Summer 2014 This Issue Contains: • Directors Update • Meet The Interns • Sustainable Living Workshops • F.R.E.S.H. • Solar Oven DIY • Remedies for Sunburn • Seed Time and Harvest
HELPING OTHERS HELP THEMSELVES
Director’s Update Why What We Do Matters I CERTAINLY BELIEVE
I am returning from a trip to Haiti where we have been working to improve production at one of our older aquaculture farms in Fond Parisien and looking at a potential new Agricultural Training Center site. When I was on the airplane and processing through the airport, it was hard not to be overwhelmed by the presence of well-meaning, middle American Christians, leading a small army of 15 year olds dressed like they were going to gym class on their way to Haiti to try to make a difference. I certainly believe that what we do matters.
UNDERMINING LOCAL FARMERS
Many of these short-term mission teams will be involved in agency to village food distribution. This process however well intended works to undermine local farmers ability to produce market and profit from their local grown crops. We must all keep in mind our actions have consequences both immediate and direct and delayed and indirect. We must begin to work together to encourage and stimulate the abilities of local
farmers to produce and distribute profitability. Ultimately the solution for world hunger is not mass production and food distribution it is micro production and profitability of the local farmer weather that’s in the US or abroad.
NEW RESEARCH
Advocates of modern agriculture reliant on pesticides and widespread single crop plantings (known as “monoculture”) have bragged for decades about the increased productivity their high-tech methods yield. However new research has shown that organic farming actually yields better results than modern techniques when evaluated more holistically. A series of peerreviewed papers published by the international journal titled Nature, showed that organic methods for growing rice, corn and wheat all produced significantly higher yields—and at less cost—than monoculture farms. And research at England’s Essex University has shown that farmers in India, Kenya, Brazil, Guatemala and Honduras have doubled or tripled their yields by switching to
“We must begin to work together to encourage and stimulate the abilities of local farmers...�
organic agriculture. Cuban farmers, who cannot access fertilizers and pesticides due to the U.S. embargo, have also realized greater yields by taking up organic farming. Organic farming improves soil fertility and prevents erosion.
LEVEL PLAYING FIELD Chemically intensive farming is highly undesirable due to the toll it takes on the land and the pollution it generates. Organic farming methods continually increase soil fertility and prevent loss of topsoil to erosion, while conventional methods have the opposite effect only a conversion to organic farming will allow us to maintain and even increase current crop yields. Organic methods are more cost-effective for farmers even when organic yields are less than conventional ones; organic farmers make up the financial difference by not having to buy costly pesticides and fertilizers. Improved growing techniques and new natural pest controls could eventually level the playing field, giving organic farmers the economic advantage.
ON THE RISE The number of organic farms is increasing. According to the trade group, Organic Consumers Association, slightly more than two percent of all farms in the U.S. are currently organic. With sales of domestic organic food growing about 20 percent annually, the organization expects that figure to rise exponentially in the years to come.
BEGIN A REVOLUTION
What you do matters! Support your local organic food producers. Support chemical free food production. Reduce your consumption of processed, shipped, non-local food products. You can begin your own revolution, consume local organic produce.
MEET THE INTERNS Jon Justice - Gadsden State Alabama - Aquaculture
I have appreciated the hospitality of the staff as well as the overall environment, which encourages learning, innovation, and “working the problem” as a team. I am learning that there are many possible solutions to a problem. And using what you have around, being creative, and talking it through with others may result in a more sustainable solution to the problem. The journey of learning, sharing, and growing is just that - a journey. At Morning Star one is encouraged to take the journey with open ears and minds, for you never know when you will happen upon wisdom or from whom you may hear it.
Anthony Boullosa - University of Florida - Agriculture
I’ve been involved with the work here at Morning Star for several years, I started working here as a volunteer when I was in High School. I love the outdoors, especially fishing which is probably what led me to Morning Star and my current career path. I appreciate the opportunity to learn and serve during my internship this Summer.
Jordan Verbjar - Trinity College Florida - Counseling I am here at Morning Star Fisherman learning the business aspect and learning how to tend to people’s needs. I have found a friendly peacefully atmosphere to learn sustainability.
