Pacific International Academy and Marylhurst University

Sustainable Garden Project 2010

Fight Global WARMING [with local food systems]

When sunlight reaches Earth’s surface, it bounces back into space, but greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere retain some of the heat energy. The amount of greenhouse gases has increased with the continual burning of fossil fuels such as natural gas, coal, oil and the destruction of forests. With the destruction of the ecosystem, the planet retains the sun’s heat. The extra energy has nowhere to go except being absorbed by the ocean. This is where global warming comes from. Research shows that carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations that had remained stable for 10,000 years have risen by 30% since the industrial Revolution.

The continued use of massive quantities of oil, both in the production of synthetic fertilizers and machinery used in food production and in transporting our food across the globe, is clearly unsustainable. Not only is oil a finite natural resource, but greenhouse gas emissions from a petroleum-based food economy also contribute to air pollution, related health problems, and global warming. The EPA estimates that for the US, agriculture represents about 8% of total human-related greenhouse gas emissions. The concept of “food miles” is used to describe the distance that food travels from the location where it is grown or raised to the location where it is consumed. The vast majority of energy used in the U.S. food system (around 80 percent) goes to processing, packaging, transporting, storing, and preparing food. Produce in the U.S. travels, on average, 1300 - 2000 miles from farm to consumer. Through the PIAMU Sustainable Garden project we will demonstrate that local food systems can reduce "food miles" and transportation costs, offering significant energy savings. Consumers also benefit from fresher, better-tasting, and more nutritious food, while more food dollars stay within rural communities. You can help to reduce the demand for fossil fuels, which in turn reduces global warming, by using energy more wisely: o Encourage Others to Conserve: Share information about recycling and energy conservation with your

friends, neighbors and co-workers, and take opportunities to encourage public officials to establish programs and policies that are good for the environment.

o Utilize Public Transportation: Less driving means fewer emissions. Besides saving gasoline, walking and biking are great forms of exercise. Explore TriMet and check out options for carpooling to work or school with your fellow peers. www.trimet.org

PIAMU Sustainable Garden PROJECT Objective: To appreciate our limited resources and the interdependence between humans and nature while developing awareness of the concept of sustainability and sustainable living. The PIAMU Sustainable Garden Project is a concept that will allow international students at Pacific International Academy the opportunity to work side by side with Marylhurst University student-scientists to expand their knowledge of sustainable practices through organic gardening. The ultimate goal through this endeavor is to create strong environmentally conscience individuals to one day lead our Green Revolution. Why Local and Organic? Commercially grown fruit and vegetables are subject to unnatural growing conditions, where they are fed and sprayed with chemical fertilizers to produce maximum yields. Over time, the chemical fertilizers destroy the soil’s natural content, reducing its fertility. The chemicals also leach into local rivers and cause havoc for the wildlife that live in them. What’s more, fruit and vegetables forced to grow faster and bigger than they would naturally taste inferior to organically grown crops. They also contain fewer nutrients. Marylhurst University student-scientists will work hand in hand with Pacific International Academy students in the overall operation of the sustainable garden. Volunteers interested in the project will learn the process of developing and maintaining an organic garden (composting, water harvesting, seed preparation, etc). Each season, harvested vegetables will be collected and sold through PIAMU’S Market at Clark Commons on weekends that coincide with campus events. Proceeds will fund the EcoLearner Scholarship. Food is vital to the health of individuals and communities. Access to good, healthy food is a basic human right, this project will also contribute to the Oregon Food Bank

Garden

SITE [Raised Vegetable Beds]

The proposed garden site is located behind Flavia and Education Hall, with Mary’s Woods facing south. The vegetable garden is already in use and is maintained by plot holders from the Marylhurst community. Two available plots can easily accommodate two 4’ X 4’ X 8” raised vegetable beds. Raised vegetable beds are a great way to garden in Oregon. They allow for closer plantings, more root development, exceptional drainage and earlier springtime plantings. Raised beds require minimal paths, which mean less space is needed to grow a fixed amount of food and flowers and less room for weeds to take hold.

Vegetable Planting OREGON: ZONE 2

Acquiring Seeds from Local Farmers Bina’s Patchwork Garden, (541) 754-7015 Deep Roots Farm, (541) 917-8944 Denison Farms, (541) 752-4156 Gathering Together Farm, (541) 929-4270 Heavenly Harvest Farm, (541) 753-8377 Kings Valley Gardens, (541) 929-4054 La Mancha Ranch & Orchard, (541) 367-6262 Matt-Cyn Farms, (541) 791-9038 Midway Farms, (541) 740-6141 My Pharm, (541) 424-2233 Sunbow Farm, (541) 929-5782 Turpen Family Farm, (541) 485-4418 Wood Family Farm, (503) 769-5000

VEGETABLE MONTHS Artichokes Aug.-Nov.

