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<title>How to Build a Home Video Studio for under $350: A Step by Step Guide</title>
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<pubDate>Sat, 29 Jul 2023 15:20:14 +0000</pubDate>
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<description><![CDATA[I discovered the need for a private video studio so I built one in a small room I had in my apartment this summer. I also wanted to document the step-by-step process I took to accomplish this for under $350 (minus the camera, tripod, and mic — I already had those on hand).
The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://stuffs.cool/how-to-build-a-home-video-studio-for-under-350-a-step-by-step-guide/">How to Build a Home Video Studio for under $350: A Step by Step Guide</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://stuffs.cool">Stuff's COOL</a>.
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When I first got into vlogging and started uploading videos to YouTube, it didn’t take me long to find out how bad the lighting was in most places and how noisy the world was! Rooms were too dark, the outdoors were too bright, AC units were noisy, and people can’t help but yell while you’re recording for some reason.
This wasn’t a huge problem if I was walking and talking to the camera or filming b-roll, but it was always a struggle to find a good place to record the quiet steady shots of a single person simply talking to the camera.
That’s when I discovered the need for a private video studio so I built one in a small room I had in my apartment this summer. I also wanted to document the step-by-step process I took to accomplish this for under $350 (minus the camera, tripod, and mic — I already had those on hand).
Here are the ten steps to building your DIY home video studio:
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Plan Your Content</h2>
Before you get started with any of the other steps, it’s important to understand the future of this studio and that’s done with a content plan. If you already understand what kind of content you will be creating than skip this step.
The kind of content you create will drastically inform the type of studio you need. So, here is a list of questions to consider before you get started:
<ul>
<li>What are all the possible videos you might want to shoot in this space?</li>
<li>What time of day and how often do you plan on using this studio?</li>
<li>Who might you invite into this studio?</li>
<li>What camera angles will you need?</li>
<li>How much space will you need for this studio?</li>
<li>Who else may want to use this studio?</li>
</ul>
Different types of content will also inform the overall look and feel of the studio from the lighting, backdrop, and decor you pick out. And, while there isn’t a formula, most video content will fit within four major categories.
The Four N’s (ish) of Content:
<ol>
<li>Inspire: These are videos meant to motivate, uplift, and arouse the viewers needs to do more, be more, and expect more. Videos in this category generally include inspirational stories (real or fictional), acts of heroism, rousing speeches, religious sermons, or recordings of people doing the impossible.</li>
<li>Inform: Not all stories are inspirational, but we still like to hear them. Informative videos are often seen in news broadcasts and other journalistic endeavors. Documentaries videos also belong in this category.</li>
<li>Empower: To empower your viewers to educate them. To show, explain, or teach them how to do something, think differently, or accomplish something they could not do before. Videos that fit into this are lectures, how-tos, demonstrations, and expert interviews.</li>
<li>Entertain: This is the broadest category and the most difficult. These videos are meant to amuse and are for the viewer’s pure enjoyment and fun. Videos in this category are movies, most TV series, comedy skits, music videos, most vlogs, and many many more.</li>
</ol>
Naturally, these four categories can overlap but which categories do you think you will need the studio to help you make videos for?
As an example, I am sticking primarily to using my studio to inform and empower (educate). I just needed a quiet well list space that looked nice to teach others a wide variety of topics. That decision informed my more neutral backdrop and decore, and focused on just me and a laptop where I often have a keynote slide to cut to.
Think through all the types of content you will want to make to inform the rest of the decisions in the following nine steps.<a></a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Pick a Location</h2>
For most people, like myself, you may have already selected the one empty room you have to make a home video studio in. There are other options, however, that you might want to consider.
Different types of content will require different locations. Creating a food channel will likely require a studio in your kitchen while an auto mechanic will need to figure out how to build a studio in his garage. While those are some obvious situations, not all content will easily inform where you should record.
Before you select that empty room, consider the connotations of the other rooms of your home. You might want to figure out how to build a studio around them rather than build a studio from scratch.
<ul>
<li>Livingroom: This room is personable. Its where you host friends and family to talk about what’s going on in your life and theirs. If you want your content to feel more personable or your content revolves around your life, family, or you just want it to feel more authentic, this may be a good room for your studio. For an example of this, check out <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzAErq53yZk&t">Johnny</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApTFDOf-ZMo">Iz</a> Harris’ channels.</li>
<li>Kitchen: Beyond cooking, the kitchen can be about hosting, dinner parties, and entertaining. If you are making content about any of those topics the kitchen could work. It could also work as a lab for science experiments, remodeling how-tos, home management, etiquette, cleaning, organizing how-tos, and unboxing videos (especially if they are focused on home goods). If you think about it, a lot of life happens in a kitchen.</li>
<li>Bedroom: No location is more intimate than in your bedroom. If your content is related to bedroom related activities, then it works. It might still work though if you are sharing very personal/vulnerable stories and want to leave your viewers like you are sharing it all. The bedroom can also be seen as youthful since so many teen vloggers only have their bedrooms to vlog in.</li>
<li>Garage: This is the natural location for mechanics and craftsmen (woodworking, welding, etc) since this where their work happens. It’s also a great place for content that is more masculine, aggressive, or unrefined.</li>
<li>Home office: If your content is more professional, career-oriented, or related to corporate America, the home office may be your best bet.</li>
<li>Closet: This is an unlikely place, but it’s where I built mine so it’s worth mentioning. My back closet would have been defined as a small room if it had a window, however.</li>
<li>Attic: I have to admit that I have not seen any videos shot in an attic. I could see a set design there that cover history, nostalgia, or anything related to the past or finding hidden treasures.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Paint the Walls</h2>
After you select a location, you may want to paint the walls. This is especially true if you want to use the room fully for media. So, here are a few use cases for different colors depending on if the location is used for multiple purposes or if it will become a dedicated studio.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wall Colors for Dedicated Studio</h3>
Most videography or photography studios stick to white, black, or some shade of grey in between. When you may use a studio for a wide variety of content, you want neutral surroundings to keep unwanted colors from reflecting on your subject or background.
Here are some of the advantages of each of these colors:
<ul>
<li>White: White is the most popular for studios as it allows the most light to bounce around the studio, making it easier to light your subject and background. White is also a popular interior color at the moment.</li>
<li>Black: Black is popular for the exact opposite of white. It minimizes the amount of light that bounces off the walls onto your set so that you have full control of what is lit and what is not. I personally went with a flat black for my walls and backdrop, because I liked the “studio look” that a dark room provides.</li>
<li>Grey: Many opt for some shade of grey to get some of the advantages of black and white. It’s said that 20% black (see image below) is the most neutral of all colors, so many video editors use this color to get the most accurate view of the colors on their monitor.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wall Colors for Flexible Studios</h3>
For many, a home video studio is the secondary purpose of already functional space. It’s your living room, kitchen, bedroom, garage, etc. You may decide to change the whole decor of that room to fit a more studio aesthetic, but you don’t have to.
The existing colors and decor may already work. Ask yourself: Does it match your brand? Do the wall colors reflect who you are and what your content is about?
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Select a Backdrop</h2>
Getting to your backdrop is the fun part and it may or may not have much to do with the wall colors you selected. If you are new to this, you may be asking then…
What is a video backdrop? A video backdrop is what is behind the main subject of your photo or video. Backdrops can range from pure black/white backgrounds to focus on the subject to elaborate sets to compliment the subject.
There are hundreds of options for backdrops, but I will focus on a few popular ones here.
<ul>
<li>Infinity Backdrop: These are either well lit white backgrounds or dark black backgrounds that give the appearance of having no backdrop. They give the feeling that the background goes on into infinity. In more elaborate studios they sometimes have whole curved walls called infinity walls to give the illusion that a whole set goes on forever.</li>
<li>Single Color Backdrop: This can be achieved by a paper roll or a painted wall and can be lit in different manors to create different gradients to add some more visual interest. Color is used in these backdrops to give a little more personality to your video background.</li>
<li>Minimalist Set: Some colors have been chosen for background and a background object or two have been brought in to give some context to the video or add visual interest. It may be as simple as a bookshelf and a painting or just a bookshelf with a few well-chosen knick nacks. In my studio I use a simple black wall with two pendant lights I bought from IKEA.</li>
<li>Functional Set: This is a functional room that is intentionally decorated for functional living and video recording. It’s a compromise of the two worlds. This is the most popular choice for YouTubers who vlog from home.</li>
<li>Studio Set Design: This is a dedicated studio with a set designed fully from scratch and requires it’s own heading below to go into detail.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Design a Set</h2>
If you want to move beyond a simple backdrop or functional set, you can go all out and decorate your own set solely for your videos. Many of you may want to skip this step if you found something suitable.
To build a set, it helps to break down the set into two sections: The foreground and the background. Designing the set in two dimensions gives it some depth and allows you to think about the objects with a different viewpoint.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Set Background</h3>
This is the backdrop to the set. It can be as busy as Philip Defranco’s set design below.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1000" height="562" src="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/image.png" alt="" class="wp-image-16218" srcset="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/image.png 1000w, https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/image-300x169.png 300w, https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/image-768x432.png 768w, https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/image-770x433.png 770w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Philip Defranco’s set background includes lights, floating shelves with nerdy items, and a couch (that he is not sitting on).</figcaption></figure>
A background set can also be simple with just a bookshelf and an armchair. The important thing is to try to choose items, colors, and furniture that reflect your brand or give your videos some context of what the topic or overall theme of your videos are about.
It’s also important to black the background far enough back to create that feeling of depth in your videos.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Set Foreground</h3>
The foreground is all the items that are as close to the camera as the subject. It is often as simple as a table but can include objects that are being discussed in the video or objects that are in every video. Some times the set as simple as a fancy chair the subject is sitting in like in Amy Landino’s videos:
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe title="HOW TO FIND YOUR PASSION" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_W5Yo9DBCd8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Amy uses a simple chair and blanket for the foreground and the bookshelves and posters in her home office for her backdrop.</figcaption></figure>
For my studio, I used a plain white desk and used a stool so no chair would be seen. I often have my laptop with me as the only other object in the foreground since I am often cutting to a keynote or some other visual on my computer screen while I discuss a topic.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">6. Buy a Camera & Lens</h2>
There are hundreds of camera’s to choose from and many of them will work great. There is a lot you could consider when purchasing a camera and I will be writing a full post in the future to outline all those considerations.
