coop solutions – We Deserve Better – Wandering Farmers co-op

Passion , Public track

Planning to build a renewable energy co-op

Renewable energy solutions can be tailored to the unique characteristics of each location. By maximizing the use of rooftop solar panels, facade-integrated solar, small wind turbines, and micro-hydro systems, we can create sustainable and energy-efficient designs for Oregon, Western Accra, and Jinja.

In Oregon, prioritize south-facing roofs for solar panels and utilize the open landscape for wind turbines. For Accra and Jinja, consider solar shading structures, facade-integrated solar, and smaller wind turbines that suit the urban and natural settings. Micro-hydro systems near the Nile in Jinja, and rainwater harvesting systems in the tropical climates of Accra and Jinja, will further enhance the renewable energy capabilities of these locations.

By carefully incorporating these renewable energy solutions, we can develop comprehensive and convincing design guides that address the specific needs and characteristics of each region, ultimately leading to a more sustainable future.

2nd set of renderings

Accra\Wa Ghana Render

Interior Design Concept for a Renewable Energy Condo:

General Layout:
- Open-Plan Living and Dining Area: Modern, spacious, with large windows for natural light. Integrated storage solutions, including built-in shelving and hidden storage compartments.
- Three Bedrooms:
  - Master Bedroom: Includes a large walk-in closet with ample shelving and hanging space, plus an en-suite bathroom.
  - Two Additional Bedrooms: Each with generous built-in closets that include both hanging and shelving options. Flexible-use rooms can also incorporate additional storage solutions such as under-bed storage or wall-mounted units.
- Modern Kitchen: Energy-efficient appliances, sustainable materials like recycled glass countertops, and abundant cabinet space, including a large pantry for food storage.
- Bathrooms: Eco-friendly fixtures, with storage cabinets under sinks and built-in shelves for towels and toiletries. The master bath features dual sinks and a walk-in shower.
Common Room:
- Spacious with Large Windows: Maximizes natural light, includes a kitchenette, seating area, and children’s play zone.
- Flexible Space: Multipurpose furniture for gatherings, entertainment, and activities, with integrated storage units for games, books, and supplies.
Sustainable Features:
- Eco-Friendly Materials: Reclaimed wood floors, low-VOC paints, and recycled tiles.
- Energy-Efficient Systems: Smart thermostats, underfloor heating, LED lighting, and energy-efficient HVAC.
- Water Efficiency: Low-flow fixtures in bathrooms and kitchens.
Aesthetic Design:
- Coastal Location: Soft blues, sandy neutrals, ocean-inspired decor with built-in storage solutions that blend with the décor.
- Mountainous Location: Earthy tones, rich wood finishes, nature-inspired decor, and ample storage areas designed to blend with the natural aesthetics.
- Urban Location: Sleek, modern grays and whites with bold accents, contemporary art, and smart storage solutions like hidden closets and multi-functional furniture.
Special Features:
- Community Garden: Rooftop or ground-level garden space with raised beds, seating, and storage sheds for gardening tools.
- Workspaces: Small workstations in common rooms, equipped for remote work with storage cabinets for supplies.
- Fitness Room (optional): Energy-generating exercise equipment, yoga space, with built-in storage for mats and equipment.

Renewable energy solutions can be tailored to the unique characteristics of each location.

By maximizing the use of rooftop solar panels, facade-integrated solar, small wind turbines, and micro-hydro systems, we can create sustainable and energy-efficient designs for Oregon, Western Accra, and Jinja.

Interior Design Concept for a 3-site Renewable Energy Condo:

General Layout:
- Open-Plan Living and Dining Area: Modern, spacious, with large windows for natural light. Integrated storage solutions, including built-in shelving and hidden storage compartments.
- Three Bedrooms:
  - Master Bedroom: Includes a large walk-in closet with ample shelving and hanging space, plus an en-suite bathroom.
  - Two Additional Bedrooms: Each with generous built-in closets that include both hanging and shelving options. Flexible-use rooms can also incorporate additional storage solutions such as under-bed storage or wall-mounted units.
- Modern Kitchen: Energy-efficient appliances, sustainable materials like recycled glass countertops, and abundant cabinet space, including a large pantry for food storage.
- Bathrooms: Eco-friendly fixtures, with storage cabinets under sinks and built-in shelves for towels and toiletries. The master bath features dual sinks and a walk-in shower.
Common Room:
- Spacious with Large Windows: Maximizes natural light, includes a kitchenette, seating area, and children’s play zone.
- Flexible Space: Multipurpose furniture for gatherings, entertainment, and activities, with integrated storage units for games, books, and supplies.
Sustainable Features:
- Eco-Friendly Materials: Reclaimed wood floors, low-VOC paints, and recycled tiles.
- Energy-Efficient Systems: Smart thermostats, underfloor heating, LED lighting, and energy-efficient HVAC.
- Water Efficiency and Management:
  - Dehumidification Technologies: Utilize local climate conditions to extract clean water from the air, providing a sustainable source of drinking water and irrigation for plants.
  - Greywater Harvesting: Implement greywater recycling systems to reuse water locally for non-potable purposes, enhancing water management on-site.
- Renewable Energy Solutions: Tailored to the unique characteristics of each location:
  - Oregon: Maximize the use of rooftop solar panels, facade-integrated solar, and small wind turbines to harness abundant renewable resources.
  - Western Accra: Utilize solar panels and wind turbines to capture energy efficiently in a tropical climate, incorporating technologies that withstand high humidity and salt exposure.
  - Jinja: Combine solar panels with micro-hydro systems, especially if close to water bodies, to leverage both solar and hydro energy for sustainable power generation.
Aesthetic Design:
- Coastal Location (Western Accra): Soft blues, sandy neutrals, ocean-inspired decor with built-in storage solutions that blend with the décor. Emphasize corrosion-resistant materials.
- Mountainous Location (Oregon): Earthy tones, rich wood finishes, nature-inspired decor, and ample storage areas designed to blend with the natural aesthetics. High-performance insulation and energy-efficient windows.
- Urban Location (Jinja): Sleek, modern grays and whites with bold accents, contemporary art, and smart storage solutions like hidden closets and multi-functional furniture. Emphasize green roofs and vertical gardens for urban cooling.
Special Features:
- Community Garden: Rooftop or ground-level garden space with raised beds, seating, and storage sheds for gardening tools. Watered using recycled greywater.
- Workspaces: Small workstations in common rooms, equipped for remote work with storage cabinets for supplies.
- Fitness Room (optional): Energy-generating exercise equipment, yoga space, with built-in storage for mats and equipment.

Jinja Uganda render

Public track

Next steps to enhancing solutions in a collaborative future

The review of a unified human society leveraging technology for sustainable agriculture and resource management outlines a forward-thinking and ecologically responsible blueprint. It balances technological advancements with democratic principles, aiming to ensure food security, environmental preservation, and equitable resource distribution. Here are a few thoughts on each point:

Utilizing Data-Driven Agriculture:

The emphasis on precision agriculture and data analytics is spot-on for maximizing efficiency and reducing waste. Incorporating local community input ensures that solutions are tailored to specific needs and conditions, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility.
Machine learning for predicting agricultural challenges is an innovative approach that can significantly reduce risks and improve outcomes.

Promoting Sustainable Farming Practices:

Transitioning towards organic and regenerative agriculture practices addresses the urgent need for sustainability and biodiversity. It’s a critical move away from destructive conventional methods.
The focus on alternative proteins and decentralized food systems reflects a holistic understanding of the environmental impacts of food production and the importance of resilience in food supply chains.

Optimizing Resource Extraction and Management:

Advanced technologies for safer and more efficient resource extraction can mitigate some of the negative environmental impacts, though the challenge will be in ensuring these technologies are accessible and used responsibly.
Circular economy principles are crucial for reducing waste and promoting sustainability. This approach aligns with the global push towards minimizing the ecological footprint of human activities.

Fostering Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing:

The model’s success hinges on its ability to foster genuine collaboration and consensus-building. Decentralized decision-making can empower communities but requires careful management to avoid fragmentation and ensure coherent strategies.
Open-source platforms for sharing innovations and best practices can accelerate progress by avoiding the duplication of efforts and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Implementing Incentive Mechanisms:

Innovative incentive mechanisms, such as the proposed monetary reset, could be a powerful tool for promoting sustainable practices. However, the specifics of these mechanisms would need careful planning to avoid unintended consequences.
Carbon pricing and resource usage fees are proven strategies that can guide behavior towards more sustainable practices, although their implementation must be equitable to not disproportionately burden those with fewer resources.

