My introduction to cordless mowing was a Black and Decker “ factory reconditioned” CMM 1000, which I babied well past its expected lifetime. I had promised myself that if I could get it through until the end of its last summer, the long winter would give me plenty of time to research a replacement. A very helpful article in Green Living Journal (*) came just in time to greatly aid me in my search. I know that lawns and mowing are not appropriate in many places. Here, where we live in a pine forest, we keep a circle of mowed lawn around our modest home as a fire-break. We also…
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Mother Earth News Fair
Aug. 3-4, 2019 Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Linn County Expo Center 3700 Knox Butte Rd. E, Albany, OR The Mother Earth News Fair is your passport to money-saving hacks, health-boosting remedies, and environmental strategies from leading experts and entrepreneurs around the country. In addition to presentations and hands-on workshops, you’ll encounter a vast marketplace abounding with innovative resources and products to enrich your life. For more info: www.motherearthnewsfair.com/oregon
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Western JUNIPER: Wood that Checks all the Boxes
100 years ago, walking across the expanse of Eastern Oregon would have revealed sprawls of sagebrush and native grass, pockmarked with the occasional juniper tree. Fast forward to today, and those picturesque western landscapes have become overgrown with juniper trees. Due largely to modern day fire suppression, junipers, a “native invasive,” have expanded from one million acres at the turn of the 20th century to a staggering 10 million acres today. Junipers are a thirsty tree, drinking up to 35 gallons of water per day in a high desert ecosystem that is already plagued by drought. As the trees expand, they push out sagebrush and grass, which affects vulnerable species…
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TOP TEN Clean Energy Developments of 2018
2018 showed that clean energy is becoming more and more the norm. And we’re not just talking about Bradley Cooper standing in front of a field of wind turbines in the hit movie, A Star is Born. In spite of the lack of action from the US federal government, the world is moving forward on clean energy. From India to the Caribbean to businesses and cities in the United States, 2018 was a great year for energy efficiency, electric vehicles, solar and wind energy, and more. Here we list our top ten clean energy developments of the year. 1. Carbon-Free Electricity is All the Rage Xcel Energy committed to supplying…
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Worms:
A Solution for Improving Garden Soil & Saving the Planet Are you seeking a way to keep your garden plants healthy without harming the environment? Conventional fertilizers aren’t going to cut it, as they pollute the planet and don’t provide long-term benefits. A better option is to create fertilizer at home with worms by setting up a personal vermicompost that turns your wasted food scraps in plant energy. Why is homemade worm compost so beneficial? It adds essential nutrients back into the soil, plus worms have the potential to make it easier to reduce your household trash. And, as you’ll learn next, that’s no small matter. Compost: Reducing Waste One…
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Top 5 Organic Gardening Tips
THE ORGANIC CENTER 1. Choose organic seeds Organic seeds are harvested from certified organic crops and therefore are not treated with fungicides like most conventional seeds. Without the application of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, organic plants rely more on their own defense systems when battling pests and diseases and grow deep roots to extract nutrients from the soil. Plants grown from organic seed are typically stronger and more adapted to thrive and grow under organic gardening practices. 2. Fertilize your soil by using organic compost and manure Common non-organic garden fertilizers, found at your local garden and home store, may contain ammonium phosphate and other synthetic chemicals. These synthetic fertilizers…
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Tigard Company Produces Jet Fuel from Plastics
Agilyx, the leader in converting waste plastics to fuels and chemicals, recently announced a collaborative agreement with, Monroe Energy, to supply up to 2,500 barrels per day (bbl) of Agilyx’s synthetic feedstock. Agilyx Synthetic Crude Oil (“ASCO”) is produced through a proprietary waste plastics recycling technology. Agilyx has agreed to supply ASCO to Monroe Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines. Monroe will refine the ASCO into jet fuel for Delta. Agilyx plans to locate a production facility near Monroe’s refinery, which is located just outside of Philadelphia. “This is a capstone achievement for Agilyx,” said Joe Vaillancourt, Agilyx’s chief executive officer. “We are very excited to be…
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The Delightful Flexibility of Container Gardening
Container gardening offers a remarkable degree of flexibility and mobility, making it an ideal gardening option for renters and individuals who frequently move. With container gardening, you can create a beautiful garden that can be relocated and taken with you wherever you go.
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The JUNK FOOD Effect
A new and important strain of research on CO2 and plant nutrition is now coming out of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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Organic Hemp Oils for Pets
In the last few decades, veterinary medicine has come to embrace the idea of pain management for dogs, cats, and other companion animals. When we have pets that are in pain, sick and uncomfortable, or anxious and stressed, it can be hard to treat their symptoms with just one solution. Sun God Medicinals is offering all-natural hemp-infused herb oils to ease most ailments for our furry loved ones. Airmed Pet Oil Specially formulated with Oregon-grown hemp and supporting herbs that may help relieve digestive problems. Ingredients: Olive oil, Marshmallow root, Dandelion root, Fennel seed, hemp and Vitamin E oil. Aja Pet Oil Specially formulated Oregon gown hemp and supporting herbs…