Here is a brief list of considerations for a studio camera:
<ul>
<li>Sensor Quality: In a studio, good low light performance helps.</li>
<li>Lens selection: are there a lot of lenses available for this camera at different price points?</li>
<li>Color Profile: How good does the image look right out of the camera.</li>
<li>Auto Focus: If you are filming yourself frequently, the autofocus needs to work well.</li>
<li>Flip Out Screen: This makes it easier to film yourself</li>
<li>Easy of use: If you are new to video production, getting a camera that is more intuitive is helpful.</li>
<li>Image Output: Having the option to go to 4k is nice to have.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">7. Select Camera Accessories</h2>
Other than lights and a microphone (covered in separate steps) the only other piece of gear that is essential is the camera tripod. Most tripods will work fine for a studio, but if you are going to be traveling often with your tripod, I do recommend getting a travel tripod that can fold down to a more reasonable size.
I use a <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IUO068S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1">TYCKA Ranger travel tripod</a> in my studio that I can easily strap on to my camera bag and take with me anywhere. If it’s only being used in the studio, a cheap <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-60-Inch-Lightweight-Tripod-Bag/dp/B005KP473Q/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=tripod&qid=1565092255&s=electronics&sr=1-3">Amazon Basics Tripod</a> will work just as well. It really only needs to hold the camera still.
Other accessories to make your life easier:
<ul>
<li>Video Monitor: This is a separate larger screen that your camera can feed into to give you a better idea of what the camera is recording. I mount a cheap <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071DF12YW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1">7″ Neewer Monitor screen</a> on top of my camera to see myself when I am recording. That way I don’t have to wonder what is in frame or not.</li>
<li>Camera Remote: If you are recording yourself this simple remote to start and stop recording can save you time going back and forth repeatedly between your camera and your set.</li>
<li>Separate Audio Recorder: I record directly into my camera with a lavalier mic, but there you create a good redundancy by recording to a separate device in addition to your camera in case the audio feed or mic fails with one or the other.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">8. Set up Lighting</h2>
Lighting is often the thing that makes a studio a studio. This one element is the thing that will transform your video production more than anything else. Luckily, you can start with some pretty affordable solutions and build on top of that. You can never have enough light equipment.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tungsten or Daylight Balanced Light?</h3>
A professional cinematographer would scoff at this question. They would say it depends on the situation—and they would be right. If you are building your first home video studio though, you will likely only be able to buy one light set and never care to get another.
So, let me make it easy for you. Choose a daylight balanced light kit if you can’t afford one that does both or if you can’t buy extra bulbs to have both on hand.
More and more videographers are using daylight-balanced lights as it becomes more affordable to do so. The benefit of daylight-balanced is that they are more neutral, allowing other colors (other than the yellow-orange that emanates from tungsten lights) to show through properly.
There are advantages to tungsten, but that is a post for another day.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Light Positions</h3>
Most studios would benefit from a simple three-point lighting set up to start. That means having your brightest light (key light) about 30 degrees to the side form your subject, having the second brightest light (fill light) on the other side 30-60 degrees on the opposite side, and having one small. but bright, hair light pointing down from the back.
In the photo below you can see that I use two cheap DIY lights on both sides and throw in an extra small light on one side to push the brightness up enough to be the key light.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" src="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/image-1-1024x768.png" alt="" class="wp-image-16219" srcset="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/image-1-1024x768.png 1024w, https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/image-1-300x225.png 300w, https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/image-1-768x576.png 768w, https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/image-1.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
Two of the lights clamp on to the storage racks I have on the other half of my crazy long closet. What you can’t see in this picture is the one highlight I have hanging from the ceiling pointing down at the desk.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">9. Set up a Microphone</h2>
After the lighting is figured out, being able to control your audio is the next major advantage of having a studio and having a good microphone setup is half the battle.
There is not a “right” way to set up a studio microphone, but some options are better than others. Here are the various microphone setups and my recommendation:
<ul>
<li>On-Camera Shotgun Mic: This is the easiest solution if you already possess a mic that attaches to your camera’s hot shoe mount. It can be a strong option too if your camera is less than 5 feet away from your subject and the room does not have unwanted reverb, echo, or undesirable sounds.</li>
<li>Lapel (lavalier) Mic: A lapel mic is a small mic on a wire that runs up your shirt and clips onto your collar. It is the easiest way to get the mic close to your mouth and does a great job in isolating unwanted sounds. It is what I use in my studio and what I recommend for most home studios.</li>
<li>Boom Mic: A boom mic is generally a shotgun microphone at the end of a boom pole. The main advantage is the ability to position that pole as close as possible to your subject while keeping it out of frame. This allows you to get the most ideal sound with a high-quality microphone.</li>
<li>Hand-held Mic: I’ve noticed that many studios will have a handheld mic in the frame on a table stand or table clamp with an adjustable arm. Theses are mostly podcasters and video game commentators but it is a viable option if you don’t mind a large microphone in the frame.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">10. Adjust Room Acoustics</h2>
The last and final step of building a home video studio is adjusting the acoustics of a room to eliminate unwanted reverb, echo, or unwanted external sounds. This is the most difficult part of building a home video studio in my opinion and it can be hard to figure out why a room does not sound great.
There are generally two types of acoustic issues you are trying to fix in a room, so I will offer some solutions that have worked for me for both.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Reducing Exterior Noise – Sound Proofing</h3>
This may be the next-door neighbor’s dog barking, your children playing in the next room, or the air conditioning vent. To address these, we are getting into the world of soundproofing and there are a few simple things that can be done to help (at least a little).
<ul>
<li>Sealing Cracks: Wherever air can travel, sound can travel with it. Use weather sealing strips from Home Depot to seal your windows and doors (even the interior doors). They also make door sweeps for underneath your door to keep the cold out of the exterior doors but they work great for soundproofing interior doors as well.</li>
<li>Add Mass to Your Door: You might want to consider replacing your door with a solid door if most of the unwanted sound is coming from the inside hallway.</li>
<li>Soundproofing Curtains: They make <a href="https://www.amazon.com/NICETOWN-Microfiber-Reducing-Insulated-Blackout/dp/B015SJ7RYY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1481232794&sr=8-2&keywords=soundproof+curtains&linkCode=ll1&tag=soundproofxpert-20&linkId=ed81f3845cbc0e7a9e1532ffbdb12f47">curtains designed to reduce sound</a> coming through your windows. You can also hang acoustic blankets or a moving blanket over the windows as well.</li>
<li>Seal Vents: If the air conditioning vent is causing problems, you might consider sealing it permanently with drywall, foam, or hanging a small acoustic blanket over it to at least reduce the noise.</li>
</ul>
There are steps that can be taken to fully soundproof a room, but that is a major construction project likely not worth the time.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Eliminating Reverb/Echo – Sound Dampening</h3>
This is the most common in rooms that are empty, small, or without carpet for flooring. Regardless, there are some simple steps that can be taken to reduce that unwanted reverb/echo.
Here are a few things you can do to dampen the unwanted sound.
<ul>
<li>Rugs: If you don’t have carpet, throw down a large rug. The thicker the better.</li>
<li>Add More Furniture: An empty room gives more flat surfaces for the sound to bounce around. Adding more stuff into the room will break up those sounds to make it sound more natural. Bookshelves in particular with all those different shaped and sized books work great.</li>
<li>Hang Sound Panels: You can <a href="https://www.amazon.com/ATS-Acoustic-24x48x2-Inches-Beveled/dp/B002WLB0RW/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=acoustic+panels&qid=1565178779&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzTVdJMlYzT0U4Mk0mZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA4NTk2MTYzQTlMQU8yQjVORFg1JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTEwMjQzNTkzMjRUMERUOTMyVzhVJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==">purchase sound panels</a> that are designed to absorb sound. They even come in different colors to match your set.</li>
<li>Hang Acoustic Foam: If the sound panels cost too much, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/ATS-Acoustic-24x48x2-Inches-Beveled/dp/B002WLB0RW/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=acoustic+panels&qid=1565178779&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzTVdJMlYzT0U4Mk0mZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA4NTk2MTYzQTlMQU8yQjVORFg1JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTEwMjQzNTkzMjRUMERUOTMyVzhVJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==">acoustic foam</a> can work as well to cover parts or all of a wall to absorb sound. Be warned though, the quality of the foam matters. I started with cheap foam and found it lacking immensely.</li>
<li>Hang Up Acoustic Blankets: They have <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Audimute-Sound-Absorption-Sheet-Soundproofing/dp/B07FK5JYRN/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=acoustic+blanket&qid=1565178908&s=gateway&sr=8-10">blankets designed for absorbing sound</a> that you can hang on a wall or in the middle of a room to block sound. I did find that <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071G6R5VG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1">moving blankets</a> worked almost as well for my studio and cost a fraction of the price.</li>
</ul>
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<title>Tips for Converting Small Farms to Organic Production</title>
<link>https://stuffs.cool/tips-for-converting-small-farms-to-organic-production/</link>
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<dc:creator><![CDATA[mr.d]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 08 Jun 2023 02:07:19 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Agriculture]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Gardens]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Nature]]></category>
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<description><![CDATA[Many farmers are well aware that organic farming is a good thing to do. But knowing that something is right […]
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<content:encoded><![CDATA[Many farmers are well aware that <a href="https://stuffs.cool/rethinking-food-what-happens-after-covid/">organic farming is a good thing to do</a>. But knowing that something is right and actually implementing it fully are two very different things. Many farmers, even those who are sympathetic to the ideas we espouse and have a favorable option of organic production, may struggle to see how it is actually real-world feasible to make the switch.
As a permaculture designer and consultant, I often help small-scale farmers, market gardeners, or homesteaders move towards more sustainable enterprise on their properties, and so I thought I would share a few simple tips to help anyone who wants to convert an existing growing business to organic production.
<h2 id="understand-organic-farming-legislation-where-you-live">Understand Organic Farming Legislation Where You Live</h2>
First things first, understand that sometimes, in certain jurisdictions in particular, conversion to organic production is about more than just farming organically. There can be a plethora of forms to fill in and red tape to wade through before you can actually be certified and be allowed to sell “organic” label produce.
As well as familiarizing yourself with the legislation and requirements for organic farming where you live, it can also be very useful to speak with those who have already gone through the process and who are growing organically—ideally in a location nearby and on land similar to your own.
While you can read about things all day, actually speaking with someone with their hands in the dirt and real-world experience can make all the difference. It can open your eyes to potential problems of all kinds, but also bring clarity about the achievability of your organic farming goals.
