinated and really any older
varieties need a much more complete spectrum of available trace elements to
produce good yields - makes sense I guess - the newer (including hybrid)
varieties have been bred and rigorously selected for bulk yield on
experiment station soils with poor trace element availability and excessive
use of N P K.-
  Maybe of interest - we are in serious drought here and it has
become very obvious that our  sheep are selectively grazing the wheat
stubbles that we have grown using a remineralising fertility program - we
still have a couple of paddocks on conventional fertilisers and when given
the choice they are going in them as a last resort, prefering to eat straw
to the ground in the mineral paddocks - sheep are in good condition (3 fat
score or better - good enough for the butcher) so its not a case of
desperation on their part.
Cheers
Lloyd Charles
>
>




Re: Subject: Peace Seeds

2003-02-06 Thread flylo
Abundant Life is a beautiful website, especially it's opening page! 
But I really did want Peace Seeds. Thanks to 'our' Allan, I was able 
to get in touch with A. Kapuler this morning and order the corn I 
was looking for, plus ask for a listing of the 2003 Peace varieties.




Re: compost tea

2003-02-06 Thread SBruno75

In a message dated 2/4/03 12:43:40 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

<<  Compost tea has been used 
by BD farmers for a long time and no one bothered to get all technical 
about feeding the culture. Allan's explanation was very good; we just don't 
yet know if "brewed" compost tea is needed. >>

There are several fertilizer companies that will pay you a small dividend if 
you let them clean the muck out of you pond every few years.  What they are 
accumulating is an incredible quantity of microbes that live in this muck.  
As it turns of many of the same organisms that live in the soil also live in 
this pond environment.  The extra attention given to aerobically brewed tea 
gives several orders of magnitude higher of these beneficial organisms in 
aerobic tea than anaerobic.  Always, when cleaning out the brewer the muck 
smells wonderful and reminiscent of a big healthy lake.  This muck goes back 
into the compost pile.  Likewise the tea organisms can be reproduced through 
judicious use of the biodynamic remedies.  With the tea what is not needed id 
spending thousans on  a brewer when you can easily make one with the biggest 
investment being a tank and a great compressor...sstorch




Subject: Peace Seeds

2003-02-06 Thread Dave Robison


Does anyone know if Alan Kapuler is still running Peace Seeds, 
and if he or the company has email or a web
address?
I think you want
http://www.abundantlifeseed.org/index.htm
Note they have some BD seeds!


David Robison
Stellar Processes
1033 SW Yamhill Suite 405
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 827-8336
www.ezsim.com


OT/Re: Biodiesel

2003-02-06 Thread manfred
Eric:
Ive been wanting to use this too, but held off because of engine-damage
concern.
Another factoid which i found thru Google :
because of the increased solvency/chemistry of the biodiesel, there was a
chance of dislodging any petro-diesel clumps which might be clinging to tank
walls or tubing,... and might clog up the injectors. I think this is in
addition to "coking".
I had planned to run Bidi this season exclusively. (i get a headache every
time i catch the downwind from the tractors, and i'm assuming that will
change when i switch to bidi with much fewer toxic particulates) .
There has been a toronto company advertising for the past year for delivery
of bidi locally.(Mostly for bigrig companies) I just dont know yet if
they'll deliver a drum, or i can pick it up.
My understanding is that it is not practical below freezing because of
gelling. (That's ok for most farmers'seasons anyway.)
Is that  another reason for suggesting preheating?
And, are you saying that coking is inevitable without preheating?
The vendors don't mention any alterations required to use bidi. Again, i
don't know their mix ratio.
What proportion diesel/bidi would be correct to avoid the pre/post idle and
heating which you mention? If i can avoid running an extra fuel-tubing coil
through a preheat location, it would be preferable...especially since
tractor's aircooled.
Thanks for any further info   .manfred

- Original Message -
From: "Eric Myren" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2003 7:37 AM
Subject: Re: Biodiesel





Trace elements & hybrid corn

2003-02-06 Thread ron poitras
This month Acres had an interview with DR Gerald Olarsch. The article claims
that research done in forties indicated that crops grown from hybrid seed
(particularly corn) 'are incapable of taking up nutrients or trace
elements'.  Being a sweet corn junkie this came as rather a shock. Is this
true? Anyone familiar with these studies ?

