Cease and desist order rescinded

After a friendly farm visit by our state ADEC inspectors, they have subsequently rescinded the cease and desist order that they had issued back in March, telling Alaska Bounty to not compost any fish waste on our property.  This is a MAJOR win, as this proves the legality of what we are doing, and also points to the frivolousness of the complaints against me and my operation. 

Did I mention that the complaining party's wife works for the Pebble Partnership?

Seems ironic to me that these folks would rather see a 22-square foot mile toxic footprint and a lagoon of acidic mining pollution sitting above our precious salmon spawning grounds, but they will not tolerate the smell of a little fish.  My response: if you don't like the smell of fish, perhaps you should move away from the fishing village where you live.  I hear Canada is nice - especially where the Canadians have stripmined and destroyed their lands.  Perhaps the smell of tar shale would be an improvement?

Sweet little radish growing in High Tunnel #1. Photo taken 6/29/2010 by Izetta.

I'll miss the farm

I'm off to Portland today for training on "How to Write the Perfect EIS."  This will help me deliver the NEPA training to villages more effectively.  However, I am sad to be leaving Naknek and will miss seeing the progress on the farm.  With so many local gardens being planted in Naknek, I'm hoping that people will take more of an interest in locally-produced fertilizers and soils.  I'm willing to let people have the liquid fish-based fertilizer for the first couple of years, for marketing purposes and to prove the efficacy of the products. 

This project is probably the most exciting and fun thing that I've ever engaged in. 

2010-06-08

Second high tunnel installed today!

Second high tunnel arrived today

We had a light sprinkling of rain today.  Saves us from the work of watering those two potato patches and our seeds that are just now sprouting out of the ground from the raised bed and the other bed. 

So far, the first high tunnel has been up to 90 degrees!  We definitely have to watch the temperature and roll the sides up from time to time. 

Russell came and did some dirt work for us - brought in several loads of topsoil and leveled it out with his 'dozer. 

May 30th I watered the whole tunnel with worm casting tea.  The plants really shot up that next day!