<h2 id="sourcing-seeds">Sourcing Seeds</h2>
On any arable farm, sourcing organic seeds will be one key part of the puzzle. Fortunately, today, organic seeds are more widely available than they once were. And you can potentially buy just once, then convert to saving your own seed for subsequent years in order to keep costs down.
While this may not be feasible for all farms, seed saving is one potential way to reduce operational costs for a small-scale food-growing business. You would only be able to use your own seed and call it organic once the conversion period has elapsed.
<h2 id="managing-soil-health-and-fertility">Managing Soil Health and Fertility</h2>
Organic farming is about far more than just the avoidance of certain products. It is also focused on holistic land management and, crucially, on maintaining a healthy and fertile soil ecosystem.
Key things to think about when it comes to managing soil health and fertility are:
<ul>
<li>Crop rotation and crop sequence to balance demands on the soil.</li>
<li>Using legumes/dynamic accumulators and/or animal manures to cycle nutrients through the system.</li>
<li>Management of waste and the creation of closed-loop systems.</li>
</ul>
While certain inputs for fertility are allowed in organic crop production, your goal, both for optimal production and for financial reasons, should be to minimize additional inputs required as much as possible.
<h2 id="weeds-pests-and-disease-control">Weeds, Pests, and Disease Control</h2>
It is important to understand that you will have weeds, pests, and diseases on an organic farm. The key, of course, is to maintain a natural balance so that none of these problems are able to proliferate too much or get out of control.
Pests and diseases are typically the easier things to manage in organic arable farming. Begin with healthy soil, which will yield healthier and more resistant plants.
Integrated pest management, with strategic sowing times, crop rotation, physical barriers where required, and, most crucially, the boosting of biodiversity and the attraction of natural predators, can all keep crops safer and reduce crop damage and losses.
However, there will be times in organic production when the “nuclear option” is required, and certain organic pest control products might be used.
Weed control requires significant consideration in organic conversion and can sometimes be one of the most challenging aspects.
But using both mechanical and cultural methods, and timing these correctly, can mean that the transition goes more smoothly than it might otherwise do. Dense sowing, the use of mulches, and the reduction of bare soil and soil disturbance will all play their roles in keeping weed pressures under control.
<h2 id="livestock-systems-organic-conversion">Livestock Systems Organic Conversion</h2>
If you have livestock on your small farm then organic conversion can be more complex than for non-integrated arable systems. However, one might argue that the rewards are even greater when the conversion is complete (both in “real” value and in financial terms for a farming business).
In livestock farming systems, you will need to think about what you feed to livestock and where they are housed.
You may also have to consider where your breeding stock comes from, and you will need to make sure that you have a feasible and well-thought-out livestock management plan in place. You need to consider veterinarian treatments and how grassland will be managed short and longer term.
Thinking carefully about how you will manage each of these issues will help you determine the shape of your new enterprise and see how things will alter from your current practices.
Get a clear idea before you begin, and you are far less likely to fall at the first hurdle during the organic conversion process.
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<title>What You Should Know About Vertical Farming</title>
<link>https://stuffs.cool/what-you-should-know-about-vertical-farming/</link>
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<dc:creator><![CDATA[mr.d]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 25 May 2023 23:18:20 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Agriculture]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Tech]]></category>
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<description><![CDATA[By 2050, the world’s population is expected to grow to 9.7 billion people, and feeding it will be a huge […]
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<content:encoded><![CDATA[By 2050, the world’s population is expected to grow to 9.7 billion people, and feeding it will be a huge challenge. Due to industrial development and urbanization, we are losing arable lands every day. In 2015, scientists reported that the Earth had lost a third of its arable lands over the previous 40 years.
We don’t know how much more we are going to lose in the next 40 years. Increasing food demand due to a growing population along with ever decreasing arable lands poses one of the greatest challenges facing us. Many believe that vertical farming can be the answer to this challenge. Is vertical farming the future of agriculture? Let’s find out!
<h2 id="what-is-vertical-farming">What Is Vertical Farming?</h2>
Vertical farming is the practice of producing food on vertically inclined surfaces. Instead of farming vegetables and other foods on a single level, such as in a field or a greenhouse, this method produces foods in vertically stacked layers commonly integrated into other structures like a skyscraper, shipping container or repurposed warehouse.
Using Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) technology, this modern idea uses indoor farming techniques. The artificial control of temperature, light, humidity, and gases makes producing foods and medicine indoor possible. In many ways, vertical farming is similar to greenhouses where metal reflectors and artificial lighting augment natural sunlight. The primary goal of vertical farming is maximizing crops output in a limited space.
<h2 id="how-vertical-farming-works">How Vertical Farming Works</h2>
There are four critical areas in understanding how vertical farming works: 1. Physical layout, 2. Lighting, 3. Growing medium, and 4. Sustainability features.
Firstly, the primary goal of vertical farming is producing more foods per square meter. To accomplish this goal, crops are cultivated in stacked layers in a tower life structure. Secondly, a perfect combination of natural and artificial lights is used to maintain the perfect light level in the room. Technologies such as rotating beds are used to improve lighting efficiency.
Thirdly, instead of soil, aeroponic, aquaponic or hydroponic growing mediums are used. Peat moss or coconut husks and similar non-soil mediums are very common in vertical farming. Finally, the vertical farming method uses various sustainability features to offset the energy cost of farming. In fact, vertical farming uses 95% less water.
<h2 id="advantages-and-disadvantages-of-vertical-farming">Advantages and Disadvantages of Vertical Farming</h2>
Vertical farming has a lot of promise and sounds like the farm of the future. However, there are a few stumbling blocks to consider before rushing full-speed ahead into vertical farming.
<h3 id="advantages">Advantages</h3>
<ul>
<li>It offers a plan to handle future food demands</li>
<li>It allows crops to grow year-round</li>
<li>It uses significantly less water</li>
<li>Weather doesn’t affect the crops</li>
<li>More organic crops can be grown</li>
<li>There is less exposure to chemicals and disease</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="disadvantages">Disadvantages</h3>
<ul>
<li>It could be very costly to build and economic feasibility studies haven’t yet been completed</li>
<li>Pollination would be very difficult and costly</li>
<li>It would involve higher labor costs</li>
<li>It relies too much on technology and one day of power loss would be devastating</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="advantages-of-vertical-farming">Advantages of Vertical Farming</h2>
Having greater output from a small cultivation area is not the only advantage of vertical farming. Following are some of the major benefits of vertical farming:
<ul>
<li>Preparation for Future: By 2050, around 68% of the world population is expected to live in urban areas, and the growing population will lead to an increased demand for food. The efficient use of vertical farming may perhaps play a significant role in preparing for such a challenge.</li>
<li>Increased And Year-Round Crop Production: Vertical farming allows us to produce more crops from the same square footage of growing area. In fact, 1 acre of an indoor area offers equivalent production to at least 4-6 acres of outdoor capacity. According to an independent estimate, a 30-story building with a basal area of 5 acres can potentially produce an equivalent of 2,400 acres of conventional horizontal farming. Additionally, year-round crop production is possible in a controlled indoor environment which is completely controlled by vertical farming technologies.</li>
<li>Less Use Of Water In Cultivation: Vertical farming allows us to produce crops with 70% to 95% less water than required for normal cultivation.</li>
<li>Not Affected By Unfavorable Weather Conditions: Crops in a field can be adversely affected by natural calamities such as torrential rains, cyclones, flooding or severe droughts—events which are becoming increasingly common as a result of global warming. Indoor vertical farms are less likely to feel the brunt of the unfavorable weather, providing greater certainty of harvest output throughout the year.</li>
<li>Increased Production of Organic Crops: As crops are produced in a well-controlled indoor environment without the use of chemical pesticides, vertical farming allows us to grow pesticide-free and organic crops.</li>
<li>Human and Environmentally Friendly: Indoor vertical farming can significantly lessen the occupational hazards associated with traditional farming. Farmers are not exposed to hazards related to heavy farming equipment, diseases like malaria, poisonous chemicals and so on. As it does not disturb animals and trees inland areas, it is good for biodiversity as well.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="limitations-of-vertical-farming">Limitations of Vertical Farming</h2>
Vertical farming has both pros and cons. Sometimes the pros of vertical farming are highlighted and not the cons. Following are the major limitations of vertical farming:
<ul>
<li>No Established Economics: The financial feasibility of this new farming method <a href="http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/2014/02/indoor-urban-farms-called-wasteful-pie-sky" rel="noopener noreferrer">remains uncertain</a>. The financial situation is changing, however, as the industry matures and technologies improve. For example, New Jersey-based indoor-farming startup Bowery <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/12/bowery-an-indoor-farming-startup-raises-90-million-more-including-to-counter-a-softbank-funded-rival/" rel="noopener noreferrer">announced</a> in December 2018 that it had raised $90 million in fresh funding. In 2017, Plenty, a West Coast vertical grower, announced a $200 million investment from <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/tosv2.html?vid=&uuid=ef3564e0-9781-11e9-81df-9f6d476a62df&url=L25ld3MvYXJ0aWNsZXMvMjAxNy0wNy0xOS9zb2Z0YmFuay1zLXZpc2lvbi1mdW5kLWxlYWRzLTIwMC1taWxsaW9uLWJldC1vbi1pbmRvb3ItZmFybWluZw==" rel="noopener noreferrer">Softbank</a>.</li>
<li>Difficulties with Pollination: Vertical farming takes place in a controlled environment without the presence of insects. As such, the pollination process needs to be done manually, which will be labor intensive and costly.</li>
<li>Labor Costs: As high as energy costs are in vertical farming, labor costs can be even higher due to their concentration in urban centers where wages are higher, as well as the need for more skilled labor. Automation in vertical farms, however, may lead to the need for fewer workers. Manual pollination may become one of the more labor-intensive functions in vertical farms.</li>
<li>Too Much Dependency on Technology: The development of better technologies can always increase efficiency and lessen costs. But the entire vertical farming is extremely dependent on various technologies for lighting, maintaining temperature, and humidity. Losing power for just a single day can prove very costly for a vertical farm. Many believe the technologies in use today are not ready for mass adoption.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="vertical-farming-in-the-united-states">Vertical Farming in the United States</h2>
The vertical farming sector is growing rapidly in the U.S., at a CAGR of more than 24% between 2018-2024, when it is expected to reach $3 billion annually. By comparison, the total U.S. fruit and vegetable industry was worth over $104.7 billion in 2016. According to <a href="https://www.eater.com/2018/7/3/17531192/vertical-farming-agriculture-hydroponic-greens" rel="noopener noreferrer">one account</a>, “Shoppers can now find produce grown indoors by more than 23 large vertical farms in more than 20 supermarket chains in nearly every major metropolitan area in the country.”