Ron Poitras




Re: Raw Milk

2003-02-06 Thread Tony Nelson-Smith

British milk producers might like to confirm what I remember about the sale 
of non-pasteurised milk in the UK:  it is prohibited on a casual basis, but 
can be sold to individual named customers.   Tony N-S.







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Re: Biodiesel

2003-02-06 Thread Tony Nelson-Smith
Slightly off the topic, folks in North America and elsewhere might not 
realise the enormous tax imposed on motor fuels in the UK.  A year or so 
back, a run down most of the country was organised to demonstrate the use of 
alternative fuels:  spent oil from fish-and-chip frying shops was collected, 
crudely distilled in a mobile laboratory and used in the demonstration 
vehicle (I think a diesel-engined car).  It worked perfectly well (except 
for a strong smell of French fries in the exhaust) but the authorities 
insisted on an exact record being kept of the volumes used.  Standard fuel 
tax then had to be paid on this.  Another reason why biofuels haven't caught 
on as well as they should?   Tony N-S.








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Re: Los Alamos Laboratories pollution.

2003-02-06 Thread Jane Sherry
I'm trying to get in touch with him right now. He's in Europe in some shows.
Will get back about his work & the satellite stuff when I get hold of him.

Jane

> From: "Lance Howard" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2003 23:18:40 -0800
> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: Re: Los Alamos Laboratories pollution.
> 
> .. One of whom has been
>> sounding an alarm and doing map pieces about the upcoming wars, based not
>> only on oil reserves, but on water and geographical meanderings of rivers.
>> Many of his shows and much of his work has been censored here in the US
> and
>> he more often has receptions in Europe.
>> 
> Jane can you post a website or other contact information for this artist?
> 




Re: Dalgety

2003-02-06 Thread Allan Balliett
Roger - Are there just the 4 pictures? If so, it loaded instantly 
with my DSL. The only thing that I would recommend is that you keep 
the 72dpi and resize your uploaded originals to the size you want 
them on the webpage rather than uploading very large pictures and 
re-sizing with html. You pix weigh in at 156k, not that bad, but they 
could be as small as 20k, with a little work.

Interesting stuff. Which person is Hamish? DOES HE SELL FLOWFORMS??? ;-)

later



Re: Biodiesel

2003-02-06 Thread Eric Myren
It is not recommended to run diesel engines on kerosine and cooking oil 
mixtures without preheating the mixture first because coking can occur 
on the injectors causing engine problems. It is better to start an 
engine on diesel allow it to heat up by having a hose running from the 
radiator to a second fuel tank containing the mixture. If your doing 
that I would just run the engine on strait vegetable oil. Of course you 
have to allow the engine to idle on diesel after to remove any coking 
on the injectors. The numbers for kerosene are actually 20 to 30%.
To produce biodiesel on your own you mix sodium hydroxide or potassium 
hydroxide and methanol or ethanol with the vegetable oil in a process 
that is to complex to describe here.
This is a complex chemical reaction and should not be done without 
proper instruction.

I have long thought that biodynamic farms are perfect for biodiesel in 
as far as the farm organism goes because you can reduce the pollution 
from your tractors by growing your own oil crops on spare acres and at 
the very least mixing biodeisel with diesel directly in your fuel tank. 
Although this would very obviously be an off season project.

Peace
Eric

On Wednesday, February 5, 2003, at 04:53 AM, gideon cowen wrote:

According to a motoring programme on TV here, one can use used 
vegetable
oil, strained of course, to run diesel cars without any alterations to 
the
engine. You just need to add 3 % non kerosene based white spirit
(turpentine), and let it sit for one week before using it. McDonalds 
and Co.
should have some spare, I am not sure what they do with it ?
has anyone else heard, or done this ??
Gideon.
- Original Message -
From: "Eric Myren" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 05, 2003 1:24 PM
Subject: Biodiesel


The best book I know of on this subject is from The Fryer To The Fuel
Tank by Joshua Tickle. The most efficient producer of oil that could 
be
used as biodiesel is actually Algae. It takes the Suns energy directly
and converts it to oil (in the process eating carbon dioxide) and it
could easily supply the worlds energy needs. As many other things
could...
The main reason it has not expanded in North America as quickly as
Europe is that it is not enjoying the same corporate welfare the big
oil and gas corporations get.
If you want more information on growing crops for its production or 
any
thing to do with it just google it there is loads of information out
there.

peace
Eric







Remarks on Barrel Compost

2003-02-06 Thread Allan Balliett
From remarks made by former BDA president Steve Moore several years 
back on the topic of 'is BC a short cut to biodynamics'? -Allan



BC is not intended to replace biodynamic compost preparations, nor 
500/501, for that matter. It is intended to provide a way for farmers 
to apply the six compost preparations to a wider area and more 
frequently than might otherwise be possible. There are many 
situations where it is difficult, if not impossible to make and 
distribute compost, especially on large acreage.

