Monday, February 1, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop
A FREE PRESENTATION BY VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, ROANOKE
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 6-7:30 PM
LOCATION:
THE BRAMBLETON CENTER, RM 16
3738 BRAMBLETON AVE, SW
ROANOKE 24018
(ROANOKE COUNTY PARKS AND REC BUILDING)
PRE-REGISTER AT 772-7524
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 6-7:30 PM
LOCATION:
THE BRAMBLETON CENTER, RM 16
3738 BRAMBLETON AVE, SW
ROANOKE 24018
(ROANOKE COUNTY PARKS AND REC BUILDING)
PRE-REGISTER AT 772-7524
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Buy Fresh, Buy Local Food Guide
If you'd like your farm or business included in the Shenandoah Valley Buy Fresh, Buy Local Guide, go to
http://www.newsleader.com/article/20100121/NEWS01/1210339/1002/Organizations+working+to+update+local+food+guide
for a producer survey or a retailer survey.
Cost is $25.00 and the deadline is March 5, 2010.
http://www.newsleader.com/article/20100121/NEWS01/1210339/1002/Organizations+working+to+update+local+food+guide
for a producer survey or a retailer survey.
Cost is $25.00 and the deadline is March 5, 2010.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
GIS Mapping May Affect Area Farmers
If you have dealings with the FDA, USDA (Botetourt Farm Agency), Mountain Castles Soil and Water District, any of the Conservation Easement Organizations, and possibly your Insurance Agency, etc., etc., you may become aware of their dependence on the GIS parcel maps. They generally will go to to the official Botetourt County website: http://botetourt.org/ and then to the links for GIS Mapping: http://www.co.botetourt.va.us/business/maps.php?about=1 and superimpose the outline parcel map for your farm over the aerial map.
You will need at least a broadband Internet connection to access this site and enough memory to download the GIS map viewing software to access the maps of your farm. The area public libraries may have their accessible computers set up to go to the GIS Map site. If not, ask if they will set it up for citizens who have no other option to access the maps.
It is worthwhile to take a close look at your farm's map. It never crosssed my mind that there could be serious mistakes on those maps, and I know I'm not alone in this. However, I found that the map of my farm showed half my barns and one pond on someone else's parcel! This, despite the fact that we filed an accurate survey of our property in the Clerk of the Court's Office in 1997!
Every parcel which is not properly mapped has parcels surrounding it which are affected. Each parcel affected has other parcels around it which are affected, and so on...
The GIS Mapping Project in Botetourt County is ten years old. There was plenty of time to check and correct incorrect maps. Historically recent surveys should be properly represented, at the very least. It is reasonable to expect that land without surveys may have errors in mapping, but I do not accept that there is any excuse for ignoring surveyed land within the county.
There is a "disclaimer" on the GIS site which seeks to create a legal protection for damages caused by incorrect mapping. I do not understand the purpose of accepting serious errors in this mapping. There's not much point in placing incorrect maps on the official County website.
If you find an error, call the County Administrator and report it. I've been told that the County will not do the corrections until April 2010. That is unacceptable, in my opinion. If you feel the same, please voice your concern!
You will need at least a broadband Internet connection to access this site and enough memory to download the GIS map viewing software to access the maps of your farm. The area public libraries may have their accessible computers set up to go to the GIS Map site. If not, ask if they will set it up for citizens who have no other option to access the maps.
It is worthwhile to take a close look at your farm's map. It never crosssed my mind that there could be serious mistakes on those maps, and I know I'm not alone in this. However, I found that the map of my farm showed half my barns and one pond on someone else's parcel! This, despite the fact that we filed an accurate survey of our property in the Clerk of the Court's Office in 1997!
Every parcel which is not properly mapped has parcels surrounding it which are affected. Each parcel affected has other parcels around it which are affected, and so on...
The GIS Mapping Project in Botetourt County is ten years old. There was plenty of time to check and correct incorrect maps. Historically recent surveys should be properly represented, at the very least. It is reasonable to expect that land without surveys may have errors in mapping, but I do not accept that there is any excuse for ignoring surveyed land within the county.
There is a "disclaimer" on the GIS site which seeks to create a legal protection for damages caused by incorrect mapping. I do not understand the purpose of accepting serious errors in this mapping. There's not much point in placing incorrect maps on the official County website.
If you find an error, call the County Administrator and report it. I've been told that the County will not do the corrections until April 2010. That is unacceptable, in my opinion. If you feel the same, please voice your concern!
Free Webinar: DIY Biodiesel: Keeping It Safe, Keeping It Legal
You're invited to a free webinar on
DIY Biodiesel: Keeping It Safe, Keeping It Legal!
This FREE webinar is the second in a series on farm-scale biodiesel production.
