How to Become an Urban Farmer

Hi,

I want to share 4 super short videos that I found to be very helpful in my quest to be an Urban Farmer. These videos discuss the following topics: Vertical Farming, Worm Composting, Making a Rain Barrel and a Rotary Composter. Enjoy.

1.  Watch Video – Growing Power.mov  – TRT:2:54 min

Will Allen, McArthur Genius 2008 Fellow, talks about his Vertical Farming facility. He’s a year round produce producer and teaches people & his community how to be urban farmers too.

2.  Watch Video – Worm Factory® on Good Morning America – TRT 4:03 min. Sustainable Dave did an experiment of not throwing his trash away for one year. One major thing that helped him was his worm farm.

You’ll find very easy to understand guides on Worm Composting from http://www.highcountryconservation.org/composting.htm.

3. Watch Video – How to Install Rainwater Collection – TRT: 4:05 min. In this how-to video, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shows how to collect valuable rainwater for use in the garden

An Example of Wine Barrel Conversion
http://ironhallsy.blogspot.com/2009/03/converting-our-wine-barrels-to-rain.html

Connecting Rain Barrel System:
http://www.emmitsburg.net/gardens/articles/adams/audrey/water_barrel.htm

4.Rotary Composter
I plan to make my own Rotary Composter made from a recycled wine barrel.

5.  Video – Making a Herb and Vegetable Square Foot Garden – TRT: 3:19
Mel Bartholomew, inventor of Square Foot Gardening, will show you how easy it is to grow your own food in your own yard.

I hope you find this information as helpful as I did.

Take care,
Allegra

DIY Silky Aloe Vera Moisturizer

DIY Silky Moisturizer, originally uploaded by photoboothpictures.

DIY Silky Aloe Vera Moisturizer

This is a gentle and completely natural face and body moisturizer that is super easy to make homemade.

1/2 cup Aloe Vera Gel (Sun Harvest brand)
2 TBLS Avocado Oil
5-10 drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil

Makes about 3/4 cup. Pour into small bottle and use daily.

I was inspired by Annie Bond’s recipe on Care2.com to make my own variation of the recipe. I hope you like it as much as I do. – Allegra Kolber

Dogs on the Run submitted to first film festival

Dogs on the Run, a documentary feature, was entered to its first film festival.

We’ll see what happens.

Dogs on the Run
IMDb
Facebook
Photo Booth Pictures

Family Pets are Silent Victims of Foreclosure Crisis

Nightly News with Brian Williams did a story on the silent victims of foreclosure, household pets. Aired 6/25/08.

Watch Video at this link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/25370775#25370775

DIY Green Eco Friendly Cleaning Products

DIY Green Eco Friendly Cleaning Products:

Homemade Linen/Room Freshener Spray:
1 Teaspoon Lavender Essential Oil
1/4 Cup of Unflavored Vodka
3 1/2 Cups of Filtered Water in a Spray Bottle
Shake and Spray to make your upholstery smell fresh or your room.

All Purpose Scrub:
Equal Parts Distilled White Vinegar + Salt
Scrub with cloth

Natural Glass Cleaner:
1/4 Cup Distilled White Vinegar
1 Tablespoon Corn Starch
1 Quart Warm Water
Pour into Spray Bottle

Gentle Cleanser (i.e. antique wood):
1-2 Tablespoons Dr. Bronner’s Soap
Spray Bottle filled with Warm Water
Shake and Spray

Anti-Mold Spray:
2 Drops of Tea Tree Oil (not for pregnant women)
1 Cup Water

Green Cleaning Product Companies:
Mrs. Meyers www.MrsMeyers.com
Seventh Generation www.SeventhGeneration.com
Method www.MethodHome.com
Drugstore www.Drugstore.com

source: Decor It Yourself, ThreadBanger.com

Watch Full Episode of Docubloggers #117, 04.11.08

Docubloggers #117

Airs on TV Thursday, April 17th at 7:30pm on Channel 18, PBS Austin/KLRU. Or click image to watch full episode here. Visit Docubloggers website.

Vain Salon captures a hip East Austin hair salon that is in tune with its surrounding community by putting on a Fashion Show Party to raise money for its neighborhood charities. Directed by Allegra McCoy and Fashion photography by Shaune Kolber is also featured.

Vain Salon airs on Docubloggers KLRU/PBS 7:30pm 04.17.08

Vain Salon (2007)
Documentary short
Directed by Allegra McCoy
TV Broadcast: Austin’s PBS/KLRU, Channel 18.
Showtime: Thursday, April 17th, 2008
Time: 7:30 pm, Central Time

Vain Salon captures a hip East Austin hair salon that is in tune with its surrounding community by putting on a Fashion Show Party to raise money for its neighborhood charities. Fashion photography by Shaune Kolber is also featured.

T-shirt Drawstring Sheet Bag and Pin Cushion 03.14.2008

I wanted to keep my sheet sets and my sewing pins organized, so I made a drawstring sheet bag and pin cushion out of re-used / re-purposed t-shirts. The pin cushion has a yarn ball in it as filler and makes it so easier to place pins instead of the too stiff standard tomato cushion. You know which one. They were easy to make and I felt good recycling and not having to buy anything new. Click on the photos above to check out the photo slideshow.

Vain Salon, music video, featured on ThreadBanger

Vain Salon, music video directed by Allegra McCoy, is currently featured on Thread Heads: Hair + DIY Wishes, 12/7/07 episode, TheadBanger, DIY fashion network.

Films For Food – Dec 9th – Alamo Drafthouse South

FILMS FOR FOOD
Film Shorts Program Screening

Date: Dec 9, 2007
Location: Alamo Drafthouse South, 1120 South Lamar, Austin, TX 78704
Two Screening Only: 12:15 pm & 1:30 pm
Tickets: $10, almost all presold

Contact for ticket reservations or information:
Steve Cauley, 512-626-0795
or
Mary Roland, 512-657-4693, littlewriter50@yahoo.com
All Proceeds benefit the Capital Area Food Bank

Short Features:
Soccer Mom, Directed by Steve Cauley, view trailer
&
Jack Horner Mysteries, Directed by Mary Roland, view trailer

Also playing are two short films

Apostrophe: Jazz-Funk Fusion, Directed by Allegra McCoy, view trailer

&

Fowl Play, Directed by Steve Warren

Donations can be made by cash or check and placed in the donation box.