The industry remains highly leveraged, however, sparking concerns for its viability, when survival depends on expansion, and expansion is so capital intensive. According to the same source, “While industry leaders say scaling offers the best hope for profitability in this business, many vertical farms have encountered problems when they began planning to add additional production facilities.”
<h2 id="conclusion">Conclusion</h2>
Vertical farming technologies are still relatively new. Companies are yet to successfully produce crops at scale and make it economically feasible to meet the growing food demand. The performance of farms like AeroFarms will determine how important a role vertical farming will play in the future to face the challenge of growing food demand.
It is worth noting, however, that technologies developed for vertical farms are also being adopted by other segments of the indoor farming sector, such as greenhouses, which can utilize natural sunlight, albeit requiring much more real estate and longer routes to market.
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<title>What to See in the Night Sky for May 2023</title>
<link>https://stuffs.cool/what-to-see-in-the-night-sky-for-may-2023/</link>
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<dc:creator><![CDATA[mr.d]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Sat, 13 May 2023 04:42:08 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Amazing Places]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Nature]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Video]]></category>
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<description><![CDATA[While this month’s celestial events may not be as numerous as others on the calendar, May’s promise of warm evenings […]
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<content:encoded><![CDATA[While this month’s celestial events may not be as numerous as others on the calendar, May’s promise of warm evenings and floral bouquets will nonetheless make you want to dust off that outdoor blanket, grab a sweatshirt, and look up. Wishing you clear skies!
<h2 id="take-in-the-beauty-of-the-full-%E2%80%98flower%E2%80%99-moon-may-5">Take in the Beauty of the Full ‘Flower’ Moon (May 5)</h2>
May’s full moon, nicknamed the “Flower Moon’’ after the copious springtime blooms, reaches its peak fullness on the evening of May 5. Other names include the “Frog Moon,” “Egg-Laying Moon,” and “Leaf Budding Moon,” with many originating from Indigenous Peoples in North America.
May’s full moon <a href="https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/lunar/2023-may-5" rel="noopener">will also feature a prenumbral eclipse</a> for those in Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. This type of lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes deep into the outer part of Earth’s shadow (known as the penumbra), resulting in a darker-than-usual shade of gray across the Moon’s surface. This is different from the dramatic transformation of the lunar surface that occurs during a full lunar eclipse when the moon travels through the inner part of the Earth’s shadow (known as the umbra) and turns a ruddy red.
<h2 id="gaze-upon-a-more-brilliant-eta-aquariids-meteor-shower-may-6">Gaze Upon a (More Brilliant) Eta-Aquariids Meteor Shower (May 6)</h2>
<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img decoding="async" src="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/what-to-see-in-the-night-sky-for-may-2023-1.jpg" class="kg-image" alt loading="lazy" width="750" height="437" srcset="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1_what-to-see-in-the-night-sky-for-may-2023-1.jpg 600w, https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/what-to-see-in-the-night-sky-for-may-2023-1.jpg 750w" sizes="(min-width: 720px) 720px"></figure>
The Eta-Aquariids, triggered by debris from Halley’s Comet entering our atmosphere, will reach their peak between May 5-6th. While this annual shower favors those living in the Southern Hemisphere, early risers in the Northern Hemisphere will still have an opportunity to see some shooting stars.
Despite interference from a full moon, <a href="https://www.space.com/36502-eta-aquarid-meteor-shower-guide.html" rel="noopener">Space.com reports</a> that this year’s shower could be more spectacular than usual. According to Bill Cooke, the lead for the <a href="https://sma.nasa.gov/sma-disciplines/meteoroid-environments" rel="noopener">Meteoroid Environment Office</a> at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, this year’s shower originates from particles ejected from Comet Halley in 390 BC; with the potential for more than double the standard rate of 50 shooting stars per hour!
This shower gets its name from the constellation Aquarius, where the meteors appear to radiate from. On the morning of May 6th, Aquarius will rise above the eastern horizon just after 3:30 a.m. EDT. <a href="https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/2215/full-moon-guide-april-may-2022/" rel="noopener">According to NASA</a>, the peak of the shower will arrive at 4 a.m., creating a small viewing window before dawn crashes the party. Should the weather not cooperate, mornings before and even after the peak should still display a decent amount of Eta-Aquariids.
<h2 id="view-a-lunar-occultation-of-jupiter-may-17">View a Lunar Occultation of Jupiter (May 17)</h2>
Following up on the occultation of Uranus back in January, the next planet to be concealed behind the Moon will be Jupiter on May 17th. Despite taking place after dawn for a good portion of the U.S., those on the east coast should still be able to see Jupiter as its eclipsed by a thin crescent moon around 7:45 a.m. EST. By the time it reemerges (around 8:52 a.m. EST), sunlight will spoil the finer details, but it’s likely you’ll still be able to pick out the pair with some binoculars or a small telescope. As always, be mindful of where you’re looking: Even a brief, fleeting glance at the Sun through these instruments can result in permanent blindness.
If you’re in a spot where encroaching daylight is a problem, think of this year’s event as a practice run <a href="https://in-the-sky.org/news.php?id=20261006_16_100" rel="noopener">for Oct. 6, 2026</a>. On this date, a rare occulatation of Jupiter will take place before dawn, ensuring (as long as weather doesn’t spoil the view) a dark backdrop for this spectacular event.
For a full list of times for the occultation of Jupiter on May 17th from your location, <a href="http://www.lunar-occultations.com/iota/planets/0517jupiter.htm" rel="nofollow noopener" class="broken_link">jump here</a>. 
<h2 id="a-new-moon-welcomes-dark-skies-may-19">A New Moon Welcomes Dark Skies (May 19)</h2>
Just like last month, we’re kicking off May with a New Moon and exceptionally dark skies. For a few days leading up to and after May 1, you can train your eyes, binoculars, or telescope and be treated to pristine views of galaxies, shooting stars, and other wonders otherwise dimmed by moonlight.
<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img decoding="async" src="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/what-to-see-in-the-night-sky-for-may-2023-2.jpg" class="kg-image" alt loading="lazy" width="750" height="709" srcset="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/what-to-see-in-the-night-sky-for-may-2023-2.jpg 600w, https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/what-to-see-in-the-night-sky-for-may-2023-2.jpg 750w" sizes="(min-width: 720px) 720px"></figure>
Need a target? This month, we’re recommending the Needle Galaxy (NGC 4565), so-named for its narrow profile and located 40 million light years away. One of the more stunning galaxies to search for, the Needle is beloved for its luminous, round core and colorful dust lanes. Look for it through an 8-inch or larger scope by focusing on the <a href="https://in-the-sky.org/data/constellation.php?id=26" rel="noopener">constellation Coma Berenices</a>.
<figure class="kg-card kg-embed-card"><iframe loading="lazy" width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5TcLYuuDAUs?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen title="Aurora Borealis Fills The Sky, Severe Geomagnetic Storm, Sauk Centre, MN"></iframe></figure>
<h2 id="keep-tabs-on-the-northern-and-southern-lights-all-month">Keep Tabs on the Northern and Southern Lights (All Month)</h2>
Solar maximum, the point when the Sun’s magnetic field reaches its pinnacle of strength and turbulence, resulting in heightened levels of solar activity, is expected to occur <a href="https://www.space.com/sun-solar-maximum-may-arrive-early" rel="noopener">as early as next year</a>. While increased solar activity can spell trouble for radio communications and even the power grid, it also means a greater chance of stunning aurora activity at lower latitudes around the globe. On April 23/24, a solar flare directed squarely at Earth<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/24/science/northern-lights-aurora-borealis.html" rel="noopener" class="broken_link"> kicked off auroras above as many as 30 states</a>—stretching from Washington to Maine, and as far south as Kansas.
In the coming months and years, as we move ever closer towards solar maximum, opportunities to catch this colorful phenomenon will hopefully increase. Knowing when, however, skies are primed for aurora activity can be challenging. If you’re into Twitter, <a href="https://twitter.com/spacewxwatch" rel="noopener">following the account Space Weather Watch</a>, managed by a space physicist, is one way to score alerts. If you prefer the smartphone route, <a href="https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/en/app.html" rel="noopener" class="broken_link">the app SpaceWeatherLive</a> offers another, with notifications and detailed reports of auroral activity at your fingertips. Happy aurora seeking!
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<title>How Technology Is Transforming the Farming Workforce and Why It Matters During a Global Pandemic</title>
<link>https://stuffs.cool/how-technology-is-transforming-the-farming-workforce-and-why-it-matters-during-a-global-pandemic/</link>
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<dc:creator><![CDATA[mr.d]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Sat, 06 May 2023 02:37:10 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://test.stuffs.cool/2023/05/06/how-technology-is-transforming-the-farming-workforce-and-why-it-matters-during-a-global-pandemic/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Like virtually every sector of the global economy, the agricultural sector finds itself battered by the global coronavirus pandemic, made […]
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]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Like virtually every sector of the global economy, the agricultural sector finds itself battered by the global coronavirus pandemic, made especially acute by labor shortages triggered by the crisis amid the critical emergence season.
These challenges come on top of larger issues confronting the agriculture industry: from a growing global population to feed – <a href="https://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/population/index.html" rel="noreferrer" class="broken_link">set to reach 9.8 billion</a> by 2050 – to a changing climate that has <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0217148" rel="noreferrer">already damaged global food production</a>.
To react to the immediate global health crisis and adapt to these ongoing developments while still meeting the rising demand for food, agriculture must find innovative ways of boosting yields and attracting new workers to the industry.
The industry’s digital transformation offers a pathway to achieving all these goals.
Greater adoption of digital tools like AI platforms, drones, genomics, and other mechanical advances in agriculture will help farmers maximize resources and improve productivity. That’s crucial at a time when food supply chains are under stress and when labor issues are especially acute as people are forced to stay home.
Agtech “fertilized” by innovation promises to attract a new, younger generation to the industry, from former urbanites eager to try their hands at agrarian life to computer scientists, software developers, AI engineers and other experts who can play pivotal roles in scaling the digital developments that are remaking the agricultural landscape – fueled by the idea that they are helping make the world a more sustainable place for generations to come.
