campus center for appropriate technology newsletter, fall 2004

8/9/2019 Campus Center for Appropriate Technology Newsletter, Fall 2004

1/16

A.T.Inside this

edition:

Move Update

CCAT Week

A CCAT at EveryUniversity

Make Your OwnHerbal First Aid K

Clay PlasteringMade Easy

Alternatives to ToxCleaners

And More

Fall 2004

TR

ANS

FE

R

Campus Center for Appropriate Technology

Humboldt State University

Appropriatetechnologyis technology with ahuman face.E.F. Schumacher


2/16

The AT Transfer is the newsletter for the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology, which is funded

primarily by the Associated Students of Humboldt State University. The views and concerns of The AT

Transfer are not censored or reviewed by the Associated Students. All correspondences may be addressedto: The AT Transfer, CCAT HSU, Arcata, CA 95521. HSU supports AA/EO

AT Transfer staff:Co-Editors:Jordan Ramsey & Matt SmithDesign:Jordan Ramsey & Matt SmithPhotography: CCAT employees

Campus Center for Appropriate Technology staff:Front Row left to right: Miah Mann (Project Engineer),Sara Dykman (Groundskeeper), Elizabeth Kimbrough (Co-Director), Lisa Murgatroyd (Info-RequestCoordinator), Peter Jarausch (Grantwriter), Bill Hodges (Grantwriter), William Zoller (Office Manager),Garrett McSorley (Co-Director), Second Row left to right:Abigail Rohr (Maintenance), Scott Willingham(Maintenance), Krystal Rogers (Events Publicist), Third Row left to right:Jeff Adams (Co-Director) JordanRamsey (Newsletter), Shane Philipps (Maintenance), Cole Shatto (Librarian), Daniele Allion (OutreachCoordinator), KJ Coop (Web Administrator) On the Sign left to right:Jasper Peach (Maintenance), GlennHowe (Maintenance/Project Coordinator), Lumby Lumbert (Groundskeeper) Not Pictured:Erin Ryon(Gardener), Dustin Dougherty (Gardener), Emilia Patrick (Herbalist), Matt Smith (Newsletter), MichaelPadget (Web Administrator), Renee Kerson (Tour Guide Coordinator).

CCATs Mission is to demonstrateThat living lightly on the Earth

Is practical and rewarding.We live out our mission by: Demonstrating appropriate technology in a residential setting Providing hands-on experiential learning opportunities to

Humboldt State University and the surrounding community

Collecting and disseminating information about appropriate

technology

Dispelling the myth that living lightly on the Earth is

difficult or burdensome

Cover:

rebuilding

the yurt at the

new location.


3/16 Appropriate Technology Transfer

by Garrett McSorley, Elizabeth Kimgrough, and Jeff Adams,CCAT Co-Directors

Yes, the CCAT houseis currently rolling to a new

foundation to make room for

the construction of the five-

story Behavioral and Social

Sciences building. CCATs houseand gardens are being moved

approximately 75 feet downhill and

will have a new ground floor with

a large meeting room, an office,

and plenty of opportunities for new

student projects.

During this past July, the CCAT

house was placed on steel I-beams

and industrial sized dollies, hooked

up to a large water truck, and towed

west approximately 80 feet to rest,

temporarily, in a gravel lot. As

the contractor moving the house,

George Kurwitz, said, Its a lot

easier when you just think of it as

moving a big box.

Now that phase one is complete

and the house is safely out of the

way, heavy equipment has begunto grade the site and dig the new

foundation. The CCAT house will

be moved again when the new

foundation and ground floor are

built and ready. Unfortunately, the

move is taking much longer than

anticipated and is not likely to

be complete until the end of June

2005.

So where is the CCAT program

today? CCAT is in a temporary

home, the Jenkins House, a

neighboring residential style house

that has been used as an office

for various academic programs.Immediately planting a garden in

the front yard, we made ourselves

at home here and are carrying

out the program activities as

scheduled despite the seemingly

overwhelming circumstances.

CCAT continues to offer free

weekly workshops, curriculum

integrated projects, endless hands-

on volunteer activities, and a

redesigned tour. We are also taking

this time to assess the opportunities

and challenges presented with this

move and design new integrated

systems for our house and

landscape.

Were

MOVING... Still!Our current projects include wiring

the solar photovoltaic system on our

Mobile Renewable Energy Trailer,

removing ivy and other invasive

species from our new grounds, sheet

mulching and laying out swales,and rebuilding the yurt. Everyone

is invited to come partake in this

momentous occasion in CCAT

history and share ideas for adapting

the program to its new environs.

