Bale-Raising in Clemson, Sun. Sept. 6

Come join Matthew Nistico and friends as they help build what will probably be the first straw-bale house in Clemson, on Sun. Sept. 6, at 521 Issaqueena Trail (near Nettles Road). Nistico has invited everyone from the community to participate in something like an old-fashioned barn raising, except in this case it will be straw-bales.

Nistico writes:

Volunteer bale raising and hand plastering is very common with straw bale homes. If you would like to help out, no particular skills or construction experience are required; just an eagerness to spend a day in the sun and experience something entirely new. Volunteers should wear shoes or work boots - NOT flip-flops - long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt. Hats and sunscreen are strongly advised. Bring a water bottle. If you have them to bring, definitely bring a pocket or utility knife, a tape measure, and work gloves. Please call or email back with questions or to tell me that you will be coming out and when. And if you are just curious, come on out anyway, take a look at what its all about, and go tell your friends!

For those of you not familiar with straw bale architecture, it is an original American innovation, beginning 100 years ago and enjoying a vibrant renaissance in the last 25 years. There are now thousands of straw bale buildings around the nation. They are just recently spreading to the south, more so now with my help : ) Using this technique, an agricultural waste product can be used to create a beautiful and long-lasting wall that will out-perform a conventional wall in thermal insulation value, acoustic insulation value, indoor air quality, and fire-resistance. Please come out, lend a hand, and learn more about this innovative technology. In the meantime, some random photos can be found online at the link below.

http://www.semmesco.com/methods/strawbale.shtml

Repower America event in Pendleton, Thurs., Sept. 3rd, 7:00pm

Repower America was organized in 2008 to develop a plan to "repower" our country with 100% clean electricity and revitalize our national energy infrastructure. At its core, Repower America stands for the importance of investing in energy efficiency; clean, renewable and diversified energy sources; a unified national smart energy grid that connects these renewable energy sources to every part of the country; and clean car technology.

For more about Repower America, see http://www.repoweramerica.org/us/about/

On September 3, 2009, there will be a local organizing event. For more information about the event, contact Upstate Coordinator, Katherine Muller (Katherine.Muller at climateprotect.org).

Upstate Locavores Potluck, Thurs. Sept. 3rd, 5:30pm

The Upstate Locavores are holding their early fall potluck on Thursday, September 3, 5:30pm at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Clemson at 226 Pendleton Road.

The theme will be the Slow Food organization's "Time for Lunch Program," a national day of action to support getting whole, healthy foods into schools. Information will be available about South Carolina food policies, congressional renewal of the Child Nutrition Act, and the food in our upstate schools (more information about Time for Lunch is at www.SlowFoodsUSA.org.

For more information visit http://www.upstatelocavores.com or contact UpstateLocavores@gmail.com.

Clemson Organic Farmers' Market: Last Day Sept. 9

The last days for Clemson's Student Organic Farm and Farmers' Market are Wed. Aug. 26, Sept. 2, and Sept. 9.

The Student Organic Farm is a CSA, a Campus Supported Agricultural program. A limited number of member shares are available each year. The harvest season is May through September.

This year the market expanded to include a number of local producers, extending the selection to include meats and baked goods.

For more information visit http://www.clemson.edu/sustainableag/student_farm.html.

Clear-Cutting of Trees Begins on Shopping Center Site

Area residents experienced the first partial road closure of Issaqueena Trail today as clear cutting began on the Lowe's Shopping Center site. Inquiries were also made of project managers at City Hall today to learn of the anticipated construction schedule, but phone calls have not yet been returned.

Recommended Reading (shelve under Humor & Hubris): "Stuff Environmentalists Like"

The magazine PLENTY has a humorous send-up of the new environmentalists, by Christian Lander, which is also a good reminder for the occasional stock-taking of one's hubris and hot air emissions. A taste:

Traditionally, environmentalists have not been in very high demand as friends. This is in part because they have developed a reputation for being long-winded and angry about the state of things, because they want you to replace all of your belongings with green ones, and because until now, they have been largely inaccessible, living in communal farms in Vermont and in the world’s biggest hippie compound—commonly re­ferred to as the Pacific Northwest. They can seem like a very difficult group to infiltrate and eventually exploit.

Do not let this deter you from entering into what can be a financially and emotionally beneficial alliance. Understanding and talking about the things that environmentalists care about most will be your golden ticket to free lightbulbs, handmade soap,and many other perks. In the coming week's I'll be providing a step-by-step guide to befriending environmentalists (if you simply can't wait for the rest, walk or take public transportation to a newsstand and aquire Plenty's current issue, number 26).

Thanks to RS for the tip.

Farm Stands Closing for Winter

Denver Downs Farm Market in Anderson and other farm stands will soon be shutting down for the winter. We stocked up on Nature's Beef and found some nice looking winter greens, wonderful in a Portuguese Kale Soup, for example (see Joy of Cooking).

Support your local farms! For contact information see the food & farming links on the sidebar.