and the cow goes moo

October is here, so it only seemed appropriate for the house to go on a field trip to a farm.

We checked out Legare Farms which is where we get our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share.  

We saw chickens, pigs, donkeys, horses, ducks, and goats. 

We also went on a hay ride which takes you out to the cattle pasture, and we were able to feed the cows!

It's rare that us city kids get to see any animals other than dogs, cats, and rats, so we were pretty stoked.

To round out the trip we picked pumpkins from the patch.

Charleston Green Fair

Christine, Ali, Nick and I (Rose) headed to the Charleston Green Fair this afternoon and were bummed to find out that there was a $5 fee for the festival. Christine and Ali opted out of the event, but Nick and I decided to splurge and check it out.  

The fair had art booths, local environmental nonprofits, food and bev, kid zone, and green businesses.  We walked around for an hour collecting samples, pamphlets, and talking with vendors.   By the end of the afternoon, we had a giant bag full of goodies and our hands full!  The wealth of resources at the fair was very impressive, as well as the great vibe. 

Nick and I ended up meeting up with friends and staying for hours.  We had delicious food and drinks and enjoyed the live entertainment!

We are both going back next year and were happy to spend the five dollars.

Bio

Oi Hello Everyone,

I'm Nick and I've moved into the Eco House. I've always been an avid environmentalist and enthusiast. I try to immerse myself in nature whenever the opportunity presents itself. I'm from Richmond Virginia, and I'm a sophomore at the College. I'm involved in Student Government Association, Charleston 40 (the tour guide association), Club Swimming and National Society for Collegiate Scholars. I'm attempting to double major in Biology and Psychology, and after undergraduate school I want to go to Medical School. Some of my favorite things include anything to do with water, swimming, diving, tubing, sea dooing, jumping into water, rope swings, snorkeling, beaches, eating, fishing, taking pictures, reading and Harry Potter.

NICK BERDUX is in da HOUSE!

We have a new family member!!!! Nick Berdux!

He is a sophomore and is from Richmond, VA.

Nick is a member of Student Government Association and actively worked to get the Green Fee instated at the college.


WELCOME NICK!

Hear more from Nick later!

There's a Mouse in the House!

Matthew spotted a rodent in the living room!
Rose is on the look out:

Possible hiding spot #1

Possible hiding spot #2

Today must be someone's birthday....

Happy Birthday, Kayelee!

Family Dinners Going Strong

Well, the family dinner tradition has continued for four weeks!

September 5 - Colleen's friend cooked us some amazing food on the grill.

September 12 - We celebrated the late Barry White's Birthday ("Can't get enough of your love, baby!").


September 19 - Dave B. made some Indian food ("mmmm... Spicy!").

Matthew's Intro

A Message from Matthew:

Hello, Blog visitors!
Rose (the RA) wanted us to introduce ourselves.... So, here is my introduction:

I am a one of two seniors in the House. I am working toward a Bachelor's degree in Middle Level Education. I want to teach either science or mathematics to sixth, seventh, or eighth graders.

I lived in the House last year.... I just couldn't get enough! I grew up in Scouting, which instilled in me the love of the outdoors. I am not a big fan of hot weather though. I do not want to give to much more information away (as it would be for all to see).

Favorite Adventure Area: The Appalachian Mountains
Favorite City: Tie between Greenville and Charleston
Adventure I Would Like To Attempt: Retry hiking Grandfather Mountain
Goal While Living In The House: Make a small impact and learn more about Leaving No Trace

A little info about the edisto

"The Edisto River is the longest completely undammed / unleveed blackwater river in North America, flowing 206 meandering miles from its sources in Saluda and Edgefield counties, to its Atlantic Ocean mouth at Edisto Beach, SC.