To left: CCAT Buckhouse

waiting for a new foundation

Above: Co-directors working

on plans for the new location


4/16

Imagine: A CCAT atevery University! A student-run

demonstration home promoting

sustainable living through hands-on

workshops and experiential learningon every campus around the nation,

or even the world. Guess what?

The multiplier effect is happening.

This semester we had an incredible

experience meeting students

from two other CCAT-inspired

programs.

In October, the CCAT

Co-Directors along with future

Co-Director Glenn Howe headed

for Portland, Oregon to attend

and present at the Conference on

Sustainability and Higher Education.

It was the first conference of its

kind in the western United States,

and an exciting opportunity to

learn about some of the successes

and challenges for improving

campus sustainability at other

universities from the perspectives of

administrators, staff, faculty, and thestudents themselves.

Representatives from HSU

included President Rollin Richmond,

who was a featured plenary speaker,

and Alec Cooley, HSU alum and

Solid Waste Reduction Manager

presented on the justifications

for a campus recycling program.

Bob Schulz, HSU Director of

Facilities Management presented

on the design-build processand the Leadership in Energy

and Environmental Design green

building rating system. The

CCAT Co-Directors participated

in a panel discussion on Models

for On-campus Sustainable Living

Programs, along with our new

friends, Sebastian and James from

CASL, and Megan and Katie from

the SENS House.

CASL, pronounced castle, is

the Center for the Advancement of

Sustainable Living at the University

of Oregon. They are currently

working with their university

administrators to secure an old

residential home on their campus

so that they can begin renovatingand creating a multidisciplinary

community resource center for

sustainable living. Even without a

home, the CASL program is active

and alive with regular potlucks,

workshops, and movie nights. CASL

began in late 2002, initially as

student Jo Rogers Masters Project

which was inspired by a visit to

CCAT. CASL quickly developed

into a large group of active memberswith significant staff, faculty, and

community support. Even though

CASL has had a challenging time

in the bureaucratic stage, they have

remained organized and focused

while having fun and planning for

the future.

The SENS House, of the

Sustainability and Environmental

Studies program at Berea College,

Kentucky, is a residential home

of four student directors that was

designed and built by students a fe

years ago. Also, with sustainably

harvested timbers from their

campus tree farm they built a post

and beam house with straw bale

in-fill, and natural plaster on the

interior. They have many technolog

demonstrations similar to CCAT,

including solar photovoltaics, a

composting toilet, a greywater

treatment marsh, and a rainwater

catchment system that provides

for all their drinking and home

water needs. During the discussion

following our panel presentation

we found that the SENS house wasalso inspired by CCAT, and they

love the opportunity to spread the

message of sustainable living to the

more conservative population of

Kentucky.

What an inspiration it was t

get to know our counterparts at oth

universities. We came home to HSU

with new energy, realizing that our

day to day activities are adding up

much more than just the hours thatpass; we are making a difference an

meeting our goals.

It s become a frequent

occurrence to hear from schools

across the nation asking for input to

help them in their implementation

programs similar to and inspired by

CCAT. CCAT is not alone anymor

and perhaps it wont be long

before there is a CCAT at every

university.

A CCAT At Every Universityby Garrett McSorley and Glenn Howe, CCAT Co-Director and future Co-Director

SENS-www.berea.edu/sens/ecovillage/senshouse.asp CASL-http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~casl/house.php


5/16Appropriate Technology Transfer

The 3rd annual

CCAT weektookplace during the last week ofOctober. The week was a timeof lots of food, music, and fun.There were also 16 workshops andpresentations on subjects rangingfrom straight veggie oil conversionfor diesel cars to papermaking anda permaculture design presentation.124 people participated and had agreat time, too.

Clockwise from upper left: Knitting fun; The

wonderful world of raw foods; The finer points of

rocket stove making; Winterizing bikes in the CCA

kitchen; Everyone loves carving pumpkins!

Opposite page: The student-built

SENS House at Berea College

(Kentucky).



Everyone should have a first aid kit atthe ready in the case of an emergency, yet many of ushave difficulty finding a Band-Aid when we need one.Here is a guide for making an herbal emergency kit

for home, car, or travel. As the Boy Scouts say, Be

prepared!

I. Find a container

Any small bag is adequate. Fanny packs or toiletry

bags work fine and theyre easy to find used. The

main ideas are 1.) Portabilitybecause when you

dont have it with you is inevitably when youll need

it most, and 2.) Organizationfor easy access (or incase someone needs to use it on you!).