This vision integrates technological advancements with a strong ethical framework, emphasizing environmental stewardship, community involvement, and equitable resource management. The challenge lies in the practical implementation of these ideals—balancing efficiency, fairness, and sustainability in a way that respects local contexts and global imperatives. Ensuring broad accessibility to technology and fostering a culture of innovation and cooperation will be key to realizing this vision.

The concept of utilising technological advancements in agriculture and resource management can be seamlessly integrated with the idea of linking micro inverters in a 3-phase mini grid system and arranging habitats for comfort. Here’s a comprehensive approach:

Integrated Renewable Energy Systems

Micro Inverters and Renewable Sources: By connecting micro inverters to each solar panel in a decentralised energy production model, you ensure that the energy production is maximised and stable, even if one or more panels are under performing. This is crucial in a unified society where energy needs are democratically managed and distributed. The same approach can be applied to wind or water turbines, with each energy source being optimised for AC output to the mini-grid.

3-phase Mini Grid System:

This system can distribute electricity more efficiently across a community, supporting both residential needs and communal projects like aquaponics systems or community-owned manufacturing facilities. The 3-phase system can handle higher loads, making it suitable for diverse applications, from household usage to powering machinery for resource extraction and processing.

Arranging Habitats for Comfort and Efficiency

Earthship Principles: Integrating Earthship principles for thermal mass and passive solar gain directly supports the goal of minimising resource use while maximising comfort. This aligns with the sustainable farming practices and resource management strategies by reducing energy consumption for heating and cooling.

Aquaponics Integration: Aquaponics serves as a bridge between sustainable food production and efficient water use, embodying the principles of circular economy. It can be powered by renewable energy sources, showcasing a practical application of the mini-grid system to support food security.

Prefabricated and Off-Grid Homes: These can be designed or adapted to incorporate micro-hydropower or solar panels connected via micro inverters, demonstrating how individual homes can contribute to and benefit from the larger energy grid. This decentralised yet interconnected approach ensures resilience and adaptability in energy supply and consumption.

Synergy in Application

For hot climates, the use of Earthship principles and renewable energy sources for cooling and aquaponics can reduce reliance on external water and energy sources, while in cold climates, these systems can be adapted to maximise solar gain and insulation, using energy from the mini-grid for heating when necessary.

Reducing Pollution & Waste: By leveraging the mini-grid system for efficient energy distribution, communities can minimise their carbon footprint and promote recycling of resources, including water through aquaponics and grey water systems.

Water Recycling & Aquaponics: These systems not only provide a sustainable source of food but also contribute to the mini-grid by utilising renewable energy for lighting and pumps, demonstrating a holistic approach to resource management.

In summary, linking micro inverters in a 3-phase mini grid system with the sustainable management of habitats offers a comprehensive framework for achieving a balance between technological advancement and ecological stewardship. It promotes a collaborative, efficient, and democratic use of resources, ensuring that energy production, food security, and habitat management work in concert to support a sustainable and equitable society.

Uncategorized

Not a joke 🤣 but I like farts

I lime cows but they’re too competitive when it comes to farts! I vaguely remember reading that eucalyptus could be used to reduce the methane released by their farts.

Eucalyptus leaves contain compounds called tannins that have been found to reduce methane production in ruminant animals such as cows and horses. Tannins inhibit the growth and activity of methanogenic bacteria in the animals’ digestive systems, leading to a decrease in methane emissions.

One study published in the Journal of Dairy Science in 2014 investigated the effects of eucalyptus supplementation on methane production in dairy cows. The researchers found that feeding eucalyptus leaves reduced methane emissions by up to 25% compared to a control diet without eucalyptus supplementation (Patra et al., 2014).

Another study published in Animal Production Science in 2016 examined the impact of eucalyptus extract on methane production in horses. The results showed a significant reduction in methane emissions when horses were fed a diet supplemented with eucalyptus extract (Saenger et al., 2016).

These studies suggest that incorporating eucalyptus leaves or extracts into the diets of cows and horses can help mitigate methane production. However, it’s important to note that further research is needed to fully understand the optimal dosage and long-term effects of eucalyptus supplementation on animal health and productivity.