 It rises in two main tributaries (North Fork & South Fork) from springs under the Sandhills region of West Central South Carolina, just to the south of the Piedmont fall line.
 It is the longest and largest river system completely contained by the borders of South Carolina. Its name comes from the Edisto subtribe of the Cusabo Indians."
-Wikipedia


Our float trip is 2.2 miles.
We are getting into the river at Givhans Ferry State Park and exiting at Messervy Landing (off Road 162, below Givhans Ferry State Park).  It takes approximately 2 hours on the river.

Family Photo

Colleen, Ali, Christine, Angela, Kayelee, Rose, and Matt

Brief bios will be added soon.

Our First Family Dinner

This week was our first official family dinner. We ate pasta, coleslaw, and watermelon (plus late night cookies compliments of Ali).

We plan to use these dinners to talk about things going on in the house, future trips, and to enjoy each others company.  Tonight we planned our trip down the Edisto River & discussed getting a share on a community farm, as well as, the meanings of our names and how our house should be on MTV cribs.

Future dinners will be themed with each member of the house taking a turn at planning the evening (I look forward to Matt's prom dinner where we will all dress in our most formal clothes).

Home

Intro to Sustainable Agriculture

I am taking this straight off of the Charleston Urban Agriculture blog, so go check out their blog too. Thanks Urban Agriculture!

Please help spread the news: LLF, Trident Technical College, and Clemson Extension are piloting:

Intro to Sustainable Agriculture Course

The basics for growing food locally!

When: Thursday evenings 6:00-8:30PM - fall 2010. 

Where: Trident Technical College, local farms. 

Who: Designed for LLF farm apprentices, and public who wants to learn sustainable growing techniques. (Community gardeners, urban farmers, backyard growers, school gardeners/teachers, parents... )

What: Seven week lecture series for anyone who wishes to learn the finer points of sustainable vegetable production for home or commercial use and those enrolled in the LLF farm incubator program. This course will cover basic horticulture science topics (soils, propagation, plant nutrition, ecological pest management etc.) through lecture, a hands on component, and 4 suggested farm field trips.

Contact elizabeth@lowcountrylocalfirst.org or Trident Technical College Continuing Education for more information.

More to recycle in Charleston

"Charleston County recycles glass bottles and jars, aluminum and steel cans and aerosols, plastics 1-7 (except plastic bags, plastic wrap and Styrofoam) and all paper (including shredded), paperboard and cardboard."
-Charleston County website - http://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/SolidWaste/D-RecyMatrls.htm

"

Charleston County now accepting all plastics for recycling

Staff report

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Charleston County residents can now recycle all plastic containers at curbside and at recycling drop-off centers.

Previously the county only accepted plastics with #1 and #2 designations, according to a news release from Jennie Davis Flinn, the Charleston County Public Information Officer. The expanded plastic recycling efforts mean that all plastic except plastic wrap, plastic bags and Styrofoam can be recycled curbside.

That means all hard and soft plastic containers with any number inside the recycling logo will be accepted. Plastics can be placed in co-mingled bins alongside a separate bin or bags of paper, paperboard and cardboard recyclables.

Charleston County Council member Colleen Condon announced the change this week, along with a one-time $25 solid waste fee credit to all Charleston County residents that was approved by Charleston County Council during the passage of the Fiscal Year 2011 budget.

“Expanding Charleston County’s Recycling Program to recycle all plastics #1 through #7 allows us to provide better service to our citizens and move closer to our 40 percent recycling goal with this important step,” Condon said.

In April, the county began accepting corrugated cardboard for curbside pickup.

Curbside recycling in Charleston County is collected bi-weekly in urban areas starting at 7 a.m.

Rural residents can use recycling drop sites and convenience centers. Drop sites are open 24 hours, seven days a week and are not staffed. Convenience centers are staffed by Environmental Management Department employees."

-Post and Courier - http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/jun/16/charleston-county-now-accepting-all-plastics-recyc/

4 Bull

This is the house! There are many interesting challenges with it because it is an extremely old house in the middle of the city. The city of Charleston has many rules about renovating historic houses, so sadly we don't have the budget right now to overhaul the entire house with eco-friendly renovations.  So we will have to live as lightly as possible to make less of an impact.