II. Compile your dressings and tools

I once asked a forest defender what first aid items he

carried. His immediate reply: Duct tape and iodine.

If youre not quite that hard-core, try the items below:

*Scissors: Get a pair thats made for first aid. Their

angle makes it easier to cut through clothes in a real

emergency. If you cant afford them, any pair will do,but, replace them ASAP; youll be glad you did.

*Gauze pads: Used for cleaning and dressing

wounds. You can also unfold a few to make a sanitary

prep table in the field or an herbal poultice.

*Steri-strips: More efficient than butterfly

bandages, these hold the edges of a larger cut

together. If used properly they minimize scarring

without using stitches.

*Band-Aids: Get some big square ones and a multi-

pack with fingertip/knuckle Band-Aids. Youll use the

biggies more than you think.

*Tape: Dont waste time with cheap stuff; it doesnt

stick. Also, duct tape really is handy. Wrap a inch

thick roll around a stubby pencil, pen, or even a bottle

in your kit. If something really bad happens, duct

tape will hold things togetherliterally. It can even

function as a tourniquet or rough splint. ALWAYS

cover skin with cloth or gauze before wrapping with

duct tape so it can be cut off easily later.

(Note: split the cost of Band-Aids and other items

with a friend or twoits cheaper, and youll each get

enough without having a lot extra.)

III. Collect your herbs

Powdered herbs can usually be purchased in bulk but

youll need small containers to keep them fresh and

tidy. Old tincture bottles with the droppers removed

work. Be imaginative and see what you can find. A 4

oz. spray bottle is helpful (see GSE below.)

*Cayenne is essential! This amazing powder will

slow/stop bleeding when applied directly into a fresh

cut. It also helps curb internal bleeding. One or two

tiny pinches on the tongue can revive shock victims

(human or animal). It can ward off frostbite when a

few grains are added to gloves or socks. Cayenne has

even been noted for its ability to gain precious minutes

in cases of heart attack. The burn is minimal butthe rewards are plenty.

*Raw Honey is one of the most ancient healing

ingredients. Its nearly impossible for bacteria

to survive in raw honey so it works like a topical

antibiotic. Plus, honey helps tissues reconnect, and

its generally very soothing.

*Yarrow is a truly multi-purpose herb. It is especially

useful for fever and insect bites. Its a blood toner so

it can also help internally against infection if youreaway from home. It commonly grows wild in western

states.

Making an Effective Herbal First-Aid Kiby Lumby Lumbert, Groundskeeper



*Slippery Elm, as the name implies, is

mucilaginousthat is, when its wet, it gets gooey

and, wellslippery. This is helpful for coating the

lining of an upset stomach, soothing a scrape or bug

bite, or for low-level burns. The powder can be mixed

with water, Aloe Vera, or honey to make a paste useful

for different applications.

*Peppermint oil is great for anxiety. A drop or two

in a glass of water will generally ease headaches and

stomachaches, when sipped slowly. A drop under

each side of the chin (or a tiny, tiny, dab right by the

nose for the brave!) will start to calm even the most

frazzled nerves.

*Clove is good for pain relief, sprains, and bruises.

The oil can be diluted with olive oil or massage oil and

used like a liniment; some people use it full-strength.

*Barberry has many of the same chemical attributes

as Goldenseal, but isnt as over-harvested. You want

this in powder form but you should look for it in

capsules if you cant find it so. This can be applied

directly to a cut (or taken internally over time) for

protection against infection.

*Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) isnt called

Citricidal for nothing. ALWAYS DILUTE IT!

Taken internally (1 drop per 16 oz. water) its great for

killing off intestinal bogeymen. You can also make

an antiseptic spray/wash for cleaning wounds. And

guess what? That spray will even keep no-see-ums

from munching you up (watch your eyes, though).

*Rescue Remedy is a tried-and-true flower essence

formula that is used for emotional support duringtraumatic events; it generally calms and soothes.

*Activated Charcoal isnt an herb but its excellent

for food poisoning. The charcoal adsorbs the toxins,

rendering many of them harmless. Bacteria multiply

VERY rapidly, though, so chances are some will

survive and reproduce. So, this should be used prior

to an experienced herbal healer or doctors visit.

As you use these herbs youll gain a deeperunderstanding of how they work. They are all pretty

forgiving and safe. So, use common sense and dont

worry too much about using something the wrong

way. Read up on them! I recommend Ten Essential

Herbs by Lalitha Thomas. Infection is the main thing

to watch out for, and of course, if you have doubts

about any injury, go to a doctor.

