Ethical Eating Website Launched

Recently, a new ethical eating (food & environmental justice) website went live.  Launched by the Unitarian Universalist Association last month, this website is an online social networking learning community of Unitarian Universalists – from all over – chatting, sharing resources, planning, and exploring. In addition to topics such as going local, fair trade, domestic food security, climate change, hunger, organics, animal rights, water, neo colonialism, sustainability and more, you will also find resource videos, curricula, small group materials, study guide with local resources, creative potluck ideas, books and more to help guide you. Check it out at ethicaleating.uua.org.

Coming This Fall

Participants are learning to grow their vegetables and herbs in hands on classes.

Topics include:

• Best planting times
• vegetables and herbs for S. Florida
• companion planting
• crop rotation
• composting and soil care
• pest & disease management
• container & raised bed gardening
• and much more.

 Participants work in teams responsible for creating and maintaining their own garden plot throughout the season and keep what they grow.

Monitor the Garden’s Progress on Facebook:

Nature Trail

The Nature Trail has recently been cleared and is walk-able for most people. Please be aware that there are still fallen trees crossing the path in two places. The highest of the two is about a 24" step up and over so please know your own abilities before going out on the trail. We will be working to get these removed in the future. Please also be aware that there are small cypress knees in a several locations so keep your eyes out and be safe.

Most of the trail has been lined with fallen tree trunks and branches so it is clearer and easier to navigate. There are a few benches available for those who want a quiet place to sit and toward the end of the trail, there is a nice clear spot with a bench and room enough to spread a blanket for a picnic, which the kids enjoyed during this summer's Earth Rangers camp for group conversation and snacks.

If you've never been on the nature trail, this is a great time to explore before the rainy season starts and if you would like someone to walk with you on your first trip, Angela is happy for any excuse to go.

Composting Toilet

 It is our goal to purchase and install a composting toilet for the barn.
This is not that old nightmare pit toilet from your camping trips.

WHAT IS A COMPOSTING TOILET?

Composting toilets are toilet systems which treat human waste by composting and dehydration to produce a useable end-product that is a valuable soil
additive. They use little or no water, are not connected to expensive sewage systems, cause no environmental damage and produce a valuable
resource for gardening.

THE BENEFITS

No water or sewage system to pay for, ever. No system backups or overflows. Lower maintenance costs than a conventional toilet. End Product is a
valuable humic fertilizer that can be utilized in our garden. Can be installed practically anywhere.

LESS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

• No effluent released into watercourses and oceans.
• No disruption to soils systems by pipeline installation.
• No leakage of raw sewage into groundwater.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Consider becoming a Friend of the Holton Eco-Preserve today. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . For more information on composting toilets visit: http://www.compostingtoilet.org

Call to Workers Bees

Our next work day will be July 14 from 8:00-12:00. There will be a light lunch served afterward. Bring a hat and gloves.