At a time when millions around the world may find themselves seeking new career moves due to economic downturns resulting from the global pandemic, a new avenue of employment in such a critical area as agriculture may come as good news to a shaken planet and the millions of pockets it has affected.
<h2 id="the-rise-of-tech-in-agriculture">The Rise of Tech in Agriculture</h2>
Data analytics, artificial intelligence, drones, and other agricultural technologies carry the promise of helping the agriculture industry adapt to the globe’s demographic and environmental challenges. Indeed, investors see great promise in agtech’s potential to bring greater value and efficiency to the industry. According to data compiled by <a href="https://agfunder.com/research/agrifood-tech-investing-report-2018/" rel="noreferrer">AgFunder</a>, startups in the sector raised $16.9 billion in 2018, a 43 percent spike over 2017 figures.
What lies behind the headline figures? Real-world benefits for farmers and the billions they feed. Take just a few key examples:
<ul>
<li>Agricultural drones, which can generate highly valuable farming intelligence in a fraction of the time it would take a farmer to inspect the same ground on foot. Equipped with ultra-high resolution or multispectral cameras stabilized by pods for maximum image quality, and aided by sophisticated AI algorithms, this type of monitoring reveals what the naked eye cannot, down to a granular level, from pest infestations to indicators of overwatering. Innovations in drone design are occurring at a rapid pace, with fixed wing ag drones capable of covering <a href="https://bestdroneforthejob.com/drone-buying-guides/agriculture-drone-buyers-guide/" rel="noreferrer">10 times the acreage</a> of a quadcopter.</li>
<li>GPS-enabled precision agriculture has also made significant strides in recent years. John Deere <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/feature/directorates/spacetech/spinoff/john_deere" rel="noreferrer">estimates</a> that by 2015, one-third of North American cropland was farmed with the aid of self-guidance systems, along with half of European and South American farmland and more than 90 percent of Australian farmland. Sensors and actuators in self-guided tractors are generating data to help farmers plant in optimal locations and make smarter decisions about resource usage, from irrigation to pesticides.</li>
<li>Agricultural robots, meanwhile, are <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/national/wp/2019/02/17/feature/inside-the-race-to-replace-farmworkers-with-robots/" rel="noreferrer">helping the industry</a> address some of its key workforce challenges while offering dramatically greater efficiency. Take the Harv robot developed by <a href="https://harvestcroo.com/" rel="noreferrer">Harvest CROO Robotics</a>. Harv hovers over a dozen rows of crops at a time, picking five strawberries per second, and covering eight acres a day, according to the Washington Post.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="new-job-opportunities">New Job Opportunities</h2>
While agtech can help address critical labor shortages – at the fieldworker level, for example –agricultural technologies are also creating new jobs and attracting younger workers to the industry. Labor statistics<a href="https://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat11b.htm" rel="noreferrer" class="broken_link"> find</a> that farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers are 56.4 years old, on average. But as demand grows for agricultural engineers, younger, tech-savvy workers are stepping up: According to BLS, three-fifths of these professionals are now under the age of 34. That’s crucial in turbulent periods with tectonic shifts in work opportunities.
But young adults are also showing greater interest in actually becoming farmers themselves, and as digital natives, they can deftly manage the industry’s ongoing digitization. In late 2017, the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/a-growing-number-of-young-americans-are-leaving-desk-jobs-to-farm/2017/11/23/e3c018ae-c64e-11e7-afe9-4f60b5a6c4a0_story.html" rel="noreferrer">number</a> of farmers under 35 began increasing for only the second time in the past century, with 69 percent of young farmers surveyed holding college degrees. With the upcoming planting season arriving in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, agtech is rising to the fore as a necessity for farmers facing labor shortages, rather than a luxury. The rise of agtech will create even more new job opportunities for young professionals, particularly in fields that require degrees and skill-sets in well-paying areas like software development, AI, engineering, and digital consulting.
<h2 id="growing-the-ecosystem">Growing the Ecosystem</h2>
So is the industry helping prepare for tens of thousands to make the shift into “Agriculture 2.0” in the long term? In the academic arena, precision agriculture is a growing field of study. South Dakota State University became the first university in the U.S. to inaugurate a <a href="https://state.sdstateconnect.org/precision-agriculture/" rel="noreferrer">bachelor’s degree in precision agriculture</a> in 2016, while other universities worldwide offer a variety of <a href="https://www.precisionag.com/market-watch/top-20-two-year-colleges-for-precision-agriculture/" class="broken_link">agricultural technology programs</a>. In the age of COVID-19 when many people are confined to their homes, there are ample opportunities for distance learning, including online <a href="https://www.distancelearningportal.com/study-options-c/bachelors/269779244/agriculture-united-states.html" class="broken_link">degrees</a> or <a href="https://www.acs.edu.au/courses/agriculture-courses.aspx">courses</a>.
The private sector is also playing a crucial role in nurturing the ecosystem, with training programs and incubators like the John Deere Startup Collaborator program (disclosure: my startup is part of this initiative), Bayer’s <a href="https://www.youthagsummit.com/about/summit/" rel="noreferrer" class="broken_link">Youth Ag Summit</a>, the Dairy Farmers of America’s <a href="https://www.dairyfoods.com/articles/93819-dairy-farmers-of-america-seeking-startup-applicants-for-its-2020-accelerator-program" rel="noreferrer">startup accelerator</a>, and more.
Given what’s at stake – food security, natural resources, the global economy, a sharp spike in global unemployment, and, ultimately the planet’s health and sustainability – it’s essential that young people continue to take advantage of the robust ecosystem of training programs, mentors, partners, and investors to bring their skills and technology know-how to the field of agriculture. The current crisis has shaken entire industries to their core – but by making smart investments in attracting a younger generation of farmers, agriculture can employ many of the talented young professionals rendered jobless by the coronavirus crisis while also tapping into their technology skills to build more efficient and sustainable processes and meet the globe’s mounting challenges.
The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://stuffs.cool/how-technology-is-transforming-the-farming-workforce-and-why-it-matters-during-a-global-pandemic/">How Technology Is Transforming the Farming Workforce and Why It Matters During a Global Pandemic</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://stuffs.cool">Stuff's COOL</a>.
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<title>Stars Are Disappearing From Sight at an Astonishing Rate</title>
<link>https://stuffs.cool/stars-are-disappearing-from-sight-at-an-astonishing-rate/</link>
<comments>https://stuffs.cool/stars-are-disappearing-from-sight-at-an-astonishing-rate/#respond</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[mr.d]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Sat, 04 Mar 2023 02:40:27 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://test.stuffs.cool/2023/03/04/stars-are-disappearing-from-sight-at-an-astonishing-rate/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Few things are as awe-inspiring as a nighttime sky awash with stars. Countless generations of sky-gazers have marveled at the […]
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<content:encoded><![CDATA[Few things are as awe-inspiring as a nighttime sky awash with stars. Countless generations of sky-gazers have marveled at the wonders of the heavens, stars spanning the firmament from horizon to horizon. The starry sky is closely tied to human cultural heritage, yet thanks to artificial light and its subsequent light pollution, we are losing this iconic natural resource.
This isn’t new news. For decades, light pollution has been vexing sky lovers and scientists alike. Not to mention the impact light pollution has on the natural world, from <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2627884/" rel="noopener">affecting human health</a> and birds’ nighttime navigation to disorienting baby sea turtles and disrupting the mating patterns of fireflies. And lest we forget: the lighting that causes light pollution wastes important resources.
Yet despite this knowledge, light pollution has been challenging to document, especially on a global scale. But now, a new study shows that light pollution is rapidly worsening.
The analysis comes from <a href="https://www.globeatnight.org/" rel="noopener">Globe at Night</a>, a citizen science program run by the National Science Foundation’s <a href="https://www.noirlab.edu/public/" rel="noopener">NOIRLab</a>. The study concludes that stars are disappearing from human sight at a stunning rate. By relying on the observations of sky-gazers across the globe, the researchers found that light pollution has had much more of an impact than indicated by satellite measurements.
From the glimmering swath of our home galaxy, the Milky Way, to a multitude of constellations, the human eye should be able to see thousands of stars on a clear, dark night. Yet thanks to light pollution, 30% of people around the globe and around 80% of people in the United States can’t even see the Milky Way swirl of our galaxy anymore.
<h2 id="how-much-worse-will-it-get">How Much Worse Will It Get?</h2>
“At this rate of change, a child born in a location where 250 stars were visible would be able to see only around 100 by the time they turned 18,” said Christopher Kyba, a researcher at the German Research Centre for Geosciences and lead author of the paper.
The Globe at Night project has been collecting data since 2006. Citizen scientists submit detailed observations about what they can see (and thus, what they can’t see) in the night sky, without telescopes or other instruments.
For the <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abq7781" rel="noopener" class="broken_link">study</a>, which was published in the journal Science, the authors looked at more than 50,000 observations submitted to Globe at Night between 2011 and 2022, with a focus on submissions from Europe and North America.
The authors used the observations to estimate how skyglow has changed over the years. They found that the loss of visible stars was higher than expected and that sky brightness has increased 9.6% per year over the past decade. Satellite measurements, which is how sky brightness has been measured thus far, only suggested a 2% per year global increase in brightness.
“This shows that existing satellites aren’t sufficient to study how Earth’s night is changing,” said Kyba in a <a href="https://www.noirlab.edu/public/news/noirlab2302/" rel="noopener">statement</a> from NOIRLab. “We’ve developed a way to ‘translate’ Globe at Night observations of star visibility made at different locations from year to year into continent-wide trends of sky brightness change. That shows that Globe at Night isn’t just an interesting outreach activity, it’s an essential measurement of one of Earth’s environmental variables.”
For a number of reasons, current satellites aren’t great for measuring skyglow as it appears to humans, leading the researchers to praise the importance of crowd-sourced observations in evaluating the brightness of the nighttime sky.
“The increase in skyglow over the past decade underscores the importance of redoubling our efforts and developing new strategies to protect dark skies,” said National Radio Astronomy Observatory astronomer and Globe at Night developer Connie Walker. “The Globe at Night dataset is indispensable in our ongoing evaluation of changes in skyglow, and we encourage everyone who can to get involved to help protect the starry night sky.”