DIY Biodiesel: Keeping It Safe, Keeping It Legal will help the novice biodiesel producer on the right track to establishing safe and legal production practices. It will cover safety practices including:
There will also be time to ask and get answers to your questions.
The webinar will feature a presentation by NCAT energy specialist and biodiesel homebrewer Rich Dana, along with special guest expert Steve Fugate. Dana is an energy specialist in NCAT's Midwest office. He is an avid biodiesel home brewer, producing more than 400 gallons a year for use as a farm and heating fuel. In the past he has operated a community biodiesel pilot project in Grinnell, Iowa, and served as president of the Iowa Renewable Energy Association and legislative liaison for the Iowa Farmers Union. Fugate is the founder of the Yoderville Biodiesel Collective in Kalona, Iowa, and the biodiesel project leader for the Iowa DNR's Trails Crew.
This free webinar will be held Thursday, January 28th at 11 a.m. MST. Please register in advance at www.attra.ncat.org/webinars2010/biodiesel2.
On the day of the presentation, please log on to the webinar Web site 10 minutes early to allow the required software to download. You can then listen to the webinar through your computer's speakers and see the presentation slides on your computer screen. You may also listen to the webinar by calling a phone number provided after you register online.
TITLE: DIY Biodiesel: Keeping It Safe, Keeping It Legal
WHEN: Thursday, January 28th, 11 a.m. MST
WHERE: www.attra.ncat.org/webinars2010/biodiesel2
Please join us on January 28th for this informative webinar.
- personal safety
- workspace safety
- materials handling and regulations
- waste stream handling
- methanol; and
- compatibility with equipment and environmental safety and regulations
On the day of the presentation, please log on to the webinar Web site 10 minutes early to allow the required software to download. You can then listen to the webinar through your computer's speakers and see the presentation slides on your computer screen. You may also listen to the webinar by calling a phone number provided after you register online.
TITLE: DIY Biodiesel: Keeping It Safe, Keeping It Legal
Friday, January 1, 2010
17th Annual OGS Spring Conference
Early Bird registration for the 17th Annual OGS Spring Conference is now open!
Join over 1300 farmers, gardeners, activists, and consumers March 6 & 7, 2010 at the University of North Carolina at Asheville (UNCA) for the southeast's largest sustainable living conference. If you register before February 12th at 5pm, just $40 per day buys you a general registration, and access to over 60 classes! The 6th annual Childrens Program is for kids aged 7-12, and costs $30 per day. Additional hands on workshops and cooking classes are $5 each. REGISTER NOW!!!! See you there, green thumb.
More information about this event can be found at www.organicgrowersschool.org
Join over 1300 farmers, gardeners, activists, and consumers March 6 & 7, 2010 at the University of North Carolina at Asheville (UNCA) for the southeast's largest sustainable living conference. If you register before February 12th at 5pm, just $40 per day buys you a general registration, and access to over 60 classes! The 6th annual Childrens Program is for kids aged 7-12, and costs $30 per day. Additional hands on workshops and cooking classes are $5 each. REGISTER NOW!!!! See you there, green thumb.
More information about this event can be found at www.organicgrowersschool.org
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Botetourt County Recycling
Where to Recycle Paper, Plastic, and Tin Cans in Botetourt County:
Convenience Center: 259 Landfill Road
Breckinridge Elementary 331 Springwood Rd., Fincastle
Buchanan Elementary 255 Schoolhouse Rd., Buchanan
Cloverdale Elementary 833 Cougar Drive, Cloverdale
Colonial Elementary 2941 Webster Road, Blue Ridge
Eagle Rock Elementary 145 Eagles Nest Drive, Eagle Rock
Lord Botetourt High School Tinkermill Rd., off of Rt. 220, Daleville
Troutville Elementary 12 Barron Drive, Troutville
Tel: (540) 992-5111
Botetourt County, Virginia
Electronic Waste Collection Day in Botetourt County
Clean air, clean water, preserved woodlands …….
One person makes a difference by doing their part to recycle. When combined with the recycling efforts of many, we actively protect our environment for future generations and for its natural
inhabitants – our wildlife!
Please contact Botetourt County’s Division of Solid Waste if you have questions:
259 Landfill Road Troutville, Va 24175
Tel: (540) 992-5111
Fax: (540) 992-8340
Saturday, December 12th
12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Solid Waste Convenience Center 259 Landfill Road, Troutville
http://www.botetourt.org/
You CAN make a difference!
HOUSEHOLD ELECTRONIC RECYCLING
E-Waste also contains valuable materials such as gold,silver, copper, and plastic, so it makes good sense to recover these materials instead of throwing them away.
According to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), consumers were expected to purchase 500 million units of consumer electronics in 2008.