All the necessary

ingredients for an effective

herbal first-aid kit.


8/16

Successful Natural

Plastering Methodsby Jeff Adams, Co-Director

Natural plasters are a great way to add an earthenfeel to a structure and are a critical component ingood straw-bale building. However, not just any

plaster will do. In order to make sure that you get the

best plaster possible, you will want to conduct some

tests and observe the way your specific materials

interact in different combinations.

Following the steps below will help to ensure

that you have a mix that will be able to stand up to

the elements and protect your structure (assuming you

have taken other necessary precautionary steps such as

adequate roof overhangs and proper elevation of walls

from the ground).The different components that you can include

in your plaster and their properties are summarized

below.

Clay think of clay as the mortar that is going

to glue your plaster together.

Sand is comparable to the bricks in

conventional masonry and adds compression strength

to your plaster. Youll want to use angular sand (i.e.

river sand) rather than rounded sand (i.e. beach sand)

because the rough edges help to lock the particlestogether.

Fiber there are a variety of fibers that can

be used. In general, fiber is the equivalent of rebar in

conventional building and adds tensile strength to your

plaster.

Cow Manure fresh this recycled grass

product has very small fibers and enzymes that help to

form a solid plaster. Cow manure helps to make your

plaster more water resistant while still allowing it to

breath.

Horse Manure dry after grating driedhorse manure through 1/4 inch wire mesh you are left

with a good fiber source.

Paper Pulp helps to keep the form of your

plaster consistent through wet/dry cycles because the

lignified vessel elements that hold water, and are

responsible for water conduction in trees, are rigid.

This minimizes the amount of cracking in a good mix.

Straw provides tensile strength.

Other fibers can be used as well, but make

sure to do adequate testing (long term) to see how

these materials work before applying them on a large

scale.

Now the fun begins! The first step is to prepar

the bales that you are going to test your plaster mixes

on. This involves covering the bales with a clay slip.

It is important to make sure that the clay you use has

a high enough content of clay (see the clay testing

inset).While you are allowing your clay slip to dry

on the bales you should gather your materials. (For atleast three days, preferably a week, taking care not to

allow the surface to dry to much quicker than the rest

of the structure by giving the bales a gentle misting on

occasion). For the purposes of testing, you should try

to obtain a few different types of fiber material along

with your clay and sand so that you can experiment

to find which mix works best for you. It is critically

important that the materials you use for your test be

from the same exact source as the materials you use

for your plaster project.There are six mix ratios that should be done

every time you are testing plasters.

These Ratios are:

1 part sand:1 part clay 4 sand: 1 clay

2 sand: 1 clay 1 sand: 2 clay

3 sand: 1 clay 1 sand: 3 clay

Jeff, Glenn,

& Liz

mixing

clay for

plastering

One part can be equivalent to any quantity you want a

long as it stays consistent for each component. Reuse

salsa containers provide a good size to start with.

Keep in mind that you should try to fit 8-10 mixes oneach bale to achieve a spectrum of test ratios.

Before applying any plaster to your clay

slipped bale, moisten the clay slip to the extent that it

appears to be sweating. You want beads of water to

form but not to the extent that water is running off the

surface and carrying away clay particles.

After the stock six, you want to test each of

your fiber materials to the extreme with different ratio

of clay and sand. For instance, you may try 3 sand :

clay : 5 paper to test how the paper pulp reacts,.


9/16

Jeff applying plaster tests to hay-bale.

on the edges of the plaster to see how well it is

bonded to the bale.

Spray each plaster test with thejet/fullspray setting of

a hose for a few seconds. Observe how much plaster

runs off, how much water is reabsorbed into the

plaster, and how the consistency of the plaster feels

after it has been doused. If water is absorbed and the

consistency of the plaster still feels fine it is a good

sign that your mix will be able to withstand wetdry

cycles.

After conducting these tests and observations,identify which plaster mixes performed the best.

Compare the ratios of these mixes to determine

similarities and differences in the combinations of

materials. You may want to synthesize the best plaster

mixes through slight modifications in the ratio to

achieve a better plaster. Now, using the best 2-4 mixes

(or a synthesis of the best mixes), you should cover an

entire bale with each, allow it to dry, and then perform

the same observations and tests. This is important

because sometimes materials perform differently in a

small test batch than they will when covering a largerarea. By now a good mix should be apparent and you

are ready to begin applying it to your structure. Good

luck and have fun!

Special thanks to Peggy Frith for providing

guidance and expertise during my first plaster testing

experience.

