Discover the transformative concept of the 'High Cycle Approach' for homesteading, where resources are used multiple times before disposal. Learn innovative ways to integrate systems and boost productivity, such as recycling kitchen scraps and gray water. Dive into nutrient cycling techniques and discover how to maximize sustainability with deep bedding and function stacking. The conversation also touches on practical tools for homesteaders, making sustainable living not just effective, but also budget-friendly and engaging!
The high cycle approach advocates for maximizing the utility of resources by repurposing them multiple times before disposal.
Integrating greywater systems creatively can convert waste into a valuable resource, enhancing garden productivity and conserving water.
Transforming kitchen scraps into livestock feed illustrates how redirecting waste enriches animal diets and promotes a sustainable closed-loop system.
Deep dives
Understanding the High Cycle Approach
The high cycle approach emphasizes using resources in multiple ways before they are ultimately disposed of. For example, biochar can first be used for food storage to extend the shelf life of produce and afterwards can be incorporated into compost or garden soil. This contrasts with function stacking, which merely combines various uses into one system without significantly extending their path or utility. The focus is on maintaining the resource within the system for longer, thereby increasing overall efficiency and productivity.
Building Resiliency Through Layers
To foster resilience in homesteading, a layered approach is essential, where each component plays a role in sustaining the system. This perspective allows for capturing and using resources that might otherwise be wasted, such as nutrients from greywater or compost. For instance, water from household activities can be routed through a reed bed system, simultaneously irrigating plants while improving the health of the soil. This design not only conserves water but also cycles nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Practical Application of Greywater Systems
Using greywater effectively requires understanding how to integrate it within a homestead to maximize its benefits. Instead of directing greywater to a simple drainage system, a well-designed filter or reed bed can trap nutrients and provide them to plants over time. This approach transforms a waste product into a valuable resource, reducing reliance on municipal water and enhancing garden productivity. In essence, greywater systems can be designed to add value to the landscape rather than simply being a source of waste.
Optimizing Kitchen Scraps for Livestock
Transforming kitchen scraps into livestock feed demonstrates how waste can be redirected to enhance productivity on a homestead. Instead of discarding vegetable scraps, they can be fed to black soldier flies, which convert the waste into high-protein larvae for chickens or fish. This method not only recycles nutrients but also enriches the diet of livestock, promoting better growth and health. As the process further cascades, nutrients from the animals contribute back into the soil, creating a closed-loop system.
Biochar's Role in Resource Cycling
Biochar serves as a valuable tool in resource cycling by enhancing soil health and extending the usability of organic materials. When properly utilized, biochar can first preserve food by controlling ethylene release and then later be added to compost or soil to improve fertility. This multi-purpose use exemplifies how a resource can perform multiple roles throughout its lifecycle, driving home the principle of minimizing waste and maximizing output. The key takeaway is to always seek innovative methods for retaining resources within the homestead system.
Today we discuss the concept of the “High Cycle Approach” — a simple but powerful way to rethink how resources move through a homestead. Instead of using something once and tossing it, what if you could squeeze two, three, or even five productive uses out of it before it ever left your system? That’s what high cycle thinking is all about. It’s the opposite of the modern throwaway mindset, and it builds serious resilience. In this episode, I’ll walk you through real-world homestead examples where this kind of thinking turns waste into abundance, simplifies inputs, and stacks functions like crazy. …Continue reading →
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