Search results | Farm Hack

Organizers Call

An organizational tool for connecting folks working remotely from a number of locations. Regular google hangouts. Ask to be invited to join us!

Mobile solar powered electric fence

I'm interested in others ideas and knowledge related to creating a mobile solar powered electric fence. This sketch represents my concept and the products available online costing less than $100. My goal is to allow two pigs the ability to graze small parcels of land similar to a chicken tractor.

Small Scale Threshing Machine

Small scale threshing machine manufactured in Turkey. Cleans small and large grains. Adjustable vibrating screens. Stationary operation. Runs off pto. Here is a link to learn more about it. http://www.riodelreybeans.com/farming-heirloom-beans.html callaloofarm@gmail.com

Forest biochar rocket stove

Rocket stove designed to make biochar and provide heat for cooking and space heating

Grower Bot

Growerbot creates open-source soil sensors and automated watering systems that make it easy for anyone to grow more with less work. Solar-powered, wirelessly-connected, and tightly coupled with software,

Multimachine

The MultiMachine all-purpose machine tool that can be built by a semi-skilled mechanic with just common hand tools. The necessary material can come from discarded vehicle parts. Using engine blocks as building blocks is the first MultiMachine feature. Since cylinder bores are bored exactly parallel to each other and at exact right angles to the cylinder head surface, MultiMachine accuracy begins at the factory where the engine block was built. http://opensourcemachine.org/mm2html2/How_to_build_a_multimachine.html

Portable Chainsaw Holder- for field work

Portable Chainsaw Holder for in the field. This platform keeps your saw from moving around while you sharpen it. For directions, copy and paste this- http://farmhack.org/sites/default/files/forum/Portable%20Chainsaw%20Holder%20Directions.pdf

ultra simple dry grain/pellet feeder (food, wood and other pellets)

about a year ago I started to investigate automatic fish feeders for my aquaponics pilot plant. None of them suited me: too complicated, therefore too expensive: wormwheels, automatic belts, lots of wiring, etc... The simplest way to move dry goods over a horizontal or slightly downwards inclined short traject is by vibration. So yes, I used a (battery operated) sex toy for my experiments, and it works an absolute marvel. There are plenty cheap vibrator motors availanbe, so the mechanical part of the problem is solved. But I will have about 10 fish tanks or more in my project, and fish are best fed at night, and the feeding is best spread over time so as not to overcharge the biologic filtration system. Wireless automatisation is the step in which this community can help. While I am familiar with programming PLC's, I find solutions like the Arduino not accessible enough to the general public. I have seen simple wireless systems to program i.e. christmas lights around the house.

Farmer Foodshare: Food Waste, Wholesale & Hunger- Food System Hack

Farmer Foodshare is a food system "hack" to solve the simultaneous problems of farm waste/excess production, farm product marketing and community malnourishment. Farmer Foodshare (the organization) is a nonprofit in NC that created a set of open source approaches and inexpensive tools (marketing, wholesale distribution models) that link excess (or expanded) farm production with people who are in dire need of fresh healthy, food and community nourishment. The FF approach relies on 1) local food producers, 2) farmers markets or online hubs, 3) distribution systems (labor, transport, online, tracking), 4) marketing/communications and 5) institutions willing to use and/or buy the food to integrate into their hunger/nutrition and health programming for underserved communities. (Editor's note: I have various .doc toolkits for the "source code/instructions" for the Donation Stations, Food Ambassadors and POP Market models, if anyone wants them. Also have data on $ to farmers and the costs of running these programs, particularly as the programs grow customers and farmers. I would like to use this Farm Hack posting to spur others to contribute their food security systems innovations.

Seed Germination/Early Growth Chamber

A seed germination chamber using a broken upright freezer. I got the idea from DGrover's "Sweat box" Germination Chamber: http://farmhack.net/tools/sweat-box-germination-chamber. I added onto his design by adding lighting, air circulation, a heat source and temperature/humidity gauges. This is a functioning concept that is being tested right now, and there are still issues to work out. Such as preventing excessive temperature and humidity levels as well as other concerns. So far the expense is about $150 (not including cost of freezer), nominal compared with a manufactured growth chamber, thus enabling small farmers/gardeners the ability to reliably start quantities of seeds early and extend their season.