U.S. households spend about $1,407 each year on hardware.
In comparison with many home appliances, life cycle energy use of a computer is dominated by production (81%) as opposed to operation (19%).
No commercial waste or commercial electronic items will be allowed at this event.
Please contact Botetourt County’s Division of Solid Waste if you have any questions.
259 Landfill Road
Troutville, VA 24175
Tel: (540) 992-5111
Fax: (540) 992-8340
Please limit your items to 75 pounds per piece for easier unloading, and remove all personal information from your PC and other data-collecting devices.
E-Waste Interesting Facts
• Americans own nearly three billion electronic products.
• Studies estimate that as much as 75% of old, used equipment is in storage, where it takes up space and becomes more obsolete and less valuable.
• Many people discard computers every three years.
• The average cell phone in the U.S. is replaced after just 18 months of use.
• Computer or television displays (CRTs) contain an average of six pounds of lead each.
Why should you recycle electronic devices instead of just throwing them away?
• It helps to preserve our natural resources.
• It keeps toxins, such as mercury and lead, out of the landfill.
• Recycling e-waste is the socially responsible thing to do!
Botetourt County is sponsoring a Household Electronic Waste Collection Day!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Solid Waste Convenience Center
Items that will be accepted from Botetourt County residents are:
Computers and monitors
Hard drives
Modems
Circuit boards
Sealed batteries (dry cell ONLY)
Transformers (without oil or
liquids)
Fax machines
Table-top copiers, printers, and
scanners
Cell phones
Stereo equipment
All associated peripherals
Wire / cable
Power backups
DVD players and VCR’s
MP3’s and DVR’s
Telephone equipment
Convenience Center: 259 Landfill Road
Breckinridge Elementary 331 Springwood Rd., Fincastle
Buchanan Elementary 255 Schoolhouse Rd., Buchanan
Cloverdale Elementary 833 Cougar Drive, Cloverdale
Colonial Elementary 2941 Webster Road, Blue Ridge
Eagle Rock Elementary 145 Eagles Nest Drive, Eagle Rock
Lord Botetourt High School Tinkermill Rd., off of Rt. 220, Daleville
Troutville Elementary 12 Barron Drive, Troutville
Tel: (540) 992-5111
Botetourt County, Virginia
Electronic Waste Collection Day in Botetourt County
Clean air, clean water, preserved woodlands …….
One person makes a difference by doing their part to recycle. When combined with the recycling efforts of many, we actively protect our environment for future generations and for its natural
inhabitants – our wildlife!
Please contact Botetourt County’s Division of Solid Waste if you have questions:
259 Landfill Road Troutville, Va 24175
Tel: (540) 992-5111
Fax: (540) 992-8340
Saturday, December 12th
12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Solid Waste Convenience Center 259 Landfill Road, Troutville
http://www.botetourt.org/
You CAN make a difference!
HOUSEHOLD ELECTRONIC RECYCLING
E-Waste also contains valuable materials such as gold,silver, copper, and plastic, so it makes good sense to recover these materials instead of throwing them away.
According to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), consumers were expected to purchase 500 million units of consumer electronics in 2008.
U.S. households spend about $1,407 each year on hardware.
In comparison with many home appliances, life cycle energy use of a computer is dominated by production (81%) as opposed to operation (19%).
No commercial waste or commercial electronic items will be allowed at this event.
Please contact Botetourt County’s Division of Solid Waste if you have any questions.
259 Landfill Road
Troutville, VA 24175
Tel: (540) 992-5111
Fax: (540) 992-8340
Please limit your items to 75 pounds per piece for easier unloading, and remove all personal information from your PC and other data-collecting devices.
E-Waste Interesting Facts
• Americans own nearly three billion electronic products.
• Studies estimate that as much as 75% of old, used equipment is in storage, where it takes up space and becomes more obsolete and less valuable.
• Many people discard computers every three years.
• The average cell phone in the U.S. is replaced after just 18 months of use.
• Computer or television displays (CRTs) contain an average of six pounds of lead each.
Why should you recycle electronic devices instead of just throwing them away?
• It helps to preserve our natural resources.
• It keeps toxins, such as mercury and lead, out of the landfill.
• Recycling e-waste is the socially responsible thing to do!
Botetourt County is sponsoring a Household Electronic Waste Collection Day!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Solid Waste Convenience Center
Items that will be accepted from Botetourt County residents are:
Computers and monitors
Hard drives
Modems
Circuit boards
Sealed batteries (dry cell ONLY)
Transformers (without oil or
liquids)
Fax machines
Table-top copiers, printers, and
scanners
Cell phones
Stereo equipment
All associated peripherals
Wire / cable
Power backups
DVD players and VCR’s
MP3’s and DVR’s
Telephone equipment
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