Plant Selection Activity

1. Get out a piece of paper and something to write with.
2. Look at the list of plants provided to you.
3. Write down the name of one of the plants (just select at random).
4. Find online where to buy the seed to these plants and write down the website name. 
5. Write down the number of seeds and the cost on that website.
6. Repeat this process with 9-14 more plants.


The four websites below are the ones I think would be the most beneficial in your search.

Native American Herbs and Plants

Plants of the Southwest

Bedding Plants of the Southwest

Xeriscape Plants of the Southwest

Here is a list of 188 edible plants we could use:

Amaranth, Joseph’s Coat (Amaranthus Tricolor)

Anaheim ‘M’

Anasazi Bean

Ancho (Poblano)

Anise

Apaloosa Bean

Armenian Cucumber

Arugula

Ashworth Sweet Corn

Asparagus

Aztec Dwarf White Bean

Aztec Scarlet Runner

Bachelor Button

Bee Balms

Big Jim

Big Max Pumpkin

Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce

Black Valentine Benas

Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach

Bolita Bean

Borage

Bread Seed Poppy

Broccoli Raab: Sorrento

Bronze Fennel

Bulgarian Carrot

Burgundy Amaranth

California Wonder Bell Pepper

Carrots

Cassava (Spanish Melon)

Catnip (Nepta)

Cayenne

Centennial

Chamomile

Chantenay Red Core Carrot

Chia

Chiltepin (Tepin)

Chimayo

Chinese Jujube

Chives

Chives

Chives

Chrysanthemum (only Coronarium)

Cilantro

Citrus

Citrus Hedge

Cochiti

Colorfuul lettuces

Cornflower

Cota, Navajo Tea

Cretan Oregano

Curly Parsley

Curry Plant

Dark Green Zucchini

Dark Opal Purple Basil

Day Lily (Hemerocallis)

DeArbol

Delicata Squash

Dianthus (Pinks, Sweet William, Carnation)

Dianthus (pinks)

Dill

Dwarf Blue Curled Leaf Kale

Earl Wonder Tall Crop Beet

Eastern Redbud (“Forest PansyJ tree with edible flowers

Eggplant

Elephant Garlic

Epazote

Espanola Improved

Feijoa (Pineapple Guava)

Fennel

Flat Leaf garlic cives

Flowering Kale

Galic

Genovese Basil

Golden Bantam Sweet Corn

Golden Grain – Love-Lies-Bleeding

Golden Grain Amaranth

Golden Midget Sweet Corn

Guajillo

Habanero

Hibiscus

Honeysuckle

Hopi Red Lima Bean

Hot Cherry Pepper

Hyssop (Agastache)

Impatiens

Indian popcorn

Italian Green Sprouting Broccoli

Italian Large Leaf Basil

Jalapeno

Jasmine (sambaca)

Johnny Jump-Up

Lady Finger Carrot

Lavender

Lavender edge

Lemon Grass

Lemon Mint

Lemon Scented Basil

Mallow Malva

Mammoth Sunflower

Marigold (Tagetes)

Marjoram

Millet (purple majesty0
Purple Sage

Mints

Mirasol

Mulatto

Munstead Lavender

Myrtle edge

Nasturtium

Nasturtium

Natal Plum (Carissa Macaocarpa)

Navajo Blue

New Mexico #5

New Mexico R. Naky

NuMex Eclipse

NuMex Sunrise

NuMex Sunset

Oakleaf Lettuce

Olive

Onions

Orach

Oregano

Oregano

Ornamental cabbages

Ornamental Kales

Pansy

Pasilla

Peter Pepper

Pimento

Pinto Bean

Piquin

Polianthes Tuberose

Pomegranate

Portulaca

Posole Dry Corn

Purple Husk

Purple Pod- Pole Variety

Quinoa, “Mother Grain”

