Something to take pride in
I find it frustrating. I find it overwhelmingly frustrating to wake up to a world where no one gets along, the only thing that matters to the world is how much money the other guys makes as compared to ourselves, and what other people are doing in the privacy of their own homes. I find it frustrating that the harder we work towards making the world a better place for ourselves, and for the future generations, there are people who will make it a point do undo years of work with the stroke of a pen in the name of the almighty dollar.
I’m not saying that I’m against capitalism, in fact, I think it’s a great idea that might have gone a little out of control. When companies send the labor to sweatshops in third world countries to save millions of dollars to make investors rich at the expense of the workers who, more often than we would like to think, have given their lives to making quality products right here at home. When companies spew ton after ton of carbon and other toxic chemicals into the air causing acid rain and killing the land, animals, and people around them in order to make a quick buck. I think they have gone too far when they replace wholesome, organic growing methods with genetically modified seeds swimming in chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. I think it has gone out of control when the dollar takes precedence over human life and the well being of the people who made you who you are. Every day I look at the news to see that there are fewer and fewer people who actually care about what life should be about by giving into greed and the idea of “he with the most toys, wins”. Every day I’m disappointed.
I grew up in a small farming community. We weren’t rich, but we had what we needed to survive. When I was young, I fell in love with nature and all the glory of Mother Earth. I believe that driving a fast car or living in a big car isn’t something to brag about, but a table covered in food I grew myself and have purchased from the farmers within my community whom I call friends…
…that is something to take pride in.
You can help…
One of the biggest problems facing America today won’t be found on Wall Street, the White House, or in Congress. Though they are the cause of many of the problems, the issues that plague us the most can be found right in our back yards, down the street, and within our own communities. There seems to be a real disconnect between the many different communities within our cities, and even a disconnect within the communities, themselves.
The Rochester metro area is home to over one million people, and of that one million people, over 3/4 live in an area that would be considered projects or ghetto by most peoples standards. They are low-income, often low education and for the 
most part, forgotten, until there is a news story about drugs and gangs that fill the neighborhoods.
There are a small handful of us who would like to give these areas in our city a second chance. We believe there is still a lot of good in these areas, but we also believe that there needs to be a lot of work to achieve the goals we have in mind.
Urban gardens have been springing up all over the country. They have proven to bring positive influence into neighborhoods that have been written off as lost and not worth fighting for. When there is something beautiful and alive, people tend understand that there might be a bigger picture than the single brush stroke they have been focused on their entire lives.
This is for those of you here in Rochester, New York. We would like to bring all the people within Rochester together for the greater good. If you have a small space you could donate, a tools to donate, or time, we believe we can make Rochester a better place one garden at a time. The goal is to bring the city together as one community. If we believe we can succeed, we can.
There is still a lot to discuss. If you are interested, please contact myself at ourtinyearth@gmail.com or post in the comments below.
Thank you
Green like us…
If there’s anything that I’ve learned since starting Our Tiny Earth back in August, it’s that there are a lot of us out there. There are a lot of people who embrace ad live the idea of sustainability both individually and within their communities. I have read countless blogs and have talked to countless people not only within my own community, but in communities from around the world where people have done great things to promote and teach others about communal sustainability.
One of the best blogs out there today is Reduce Footprints. There are very few people out there with the passion and the drive to push the green community in the right direction and keep the fire going within all of us to keep
moving, ourselves.
All Natural Katie is proof that it can be done! She’s aiming at living a 100% natural lifestyle. I can’t think of a more daunting task, but at the same time, I can’t think of too many that are nearly as noble.
There are a lot of challenges to staying green and self-sufficiency, and a big one is location. Alaskan Grown Revolution tackles the challenge of self-sufficiency and sustainability in Alaska. Where many of us cringe at the idea of a shorter growing season and often unforgiving conditions, some thrive!
Mark Ostendorf has a way with words. Where I tend to be more blunt,, mark has a way of promoting sustainability with eloquence and brilliance. A wonderful example of what we’re all trying to achieve, Stewards Of Earth is a blog that should be read by everyone..
There are a lot more blogs, farms and businesses out there I would love to promote. Please, take your time and write a little about yourself below in the comments section along with a link to your blog, website, or Facebook page. I would also like to recommend going to Reduce Footprints to check out Meet and Greet Mondays. There are hundreds of links to people just like you who are striving to make the world a better place.