This is exactly the case on my farm. BC is an adjunct to using all of 
the biodynamic preparations in a fairly conventional manner. We use 
BC as a spray during cover crop "plow down"; we use it in compost 
tea; we use it as a foliar to combat fungal development on tomatoes 
and other crops during our foggy season. (Will Brinton at Woods End 
Lab did some laboratory assays using samples of our BC tea, which 
showed outstanding results prohibiting fungal development.)

In making BC the compost preps are inserted into the "dynamized" 
mixture of cow manure, egg shells, and basalt rock dust, in much the 
same manner as they are inserted into a conventional compost pile. 
The total mass of material is much smaller than a conventional pile 
and it is placed in a "barrel" just below the level of the soil 
surface, rather than as a pile above the soil surface. The above and 
below soil surface difference is worth noting. However, the preps 
themselves certainly "participate fully in the composting process". 
They are not "thrown out there without the  that can only 
take place in a compost pile." BC is a nearly black, humus rich 
compost. Conventional measurements of its chemical properties show it 
to be very good compost. I perceive it to be highly "intensified".

BC arose out of Maria Thun's research in Germany over the past 20 - 
30 years. My understanding is that BC is intended to work in terms of 
stimulating and activating soil organisms. This is exactly how we see 
it working in practice. Observations in Germany indicated that plants 
grown in weathered calcium soils accumulate less radioactive elements 
from atomic wastes than plants grown on silicious soils. Apparently, 
experiments showed that eggshells can be important to calcium 
processes in soil. Furthermore, basalt was shown to help build-up 
clay minerals in soils and help stabilize nitrogen in manure. Based 
on these observations, Maria Thun formulated a recipe for BC with the 
intent of stimulating these three aspects in soils, as an adjunct to 
500, not as a replacement.

I fail to see where BC, used properly and as intended, is a "short 
cut". Any methodology or biodynamic practice can be undermined 
through improper understanding and implementation. Using BC in 
fundamentally sound biodynamic program further enhances what is 
already being brought to the farm organism. Hence, my enthusiastic 
support for it.



Will Brinton on Chemical Processes in BD500

2003-02-06 Thread Allan Balliett
A paper that first appeared in BIODYNAMICS can be downloaded at 
http://www.woodsend.org/aaa/inst.html

I didn't find the 'BC as CT' article. If anyone has it, please share! -Allan



Re: CT=BDcompost,preps+Alaska humus, forest humus & kelp

2003-02-06 Thread Allan Balliett
I will say this, though. Unlike Elaine Ingham who at least has the courage
to defend her views in public forums such as SANET and the Compost Tea list,
I have never seen Brinton or Bess do so, nor present a coherent argument or
data in support of their critique where anyone could see it and evaluate it.
I notice Allan also does not have the guts to flat out say in a forum that
Elaine monitors, that he now believes Brinton and not her ('egg on my face'
and like that). That's his choice and theirs, but it doesn't really help us
understand the details of all this much.



Brinton has data. He has published two studies in BIODYNAMICS in the 
90's If anyone has the one on Barrel Compost as an effective control 
for foliar diseases, I'd appreciate it if they'd post it here.

When we get this audio streaming worked out, I have Bess' 
presentation and Brinton's presentations to make available. They come 
after the awesome Fred K. "Community" post - IF we get some 
cooperation on making these files work.

Come on Frank, you're sharp enough to know what I'm doing here. It's 
my job to bring ideas to the group, to keep people thinking. To keep 
the sausage rolling in the frying pan. As you concluded in your post 
otherwise: "Don't believe me, but consider this when you're thinking 
for yourself." If your pendulum is stuck, I'll be there for you. I'm 
not a primary source, but I'm happy to give you the finger...I mean 
POINTER to another, potentially valid, point of view. Let's hope that 
people get out of the easy chair and put this stuff into practice.