Joo Lee - Univeristy of South Florida - Philosiphy When I first walked into Morning Star Fishermen early spring of this year, the massive openness of the greenhouse and all the vibrant green plants were impressive, but my eyes also caught something else. A manual water pump made from a recycled bicycle, but who needs such thing when we can buy a brand new pump? There is a saying at Morning Star: “use what you’ve got”. “Reuse, repurpose, recycle”. The point isn’t to create more, buy more and waste more. I do not know a better example of sustainability. This is why I am at morning star.
David Roth - Florida Atlantic Universiy - Marine Biology Morning Star Fishermen is more than an aquaponics facility. It is an incredible group of people who work together to change communities. These teachers show how sustainable practices can be a light for all of humanity. We do so much more than raise fish; we raise up our fellow man.
“We do so much more than raise fish; we raise up our fellow man.� - David
NEW
Sustainable Living Workshops
Inspired by the Scandinavian “folk school” model,
which recognizes the abundance of skills and talent in crafts, farming, and homesteading in a specific area, Morning Star is expanding our vision of “Helping Others Help Themselves” to include a dedication to offering classes on sustainable living skills and traditional crafts, taught by local experts. Morning Star’s Sustainable Living Workshop Series is based on the basic principles of:
“Helping Others Help Themselves”
• Reksilling – offering training in a vast range of practical self-sufficient skills • Honoring elders – learning from those who have skills and lessons to share • Awareness – raising awareness about the chances we need to make in order to create more sustainable and resilient communities • Empowerment – creating a learning environment where students are encouraged to help themselves and their community. The Sustainable Living Workshop Series speaks of our growth and the potential we have for positive results. With each person who takes a class or attends an event, with every instructor who offers a course, with each volunteer we are all together building the Sustainable Living Workshop Series and thus creating a more sustainable tomorrow.
Become a F.R.E.S.H. Member to support the
sustainable education programs you want to see.
What is F.R.E.S.H.?
Morning Star now has a monthly membership program centered around the Sustainable Living Program. Your monthly – tax deductible – membership, funds the workshops, classes, lectures, and teaching you want to see and take part in. Your F.R.E.S.H. Membership lets you take part in designing your own sustainable, selfsufficient education and also contributes to the education of the community.
How does it work?
Please go to: http://morningstarfishermen.org/ourwork/sustainabilitytraining/f-r-e-s-h-membership/ Select your desired membership level and then click “subscribe”. From free monthly Sustainable Living classes to store discounts to further education discounts; each F.R.E.S.H. Membership level offers great opportunities and benefits.
How we teach, what classes we offer, when we offer them; these are enriched by our F.R.E.S.H. Members.
F.R.E.S.H. is about being a part of a community that is actively working together to ensure a sustainable future. Get F.R.E.S.H. today and come grow with us.
Solar Oven DIY
1. Find Parts This March in Minnesota, our solar oven got hot enough to bake a killer batch of scones—and in the summer, it can whip up brownies in a brownout. The project makes use of scraps (or full 4 x 8 sheets) of ¾-inch and ½-inch plywood. It also requires 4d trim nails, a 6-foot length of 1½-inch-wide flat wood trim, 36 inches of ¼-inchsquare molding, a half-sheet of ½-inch rigid foam insulation, a half-sheet of ½-inch drywall, two white ceramic knobs, eight 3-inch mending plates, construction adhesive, high-temperature flat black spray paint, heavy-duty aluminum foil, No. 8 bolts, washers and nuts and a piece of ¼-inch plate glass cut to 13 x 14½ inches, with the edges sanded smooth.
2. Build the Box Construct an open-top box using ¾-inch plywood for a 14 x 15½–inch bottom. Use ½-inch plywood to make four 7-inch-tall sides. With a vise and pliers, bend the mending plates to 135-degree angles. Fasten two plates to each box side with 1-inch No. 8 bolts, washers and nuts. Cut pieces of rigid foam insulation to line the box interior. Glue the foam to the plywood using construction adhesive. Cut and glue drywall panels to fit on top of the foam. Paint the interior black. 3. Prep the Top Nail wood trim over the edges of the foam and drywall. Cut the molding into four 9-inch lengths. Center the glass pane over the opening. Put the moldings around the glass perimeter. Nail them down to steady the pane. Glue the knobs to the glass.