Salty, but sweet at the same time…
In the small town where I’m from, there are still a lot of people who refuse to go into the city. These are the same people who think that living in the city means that we have to deal with piss soaked sidewalks, gangs, muggings, and stolen cars. Well, the truth is, not everyone in the city is going to beat you up for your lunch money or try to sell you drugs. There’s always that stigma to living in a city. There’s always going to be a negative to everything, but once you take your time and really try to give it a chance, I promise you, you’re going to see a side of the city life you’ve never known existed.
Rochester is no booming metropolis, by any means. We’re a cold rust-belt city where the people can be every bit as salty as the roads in mid January. We love our garbage plates, cringe when we here the word ‘Kodak’, and call a foot of snow a ‘dusting’. We can’t be compared to cities like Seattle, New York, or Chicago, that would be like comparing Leadbelly to Chopin. Both great in their own right, but should never be named in the same sentence.
This weekend, Michelle and I took it upon ourselves to experience what makes our fair city great. Though we barely scraped the tip of it, we were still able to find a great time no matter where we went. My friend, Jesse and I started off at Mark’s Texas Hots. I know I shouldn’t even consider one with Crohn’s, but I had to have a plate. It’s one of Rochester’s favorites. Greasy, meaty, and as blue collar as the pipe fitter sitting across the table. I don’t care what your diet is. I don’t care if you’ve made it your goal in life to only eat the healthiest food you can get your hands on, you will eat a plate when in Rochester. Don’t worry about what it is, just ask for a plate at whatever local restaurant you’re at. They have it.
Roller Derby is taking the world by storm, and there’s no way we’re being left out of this one! 
There’s nothing like a bunch of gritty, pissed of women racing around a small oval with fire in their eyes and the taste of blood in their tongues! If there’s any sport that fits Rochester, I would have to say, it’s Roller Derby
Earlier that morning, it was all about getting my hands on something from a local farm. Woke up early and found myself at the Public Market. Though the majority of what they’re selling at this point of the year is far from local, you can still find lots of great local meat. I ended up with an organic chicken from Shannon Brook Farm. out of Watkins Glen, NY. It’s going to be grilled this week.
The night was rounded out at Beale Street Cafe right around the corner from our house. No complaints…
Breakfast at Highland diner rounded out our weekend of supporting local. The best part was it didn’t cost any more than it would have cost if we had spent all of our money at a local chain, but it was spent locally. That’s what sustainable community is all about. Some people might call me strange because I’ll go out of my way to stay local, but in all reality, it’s a lot more fun. I’m supporting people and businesses I believe in, and it’s all done on my own terms, not on the terms thought up in a board room at the TGI Friday’s headquarters. This is Community at its best…
Breathe…
it’s all so very fast and uncontrolled. There’s not rhythm, no harmony, no grace in the world outside the door. The world is involved in a great race towards an unseen end with no great prize to be claimed, except for the inevitable. I feel sorry for the human race, to be honest. For the most part, I think people have lost sight of what life is truly about. People have lost the ability to simply sit back and enjoy the moment. I’ll admit, I’m surly one of the worst offenders, but how I would love the chance to slow down. How Michelle would
Myself on the right, and my dad on the left.
love for me to take the time to just enjoy the day. Just one day.
If anything, my drive is what is hindering my progress towards sustainability, though that’s what I’m driving for.. I know it doesn’t really make much sense at first, but when you think about it, it makes perfect sense. I have been working so hard that I’m missing important details. I’m even backtracking to a point.I’m pushing myself so hard that I find myself flustered all too often. I read all these great articles by all these great bloggers, and journalists, and I see myself doing what they have achieved. I find myself setting a goal in my head to achieve the levels of amazing that they have achieved, but aiming to achieve the goals by next week, knowing full well that it’s not an overnight process. I need to get back on the right track. I need to take things in stride.
Tonight I’m listening to Chopin. Tonight I’m taking it easy. Breathe. Breathe. Things will happen, Scott, just be patient…
A Few Months In…
As many of you know, Our Tiny Earth is about sustainability, community, and how Michelle and I work to live within our community while maintaining a certain level of sustainability within our own lives. To be honest, it’s not as easy as we had hoped. We knew that there would be a lot of challenges and that it wouldn’t be a simple overnight transition, but there are a lot of factors in which we never really thought about. Though we feel hat we have a firm understanding on basic gardening, we quickly discover that there are a lot of things we don’t know. There are a lot of things for us to learn. It’s also not as cheap as we had anticipated. We knew that it would be expensive, but i find myself saving to buy a single item that we need, but that single item is only one small piece of a giant puzzle. The relationships we have with people. Some are not as we would want them to be, but we have to understand that sometimes people just don’t get along. It’s just a simple fact of life.