If I can get you off from your well articulated duff and make a post 
like you have, and hopefully the follow-ups to it, I've accomplished 
what my goal was.

Making a virtue of Elaine's willingness to quibble in public forums 
is rather questionable. Valid or not, I can assure you that it is 
costing her a lot of respect in some circles. After a while, no 
matter how brilliant a person is, or has been, reflective individuals 
start hoping that person will start getting more sleep - - and 
wondering how or why they don't!

As for myself, this is not a 'head' issue at this point. This is a 
"get out there and do it" issue. (I will report that the best 'magic' 
effect I've seen from compost tea to date was with a batch of three 
week old almost totally ignored Will Brinton unstirred compost tea. 
Man, that stuff REALLY promoted quality plant growth.)

As far as your worms, well, we can talk about that later.

"Our aim is Religion, our method is Science" Break out of the castes!!



Re: Dalgety

2003-02-06 Thread Roger Pye
Lloyd Charles wrote:


Hi Roger
  In your dalgety pictures the underground streams meet pic -
what is in the right hand side ? a curving line like a lake shore or similar
at the edge of the green , i couldnt make this out real good or is it a
little ridge top?  the curve looks too smooth to be made by anything else
but ponded water ?


actually it's an underground stream curving down from the fenceline 
which is about 200 metres north. When the underground lakes are full, 
this stream would in fact form the edge of one which is why the curve is 
so smooth.

What happened was there was a 30 minute (about) downpour in late Dec 
which literally swept through the reserve, washing loose and dry stuff 
off the surface and recharging the underground streams and lakes (all of 
which I had dowsed a month or so earlier without any surface indicators 
- I feel pretty good about that!  :) )

I learned today there are only about 18 cows in there, they will be 
there for four weeks max. That's good, the feed and water should last OK.


This was slow loading (very) . for the future are you able to list the pics
with a short description of each so that we can click on and bring them up
one at the time rather than waiting for the whole page to load.


well, it's the first time i've done anything like this, i can only get 
better with practice. Thumbnails are the way to go.


Are you going to albury?  Its raining in Toowoomba already , i guess that
change will get to coffs harbour next week and there's a TC off the west
coast that could put something around albury about the 17th of feb . Cheryl
says good numbers to all four workshops, she just keeps doing this, I dont
know anybody can pull rabbits out of hats like this lady!


Yes, robin and I are driving down on the 15th after the Canberra Peace 
Rally, we're staying at the Albury Georgian Motor Inn in town. Looking 
forward to the workshop. Be a busy week, I've got a landcare conference 
in Braidwood 13/14th. You're going to Toowoomba aren't you?  


cheers
roger


Cheers
Lloyd Charles







--
%%
May I have given you seeds that you can turn into roots
that will bear fruit in the future. (Rudolf Steiner)
%%
Reiki Healer, Earth Healing, Natural Energy Divination
Earthcare Environmental Solutions
PO Box 2057 Queanbeyan NSW 2620 Australia
Ph: +61 2 6255 3824
Fax: +61 2 6255 1028
Mob: +61 410 469 541
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]





Re: Names in the news

2003-02-06 Thread Allan Balliett
sounds about the same price as they were charging at the Kimberton Whole
Foods store. ! What would you  charge ?


If we could sell raw milk, we'd charge $4.50 per gallon.




Re: Dalgety

2003-02-06 Thread Lloyd Charles


> people interested in this project can check out
> http://www.geocities.com/woodcatau/mypage
>
> it's a bit slow loading but i daresay i'll learn how to do it better
>
> roger
>

Hi Roger
   In your dalgety pictures the underground streams meet pic -
what is in the right hand side ? a curving line like a lake shore or similar
at the edge of the green , i couldnt make this out real good or is it a
little ridge top?  the curve looks too smooth to be made by anything else
but ponded water ?
This was slow loading (very) . for the future are you able to list the pics
with a short description of each so that we can click on and bring them up
one at the time rather than waiting for the whole page to load.
Are you going to albury?  Its raining in Toowoomba already , i guess that
change will get to coffs harbour next week and there's a TC off the west
coast that could put something around albury about the 17th of feb . Cheryl
says good numbers to all four workshops, she just keeps doing this, I dont
know anybody can pull rabbits out of hats like this lady!
Cheers
Lloyd Charles
>