4. Make Reflectors Cut rigid foam to four 12 x 24–inch panels. Wrap the foam in aluminum foil. Bolt the panels to the plates. 5. Bake It Up Prep food in a black enamelpot with a lid; set the pot in the box. Replace the glass. Prop up the oven at an angle so the sun and reflectors shine directly on it. Use an oven thermometer to gauge heat. Note: This oven does not bake as quickly as a regular one (but our scones, with butter and lingonberry jam, were still delicious). Wear oven mitts to handle the ceramic knobs—they get hot! Source: treehugger.com
Home Remedies for Sunburn
Black Tea Many types of tea have been known to alleviate sunburn, however, Earl Grey is most effective. Brew 5-6 bags then let it cool. Soak a towel or old t-shirt and keep on sunburn for at least 30 minutes or until cloth dries. Repeat. This method soothes burning and reduces redness and peeling. It’s most effective if done immediatly after getting sunburn.
Lemon Juice
The sun provides enough energy in one minute to supply the world’s energy needs for one year.
Squeeze one fresh lemon and take out the juice. Don’t apply it raw or it wwill burn your skin and may make your skin rough and black. Mix 5-6 times the amount of lemon juice with water. Mix well and preserve it in a glass bottle. Soak a cotton ball or rag in the lemon juice and apply on sunburn. Leave for 10-15 minutes and then wash it with cool water. You can also make ice cubes with this lemon water and rub them on your burnt skin. Repeat these methods daily to reduce sunburn.
Coconut Oil Coconut oil is excellent for any type of burn, including sunburn. Massage pure coconut oil everyday on your skin before bath. It will help moisturize your skin. To enhance the power of coconut oil you may add few drops of lemon juice with coconut oil. Use it every day to get the maximum result. Source: searchhomeremedy.com
SEED TIME A
“Seed time and harvest” is an often quoted phrase used by famers and want-a-be famers alike throughout the world describing the organic miracle event of how life begins for all living things. There is an account that describes the Creation phenomenon which states;
“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night, shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22
Dan Blanton, a.k.a. “Captain Dan”, a 2014 alumni (January Class) returned recently from North Carolina to fulfill his commitment to help as a volunteer by giving of a week’s worth his time. While Captain Dan was here, he helped our staff and summer interns plant nineteen of the twenty-one moringa trees that “survived” the January class planting. Additional moringa trees of the January planting are being donated to a local Juvenile Residential Correctional Facility for boys for their Sustainability Education program. The Class of 2014 participated in an international event called “New Year of the Trees”. Each of the planted seeds was named by the students and their name tags are now in the ground next to their tree on the property of MSF. All participating alumni are being encouraged to return; like Captain Dan, to see their tree growing and to help harvest the leaves as part of the food items for MSF’s Tilapia.
ND HARVEST The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now. ~Chinese Proverb
ALUMNI DAN BLANTON WATERING A MORINGA TREE FROM THE JANUARY 2014 CLASS HE ATTENDED. JANUARY CLASS OF 2014.
Laundry Jug Into Watering Can
Moringa Cupcakes Ingredients ½ virgin coconut oil instead of butter or margarine ¾ cup sugar (refined) 3 eggs 2 cups all purpose flour 3 tsps baking powder 1 tsp Salt 1 tsp Vanilla ½ cup milk 3 tbsps. blended malunggay leaves Directions
Materials Needed Drill 1/8 drill bit 1/2 drill bit
Directions
1. Sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. 2. Cream together virgin coconut oil and sugar. 3. Add the eggs to the coconut oil and sugar mixture. Mix. 4. Add and mix vanilla, milk and blended malunggay leaves. 5. Then add the set aside dry ingredients. 6. Pour mixture into greased cupcake pan until two-thirds full. 7. Bake in pre-heated oven 450°F for 25 minutes.
Rinse thouroughly. Drill 1/8 inch holes in top of cap. Drill 1/2 hole on top of handle for air flow. For a heavier water flow drill more holes in the cap. Source: familyhandyman.com
Source: kusinanitito.blogspot.com
Contact us: (352) 523-2722 morningstarfishermen.org msfmail@morningstarfishermen.org