For further information, refer to The Natural

Plaster Book by Guelberth and Chiras.

and you may want to try 2 sand : 1 clay : 3 cow

manure. The idea is to test the extremes of each

material and how the materials interact with each

other so that you can identify the mix ratio that will

perform the best. Doing 15-20 different mixes will

allow you to adequately explore the properties of

each material. Make sure to document what the ratio

of each mix is and to label each mix on the bale

so that you can easily replicate the best mixes. Letyour plaster tests dry until they are solid. Again,

take care not to allow the surface to dry too quickly

by occasionally applying a gentle misting.

After your plaster tests have dried, youll

want to perform the following observations and

tests:

Observe the amount and severity of

cracking. Excessive cracking usually indicates not

enough sand and too much clay

Scratch the surface and observe the dustingthat occurs. If the plaster crumbles or dusts off a lot

it is typically an indication of too much sand. Pull

A range of different-ratio plaster tests

drying.

CLAY TESTINGHaving a high clay content soil is essential to a good

plaster mix. In order to get a feel for how clay-rich your

soil is, the following test should be done.

1) Moisten a golf ball size amount of clay and kneed

it to the consistency of silly putty. Make sure to

break up any chunks. Avoid making it to wet.

2) Roll the clay between your palms into a long

snake with a thickness approximately equal to

your pinky finger.

3) Wrap the snake around your finger.

4) Observe. If the snake has major cracks or tears,

there is not enough clay. If the snake holds its

form or shows minimal cracking, then your soil

has enough clay.



I dont know about you, but my computersare my best friends and my worst enemies. Decidingto get rid of one is an emotional process. So, it helps

if you know the options available to you.

If your main complaint is that the computers

too slow, there are some simple housecleaning

measures you can take. There are many invader

programs that nefariously install themselves and use

your computers CPU for various evil deeds. This can

slow down the computer and also cause all sorts of

irritating errors. Some are viruses but others are whatare known as spyware, adware, or malware.

A company by the name of Lavasoft makes a

program called Ad-Aware which will get rid of many

common types of spyware. Two of these versions are

available for download at http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

software/adaware/. Ive been using the free version for

years, and I can recommend it without reservation.

Run it on your old computer before getting rid of it

and maybe youll find the computer is not so slow

after all. Its worth noting that Ad-Aware is not anti-virus software and should not be used in place of your

regular anti-virus program.

If youre still dissatisfied with your computers

performance, consider upgrading. That is, instead of

replacing the whole machine, try replacing some parts

that are not as cutting-edge as they used to be. For the

average computer user, the performance of video cards

and sound cards isnt very noticeably different today

than they were several years ago and dont need to be

replaced unless defective.

The memory and the CPU control the speed ofthe computer and tend to go out of date first. Even if

youve never been inside the computers beige tower,

you can hire someone who can help you find the right

parts and put them in for you.

There are many places to find such a person.

You can look in the phone book or at the information

kiosk at the Co-op or bulletin boards on campus.

Even if an ad does not mention hardware specifically,

its a pretty good bet that the person placing the ad is

qualified to do it. At HSU, the Computing

Science Club ([email protected]) or the Help Desk

([email protected]) can put you in touch with aperson capable of doing the job for you.

If your hardware is relatively new and you use

the computer mostly for surfing the web and word-

processing, consider performing a clean install. That

is, remove all the information from the hard drive

and reinstall the entire operating system. This often

helps becasue, through years of faithful service, the

computer can get bogged down with programs that

for one reason or another dont work, or that you may

not even realize are installed. A clean install gets rid

of all those things and allows you to replace only the

programs you need or want.

If you do decide to get rid of the old computer,

you can retire it or give it to someone else. If you do

decide to retire it entirely, recycle it. Not only because

recycling is wonderful but because its the law. There

are materials in a computer that make it dangerous to

the landfill. When you take things to the dump they

get compacted until they take up as little space as

possible. Some parts inside computers and monitors

dont take kindly to such squishing and can explode.

Under no circumstances should you throw an oldcomputer, or any of its parts, in the garbage.

Much of the time when you go to recycle

things you get money back. For computers, you pay

the recycling center. I recently paid $19 to have a

monitor recycled, though it varies by place and part. .

For this reason, I recommend giving the

computer to another human being rather than recycling

it. You may think no one wants your old curmudgeon

of a computer, but you might be surprised.

What To Do With Your Old

Computer by KJ Coop, Web Administrator
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/



Old hardware has a lot of devotees who would

love to get their hands on a completely outdated

machine. Even if the whole computer doesnt work,

chances are there are parts that do work. I know I have

never turned down a free computer.

