Friday, September 18, 2009

Drinking Water Clinic - What's in your water?


Virginia Household Water Quality Program sponsored by Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Staunton-Augusta Rotary Club.

Drinking Water Clinic


9/22/09

Does your water come from a well, spring, or cistern?

Do you want to learn more about the quality of your water?


Test kits will be available for anyone in Augusta County with private water supplies, such as wells, springs and cisterns. Due to "karst" geology of our area, if you are on a private water source, it could be contaminated from something many miles away and you don't even know it.


KICK-OFF MEETING TIMES
: Come to either of these meetings: September 22, 2009 at the Augusta County Government Center (2 p.m. or 7 p.m.)

Collection of samples will be on September 23, 2009 from 7am to
10am in various locations in Augusta County

How it works:
1. At a brief informational kick-off meeting, pick up a sample kit and
get instructions to collect your household water sample.

2. Collect a sample from your tap at home and complete a short
questionnaire.

3. Drop off sample at a designated location and time. The next morning, Wed. Sept. 23 you take your water sample and drive it to one of the four collection points between 7-10 a.m. (Sangerville, Weyers Cave, Middlebrook, Verona). We put the samples on ice and drive them directly to Blacksburg. Confidential test results are given at a meeting on Nov. 3 or mailed if you can't attend that meeting.

4. About 6 weeks later, come to an interpretation meeting to get
your confidential test results, an explanation of what the numbers
mean, and information on how to handle any problems that are
present.

Cost: $46

(includes sample analysis cost to test for selected chemical and bacteriological constituents)

This is a real bargain as this level of testing usually costs about $200. However if you feel you can't afford this, just let us know and we waive the fee, no questions asked.

**If you are unable to afford the cost of the testing kit, scholarships are available. Please inquire
when calling to register for the meeting.**

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!

To register, please call 540/245-5750


If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact the Augusta County Extension Office at (540-245-5750/TDD*) during business hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event. *TDD number is (800) 828-1120.


PLEASE CALL THE EXTENSION OFFICE TODAY TO REGISTER FOR THE MEETING NEXT TUESDAY (PRE-REGISTRATION IS RECOMMENDED SO WE KNOW HOW MANY TEST KITS TO HAVE AVAILABLE) 540-245-5750.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Microgrid - Decentralized Electrical Power

In a blast from the past...

An interesting quick read on localized alternative energy generation systems:

"The evidence is growing that privately owned, consumer-driven, small-scale, geographically distributed renewables could deliver a 100% green-energy future faster and cheaper than big power projects alone. Companies like GE and IBM are talking in terms of up to half of American homes generating their own electricity, renewably, within a decade. But distributed power -- call it the "microgrid" -- poses an existential threat to the business model the utilities have happily depended on for more than a century. No wonder so many of them are fighting the microgrid every step of the way. "


Why the Microgrid Could Be the Answer to Our Energy Crisis

Our farm is over 180 years old. In the 1920's, this farm made its own electrical power. There are still physical remnants of an old Delco-Light farm power system, used to run water pumps, and provide lighting before the Rural Electrification program of the late 1930's.

With solar power, wind-power, and bio-fuels options -- maybe it's Back to the Future for us.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

FRESH: The Movie - PVCC 8/15

FRESH the movie -Another recent film, that addresses systemic concerns about our industrialized food supply. Features commentary by Augusta County's Joel Salatin.



Synopsis

FRESH celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Among several main characters, FRESH features urban farmer and activist, Will Allen, a 2008 MacArthur’s “Genius Award” fellow; sustainable farmer and entrepreneur, Joel Salatin, made famous by Michael Pollan’s book, the Omnivore’s Dilemma; and supermarket owner, David Ball, who is creating a new market model for our family farmers. FRESH’s focus on these inspiring individuals and their initiatives around the US provides the audience with actionable solutions. FRESH is a call to action.

Next Local Screening: August 15, 2009 – Charlottesville, VA
Sponsored By: Virginia Independent Consumers & Farmers Association

Saturday, August 1, 2009

New USDA Food Safety Links

USDA Food Safety Food Safety @ YouTube



ASK KAREN "Ask Karen" is a knowledge base that contains information about preventing foodborne illness, safe food handling and storage, and safe preparation of meat, poultry, and egg products.

USDA Food Safety on Twitter