Rattlesnake Pole

Red Acre Cabbage

Red Rubin Basil

Rose

Rosemary

Rosemary

Royal Burgandy Bush Beans

Ruby Chard

Sage, Andean Silver leaf

Sage, Golden

Sages

Sainfoin

Sandia Hot

Santa Fe Grande

Savory

Scented Geraniums

Serrano

Slenderette

Snow Flake Peas

Snowball Cauliflower

Society Garlic, Variegated

Sonoran Tepary Bean

Sonoran Wheat

Spanish Thyme

Spiderwort

Strawberry

Strawberry Popcorn

Sugar Peas

Sugarbaby Melon

Super Sugarsnap Keys

Sweet Bay

Sweet Italian Basic

Swiss chard

Tabasco Pepper

Tangerine Scented marigold

Thai Pepper

Tomatillo

Touchon Carrot

Tricolor Sage

Tulips

Twilight

Vallero

Vanilla Grass

Variegated African Blue Basil

Variegated Scented Geraniums

Viola

Wakefield Early Cabbage

Wando Peas

Winter Keeper Beat

Winter Queen Melon

Zuni Gold Bean

LEED Cafeteria Re-View Project

INFORMATION
US Green Building Council: What LEED is
LEED Rating Systems
Details about New Construction and Major Renovations
LEED for Schools
Everblue Training Institute- Building Earth's Sustainable Workforce
Green Technology Magazine- Green Schools Groundswell

DESIGN FIRMS
Architecture for Humanity
Open Architecture Network
GreenWorks: Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design
Carson Studio- Sustainable Architecture by Design
DPR Construction- Existing to Build Great Things
KieranTimberlake Associates - Look at left of screen. Click "Research" then "Project List"
GreenShape LLC
Architectural Lighting- Educational Facilities Blog
Natural Systems International- Scroll down for examples of their sustainable work.

EXAMPLES
Kroon Hall at Yale University

Learning Gate Community School- Earned LEED Certification, Solar Panels!

da Vinci Middle School

Sacred Heart Schools- Additional Details, More details!
Sidwell Friends- (Where the Obamas go) LEED Certified
Text Example of High-Altitude LEED Building

METHODS
Virtual Construction

ADVOCATES $$$$$$$$
Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation
Collaborative for High-Performance Schools (CA)
National School Board Association
Associated General Contractors of America- K-12 Career Development
Associated Contractors of New Mexico

Harrison Middle School Albuquerque

Garden Design & Grant Writing

There are many things we must consider when designing and financing the beta phase of our project. When deciding which plants to use, please keep in mind we are in USDA zone 6b: 

edible gardening

Sol Feliz Farm

Plant recommendations for Zones 6-8

Edible Desert Plants

Edible Landscaping in the Desert

The Kitchen Garden
Woolly School Garden
http://www.ediblelandscaping.com/

Edible Landscape Gardening Resource

Akami Backyard Gardening (Permaculture)

permaculture

Sol Feliz Farm

Permaculture NM

Permaculture Reflection

Dryland Permaculture Strategies (video won't work at school)

How to Terraform the Desert (videos won't work at school)

Permaculture Research Institute

Julie Firth- Permaculture Designer

Permaculture Drylands Magazine

companion gardening

companion planting

Seeds of Change

No-Dig Vegetable Garden

The Gardener's Network

Organic Gardening

grant writing

How to write a grant proposal
US Government Community Grants

Grant Proposal Writing Guidelines

EHow Grant Proposals

http://www.epa.gov/epahome/grants.htm - Environ. Protection Agency - GRANT DUE Dec 15.

http://eelink.net/pages/Grants+-+General+Information- N. American Assoc. for Environ. Ed.

http://dir.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Environment_and_Nature/Organizations/Grant_Making_Foundations/ - A Yahoo listing of Environmental Grant-making organizations

http://www.topenvironmentgrants.com/ - top environmental grants online

http://www.ega.org/ - Environmental Grantmakers Association

http://www.pnm.com/foundation/home.htm - PNM Grants

http://www.fundsnetservices.com/searchresult.php?sbcat_id=70NM Foundations and Grants

http://www.captainplanetfdn.org/grants.html - Captain Planet Grants

http://www.nmrecycle.org/ New Mexico Recycling Coalition

http://knmb.org/index.php?/grants/how-to-apply/ Keep NM Beautiful Inc.

http://www.cabq.gov/solidwaste/recycling/recycle Albuquerque Recycling Program

http://albuquerque.krqe.com/environmental-organizations/albuquerque/nm Albuq. Environ. Orgs

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/mar2009/2009-03-24-092.aspEnviron. News Service

other terms to look up:

water harvesting + techniques/strategies/methods

organic gardening + techniques/strategies/methods

symbiotic gardening + techniques/strategies/methods
Edible Landscaping Online

Green messaging at the school.