If you dont happen to know any such people,

get in touch with HSUs Computing Science Club.

Even if you just upgraded, you may want to contact

them about taking the old memory or CPU off yourhands.

Resist the temptation to just give your old

computer to a thrift store. A lot of the time they get

computers faster than they can get rid of them. Unless

an organization expressly asks for your old computer,

they probably dont want it.

However you decide to dispose of your old

computer, be sure to consider data security. If you

have sensitive information saved to your computer

(i.e. financial records, love letters), you probablydont want to give that away. There s no need to get

paranoid about this though. Most people are safe

just erasing the contents of the hard drive. For very

sensitive data though, you can physically remove the

hard drive and give away the rest of the machine.

The old hard drive can even be placed in the new

computer, and you can avoid losing any documents.

If youre buying a new computer to replace

the old one, you may be able to use your current

peripherals (i.e. mouse, keyboard, printer, scanner)

with the new machine. Whether or not you candepends mostly on the age of the machine. If your

old computer was manufactured within the past 7 or 8

years it most likely uses the same kind of connectors.

Monitors still connect the same way they did ten years

ago, although they have gotten fancier in that time.

Reusing the old components will also save you the

cost of buying new versions of them.

If all else fails, contact me at

[email protected], because I can usually find room

for one more computer.

It is almost impossible to thank all those who have contributed to CCAT. Everyone, even those who

just stop in for an hour, have contributed to our program. Although many will be left off of this list no one is

forgotten.

CCAT would like to thank: our fabulous Steering Committee, Patagonia, the Humboldt Area Foundation

The HSU Special Projects Foundation, Ralph Bronner, Arcata Educational Farm, Ramones Bakery, The North

Coast Co-op, Wildberries Marketplace, the Tofu Shop, Bug Press, everyone whos working to safely move the

CCAT House, Peggy Frith, Eddie Tanner, Alec Cooley, Scott Davies, Brian and Becky Wilson, George Wright,

Eric Johnson, Paula Allen, Dave Grow, Emilia Patrick, and of course, all of our employees and volunteers.

THANK YOU!



Just about anyone who has spent time cleaning a

house or apartment has experienced the light-headed,

dizzy, and nauseous feeling that comes with exposure

to typical cleaning products. A few years back, (with

eyes watering from Windex and hands burning with

Comet) I thought, there has to be a better way!

Happily, there is. My grandmother had told me long

ago that there is a non-toxic and natural equivalent to

almost all commonly used modern household cleaning

products. What held me up though, from trying

out the non-toxic alternatives was strength. I mean,seriously, what can knock-out grout mold like Comet?

Well Ive done some experimentation around the old

Jenkins house and heres what Ive found to work:

The basic ingredients for most homemade cleaners:

v Borax: a mineral used to disinfect, deodorize,

and inhibit mold

v Vegetable based soap- (i.e. Dr. Bronners)

v Baking soda: absorbs odors and chemicals

v Lemon juice: cuts grease, dissolves build-up,

bleaches

v White vinegar: cuts grease, dissolves sticky

build-up, deodorizes

v Essential oil of your choice

v Seltzer water: good for stains

All-Purpose:

Any combination of borax, baking soda, vinegar or

lemon juice and hot water. Essential oil can be addedfor fragrance. I personally use 2 parts borax, 1 part

vinegar (or lemon juice), a lot of hot water, and a dash

of lavender oil.

Dish soap:

Any vegetable based soap works. At CCAT we love

Dr. Bronners.

Scouring powder:

4 parts baking soda and 1 part borax.

Tub cleaner:

Lemon slices dipped in borax or baking soda seems to

do the trick.

Glass cleaner:

8 parts water to 1 part vinegar.Or, you can try using lemon juice and water with a few

tablespoons of borax.

Use old newspaper to avoid streaking when wiping

windows.

Mold cleaner:

1 tsp borax, 3 tbsp vinegar, 2 cups hot water.

Put into a spray bottle.

Spray on mold and scrub off. Then spray some on

without rinsing off to inhibit future growth

Stains:

Wine or Juice: soak in seltzer water.

Oil/grease: cover with baking soda and a bit of water.

Let sit awhile, then rinse.

Blood: soak in cold water and rub with soap. Or, use

borax to bleach it out.

For a more comprehensive list of products and

homemade alternatives visit CCATs website and click

onNon-toxic Household.

