Recycle, Reuse, Reduce In Action
We worked today on a design challenge to encourage kids working with animals to be more aware of the necessity for hand washing, cleaning gloves, and being aware of potential pathogen vectors. Eight teams worked over four periods to design a solution that would help us all be better prepared and protected as we continue to explore sustainability and livestock. See what happened when kids put Recycle, Reuse, Reduce in Action.
The Rules For Engagement
This is a hybrid blogpost and slide entry for my proposed roundtable on my “Sustainability in Nature” class at Metro Schools this January. I have nine days to teach about sustainability, science, technology, engineering, math, farming, economics, discipline, and computer science. No big deal! This is the Rules for Engagement.
Did Dinosaurs Crow?
Today I brought in my rooster from Mezzacello Urban Farm as part of my sustainability in nature class at Metro Schools this week. To say they were mesmerized is an understatement. The look on their faces when that rooster crowed inside its cage - out of sight - was priceless. The kids had so many good questions and created some GREAT ideas for inventions that will make rooster-saurus safer!
Fresh Eggs In Winter!
This summer I started creating my own feed here at Mezzacello Urban Farm using a Pelletizer and the weegs and grass from the gardens and cracked corn and oil. The chickens love it. It is so nutritious that they lay PROLIFICALLY! But I do not have a kitchen, so I can't use the eggs! Help Me Out.
Generations of Livestock at an Urban Farm
On an urban Farm, livestock pay a VERY important role in developing healthy ecologies and environmentally stable and sustainable systems. Fortunately they can also build their own ranks. Baby animals on a farm.
Entering a New Phase of My Mission
This week I finally launched the PALs outreach initiative. PALs stands for Portable Ag Lab station. It will be joined shortly by the PETs (Portable Environmental Testing station) and PODs (Portable Observational Data station).
Revisiting the Chicken/Duck Run in 2024
Updating my original Paris sewer model for a cleaner French Drain Model. Kid designed! Stay Tuned.
Nuisance and Willful Animals
What happened to all the leaves on my glorious sweet potato vines and why are there eight eggs in that raised bed? Find out here.
Tour of The Livestock Sheds
Welcome to the tour of the livestock shed at Mezzacello. We raise a variety of livestock and insects that are integral to the health of Mezzacello.
Next-Level Algae Collection
I have been cleaning biofilter sponges of their dried algae by hand. Today I repurposed my chicken feather plucker for algae.
Avian Flu and Sanitation
Avian Flu is deadly for chickens and ducks. When kids visit Mezzacello, I insist they sterilize the shoes in bleach. All feet covered!
The Foodist: Gnocchi with Creamed Eggs and Black Truffles
This is a sparkling and beautiful gnocchi, cream and egg dish with truffles and green chives.
The First Chick of 2022
Eight random eggs fertilized by a rooster and set into an automated incubator. The trick was a bath matte. I had to keep the eggs warm!
Robots, Chickens, and Ducks
A photo is from 2019, before I redesigned my coop system to sanitary specs. I should be in boots, The robots have always been here.
Chicken TV, Coop Tech, and Safety
Poultry monitoring using remote cameras and advanced tracking software and sensors. You know a futuristic chicken coop
Springtime, Chicks and the Truth About Ducks
Choose wisely when you are adding animals. to an urban farm. You need to know the pros and cons up front!