Mom and Dad's Back Yard
We have had our struggles, but then at the same times, we have had our triumphs. We’re eating food in the middle of February that we pulled from our garden in August, covering our homemade bread with jams and jellies we made in our kitchen from local and organic ingredients. We’ve met some of the most wonderful people in our lives and have maintained relationships with them that will last for the rest of our lives, and, we hope will enrich the relationships of those who also live within our community. Though we have spent a good amount of money, we have saved a good amount of money. I believe as we progress, the saving will begin to outweigh the spending. Michelle and i have become very active members of our community, taking part in local neighborhood and community events and organizations, dining at local restaurants, purchasing from local farmers, and drinking locally brewed beers!
In all, we’re not even close to our goal of becoming 100% sustainable, but we’re well on our way. It’s a slow process where opening our minds to learning new things is the most important thing we can do. I’m proud of Michelle and myself. I’m proud of the people in our community. I’m proud of the farmers and local business owners. We’re doing well. I love you all.
You’ve Heard It Before, Support Your Local Artist
We love the Arts. There’s something about the ability to not only see the world from your own perspective, but to bring others in to see it from that point of view as well. It’s a beautiful concept unique to the individual who creates each individual piece, be it a painting, sculpture, photograph, drawing, musical score, or even a small part in a play or independent film. I think it’s the idea that I’m looking at or listening to a part of someones soul. They are sharing a part of themselves with us. The local art scene is every bit as important as any other part of a cities culture. The art is what gives the city individuality and a heart. It’s what sets your city apart from all of the other cities in the world. Where industry would be the calloused hands that keep us moving, art is the heart and soul that gives us the reason and the purpose to move in the first place.
Print by Rochester based artist Rachael Hetzel, Pistachio Press
Unfortunately, we live in a society where the Arts are being pushed aside by those who feel they have the answers. Art as seen as a worthless waste of time that has no short term financial benefit to anyone, but these people are once again forgetting what art is. If you look back and look at the history of the great civilizations, one of the first things you will notice is the art.
Rochester has one of the greatest art communities of any small city I’ve been to. We have some of the finest learning institutions and galleries in the country, but they remain small and accessible for the entire city to go to and appreciate. Often there are shows, like the coming 6×6 show at the Rochester Contemporary Art Center, which brings in Art from all over the Country and the world. They encourage everyone to participate, to create a 6×6 piece that could sit alongside a 6×6 from a contemporary great. It’s about community participation for the greater good.
What defines a culture? What makes your community so unique and completely individual from the all the others. Yes, you can say its the people, but when you get down to it, it’s going to be the art that’s remembered about your community and your culture. So, when you think about what’s important, don’t forget to put art at the top of the list.
Snow Daze
Well, it happened. The way it’s been going, I was beginning to think we might never see a winter this year, but sure enough, there is a thick white blanket of snow outside the window draped across the city. I should have known that it was too good to be true. It looks like we’re trapped for the time being. I know we could go out and play in the snow, but I don’t think the idea of careening down a sheet of ice on a molded piece of plastic is really my cup of tea anymore. I’m more of a sit inside by the warmth of the oven as the bread is baking kind of guy.
A cold day in Upstate, NY. Photo of the author by Devon Sargent
Kind of funny. I would have never said that just a couple years ago.
Aside from teaching a class a little later, I really don’t have too many plans for today. It might be a good day to bake bread or cookies, or it could be a great day to settle down to a nice hot bowl of soup. Our friend, Robin, was telling me about her knitting project. Preparing for next falls farmers market, she’s going to have herself a nice new pair of knit gloves. Maybe now is a good time to get some reading done.
There are some positives to this time of year, really, there are. It’s a time to get caught up with everything you won’t have time to do the rest of the year, it’s a time for the Earth to regenerate from the abuse from the year before, and it’s a time to relax. Hopefully I can get a little of the relaxation this afternoon. I guess it’s just one of those thing you have to do when you live in Upstate, NY, make the most of your snow days!
Valentine’s?
Though it’s been unseasonably warm this year, winter always seems to drag on and on. There have been some sure signs of the coming spring popping up here ad there, but for the most part, winter is still very much here.