To help document the night sky, you can submit your observations to the <a href="https://www.globeatnight.org/webapp/" rel="noopener">Globe at Night web application</a>.
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<title>How to Raise a Minimalist Child</title>
<link>https://stuffs.cool/how-to-raise-a-minimalist-child/</link>
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<dc:creator><![CDATA[mr.d]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2023 15:21:07 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Life Style]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://test.stuffs.cool/2023/02/08/how-to-raise-a-minimalist-child/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Many American homes have entire rooms dedicated to toys – playrooms filled with toy boxes, book shelves, mini kitchens and […]
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<content:encoded><![CDATA[Many American homes have entire rooms dedicated to toys – playrooms filled with toy boxes, book shelves, mini kitchens and workbenches, costume boxes, train sets, and oodles of stuffed animals. Whenever I see one of these rooms, it’s a cheery-looking disaster zone, but there is so much stuff everywhere that I wonder how the kids find room to enjoy their toys – if they actually can find the one they want amid all that chaos.
Over the years, I’ve come to believe that adults do children a great disservice by allowing clutter to build up in their play spaces and bedrooms. This may sound counterintuitive; after all, all those toys are acquired in an effort to entertain a child, so how could getting rid of them possibly be a good thing?
Just think of how you feel, as an adult, when your space is jam-packed with stuff, when there are papers lying on every surface, clothes all over the floor, and you can’t even find a clear space to set your coffee mug. It’s irritating and, if you’re anything like me, you become irritable as a result. Why would it be any different for kids? I suspect cluttered toys and clothes beget stress and anxiety for kids more often than we realize. Kim John Payne, author of Simplicity Parenting, agrees with this. He’s <a href="https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/organizing/contained-toy-organization" rel="noopener">quoted in Real Simple</a>:
<blockquote>“Keeping a room or house orderly can make your life feel more orderly,” [Payne] says. In other words, calm and focused surroundings can help your child stay calm and focused too.</blockquote>
Paring down a child’s belongings does them lots of favors. It gives them breathing room and space to play. It reduces the sensory overload that afflicts so many American children these days and allows them to focus on specific toys, prolonging their play time. It cultivates an attitude of appreciation and teaches them to care for their belongings because they have fewer of them. It takes a weight off their shoulders because the job of tidying up is less daunting. (Imagine how vast a messy play room looks to a four-year-old!) It promotes independence because they’re less likely to need help from a parent to finish the job.
Minimalism will look different for every family, but the idea is to reduce your child’s belongings to a level that’s manageable for him or her – not for you, the parent. A child should have enough clothes to look neat and tidy on a daily basis, yet be able to put them away independently. Toys should fit within a predetermined space and be cleaned up in a reasonable amount of time. As intimidating as decluttering may seem, rest assured that you’re equipping your child with valuable skills. Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist <a href="https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/organizing/contained-toy-organization" rel="noopener">said</a>,
<blockquote>“Learning to consume less is a way to practice discipline, a skill that makes it a lot easier to become a responsible adult. ‘Kids who don’t learn to exist within boundaries may become adults who don’t set them.'”</blockquote>
<h2 id="so-where-and-how-to-begin">So, where and how to begin?</h2>
<h3 id="1-model-the-behavior">1. Model the behavior</h3>
You can’t expect your child to pare down their belongings unless you’re willing to do the same. Kids learn best by example, so tackle your own clutter first and clamp down on unhealthy shopping habits.
<h3 id="2-set-physical-boundaries">2. Set physical boundaries</h3>
Establish the space in which your child can keep toys, e.g. anything that fits in a toy box can stay, but anything extra has to go. Becker’s 5-year-old son was allowed to keep toys that fit against one wall in his room. Your kid should be involved in deciding what stays and what goes.
<h3 id="3-turn-off-the-tv">3. Turn off the TV</h3>
Kids absorb advertising like sponges and, much as it affects us adults, makes them want things they don’t need. The easiest solution is to minimize screen time. If they don’t know about it, they won’t know what they’re missing.
<h3 id="4-figure-out-how-to-deal-with-gifts">4. Figure out how to deal with gifts</h3>
Have frank discussions with family members about your new approach and suggest alternatives, such as family outings, special meals, or gear that encourages outdoor play. When hosting a birthday party, make it a cash party, where guests are asked to bring $1, $2, or $5 to contribute to a single gift that the child chooses afterward. (In Canada we call it a “toonie” party; in the UK it’s a “fiver” party. I don’t know what you Americans would call it!)
<h3 id="5-one-in-one-out">5. One in, one out</h3>
Establish a system for avoiding future buildup of stuff. Keep a donation box on the go for extra items and insist on your child doing regular purges. For example, if they buy that birthday present using gift money, something else has to go to make room for it.
<h3 id="6-talk-to-your-kid">6. Talk to your kid</h3>
Kids are capable of understanding far more than we often give them credit for. Explain that less stuff equals more money, more time, more freedom, and will translate to family adventures that you might not have had the time, money, and energy for in the past. What’s not to love about that?
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<title>Top 10 Facts About Chinese New Year!</title>
<link>https://stuffs.cool/top-10-facts-about-chinese-new-year/</link>
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<dc:creator><![CDATA[mr.d]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2023 09:56:43 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Life Style]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://test.stuffs.cool/2023/01/23/top-10-facts-about-chinese-new-year/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[1. Chinese New Year falls on a different day each year Chinese New Year isn’t on the same day every […]
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]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2 id="1-chinese-new-year-falls-on-a-different-day-each-year">1. Chinese New Year falls on a different day each year</h2>
Chinese New Year isn’t on the same day every year. It’s usually in late January or February. The date is worked out by the ‘New Moon’.
<h2 id="2-it-is-also-known-as-%E2%80%98spring-festival%E2%80%99">2. It is also known as ‘Spring Festival’</h2>
The Chinese New Year is also known as ‘Spring Festival’.
This is because it signals the start of Spring!
It celebrates the start of new life.
<h2 id="3-in-china-each-year-is-linked-with-a-different-animal">3. In China, each year is linked with a different animal</h2>
The Chinese calendar goes in a cycle of 12 years.
Each year is symbolised by a different animal.
2023 is the year of the Rabbit!
It is believed that if you are born in a particular year then you will have some of the characteristics of that animal.
<h2 id="4-the-celebrations-last-for-15-days">4. The celebrations last for 15 days</h2>
The Chinese New Year isn’t only celebrated on one day.
Traditionally it is celebrated across 15 days and ends when there is a full moon!
It ends with the Lantern Festival.
However, the first three days are a public holiday in China and is when the main celebrations take place.
<h2 id="5-guo-nian-hao-means-happy-new-year">5. Guo Nian Hao means Happy New Year!</h2>
There are lots of different greetings that can be said during the Chinese New Year.
One of the best ones to say is ‘Guo Nian Hao’.
This means Happy New Year!
<h2 id="6-children-receive-red-envelopes-with-money-inside">6. Children receive red envelopes with money inside</h2>
During Chinese New Year, children receive red envelopes.
The envelopes have money inside of them!
They can spend the money on anything they like as they receive it instead of gifts.
The amount of money can be any amount but never includes the number 4.
It amount shouldn’t be able to divide by four either!
This is because the number four in Chinese sounds a bit like death!
<h2 id="7-chinese-new-year-ends-with-the-%E2%80%98lantern-festival%E2%80%99">7. Chinese New Year ends with the ‘Lantern Festival’</h2>
The Chinese New Year always ends with the Lantern Festival.
During the Lantern Festival, people will release flying lanterns into the sky.
They will also spend it celebrating with their families.
The Lantern Festival is all about reconciliation, peace, and forgiveness.
<h2 id="8-before-the-celebration-it-is-tradition-to-spring-clean-the-home-to-get-rid-of-bad-luck">8. Before the celebration it is tradition to spring clean the home to get rid of bad luck</h2>
Like many of us, people in China will clean their homes before the Chinese New Year celebrations.
However, this is actually because they believe it will sweep away any bad luck in time for the New Year.
<h2 id="9-lion-and-dragon-dances-are-very-popular-around-this-time">9. Lion and dragon dances are very popular around this time</h2>
Lion and dragon dances are very popular in China, especially during the Chinese New Year.
It is believed that they will bring good fortune to the local area.
During these dances, you will hear lots of loud drums.
The loud noise is said to drive all of the bad luck and spirits away!
<h2 id="10-fireworks-will-be-set-off-at-midnight">10. Fireworks will be set off at midnight!</h2>
Just like we do on New Years, during the Chinese New Year everyone will stay up until midnight.
At midnight there will be lots of fireworks!
There is a myth that there is a beast called Nian who doesn’t like loud noises or fire.
The fireworks take place to scare off Nian!
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<title>Man Knocks Down A Wall In His House And Uncovers An Entire Hidden City</title>
<link>https://stuffs.cool/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city/</link>
<comments>https://stuffs.cool/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city/#respond</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[mr.d]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 05 Dec 2022 13:36:27 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Amazing Places]]></category>
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<description><![CDATA[One day you decide you are going to do a little remodeling. You start with the basement. First you knock […]
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<content:encoded><![CDATA[One day you decide you are going to do a little remodeling. You start with the basement. First you knock down a wall. Maybe when you do, there is a tunnel. Maybe you go down that tunnel and find a hidden city. Wait, what!? Is this an Indiana Jones flick or your life? It’s actually one man’s life. Back in 1963, a man in the Nevsehir Province of Turkey, in an area known as Cappadocia, was redoing his house and discovered an entire city in his basement. Can you imagine what it would be like to find a hidden city behind a wall in your basement?
He ended up finding the ancient underground city of Derinkuyu. Derinkuyu was an entire city carved into the stone below Cappadocia.
<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img decoding="async" src="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-4.jpg" class="kg-image" alt loading="lazy" width="600" height="450" srcset="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-4.jpg 600w"></figure>
Reaching some 60 meters down, it had 18 levels, and included residences, churches, food storage, wineries, and even a school. Yes, that’s right, wineries!
<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img decoding="async" src="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-5.jpg" class="kg-image" alt loading="lazy" width="600" height="450" srcset="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-5.jpg 600w"></figure>
It was designed to house some 20,000 people as well as a number of livestock.
<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img decoding="async" src="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-6.jpg" class="kg-image" alt loading="lazy" width="600" height="811" srcset="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-6.jpg 600w"></figure>
It features vents to the surface and several discreet entrances like the tunnel found behind the wall. These hidden entrances suggest that the city was built as a precaution in order to shelter the population in times of war or natural disaster.
