Hi there,
I'm an "old fart," but getting younger every day. Grew up in the cultural desert of a Southern California suburb, but my life was saved by summer stays at my grandparents' dirt ranch in the Sierra foothills.
A lifetime in construction trades, including solar heating design and installation in the 70s in California; and concluding with construction project management. In between, then years teaching physics and technology - and occasionally woodwork and plumbing - at a Waldorf high school, Hawthorne Valley. Know a number of BD farmers. Now live in an agricultural area and know many of the local farmers, and their struggles.
We've got to STOP burning fossil fuels; and we need to strengthen local agriculture (duh!). Recently a Permaculture listserve pointed me to a Permaculture trainer who has worked in local, renewably-produced ethanol for transportation and heating, Since everybody "knows" how bad ethanol is , I was shocked and even dismayed to discover how my own perceptions had been manipulated. as this man (David Blume, Permaculture.com) showed, with lots of backup.
I am determined to advocate and network. I corresponded with The Greenhorns, and they suggested this as one immediate avenue.
I've registered "HudsonValleyAgrifuel.org" and am building a website there, as a gathering place for reliable information and links, and eventually a communications hub.
Christian