One of the things we must do is convince the student population to get their families involved in our quest for a better community. Not only must we get their attention in 1.5 seconds or less, but we must also get the viewer of the message to commit to remembering what it is we want them to burn to memory. Here are some images we created in this quest. The messages will be added digitally later, after we examine propaganda/advertising techniques used by transnational corporations.

Harrison Middle School Albuquerque

Why we're doing this.

We, the learners at Harrison Middle School in Mr. Simms' Caravanserai were asked a question today about our missons: Why do we need to do this?

※ Our food at lunch and breakfast is usually horrible.

※ We want to fix the South Valley’s and Harrison’s reputation; it is inaccurate. Great things are happening here and it is a safe place to learn.

※ Because of the recent haze surrounding Rio Grande High School, we’d like to show the South Valley can do great things.

※ Improve the health and well-being of our entire student population.

※ We want to be able to provide food for our entire community.

※ We want people to realize that our community can be better and we believe we can do that through a group of people working together towards a common purpose. We also think that we, the youth, have a better chance of getting it done due to a variety of reasons.
Harrison Middle School Albuquerque

Links & Other Info

We are continuing getting information for our phone banking, asking for information and for resources. See the assignment from last post for more instructions. Here are some links that may help you on your way.
http://www.laplazitainstitute.org/
http://tierramadreschool.org/
http://www.bernco.gov/live/standalone.asp?dept_id=3946&link_id=189179


GO NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE FOR MANY NUMBERS TO CONTACT:
http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/biodynamic.html


BioDynamic Agriculture Information

• Erda Gardens and Learning Center - Community Supported Agriculture. (Albuquerque)

 • Los Poblanos Organics - Organic Produce in Albuquerque New Mexico. (Albuquerque)

 • Santa Cruz Farm and Greenhouses - Community Supported Agriculture. (Espanola)

 • Beneficial Farm CSA - Biodynamic CSA farm offering plentiful amount of vegetables. (Santa Fe)

 • Flying H Ranch - New Mexico Heritage Hogs - Heritage Pork - The Ultimate Slow Food. (Rowe)

 • Agri-Tourism Advisory Council - ATAC'
 • Los Pobalnos Grower's Collective
 • Article: Taking Root in Albuquerque
• Good Farmers Service Consulting

Harrison Middle School Albuquerque

Mission Statement and Manifesto 15 & 16

Wow...

"We are going to do this by..."

The basic mission we have set for ourselves is a big one, but far from impossible. In fact, it is because it is a big dream that I believe it is possible. This is when we decide to run towards this dream; this is a place we begin to make informed decisions. This means we have to do research.

Our first step requires we look for others who are trying to do similar things- especially those people who have created institutions (groups of people working together towards a common goal). If they've been doing it for a while, they have an epistemology (knowledge+knowing) that would help us on our voyage. Since the school's budget is...mmm...lower than we would like, they will need to come to us. We need to collect the phone numbers, emails, and addresses of these institutions so we can contact them later. Here is how you search:

Below, I provide you a list of search terms, separated by commas. Each of these terms should bring you information that would be helpful in our pursuit of a more sustainable, earth-friendly future. The best way to search is to hit "Ctrl+t" on your keyboard to create a new tab. Then you can go back and forth between a search engine and this blog. Add the words "Albuquerque" or "New Mexico" to see if there are any local institutions that support this work. 
WRITE THE ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, WEBSITE, AND EMAIL INFORMATION FOR EACH OF THESE COMPANIES ON YOUR OWN SHEET OF PAPER. 
Start at the end, or the beginning, or the middle...it does not matter. Just start! GO!!!!!

PETA, CAFOs, Permaculture , Industrial farming, Mesilla Valley, Organic Gardening, Sustainable Gardening, Water Harvesting, Desert Gardening, Cooperatives, Organic Farming, Greenhouses, Urban Gardening, Radical Gardening, Guerilla Gardening, Farmer's Markets, Seed Bombs, South Central Farmers, La Montanita Co-op


EXAMPLE
Jimmy Joe Bob's Organics
1234 Jackrabbit LN
Albuquerque, NM 12345
505-555-1234
catstevensisgod@yahoo.com

Harrison Middle School Albuquerque

In order to create a new...

Okay class, pipe down and open your books to page 47 and begin to read...

