Some exciting things have happened in our project.
Firstly, we have cut down the gutter system so that water will funnel more neatly into the barrels to be collected. Here's a visual:
Second, we have begun designing our pump. Originally, we intended to create a treadle pump, but we have decided to forgo this design for a few reasons - most importantly because we want to be sure that we can finish a pump in a timely fashion.
The new design we will be following is the incredibly straightforward, but effective EMAS pump. There it is, pumping away somewhere in the south pacific:
We will post more on the specifics of the fabrication process as we begin it in earnest. For now, for those of you who are interested, there is a fascinating series of youtube videos about how it is made.
After much conceptualizing, we have finally begun creating our system! Last week, we acquired some 50-gallon barrels (thanks Ryan) for $8/each from a car wash in Springfield. They needed to be assessed and thoroughly cleaned out (they had previously held soap). Look at them beauties.
Here is a close-up shot...
We cleaned them out thoroughly, and then went on to make our gutter systems. Ari and Ben took charge. We first made gutters out of a clear plastic, but were then informed that this is likely to degrade quickly in the sunlight. We now are using a thick red plastic. To create a V-shape, a heat strip is used. The total process takes only a few minutes!
After a conversation with Donna about potential ways to set up the rain catchment system, we became intrigued by the idea of incorporating some kind of permaculture technique in the design. After some time of discussing potential set-ups, we decided on implementing some kind of a gutter to catch water and transport it into the rain barrels. This would be pretty ideal because many rain catchment systems tend to be near a structure (house, shed) that allows for a gutter to catch the run off and move it into barrels. Initially we thought that we would raise the gutters only slightly, possibly buried in the dirt and then have then connect via pvc pipe to the barrel. But then Donna presented the idea of raising the gutters up higher, draping some kind of mesh or light fencing material for growing peas or a small vine crop. Allowing for a multiple use system, invoking some permaculture principles, would be a great opportunity for testing out an alternative method of gardening that could end up being very successful.
And so we have come up with a rough outline of what our system could look like (drawn by Ryan) with the ____ Plastic V shaped gutters raised up by some kind of sturdy support system (wood, metal, bamboo?) that is cut at an angle at the end and then connected to PVC piping (first few inches of PVC: cut top half off and put a removable filter in where it becomes a whole pipe) which then connects to the barrel which is either fully or partially buried in the ground (depends on the pump being used). The gutters will be about 4 ft long (or how long??) and raised up at the top about 4ft from the ground so to give good height for something to be grown on the sides. The gutters will be supported by either wooden beams, metal posts, or possibly bamboo?
The New York Times covered a phenomenon that seemed strange to me. In India, Wal Mart is using its influence to change farming and business practices in the agricultural sector – mostly, it seems, for the better.
In America, Wal Mart is often seen as the epitome of destructive big business. And yet, in India’s breadbasket, the company is going local – partnering with small-scale farmers to supply the best produce to its associated stores. To increase their gains, farmers are given low-tech tools and information that have greatly increased their output and financial gains.
This, on the surface, has positive ramifications for all. Wal Mart and its affiliates are able to buy more and better quality produce, while farmers experience larger financial gains. This is an interesting way to begin advancing (for lack of a less teleological word) a sector that has much room to improve production and efficiency. However, it will take more than investment in farmers and farming technology for a company such as Wal Mart to reap the increasing gains that it has in countries such as the USA. A few reasons for this (from my own head):
Infrastructural dualities severely limit food distribution. Poor roads, difficult terrain, and a decentralized food sector that favors micro-scale sellers mean that it is difficult to sell food far from where it is produced. Locavores may rejoice, but it should be recalled that this is borne from necessity, not from choice.
Food production remains highly inefficient. One company cannot revolutionize this – a true overhaul of agriculture requires not only private investment, but government support. In addition, it would be interesting to know what kind of technology big businesses espouse – are they at the expense of the environment?
If Wal Mart begins to get its proverbial foot in the door, what will the ramifications be for the millions of small-scale farmers, and perhaps more pressingly, shopkeepers and local sellers? India has many laws protecting cottage industries – something that Gandhi himself explicitly espoused, but will it be enough to stem the inevitable tide of the globalization of food?
A few weeks ago, when the weather was much colder, we took a trip to the Northampton Community Garden to get an idea of the area we will be creating a system for. A key component of appropriate technology is, well, its appropriateness in a given situation. To assure this, it is essential to visit the location you are designing for and speak with those who will be benefiting from your product.
Massachusetts was still in the final throes of winter when we arrived, and as such there were no gardeners about. However, we were able to get an idea of the scale we would need to build to, as well as what (if any) helps and hindrances would present themselves in the process.
The garden is flat and treeless, divided into plots about 15ft square. These plots are grouped together in fours.
While some plots were straightforward...
Many (if not most) included substantial decorative elements. This meant that we had to abandon some of our more invasive designs, such as drip tapes.
There are no trees or tall standing structures with the exception of one small shed in the center of the land. This limits our ability to use other structures to aid in our rainwater collection. The only permanent tools we saw (besides the ubiquitous wheelbarrow) were large composting barrels. Given the apparent emphasis that many gardeners place on aesthetics, it will be essential that our system is no more unobtrusive than these scattered barrels.
So there you have it, dear friends. The Northampton Community Garden - our chosen site to implement a sustainable water collection and distribution system!
The water storage system will be a 55 gallon drum. Ryan is going to Springfield on Saturday to pick up as many as he can fit in the car. They cost only $8 instead of the $30 that most individuals are selling them for!!
The gutter system will be made out of ABS plastic which is available in the Hampshire studio.
One of the first designs we considered was the treadle pump. Many of the treadle pump plans available on the internet are copies of the version detailed in the blog Danielle posted below. The number of people who have successfully duplicated is enticing, however, the pump is large and bulky. Because of this, we decided to investigate smaller, hand pumps.
For the purposes of the Northampton Community Garden, we want to make the water storage device and pump unobtrusive and discreet. Our current plan is composed of a buried 50 gallon barrel, a plastic gutter system and a handmade hand pump. We have found the following pump designs, which require little more than 1" thinwall PVC about 24" long, 1" end cap, 1" street L, 24" fiberglass tent pole, 2 long screws that fit tightly in the hollow tent pole, 10-24 nut and bolt, a piece of plastic cutting board cut to fit snugly inside the PVC tube, some scrap inner tube rubber, a wooden disk for a handle, a little bit of Snoodle.