Keep It Clean

Alternatives to toxic householdcleaning products

by Elizabeth Kimbrough, Co-Director



Arcata Educational FarmSupport local, organic, and sustainable agriculture at the Arcata Educational Farm (AEF). AEF provides fresh fruits andvegetables to Community Supported Agriculture and Farmers Market customers. AEF is a student run 1.6 acre organicfarm located in Arcatas Bayside Park. Classes are offered through HSU. Drop by the Farm anytime, volunteers are alwayswelcome: head down Bayside just after the roundabout; turn left at the purple sign. Contact at: (707) 825-1777

Wild Urban GardenersWild Urban Gardeners is a community agriculture group promoting the cultivation of native plant species, edibles, andorganic gardens as an alternative to resource intensive lawns. Learn to de-pave your property, start composts, grow your ownfood and share in the tool lending library. For more information E-mail Wild Urban Gardeners [email protected]

Redwood Peace & Justice CenterThe RPJC is a non-profit community program dedicated to fostering peace and justice via community involvement. Spaceand resources are available to local organizations and community members to aid in the advancement of social andenvironmental justice.To get involved stop by the RPJC Monday-Saturday 12-6, 1040 H St., Arcata. Or contact the RPJC at: (707) 826-2511; http://www.rpjc.net/

Get Involved WithYour Community

Visit CCATs website at www.humboldt.edu/~ccat to read past issues of the AT Transfer.

Library Bike Program

The Library Bike Program utilizes a check-out system in

which community members rent used restored bikes for

$20. Money is refunded upon return of bike. Workshops

and classes are offered in bicycle maintenance. Checkbikes out in a variety of locations in Arcata, such as

Wildberries Marketplace on G St. and 13th. For more

information call Bill: 707) 822-3759

Northcoast Environmental Center

The NEC is a non-profit group at the forefront of the

Northcoast environmental movement. Their monthly

publication, ECONEWS, documents local and national

environmental issues and events. For More Information

visit the NEC at 575 H St. in Arcata. Or reach the NEC

at: (707) 822-6918;www.necandeconews.to

Youth Educational Services

Y..E.S. supports Humboldt State University students

in creating and implementing volunteer programs

which provide service to community members in need.

Y.E.S. acts as a liaison between the HSU communityand community of Humboldt County to end cycles of

oppression. Visit the Y.E.S. House on campus at House

91, Humboldt State University. Or contact Y.E.S. at:

(707) 826-4965; [email protected]

Potawot Health Village

The Potawot Health Village is a project of United

Indian Health Services located on Wiyott Way near the

Mad River Hospital off of Janes Rd. Potawot provides

multiple ways to gain valuable hands-on experience

while helping to support the project. Opportunitiesinclude volunteering in the 20-acre Restoration

Area, the 2-acre organic garden, or the herb garden.

Workshops are offered on various aspects of organic

food production, land restoration, and nutrition.

Contact Ed Mata or Eric Johnson at 826 8476 for more

information.
mailto:[email protected]://www.rpjc.net/http://www.rpjc.net/http://www.humboldt.edu/~ccathttp://www.humboldt.edu/~ccathttp://www.rpjc.net/http://www.rpjc.net/mailto:[email protected]



I am a sophomore working on an

interdisciplinary degree in ethnobotany. I mayactually be 5 feet tall now and I like to squish my

toes in mud.

I came to HSU in the Fall of 2003 for a

variety of reasons. At the time, I wanted to escape

Alabamas honeysuckle sap to frolic in the tall trees

of California. The opportunity to be involved with

CCAT also helped draw me 3,000 miles across the

country.

I suppose I am the youngest and least

experienced Co-Director CCAT has seen in its 26

years, and wow, what a time to step in. Strategicplanning, permaculture grounds design and 72-hour

monumental decisions; I couldnt have asked for a

more intense term. Yet, despite my recent addiction

to Chai tea, so far, my experience has been

overwhelmingly positive. Ive been introduced to a

plethora of new ideas and, like a sponge in a river,

am just trying to soak it all in as it washes over me.

What has been most inspiring to me are

the people I have met through CCAT; heroes and

warriors of wit fighting each day for social andecological change. Because of these amazing

individuals I feel empowered to do just about

anything. I look forward to watching CCAT grow

over the next few years and hope that it continues to

encourage and ignite people the way it has inspired

me.

I was born and raised in Falmouth,Massachusetts and began my university track at

UMASS Amherst as another undeclared student.

