Internet of Farming: Arduino-based, backyard aquaponics

This the most practical looking aquaponic system.  It would work great in SoCal because most newer homes come with a tiny yard.
TK

Gluten Good or Gluten Bad?

For the past two weeks I started eating a paleo style diet that is Gluten & Sugar FREE.  I've definitely lost some pounds and feel pretty good.  I did notice a slight loss of energy when doing hard workouts or when I excerpted a lot of energy at work.  I found a good article that goes over the Gluten aspect of the diet here....

http://www.webmd.com/diet/healthy-kitchen-11/truth-about-gluten

It's got some mixed opinions on Gluten.  I definitely don't trust the Government or FDA for any food recommendations so I'm just going to trust my gut....lieterally!  TK

Aquaponics vs Traditional Growing

I found a great article that goes through the advantages and disadvantages of aquaponics.  Matthew McCarthy does a great job explaining it below.  Aquaponics is still in the infant stages of development and I believe there is tremendous upside to this process of farming.

The most underestimated aspects of Aquaponics is that it is stackable!

Enjoy the article!

TK

Click Link Below To Read Article....

Advantages and Disadvantages of Aquaponics

posted Feb 6, 2011, 10:17 AM by Matthew McCarthy 

Traveling Food

As I drove down the highway today immersed between two giant trucks with food labels on the side I started to wonder how far the food I eat has to travel.

As a case study I found these statistics below.  This is a comparison between two Markets in the Bay Area.  One is the Terminal Market (AKA Big Grocery Store Chain) and the other is a local farmers market.  This would be similar in any other major metropolitan area.

Average Distances from Farm to Market

Terminal Market vs. Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

Apples: 1,555 miles vs. 105 miles

Tomatoes: 1,369 miles vs. 117 miles

Grapes: 2,143 miles vs. 151 miles

Beans: 766 miles vs. 101 miles

Peaches: 1,674 miles vs. 184 miles

Winter Squash: 781 miles vs. 98 miles

Greens: 889 miles vs. 99 miles

Lettuce: 2,055 miles vs. 102 miles

What's most striking about the stats above is the fuel costs associated with them.  If fuel prices went up to $10/gallon...what would happen to the price of food?  Economics would tell us that the local farmers market would have a distinct pricing edge on Big Agriculture in this situation.  I'm expecting more of the food we eat will be less road weary in the future!

TK