We’re really starting to get things moving along. Seeds are ordered, business cards are ordered, our community garden plot has been secured, the plans for the vertical garden are taking form, and there is a solid amount of compost that will be ready to go this spring. I guess you could say that we’re ahead of the curve for now. It’s a nice place to be. As far as I’m concerned, it’s better to be a couple steps ahead at all times, because there could always be a bump in the road to throw you off track.
Though Michelle and I have a lot going on at what seems to be 24/7, we do our best to find time with each other. As far as I’m concerned, community starts at home. This weekend is Valentines day weekend in our house. I know, I know, Valentine’s day is on Tuesday, but we have things going on during the week. How can anyone express their love for someone within just a couple hours? You can’t. You shouldn’t. So, the idea is to make today Valentine’s day. The idea is to show Michelle the greatest night of her life, or at least the greatest night of the week.
Other than Christmas, Valentine’s day is the most corporate of all the holidays.
It’s big business telling you what would make your better half happy and how you should love her or him. countless of millions of dollars goes into Valentines novelties, gifts, themed diners at chain restaurants, and other garbage that glorifies capitalism more than the bond between two people who love each other. I’m not against capitalism by any means, but maybe Valentine’s Day should represent more than the love for an individual. Maybe it should represent the love for community. Seriously. You’re going to be spending money on your significant other, what are you spending it on? Are you going to buy cheap Russell Stovers candy or, if your here in Rochester, are you going to buy Hedonist Chocolates? Are you going to order an FTD bouquet online, or are you going to visit a local florist? Are you going to throw all creativity out the window and bring your lady to TGI Friday’s, or are you going to bring her somewhere where there has been love involved in every step of creating your dinner, like at Good Luck?
I would love to let you all know what I have planned for my beautiful lady tonight, but I think I’m going to keep it to myself for now. We wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise, now would we? Okay, I’m off. I might be back later…
No Excuses
Urban farming is one of the fastest growing movements in America and around the world. There are millions of people who are walking away from the grocery stores and corporate factory farms and into their backyards and driveways for the food they need. Why are the doing this and how are they growing all they need in the severely limited spaces of the city?
As we’ve stated in previous blogs, there is a movement toward community and sustainability within the walls of many of our cities around the world. A distrust for companies like Monsanto, DuPont, Kraft, and many others have brought these people to more organic and a more instinctual way of doing things. Living in the city, most of us have very little space to walk around, let alone grow all the food we need for a year. Our yards are often smaller than a single room in our apartments and usually offer even less sunlight. So, when gardening, we need to make compromises and utilize the resources that are within our communities.
Community gardens are growing fast throughout Rochester, and I suspect that this is the trend throughout the country. I’ve written about the community garden in the past, so I feel that it’s best to just keep going. Another option that 
I think could be nice is vertical gardening. This is what I plan on doing in our driveway this year. The idea is simple. An A-frame rack built of untreated 2×6 boards and 6″ schedule 40 PVC with 4″ holes cut every 6 inches to allow for growth and proper root structure. At the bottom of the rack would be coasters so the rack can be moved with the sun, maximizing the exposure throughout the day. My idea is to grow green leafy veggies, peppers, and herbs in the rack leaving room for the bigger plants in the community garden.
There are always options. I hear far too often that people cannot grow in the city because the lack of room, but in all reality, there is always a place to grow your produce. You just need to think outside the box, sometimes.
What we’re growing…
The other night, Michelle and I found ourselves at the Rochester Roots office for the first of their Growing Together Urban Agriculture Workshop series. Sarah Scott did a great job in renewing our energy and excitement for gardening and Urban farming as a whole.
We have some pretty lofty goals, but I think they are all within the realm of possibility with a little hard work and dedication to the end product. This weekend I’m planning on ordering some more seeds that I feel that we will need to properly complete our garden and our way of life. I also would like to look into the idea of vertical gardening. This would entail the use of PVC pipes as a vertical set up that should allow for a greater output of green leafy veggies, and fruits such as strawberries. I am planning on making this year the most productive ever..