April-June Beans (snap) May-July

Beets March-June Broccoli March-Aug. Carrots March-July 15 Celery March-July Chard April-July

Cucumbers May-June Eggplants May Garlic Sept.-Feb.

Lettuce (leaf) April-Aug. Peppers May-June Tomatoes May

o Fireplace ashes o Fruits and vegetables o Grass clippings o Hair and fur o Hay and straw o Houseplants o Leaves o Nut shells o Sawdust o Shredded newspaper o Tea bags o Wood chips o Yard trimmings

Building Soil ORGANIC COMPOST Soil makes up the outermost layer of our planet and has varying amounts of organic matter (living and dead organisms), minerals, and nutrients. Topsoil is the most productive layer and the natural process in which healthy topsoil is formed can take up to 500 years. According to the Worldwatch Institute, composting is one way to help return fertility to the soil. [Around the world, soil is being swept and washed away faster than it can be replenished, making it one of the biggest environmental problems the world faces. Soil erosion reduces the capacity of soil to store water and support plant growth, thereby reducing its ability to support biodiversity. Erosion promotes critical losses of water, nutrients, soil organic matter and soil biota, harming forests, rangeland and natural ecosystems]. Composting works very similar to a forest like ecosystem. The living cycle of green plants, fungi, bacteria, worms and other microscopic life steadily converts dead organic matter into nutrient-rich food. These organisms are called decomposers. The result of this break down is a nutrient rich compost which is extremely healthy for plants. By composting, we will replicate the actions that occur in our everyday ecosystem (except that we are speeding up the process and benefiting from it). Consider these materials for composting as suggested by Oregon Metro:

o Animal manure (not from house pet, it might contain parasites, bacteria, germs, pathogens, and viruses harmful to humans).

o Cardboard rolls o Clean paper o Coffee grounds and filters o Cotton rags o Dryer and vacuum lint o Eggshells o Fireplace ashes o Fruits and vegetables o Grass clippings o Hair or fur o Eggshells

Sustainable WATER SOLUTIONS Rain Barrels Fresh water can easily become the next oil in terms of being a necessary but limited resource. Rainwater harvesting can also be good for the local community. It reduces the erosion, flooding and pollution runoff associated with heavy rainfall. Recycling rainwater can lessen the reliance on public water supplies, alleviating some of the burden on utilities. Using rain barrels for the purpose of storing rain to use in the garden is a highly sustainable method for gardening. One inch of rain will yield half a gallon of water for every square foot. That means that 100 square feet can capture 50 gallons of water and according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a single 100-gallon rain barrel can save up to 1,300 gallons of utility-provided water during the high demand summer months.

• Rainwater barrels can be small, simple installations. • Plastic barrels that are clean and sturdy and “food grade” barrels are perfect because they

usually come with UV protection. Other types of barrels can be used but must be watertight and rust proof. Harvested water is not made for drinking but if you plan to water a vegetable garden or fruit trees, it is essential for the water to be clean and toxin free.

• The most important step in determining if a rain barrel system will work for this project is to find out the type of roofing material used on Flavia and The Education Hall. Some roofing materials contain toxins that will contaminate the water in the barrels.

• Image Credit: Low Impact Development Center

PIAMU

Ec Learning

SSCCHHOOLLAARRSSHHIIPP Purpose The PIAMU EcoLearning Scholarship is designed to encourage outstanding students to pursue a science education at Marylhurst University.

Eligibility Applicants for scholarship awards must be enrolled at Pacific International Academy and ready to pursue a post secondary education at Marylhurst University in General Science or Environmental Science.

Eligible Institutions Marylhurst University

Award Number and Size Number: To be determined annually.

Size: At least $500 (will cover admission application and textbook expenses for SCIENCE courses (as listed under Science and Mathematics Department). *Preferably texts available online.

Renewal: This is a one time award.

Criteria The specific criteria for this scholarship focus on:

• Major in Environmental Science and General Science • Financial need • GPA: 2.75 cumulative for high school senior or equivalent • Participation in school, professional, or community activities related to the

Sustainability.

Selection Scholarship will be awarded based on criteria and thoughtful response to essay question (one page maximum) to be delivered via email:

What have you done to help our planet?

Work CITED [References] http://www.caff.org/ http://www.ecotrust.org/ http://www.epa.gov/ http://www.farmaid.org http://www.friendsoffamilyfarmers.org/ http://www.localharvest.org/ http://www.oregonfoodbank.org/ http://www.oregonmetro.gov/ http://www.seedalliance.org/ Vincent Aguas Lisa Jo Frech ENV 331A: Introduction to Sustainability May 23, 2010 PIAMU Sustainable Garden Project 2010