<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img decoding="async" src="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-7.jpg" class="kg-image" alt loading="lazy" width="600" height="450" srcset="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-7.jpg 600w"></figure>
Cities like this were used during times of Christian persecution, so religious items would be placed on the lowest levels for protection.
<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img decoding="async" src="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-8.jpg" class="kg-image" alt loading="lazy" width="600" height="404" srcset="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-8.jpg 600w"></figure>
The underground tunnels lead to giant rooms that housed schools, wine cellars, oil press rooms, churches, gathering halls, shops, tombs, arsenals, livestock corrals, escape routes and water wells separated from the surface water.
<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img decoding="async" src="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-10.jpg" class="kg-image" alt loading="lazy" width="1008" height="670" srcset="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1_man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-10.jpg 600w, https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-10.jpg 1000w, https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-10.jpg 1008w" sizes="(min-width: 720px) 720px"></figure>
There are over 100 entrances to the underground cities but each and every one of them are hidden behind bushes or walls, even courtyards had entrances that were hidden but big enough to move livestock in and out of.
<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img decoding="async" src="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-2.jpg" class="kg-image" alt loading="lazy" width="600" height="408" srcset="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-2.jpg 600w"></figure>
The entrances and other important rooms were guarded with giant stone doors. They were hand carved and weigh up to 1,00 pounds. Some are over 5 feet in diameter.
<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img decoding="async" src="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-1.jpg" class="kg-image" alt loading="lazy" width="600" height="401" srcset="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-1.jpg 600w"></figure>
Underground river systems were used as drinking sources in order to avoid being poisoned by surface water susceptible to enemies above ground.
<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img decoding="async" src="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-9.jpg" class="kg-image" alt loading="lazy" width="1008" height="675" srcset="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1_man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-9.jpg 600w, https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-9.jpg 1000w, https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-9.jpg 1008w" sizes="(min-width: 720px) 720px"></figure>
How amazing is this place? I’m astounded that it was completely built by hand. The size of the rooms is incredible. Right now about 10% of the underground city is open to the public but it was only discovered in 1963 so experts still have a lot to excavate and document.
<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img decoding="async" src="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-3.jpg" class="kg-image" alt loading="lazy" width="600" height="402" srcset="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-3.jpg 600w"></figure>
This is one of the well shafts. They built it so that the vent shaft did not reach the surface. This would prevent any poisoning from enemies on the surface.
<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img decoding="async" src="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-11.jpg" class="kg-image" alt loading="lazy" width="428" height="284"></figure>
This is a vertical staircase leading to a floor below. These lead to most levels and can be very dangerous.
<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img decoding="async" src="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-12.jpg" class="kg-image" alt loading="lazy" width="384" height="512"></figure>
The tunnels were dug very narrow to force people to walk through them single file. This would give the people living in the underground cities an advantage over their enemies.
<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img decoding="async" src="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city-13.jpg" class="kg-image" alt loading="lazy" width="425" height="640"></figure>
Based on research, the very elaborate underground city was connected via stairways and passages, and even connected to other underground cities through tunnels that stretched for miles. It’s thought to have been initially built during the seventh and eighth centuries BC, and was in continual, frequent use through the 12th century. Based on the church they found on the fifth and lowest level, it seems the population was Christian, and probably used the city during wartime. The city was also used as a refuge from the Mongolian invasion in the 1300s and up through the 20th century for Christian people fleeing persecution. It was finally abandoned for good in 1923. Most of Derinkuyu’s entrances are hidden. All of the five levels can be closed off separately with huge stone doors. The room intended for livestock and food stores, as well as a 55-meter shaft used as a well, means the inhabitants planned to be able to stay there for a very long period of time. There were even arsenals and escape passages in case things became desperate.
The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://stuffs.cool/man-knocks-down-a-wall-in-his-house-and-uncovers-an-entire-hidden-city/">Man Knocks Down A Wall In His House And Uncovers An Entire Hidden City</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://stuffs.cool">Stuff's COOL</a>.
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<title>Off-grid travel is booming, but are we doing it all wrong?</title>
<link>https://stuffs.cool/off-grid-travel-is-booming-but-are-we-doing-it-all-wrong/</link>
<comments>https://stuffs.cool/off-grid-travel-is-booming-but-are-we-doing-it-all-wrong/#respond</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[mr.d]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Nov 2022 15:04:28 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Life Style]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
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<description><![CDATA[“Puma!” A member of our hiking party whispered excitedly, pointing to the apex predator skulking through the valley after the […]
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<content:encoded><![CDATA[“Puma!” A member of our hiking party whispered excitedly, pointing to the apex predator skulking through the valley after the distinctive alarm call of a guanaco alerted us that a big cat was in our midst. As I savored this thrilling moment in the wilds of Chilean Patagonia, I also felt a surge of gratitude to experience it with my group. But safety in numbers had little to do with it.
Like many others stuck at home for months on end during coronavirus pandemic lockdowns, I yearned to escape the endless cycle of Zoom calls and immerse myself in nature. But it wasn’t until I began traveling off-grid again—in its purest form, without cellular data—that I realized it was the human connections facilitated by unplugging on the road that I had been missing the most.
As sustainable technologies increasingly make it easier to travel deeper into nature in more comfort, off-grid travel has boomed. Booking.com’s annual <a href="https://globalnews.booking.com/bookingcoms-seven-predictions-for-the-creative-reimagination-of-travel-in-2023/" class="broken_link">Travel Predictions Report</a> found almost half (44 percent) of global travelers were looking for an off-grid-style stay in 2023. Off-grid trips are typically promoted as a sustainable way to avoid crowds and rekindle our connection with nature, and with ourselves. And I’m so here for that.
But my latest off-grid adventure made me wonder if we’re undervaluing one of the most important connections this way of traveling offers us.
<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption"><img decoding="async" src="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/off-grid-travel-is-booming-but-are-we-doing-it-all-wrong-1.jpg" class="kg-image" alt loading="lazy" width="2000" height="1334" srcset="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1_off-grid-travel-is-booming-but-are-we-doing-it-all-wrong-1.jpg 600w, https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2_off-grid-travel-is-booming-but-are-we-doing-it-all-wrong-1.jpg 1000w, https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/3_off-grid-travel-is-booming-but-are-we-doing-it-all-wrong-1.jpg 1600w, https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/off-grid-travel-is-booming-but-are-we-doing-it-all-wrong-1.jpg 2400w" sizes="(min-width: 720px) 720px"><figcaption>“With phones out of the picture (except, of course, to take many pictures) we had gotten to know each other so well by the end of the trip that goodbyes triggered tears,” writes Sarah Reid.</figcaption></figure>
Connecting with people in real life is a key human need, even if you’re someone who enjoys solitude, says Dr Charlotte Russell, a UK-based clinical psychologist working in adult mental health, and the founder of <a href="https://thetravelpsychologist.co.uk/">The Travel Psychologist</a>. “Not having this kind of connection on a regular basis will have a negative impact on our mental health,” she explains. And nothing fosters human connection quite like a lack of internet access on the road.
Those of us who had the privilege of traveling before smartphones took off in the early 2010s will remember an era when connecting with people was a much more important part of the travel experience than connecting to the wi-fi (which didn’t even exist until 1997)… when we just asked an actual person as opposed to Google if our guidebook didn’t have the answers. And we filled periods of downtime waiting for buses to arrive or meals to be cooked by striking up conversation with locals or other travelers—instead of scrolling our socials.
While digital tech has given us more independence, our increasing reliance on it when we travel means we often miss out on serendipitous encounters with other travelers or locals, says Dr Lena Waizenegger, senior lecturer in Business Information Systems at the Auckland University of Technology, and co-author of a 2020 <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0047287519868314" class="broken_link">study</a> exploring digital disconnection on travelers’ emotional states. “Those encounters often make the trip special as we learn about an amazing beach from the locals that is not featured on any travel website, or we find a new friend in another traveler,” she adds.
I’ve embraced many of the conveniences now afforded by digital travel tech, from citizen science apps like <a href="https://www2.gbrmpa.gov.au/help/eye-on-the-reef" class="broken_link">Eye on the Reef</a> that offer easy ways to give back when I travel, to the simple joy of online check-in. But I didn’t realize how accustomed I’d become to being connected on the road until I found myself in a van full of strangers hurtling towards Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park on my first group tour post-Covid.
<blockquote>And when we do travel beyond the internet, Dr Lena Waizenegger says that switching back on can present other challenges. “Logging onto wi-fi and seeing a huge flood of notifications, emails and messages popping up can feel very overwhelming.”</blockquote>
I’d been advised by local operator, <a href="https://chilenativo.travel/">Chile Nativo,</a> that there was no wi-fi, and only a patchy cellular signal, at the wilderness camp where we’d be based for the next five nights. It was no biggie, really, but I was more anxious than usual—not just about being offline, but about whether my social skills could stand on their own after being out of practice for so long.
I needn’t have worried. Within no time, I’d happily abandoned trying to find a signal in favor of leaning into the opportunity to connect with my fellow travelers as we paddled down wild, glacial rivers, tramped remote mountain trails, and communed for pre-dinner pisco sours by the fire each evening. With phones out of the picture (except, of course, to take many pictures) we had gotten to know each other so well by the end of the trip that goodbyes triggered tears.
<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card kg-card-hascaption"><img decoding="async" src="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/off-grid-travel-is-booming-but-are-we-doing-it-all-wrong-2.jpg" class="kg-image" alt loading="lazy" width="2000" height="1334" srcset="https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1_off-grid-travel-is-booming-but-are-we-doing-it-all-wrong-2.jpg 600w, https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2_off-grid-travel-is-booming-but-are-we-doing-it-all-wrong-2.jpg 1000w, https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/3_off-grid-travel-is-booming-but-are-we-doing-it-all-wrong-2.jpg 1600w, https://stuffs.cool/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/off-grid-travel-is-booming-but-are-we-doing-it-all-wrong-2.jpg 2400w" sizes="(min-width: 720px) 720px"><figcaption>The writer’s latest off-grid adventure in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park made her wonder if “we’re undervaluing one of the most important connections this way of traveling offers us.”</figcaption></figure>
But it’s not only the human connections facilitated by off-grid travel that makes it good for us, says Russell. “Off grid travel may take us out of our comfort zone and presents us with unique challenges to overcome,” she explains. “This can be beneficial for our learning, confidence and personal growth.”
