A composting we will go. . .

Many ask what we do during the winter, and yes, we slow down a bit but we stay busy. One of our big tasks this winter is collecting food waste from our local Whole Foods Market to take back to the farm and add to our growing compost pile. By growing our compost pile, we in turn grow our access to natural fertility. When the pile breaks down and is ready for application we will apply it to our fields, and thus add N-P-K and organic material to our soil. In the end, it should help make even more beautiful vegetables!

Here's us with a big load of food waste headed to load up the truck.

Solar House Photos

Photo of UMD solar house donated to Red Wiggler after the 2005 Solar Decathlon. Yesterday (01/23/08) The 51 panel array was hooked up for the first time since October 2005. We are using the original Outback inverter with a gel battery back of 4 for now. We hope to be "grid tied" by Easter pending final approvals and construction time. We are grateful to the University of Maryland Solar Team/s for there assistance in reestablishing this home here at Ovid Hazen Wells Park.

The porch light is ON !!!

Thanks to Master Electrician John Cartagirone for bringing the solar array on line! Shown here with the original inverter located in the small basement.

12/20/07 day after "house moving day"

The house sliding onto the foundation.
The steel beams are "greased" with conventional bar soap that Mr. Matiko (Expert House) buys on sale at the Dollar Store. The process was a pure lesson in practical physics.
Mr. Matiko - House Mover
We are especially grateful to Expert House Movers for a dramatically reduced "house move" rate. Thanks to the Matiko family and their workers.

Jay from Parks Development, Rob Murray and Dick Magnani Engineers ensuring a house perfect landing. Thanks to all three of you for your attention to details!

Andrews and Sons Excavators put the road up to the solar house in and built the foundation. They will also be installing the septic systems in January and February. They were on hand for the "house move" to do whatever needed doing. Honestly the entire work day sun up to beyond sundown there was a whole lot of that "hury up and wait" thing that happens when everything needs to be just right. Thanks to these guys for their work.

Hannah Robinson, Rob Murray and Dick Magnani - 05 UMD Solar Team members

Kaye Brubaker (center) from the UMD engineering department and 2005 Solar Team faculty advisory was on hand to watch the house move.


Red Wiggler Project Manager Dave Furman - basement man! 10/07

The house was moved onto the permanent foundation on 12/19/07. Thanks to the Park Inspector (Jay) for invaluable assistance. Thanks again and again to UMD Solar House team members for their continued commitment to the 2005 Solar Decathlon house.

Debra and Woody and the Red Wiggler Community Farm 12/19/07
Thanks to all who have helped bring the 2005 UMD Solar House
to Ovid Hazen Wells Park. posted 01/24/08

2008 CSA Sold Out

There were 10 cars lined up in from of the driveway when we arrived at 9am on opening day for new CSA customers- and we were sold out by noon. We are examining how we can thoughtfully grow to meet this demand in a scale that is appropriate to our mission activities. We will keep you informed by updating our CSA web page this coming fall.

Thanks to our 2008 CSA members and thanks to all who were unable to secure a "share" with Red Wiggler for the upcoming growing season. For info on other CSA's in our area we suggest www.localharvest.org

Eagle Sighting !

We saw a Bald Eagle today! It was hanging out near our wetlands behind the office. We went to investigate the spot and found a deer carcass. This picture is us standing out in the wetlands.

2008 CSA options

Next Tuesday (the day after MLK day) we will open up our 2008 CSA to the general public. As of now, we only have 4 spots of Regular Wednesday CSA and 17 spots (9 B-weeks; 8 A-weeks) of Alternate Week Wednesday CSA shares available. There are NO Saturday shares available. The spots are filled first come, first serve with the receipt of the $50 membership and commitment form in our hand. Please visit our website, www.redwiggler.org for more information about us and follow the CSA tab at the top for more information about the CSA. The CSA page of our website is where you will find the commitment form on Tuesday. Please print it out and deliver it to us with the $50 membership fee.

-adrienne