...or perhaps not.

Today, in the Caravanserai, both Yellow and Green Team discussed the interconnectedness of large institutions and how they work together to keep things moving for, you guessed it, those same institutions. We also discussed the Federal lunch program and how little it provides per student per day for food. After all we have learned, each class began its manifesto, er...mission statement:

YELLOW: We want to improve the overall health of our community. While we acknowledge we cannot change the industrial food system, we will still work to influence its practices while also developing our own system(s) of food production. We are going to do this by...

GREEN: We group up together to create a new system, one which rejects the way large corporations look at all life on our planet. We must start from scratch, and build a system that acknowledges where our food comes from, that introduces a new epistemology- one based in human life, thinking seven generations down the road. We are going to do this by...

Now...we can change these at any time, add, or subtract. What is important, is that the core message in both is that we can work to change society as a whole, while at the same time creating a culture that goes beyond what society thinks is possible.

My Opinion: I believe each person, no matter where they are or what they are doing, is shaping our society. How one sweeps a broom or trades a stock has vast implications unto the lives of all other living things on this planet. In other words, we have been told that history and culture were created by someone else. I am saying that we are capable of creating our own history and defining our own culture. We are agents of change if we wish to be. We can become the change we've been waiting to see. What better place than here? What better time than now?

Harrison Gardens Before & After

FYI - SEED BOMBS!

http://www.guerrillagardening.org/

Cool site on recapturing "empty" spaces for use as gardens.

Harrison Middle School Albuquerque

Assignment for March 3-4, 2010

mr_simms_school@yahoo.com

What edible plants can be grown in the Middle Rio Grande Valley?

What kinds of soil are best for these plants?

What materials will we need for this project?

How much will they cost?

Where should we get them?

Where will we get the money for this?

How will we organize this?

What field trips would we like to go on?

How will we do this?

Irrigation and Drainage Assignment

!!! IRRIGATION !!!

For numbers 1-18 answer the following questions:

A. What are the advantages to this system of irrigation?

B. What are the disadvantages to this system of irrigation?

C. What labor is necessary to sustain this system?

D. What materials are necessary to sustain this system?

E. What materials are necessary to build this system?

F. What effect does this system have on the environment in the short term?

G. What effect does this system have on the environment in the long term?

H. What similarities/differences exist to our own climate and soil conditions here at HMS?

I. What is your opinion: will this irrigation system work for us at HMS?

1. Qanats - Syria

2. Center Pivot

3. Khettara - Morocco

4. Terrace Irrigation

5. Karez - Turpan, China

6. Hohokam- Southern Arizona

7. Solar Irrigation A B C

8. Furrow Irrigation

9. Machu Picchu - Inca (Peru)

10. Overhead Irrigation

11. Chultuns - Maya

12. Roman Systems - South Turkey

13. Sub-surface Irrigation

14. Water and Wastewater in Rome - Italy

15. Ancient Concrete - Roman

16. Drip Irrigation

17. Lawn Sprinklers

18. Raised Bed Irrigation - Tiwanaku, Bolivia

!!! DRAINAGE !!!

For numbers 19-33 answer the following questions:

A. What are the advantages to this system of drainage?

B. What are the disadvantages to this system of drainage?

C. What labor is necessary to sustain this system?

D. What materials are necessary to sustain this system?

E. What materials are necessary to build this system?

F. What effect does this system have on the local environment in the short term?

G. What effect does this system have on the local environment in the long term?

H. What effect does this system have on the overall environment in the short term?

I. What effect does this system have on the overall environment in the long term?

J. What is your opinion: will this drainage system work for us at HMS?

19. Filter Drain

20. Collector Drain

21. Intercept Drain

22. French Drain

23. Fin Drain

24. Linear Drainage Systems

25. Soakaway

26. Land Drainage

27. Gullies, Gratings, and Grids

28. Permeable Paving

29. Detention Basin or dry pond

30. Cisterns

31. Rainwater Harvesting

32. Sustainable Urban Drainage System

33. Working With Clay Soil

Example of Growing Power!

Actual Example: http://growingpower.org/

Videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k39D2myzRFQ

Urban Gardening in the Desert: http://www.yourguidetogreen.com/TheUrbanFarm/

Overview story about a vision similar to our own: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/10/5/212446/517