References:

Patra, A. K., Kamra, D. N., & Agarwal, N. (2014). Effect of Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora) oil supplementation on rumen fermentation and methane production in vitro and in vivo. Journal of Dairy Science, 97(10), 7047-7053.
Saenger, T., Pinares-Patiño, C. S., & McEwan, J. C. (2016). Eucalyptus extracts reduce in vitro methane production from hay and grain but do not affect in vivo enteric methane production by sheep. Animal Production Science, 56(2), 198-205.

Public track

Impacting objectives

If successful, this project would have a significant impact on the local communities in West, East and Southern Africa by addressing the issues of food insecurity and the brain-drain effect. The implementation of sustainable farming and engineering solutions, such as vertical farms and renewable energy sources, would improve the productivity and safety of crops and livestock, leading to increased income for local farmers and providing a reliable source of food for the region. In addition, the platform for connecting farmers with engineers and technologists would facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technology, leading to further innovation and development in the agricultural industry. The economic impact of these changes would be significant, with increased income for local farmers and the potential for expansion of the market for locally grown and produced products. The project would also have a positive environmental impact, through the use of sustainable farming practices and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions caused by traditional farming methods.

To expand the project’s impact, we could consider working with governments and non-profits to bring our sustainable farming techniques to a larger scale. By partnering with these organizations, we can reach more communities and bring about wider-spread change. In addition, sharing our techniques and findings with other groups working to address climate change could help amplify the positive impact of our work. By working together and sharing resources, we can make a greater impact in addressing the challenges of climate change.

It is possible that implementing more efficient farming solutions and increasing community involvement in planting local varieties of plants with heavy human support could help to reduce desertification and improve environmental recovery in areas that have been damaged. However, the feasibility of this approach would depend on the specific resources and constraints of the community, as well as the extent of the damage to the environment. It would be important to conduct a thorough analysis of the local conditions and consult with community members to determine the most appropriate and effective course of action.

In conclusion, our project has the potential to make a significant impact on addressing world hunger by empowering small-scale farmers in West, East, and Southern Africa to become more self-sufficient and increase their crop yields. By providing them with access to affordable and sustainable technologies, we hope to contribute to a long-term reduction in hunger and malnutrition in the target region with a long-term goal of sustainability and environmental recovery that could one day see the wild return and co-exist with agriculture.

Public track

Rationale towards solutions and rationale

The Wandering Farmer Coop network, also known as Waali Wireless, is a 28-year project with a total budget of $2,000,000. The goal of the project is to make sustainable farming and engineering a mainstay for all levels of society by providing a platform for end users (farmers and their villages) to access engineering solutions and connect with technologists. This will be done through the use of vertical farms, renewable energy, and open source ecological solutions in West, East, and Southern Africa. The project aims to improve food security in the regions and uplift local communities that have been impacted by the brain drain of urban life in rural areas. The platform will allow the community to view and explore technology options and invest in solutions that they can test in their own community. Local traditions and knowledge about climate and growing styles will be taken into account in the development of salable solutions, with 18% of the increased yield and products going back into the community to sustain future planting seasons. The project intersects with technology innovation, utility, and advocacy, as well as digital rights, by providing access to technology and resources and involving the community in the development process. The organization’s operating budget for the current fiscal year is $9,000 to help raise awareness and secure partnership[s beyond the existing farmers already interested.

Our project aims to address the issue of world hunger by providing small-scale farmers in West, East, and Southern Africa with the resources they need to increase crop yields and improve food security. We will do this by implementing solar energy and open source solutions, such as vertical farms, renewable energy, and Open Source Ecological technologies. These solutions are affordable and sustainable, making them ideal for small-scale farmers in these regions.

Our specific goals and objectives include:

Providing solar-powered irrigation systems to small-scale farmers in the target region

Increasing crop yields for participating farmers

Improving food security for participating farmers

To achieve these goals, we will take the following approach:

Identify suitable locations for the implementation of solar energy and open source technologies

Work with local communities to determine their specific needs and preferences

Train local farmers in the use and maintenance of these technologies

Monitor the progress and impact of the project through metrics such as the number of small-scale farmers reached, the increase in crop yields, and the overall improvement in food security.

To evaluate the success of our project, we will track the following metrics:

The number of small-scale farmers reached by the project

The increase in crop yields for participating farmers

The overall improvement in food security for participating farmers

Our budget for this project is $2,000,000, which will cover the costs of purchasing and installing the solar energy and open source technologies, as well as any ongoing maintenance costs.