After attending HSU through an exchange program,

I was captivated by the free flow of ideas and the

readiness for action that is omnipresent in Arcata (the

scenic beauty and wilderness helped too). When I

found out about CCAT, my dreams for living lighter

on the earth and being more self-reliant took a turn

towards reality and I began to acquire skills and

knowledge that will stick with me throughout my

life. I am now pursuing an Interdisciplinary degree inIndigenous Technology.

CCAT has been an inspiration to me since

I first walked up the hill over four years ago and

continues to be a focal point of my higher education

experience. CCAT is where classroom theory meets

real-world application and the opportunities for

learning and exploration are virtually boundless.

After spending time as a groundskeeper, volunteer,

and on maintenance staff, I am currently a Co-

Director. While I wont have the experience of

living in the Buck House, grazing its lush gardens, or

monitoring its many appropriate technology systems,

I feel fortunate to be a part of the organization at this

critical juncture and to be able to participate in the

creation of the new grounds and revitalization of the

program.

This time of transition has been full of

opportunities and challenges. I am working hard with

my fellow Co-Directors and the CCAT community tostrengthen the program and ensure that our transition

to a new space is fruitful. I am excited for all of

the projects that will emerge in the coming years

as a result of the move and encourage anyone and

everyone to stop by for a visit or volunteer to help us

rebuild.

Jeff Liz

Discover the Force Behind CCAT



Reflecting on my time at CCAT, I think

about the words painted above a door in the dining

room: The path for enlightenment is learned by

students teaching students. When I first read this

sign I had no idea how true it was, but it has since

come to shape my college education.

CCAT has a way of bringing students of all

majors and cultural backgrounds together, enabling

us to share knowledge, perspectives, and common

visions for a healthier society. This is what makes

a University, and this is what gives me hope for the

future.

It is no wonder why so many students arecoming to HSU because of CCAT. Inspiration flows

from this place. We are actively showing that it is

practical and rewarding to live lightly on the Earth,

and we are creating this change in everything we

do.

I want to give thanks to Krystal and

Kendra, Jeff and Liz, Eddie and Glenn, Erin, and

to everyone who has been part of the CCAT. It has

been incredible traveling this path with you.

My first visit to the Campus Center for

Appropriate Technology as a bewildered freshman left

me awestruck and humbled. The alternatives presente

by this building, its surrounding landscape, and most

importantly, the passionate, motivated students runnin

the show lit a fire in my soul and gave me hope and

inspiration for the future. Now, five years later, I am

looking at an upcoming year long term as a Co-Directof this program.

How did this happen to an Elementary

Education student? I always thought CCAT was for

Engineering and Environmental Science students, and

never considered applying for Co-Directorship. As I

got more involved with the program, it became clear t

me that CCAT was an organization that needs people

from all disciplines, and has a place and a purpose for

all minds

In preparing for this upcoming year ofopportunities, challenges, growth, and friendships, the

strengths and assets I can bring to this program began

to be revealed to me. Behind all our efforts to educate

our society of the necessity of developing a sustainabl

lifestyle and, more importantly, of the inherent richnes

and joys that ensue, lies a fundamental need for a

shift in the values of our nation. My chosen path as

an educator leaves me in a position I cant ignore. I

hope to combine my background in education with

the mission and values of the Campus Center for

Appropriate Technology in an attempt to reach ourcommunitys children and show them an alternative to

what the mainstream media depicts.

Rather than teaching them to grasp for riches

and power, I hope to reveal the simple satisfactions

of a lifestyle of caring for the planet, our bodies, and

our community. There is no coincidence in my having

stumbled upon this beneficial synthesis of disciplines.

The movement embodied in CCAT needs all of our

skills, and this program holds a niche for each of us.

Garrett

GlennCo-Director starting inSpring 2005

Meet the Co-Directors


16/16

Campus Center forAppropriate TechnologyCCAT, HSUArcata, CA 95521

Non-Profit Org

U.S. Postage

PAID

PERMIT No. 78

Arcata, CA 95521

Workshops- Weekly workshops are free and open to the public.Tours- CCAT holds free, guided tours weekly or you may take aself-guided tour anytime during business hours.

Workdays- On Friday afternoons, volunteers help makeCCAT look beautiful and work on projects.

Potlucks- Every month, everyone is invited to share a meal at CCAT.Courses- Receive credit at HSU by enrolling in classes taught at

CCAT.

Library- Check out a book from CCATs extensive library collection.

Get Involved with CCAT

Visit www.humboldt.edu/~ccator call (707) 826-3551for more information.

From June until October, 2004, CCAT will be

campus center for appropriate technology newsletter, fall 2004

Documents