This rang particularly true for me on a stay, before the pandemic, at<a href="https://kolarbyn.se/en/hem-english/"> Kolarbyn Eco Lodge</a>—billed as Sweden’s most primitive hostel. I spent only one night there with my tour group, but the experience of working together to complete tasks we typically rely on utilities to do for us—such as chopping wood and building fires to cook our meals—not only brought our group closer in one night than the first three days of our trip combined, but it also reminded me that I can do hard things, as anyone who has tried to make a fire using a flint (in the freezing rain) will understand.
Now we have smartphones loaded up with TV series, podcasts, and photo-editing apps to tempt us during downtime on off-grid trips, it can be difficult to completely disconnect from our screens. And when we do travel beyond the internet, Waizenegger says that switching back on can present other challenges. “Logging onto wi-fi and seeing a huge flood of notifications, emails and messages popping up can feel very overwhelming,” she says.
I know that feeling all too well. But in an era of digital overload, I reckon the payoff is worth it.
The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://stuffs.cool/off-grid-travel-is-booming-but-are-we-doing-it-all-wrong/">Off-grid travel is booming, but are we doing it all wrong?</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://stuffs.cool">Stuff's COOL</a>.
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<title>What Is a Bioregion—and Why Does It Matter in Garden Design?</title>
<link>https://stuffs.cool/what-is-a-bioregion-and-why-does-it-matter-in-garden-design/</link>
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<dc:creator><![CDATA[mr.d]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Sun, 27 Nov 2022 02:59:25 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Agriculture]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Gardens]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Life Style]]></category>
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<description><![CDATA[Bioregions are important for shaping our gardens in sustainable and eco-friendly ways and for helping us find our place in […]
The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://stuffs.cool/what-is-a-bioregion-and-why-does-it-matter-in-garden-design/">What Is a Bioregion—and Why Does It Matter in Garden Design?</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://stuffs.cool">Stuff's COOL</a>.
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<content:encoded><![CDATA[Bioregions are important for shaping our gardens in sustainable and eco-friendly ways and for helping us find our place in the world. Bioregionalism is an interesting concept that could help us move toward a human society that works in better harmony with the natural world.
Thinking in terms of bioregions rather than nations or other political divisions can help inform best practice in societal organizations. But what I will write about in this article is why recognizing our bioregions can also be very important in garden design.
<h2 id="what-is-a-bioregion">What Is a Bioregion?</h2>
A bioregion is an area where boundaries are defined not by arbitrary political or national boundaries, but by natural topographic and biological features. There are different ways to divide areas into bioregions, but any approach that strives to do this is called bioregionalism.
This approach aims to link humanity and human systems to the surrounding natural environment, forging strong links between people and the environment in which they live and finding the best solutions for that environment.
Bioregions can be defined by a range of different geographical and ecological features, e.g. mountain ranges, major rivers and water systems, topography and soils, and prevailing ecosystem types, such as forests, grasslands, wetlands, deserts, native flora and fauna, etc.
Bioregionalism can also involve looking at how humanity has traditionally interacted with the landscape—and looking at patterns of land use and societal systems in conjunction with the natural framework. Shared societal concepts, history, and heritage can also come into play.
Looking at bioregions means taking a holistic look at where we live and how we fit in, both as a species and as individuals. This is an approach which aims to help us find and understand our place in the world, work in harmony with our surroundings, and work with others who live in the same environmental conditions as we do.
<h2 id="considering-bioregion-in-garden-design">Considering Bioregion in Garden Design</h2>
Over the years, I’ve realized that looking at the bigger picture is hugely important in garden design. When designing a garden, we cannot just look at the site itself, but must consider it in broader landscape, environmental, and even social contexts.
Before we can begin to work out the best design for a specific site, we need to look at the patterns and flows that surround it. Recognizing the bioregion in which we find ourselves can be a crucial step in determining the best garden designs. Most obviously, our bioregion will be defined by climate, geography, and hydrology. We need to look at factors like sunlight, wind, and water—wild directional forces acting on the site.
Beyond this, we need to look at the bigger picture by examining the patterns of plant growth. Broadly speaking, which plant life predominates in the area? In gardens, it can be beneficial to mimic natural ecosystems, while creating systems which can abundantly meet our own needs. If, for example, you live in a bioregion where woodland or forest predominates, forest gardening could provide the best solutions for the space.
Being sensitive to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/ecotones" rel="noopener" class="broken_link">ecotones</a> (areas of transition between ecosystems) and eschewing hard borders can help us to see further broader patterns, such as the migratory paths of wildlife, and to aid native wildlife in our gardens.
But what is often forgotten is that gardeners need to consider broader human impact and systems. A bioregional approach means looking at indigenous knowledge and history, as well as recognizing contemporary human impact on the land. It can be helpful to look at the gifts nature gives us and to think about what we can give nature in return, wherever we live.
The solutions we shape must take humanity into account as part of natural systems, not as something distinctly apart from it. We should come to define where we live not in terms of political structures and boundaries, but rather in terms of the real natural structures and boundaries that give our lives meaning and shape the place we call home.
Looking deeply at the bioregion to which we belong—and challenging modern conceptions that may shape the way in which we think about where we live—can help us find the best design for our properties. It can guide us to garden in a way that respects and acknowledges our place within a bigger picture.
Considering bioregions before honing in on more specific details of our smaller eco-regions and specific sites can help us to find our place in a better and more harmonious world.
The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://stuffs.cool/what-is-a-bioregion-and-why-does-it-matter-in-garden-design/">What Is a Bioregion—and Why Does It Matter in Garden Design?</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://stuffs.cool">Stuff's COOL</a>.
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<title>Different Types of Water Energy</title>
<link>https://stuffs.cool/different-types-of-water-energy/</link>
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<dc:creator><![CDATA[mr.d]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Nov 2022 17:43:22 +0000</pubDate>
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<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
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<description><![CDATA[The use of water energy dates back to antiquity and is integral to modern thermal power and hydropower production. It […]
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<content:encoded><![CDATA[The use of water energy dates back to antiquity and is integral to modern thermal power and hydropower production. It also may come to play an important role in emerging energy generation technologies. Hydropower is one of the most popular types of clean energy production.
<h2 id="water-vapor-in-thermal-power-plants">Water Vapor in Thermal Power Plants</h2>
Steam is a powerful source of energy. In fact, the invention of the steam engine in 1705 was a key catalyst for the Industrial Revolution. Today, most thermal power facilities boil water to generate steam, which is directed at high pressure to create electricity. Pressurized water vapor is used to turn power plant turbines, which generates electrical power.
The heat required to boil water to create steam results from the burning of fossil fuels, or nuclear fission in the case of nuclear power plants. Thermal heat is the dominant form of electricity generation in the United States. According to the <a href="https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=427&t=3" rel="noopener">U.S. Energy Information Administration</a> (EIA), fossil fuels generated 63.6% of U.S. electricity in 2018, while another 19.4% was produced by nuclear power.
Another example of using steam for electrical and heat energy is geothermal energy. Water is heated from inside the Earth to create steam. In some cases, steam rises naturally to the surface where it can be harnessed to generate electricity. In other cases, cold water can be pumped down into wells to be heated, before being extracted.
Geothermal energy accounts for only 0.4% of U.S. generation. Thanks to its massive energy consumption, however, <a href="https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/features/top-geothermal-power-producing-countries/" rel="noopener">America boasted the most</a> installed geothermal power capacity of any country in 2018, according to an NS Energy analysis. That production of 16.7 billion kilowatt-hours tops even Indonesia, the home of four of the largest geothermal projects in the world.
<h2 id="hydropower">Hydropower</h2>
Hydropoweris created by falling of fast running water. In the past, flowing water was used to turn water wheels for powering gristmills and early sawmills. The relationship between hydropower and electricity dates back to the earliest period of the electric age. Water is typically stored in reservoirs and released to a lower elevation. It is channeled through turbines to generate electricity. Hydropower may also be generated from flowing water in rivers (<a href="http://www.eesi.org/topics/water-hydropower-wave-power/description" rel="noopener">run-of-the-river plants</a>) as well as water flowing from reservoirs. Run-of-the-river plants are used to provide electricity in smaller communities and cause less environmental impact than reservoir storage. They are popular in China.
Hydroelectric power is a key source of electrical generation in some countries. In the U.S., however, it plays a secondary role. It accounts for 7.5% of U.S. electrical production. Issues such as land acquisition and environmental impact create barriers to new projects. Also noteworthy, reservoirs often perform additional roles such as water supply and flood control, which may compromise their role regarding electricity generation.
<h2 id="tidal-energy">Tidal Energy</h2>
The creation of tidal energy results from the movement of ocean water associated with the rise and fall of tides. The first tidal power plant was established in La Rance, France, and the largest is in South Korea—the Sihwa Lake Tidal Power Station. According to National Geographic, the U.S. has no tidal generation plants and just a handful of locations where tidal energy production would be economically feasible. Other countries, including China, France, England, Canada, and Russia have more potentially viable locations.
While tidal energy is a renewable source, there may be environmental impacts associated with installations. At the La Rance facility, for example, the plaice—a type of flatfish species—became extinct in the area, while native aquatic plants suffocated in the silt. The shift to a cloudy, silty ecosystem favored the proliferation of other species such as cuttlefish, a relative of squids.
<h2 id="other-types-of-water-energy">Other Types of Water Energy</h2>
Other niche types of water energy relate to the storage of energy in bodies of water or the generation of electricity from falling rain. One application being looked at with guarded optimism is the growth of algae on the water. This algae growth can be harvested and used to create biofuel.
Another possibility is the storage of solar energy in water, which can be tapped for energy withdrawal. One interesting new application involves the use of solar energy to help desalinate ocean water enclosed in large tanks. Then, when energy is needed, salt can be reintroduced to the water to release energy. According to the inventor, electricity can be stored much more cheaply than in lead-acid batteries.
Water and energy have an important relationship, both directly, as outlined in the examples above, as well as indirectly in processes such as fracking. In the fracking or hydraulic fracturing process, each well can necessitate as many as 7 million gallons of water. It is pumped underground to release trapped oil or natural gas.
The relationship of water energy and civilization goes back to ancient times and along with other sustainable energy sources such as solar, provides hope for the supply of clean energy in the future.
The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://stuffs.cool/different-types-of-water-energy/">Different Types of Water Energy</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://stuffs.cool">Stuff's COOL</a>.
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