What we’re growing:
Grape Tomatoes (great for sauce)
Green Zebra Tomatoes
Brandywine Tomatoes
Paste Tomatoes
Striped German Tomatoes
Zucchini
Butternut Squash
Okra
New England Pie Pumpkins
Long Island Cheese Pumpkins
Snap Peas
Leeks
Scallions
Red Onions
Bulls Blood Beets
Golden Beets
Swiss Chard
Spinach
Cucumbers
Hubbard Squash
Colored Bell Peppers
Collard Greens
Pole Beans
Pok Choi
Eggplant
Basil
Thai Basil
Chives
Flax
Parsley
Mint
I know it seems like a lot, but with the right growing techniques, I’m certain we will have a very successful year…
Integrity is the foundation for all that we do…
It’s a basic human right to be able to eat fresh food and drink water free from chemicals and genetic science experiments, at least it should be. There are millions of acres of farmland in America today. Just about anything one could ever want or need can be found growing in our fields. It’s a virtual buffet of agriculture, but there’s something that they’ve been hiding from you, or at least, something they’ve been trying to hide from you. At least trying to hide from you.
Monsanto was started in 1901 by pharmaceutical industry veteran, John Francis Queeny. 
Their first product was the artificial sweetener, Saccharin. which was then used by Coca-Cola. In the roaring 20′s, they tried their hand at industrial chemicals such as sulfuric acid. By the ’40′s, Monsanto had found itself in the plastic industry manufacturing polystyrene and other synthetic fibers. Also in the 1940′s Monsanto had been working on even more ambitious projects, such as the Manhattan Project. Yes, that Manhattan Project. Monsanto then hit it big with DDT, Agent Orange, Bovine Growth Hormone, NutriSweet, RoundUp and pharmaceuticals.
For the past 111 years, Monsanto has been on the fast track to take over the world. In doing so, they have dropped all business morals and ethics. Their products have consistently throughout the years, poisoned and killed man, animal and earth in the name of making life easier and and saving lives. With a little research, one would find that Monsanto has been one of the most destructive companies in the history of the world,and it’s only going to get worse.
I feel that it would be best if I just shut my mouth and let you, the reader check it out for yourself
Axis Of Evil?
When you think you’ve found the perfect product, you start to dig a little, and you might find something that could turn you away for good, or at least make you think about the choices you”re making. Until the 50′s, Camel cigarettes were that product, and before that it was Coca-Cola. Now we have countless products that we think of as perfect in every way from Apple to Tropicana Orange Juice. We believe that the products we love can do no wrong, and we’ll continue to frequent their products no matter what. Or will we?
Apple is one of the most loved and most respected of all brands world wide. At $450 per share, it’s safe to say the name Apple is going to be with us for many years to come. There have been few companies outside of Apple that have the innovative reputation of Apple. The interesting thing is, Apple has done nothing of the sort. There are few companies out there that have capitalized on repackaging other companies innovations and marketing it as their own. As a matter of fact, that might be one of the most unethical business models out there, other than big oil, Monsanto or Wal-Mart. Apple has made billions off the idea that people don’t care about morals and ethics when a popular brand is attached. Heck, Apple is so confident that their users won’t conduct the proper market research that they sell a product with 1/2 the power for twice as much money! I can’t blame them, though. It is business. What can I blame them for? Stealing products from companies who can’t afford to fight back when Apple sues for a product that clearly isn’t theirs. Obviously, Apple will win. Money takes all. I don’t think we have to go into the immoral wasteland that is Foxconn? I didn’t think so.
If Apple is Camel, then Mircosoft is Phillip Morris. One third of the access of technological evil. Everything that’s been done by Apple, was done by Microsoft as well. The only difference is that at least Microsofts founder is doing something respectable with himself now that he’s “retired.”
Google has become the third point in this Axis of Evil. Google has done everything in their power to take over the world that has not been taken by Apple and Microsoft. Google might have even brought it a level further. Do you have any secrets? Yeah? Well think again. Google has made it a point to know everything about you, your family, and everyone you know. I feel bad that I have Gmail.
When you’re shopping for technology, it’s not always best to look for the big brand that everyone knows. It’s usually the little guy you should be looking for. Those are the ones with something to prove. Sometimes you have to think outside the box. What you thought was good for you, very well might not be.
Leap Year Give Away!
We all love drawings! We do, and we know you do as well, that’s why Our Tiny Earth is giving away a free subscription to Urban Farm Magazine. All you have to do is become an Our Tiny Earth subscriber by clicking on the link to the left, like us on Facebook, which you can also do on the left, and post a link to Our Tiny Earth either in your blog or on your Facebook page. It’s that easy. We would also like you to tell us about someone who is doing something awesome in your community so that person can get a gift as well for all the hard work that they’ve done! So, get on it! Let’s see you guys! The drawing is on February 29, so let’s get everything in by February 27!
