Empowering Learners Through Applied STEM Learning
In this blog we explore the relationship between applied STEM and Tools. Change of pace, change of place.
Tour of the Pond at Mezzacello
A shark cam view of the pond to check for fish health and the status of the pond and water quality. Everything is good to go.
The Garden of Grace and Charity
We found this sculpture in Virginia. We have been looking for something this charming for years. Now we have her in the garden.
Life Below Water and Fostering Sustainability
Part of a series of blos detailing my work at Mezzacello to meet UN 17 SDGs. This is life below water and my pond.
Bakki Shower and Biofilter Combo
A slideshow of the pond systems in the fall of 2022. The Bakki Shower and the Biofilter systems. It's where nature meets tech!
When Water Goes Missing
Two years ago this was a great mystery. We thought we had a leak in the pond. What I found shocked me. The atmosphere and plants!
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.
Build Biomass To Make the Soil Black
When Fall arrives, we turn the beauty of Mezzacello back into Compost using robots, hardwork, and the goodwill of our neighbors.
Label These Bags - The Story Continues
That one time where I thought I was putting Epsom salt into a pond and I was actually putting aluminum sulfate. Fun times! Label your bags.
Life in the Aquatic Ecosystem
Many of my posts about the pond or as I like to call it, the aquatic ecosystem, have been complaints about the system in crisis. It is true; this pond was built on an Indian Burial ground and feels cursed.
Wasps, Mosquitoes, Water and Climate Change
After a mild winter in 2019 and 2020 we have a raft of issues related to pests, climate and fungal spores!
Climate Change, Ducks, and Optics
This week’s post is about a photo. This photo to be exact. I took it at 16:00 on Sunday February 2, 2020 in Columbus Ohio. Not Raleigh, NC. Columbus.
Winterizing Mezzacello In 2019-20
Winter on an Urban Farm can be brutal. These are the lessons I have learned in the last four years that might apply to you!
Ponds as Spigots and Nutrient Additive Systems
The moment when you realize that the biofilter for the pond is actually also an algae wine cask for the flowers.
Fishy Business
When you start something new like an entire garden system with multiple gardens and systems, things surprise you, like the fishy business.
Water Conservancy and Mindfulness
The beginning of spring 2019. Some fool left the water spigot running on the 300 gallon rain barrel that serves water for my livestock and walked away for 10 minutes. 200 gallons of water potential wasted. The ducks LOVED all the water in the henyard.
The Evolving Role of the DMZ Between Formal and Urban Gardens at Mezzacello
The DMZ at Mezzacello has traditionally been the line between the formal and feral.