Agriculture

Farm Products Guide 2009/2010

Mobile Processing Unit

Lopez Island Farm Education Brochure

Energy

Energy Survey Results

Wind Testing Final Report, 2007

The Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD) Program of the Lopez Community Land Trust is committed to cultivating an ethic of agricultural land stewardship, providing education about the importance of strong local food systems and actively promoting the development of small scale agricultural infrastructure for the San Juan Islands. Through the efforts of LCLT staff, community volunteers, and local farmers, the SARD program is increasing the economic feasability of small-scale, ecologically sound agriculture and creating new avenues for sustainable land-based livelihoods, while supporting a goal of community food security in San Juan County.

FOR INFORMATION ON OUR SARD INTERNSHIPS, click here!

Blowin’ in the Wind

Would it be possible to produce electricity for eleven homes, the LCLT office, and two rental units by wind power alone? LCLT asked this question last year and, with the assistance of Michael Karp, CEO of A World Institute for Sustainable Humanity (A W.I.S.H.), installed a wind-testing tower to find out.

LCLT’s goal is a zero-net-energy community. To collect data that provides a detailed analysis of a potential wind resource on Lopez Island , LCLT commissioned a 50-meter meteorological tower last August. The tower was sponsored by A W.I.S.H. with funding from Washington State Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development through a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The final report was prepared for LCLT by Terrance Meyer, P.E., and Rose Woofenden of Chinook Wind, located in Bellingham. You can read the full report by clicking on "Wind Testing Final Report, 2007", to the left.

Data was collected by six sensors at 30, 40, and 50 meters on the tower and recorded by a data logger that averaged the data in 10-minute intervals for 24-hour days. LCLT board members extracted raw data monthly and forwarded it to Terrance Meyer at Chinook Wind. There the data was reviewed for accuracy, sensor failure and any potential anomalies. The tower was decommissioned June 5, 2007 .

Average wind speed of the data collected for the site was determined to be 3.37 meters/second or 7.5 mph, somewhat low for wind power production. However, the analysis also states that one of the mid-range turbines with a 15-meter (46 foot) rotor diameter at a height of approximately 100 feet could provide 37,000 kWh/year, and meet most of the expected electrical loads for the homes and office.

The 29-page report compares three sizes of wind turbines and analyzes capital costs versus solar electric (PV) costs. The report states that a large wind turbine would provide a similar value to solar options with a much smaller footprint than solar. (LCLT is also planning for a small solar farm on site.) Tower height is important since the power of the wind increases with the cube of wind speed: a turbine at 50 meters will produce nearly twice the power as the same turbine at 30 meters. The report also gives further analysis for other potential wind power sites on Lopez. LCLT has not yet determined whether or not to locate a wind turbine on site. “The answer my friends, is …..”

The Lopez Island Farm Education (LIFE) Farm to School

Living on an island, we are especially aware of the importance of sustaining life for all future well-being and the need to lessen our ecological footprint. The Lopez Island Farm Education (LIFE) program began as a collaborative, community effort involving the Lopez Community Land Trust (LCLT), the Lopez Island School District (LISD), the Family Resource Center , the Lopez Island Education Foundation (LIFE), the S & S Center for Sustainable Agriculture, the San Juan County Conservation District, WSU Extension, and the Heller family.

The LIFE farm to school program promotes an appreciation of nature, nutrition, aesthetics, community, land stewardship, environmental awareness, and the value and joy of meaningful work. The LIFE program uses an integrated systems approach to address childhood obesity; provide nutritional education and meals; and teach principles of local and global ecology, social justice, and sustainability. LIFE literally grounds children in life skills, and fosters creativity and hope for their futures.

With leadership from the LCLT, the LIFE program has since been integrated into the school system. The LCLT is proud to have had a role in this significant development.

For further information, see: www.LIFEfarmtoschool.org

Farm Products Guide
The guide to farm products on Lopez Island is a bi-annual publication that promotes and supports local agriculture. Buying local farm products is a less expensive and healthier way to nourish yourself, your family, and your community. Use this guide to find home-grown and home-made goods on Lopez Island.

To see the guide online or download a pdf, go to the Farm Products Guide link on the left of this page.