Sustainably Sadie
Composting
Organic matter from once-living organisms can be recycled as fertilizer through the composting process. Composting cuts down on the amount of trash that has to be hauled to the landfill. It is a low-cost (free?) way to boost your garden production and self-harvested bounty. Sustainable farms and gardens rely on compost. A composting bucket is a great gift idea for your gardening friends and family.
A quick Google search for sustainable composting ideas found gleanorganics.com, a company on a “mission to make composting easier and more practical for everyone.” Their website includes a blog that discusses sustainable composting. National Geographic offers greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/sustainable-composting with many helpful suggestions. Your coffee grounds, tea, egg shells, fruit and vegetable food scraps, grass clippings, newspaper etc can be composted. Dairy, meat, bones, grease, pesticide/herbicide treated foods are not compost appropriate. Compostable food containers, like the ones used at Jumping Rainbow Espresso, The Shack and The Old Hotel are made out of corn, vegetable or sugarcane fibrous material and designed to break down in commercial composting facilities within approx. 60 to 90 days. The internal temperatures of commercial compost heaps range upwards of 140°F. Your backyard compost heap or compost tumbler may not be that hot but the as the bacteria breaks down the decaying organic material, heat will naturally occur. Your compost heap also needs to be damp not dry. You may have to add water and stir the compost, aerating and participating in the process.
Even if you live in town, you can compost. Small scale composting can be accomplished using a compost tumbler, pallets, straw-bales, or even a cardboard box. Ask your local hardware stores about compost systems. Searching Acehardware.com found compost systems ranging from $32 to $110 for a tumbling composter.
Bacteria break down biodegradable products into nutrient rich soil-like material. Coffee grounds are an excellent addition to your compost heap. If you would like coffee grounds from your local coffee shop, I suggest you ask the owner for grounds for your garden. Starbucks sometimes provides large bags of grounds for gardens, complimentary. If you’d like coffee grounds for your compost from Jumping Rainbow Espresso (of course complimentary) please bring your containers to our drive-thru, Under the Water Tower, 104 N. Bridge Street, Twin Bridges. Do your own research; talk with your friends and neighbors; borrow gardening books from the library or friends. Thanks and happy composting, Sarah Miller, Sustainably Sadie. Share your successes and questions at www.sustainablysadie.blogspot.com, sustainablysadie@hotmail.com.
Twin Bits
2012 Lenten Breakfast Schedule
Feb. 22 - Bethel Methodist Church, Sheridan
Feb. 29 - Christ Episcopal Church, Sheridan
Mar. 07- St. Mary’s, Laurin
Mar. 14- Dayspring Church 3648 Hwy 287, Sheridan
Mar. 21- Notre Dame, Twin Bridges
Mar. 28- New Beginnings, Sheridan
Ruby Valley residents gather on Wednesdays during Lent to receive words of encouragement and challenge from local ministers and lay people. This has been, and continues to be, a very ecumenical gathering. Every one is welcome regardless of their personal religious convictions. Breakfast is scheduled early, 6:30 a.m., so that folks can make it to work on time.
A basket will be available each Wednesday for those who would like to donate non-perishable items or money to the local food bank.
If you need a ride to the breakfast, you may call Carol Braach, 842-5521, or Carol Wilcox, 684-5142. If you would like to offer rides, please let Carol Braach or Carol Wilcox know.
The February Deborah’s Art Wall artist at the Twin Bridges Public Library is Chuck Oppegard, who has lived in Montana for 37 years. He worked in forestry for 31 years and as a private contractor in home construction and remodeling until moving to Dillon, MT where he currently lives. He now has a wood crafting business specializing in small home accessories and gift items. Each piece is selected for its unique character, rustic features and is individually hand crafted. You can find his work locally at the Rivers Edge Gallery in Twin Bridges, MT and the Galloping Horse in Dillon, MT. Oppegard’s Art Reception is Friday, Feb. 24th.
The GRVCCA Annual Membership Meeting is Thursday February 16th, 5:30 to 7:30 at The Philanthropy Building in Sheridan.
Feb. 15 to 18: BB District Tournament, Butte MAC Center
Thurs. Feb 16: Girls play @ 9 am, Boys play @ Noon
Mon. Feb. 20: No School, President’s Day; Trailblazers 4-H Mtg, Lunchroom, 7 pm
Tues. Feb. 21: School Board Mtg, MT Room, 7 pm
Feb. 22 to 25: BB Divisional Tournament, Butte
Wed. Feb. 22: Spring Picture Day; Rotary Presentation for Community, 6:30 pm, MT Room
March 1 to 3: Boys’ State C Basketball Tourney, Billings
March 8 to 10: Girls’ State C Basketball Tourney, Great Falls
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