IBFP Competition

[GaryD]

Hi,

I'm keen to see this discussion about the amount of food that can be produced on 100 square metres of land turn into something useful.

To that end, we're going to run a competition and, in the interests of democracy, I'd like some suggestions about some competition conditions and what you consider might be a useful prize. I'd be happy to consider several prizes so that we cover the broadest possible range of outcomes.

Let's have your ideas ASAP!

GaryD

[Hamish]

Hi,

I'm keen to see this discussion about the amount of food that can be produced on 100 square metres of land turn into something useful.

To that end, we're going to run a competition and, in the interests of democracy, I'd like some suggestions about some competition conditions and what you consider might be a useful prize. I'd be happy to consider several prizes so that we cover the broadest possible range of outcomes.

Let's have your ideas ASAP!

GaryD

Depends on the dollars we are talking A water test kit is always useful - then again so is a Balcony Aquaponics kit - totally different ends of the price spectrum though

[Jonathan Dyer]

Everything we do in this modern society fits into 3 sections, Physical, Environmental and Financial. Keeping that in mind what I would like to see is that if one is able to grow food in 100 sq m to feed a family for an indefinite supply of food with some variety (instead of eating lettuce every day) such designs fit into a financial frame work and an approximate budget of capital works (including recycled materials), ongoing costs and food savings (or profit). All well and good of suggesting a design that may work but, the real challenge is having it fit into a financial frame work to prove it is viable.

Don’t get me wrong I do believe it can be done but only with the proper design in mind and that’s why I find it hard to believe that an average backyard is setup is such way to facilitate such system without industrial earthmoving. Think about it how many large trees you have covering the backyard, plants in random places, little room for a hothouse; given the appropriate area is clean from the start it is much easier to deal with.

[echidna]

Hi,
I'm keen to see this discussion about the amount of food that can be produced on 100 square metres of land turn into something useful.
SNIP

Well I'd already given the concept some thought last night. And this morning I paced and marked out the area. When looking at it, it's large enough to cause problems with some councils and/or fisheries if purely devoted to aquaponics unless accumulated over a lengthy period. Most acts give authorities the power to decide whether something is a "hobby" or "commercial" and it's up to you to take their unreasonable decision to court.

Then their is the issue of growing season/s. Type of food, soil type and fertility, rainfall or access to potable water. So for any contest to be fair it has to take these things into account and that requires the wisdom of Solomon. So I'd suggest a light-hearted "competition" where ideas get thrown up and people can add and subtract them to their own 100 sq. m. in their own environment. That way everyone gets to be a "winner" and the "prizewinners" are those that best explain why their approach is best for their circumstances. People can keep modifying "their" ideal scheme to the end. That way we have a resource that everyone can use - for example, I particularly like Gary's use of sattelite pots and a removable biofilter, but if someone comes up with a better idea for my circumstances then I can incorporate it and explain why I think it is better. In that way it can all be condensed down into a meaningful set of decision making protocols and someone can write the book "The Best Approaches to Integrated Backyard Food Production in 100 sq. m."

[Jonathan Dyer]

Echidna, I couldn’t agree more it is more in detail than first off thought especially the seasonal changes as well as planting times and growth rates too is gets in depth even on 100sq m.

[GaryD]

Hi,

I'd like come up with some competition conditions without being too prescriptive......so let's suspend the discussion on what would work or not until we have entries to consider.

Gary

[echidna]

Hi,

I'd like come up with some competition conditions without being too prescriptive......so let's suspend the discussion on what would work or not until we have entries to consider.

Gary

I didn't think that what I offered was prescriptive, But hey, make the rules so that we can get this intellectual process going. I for one am very interested in the offerings!

[Murray]

I think we might come up with some interesting solutions.
Is it just a plan or do we need to plant the garden or whatever.

[craigb]

100 square meters is not much room. 25*4, 20*5, 15*6.6 etc

Also will there restrictions as to the area having to be one dimensional or will it be allowable to go upwards. I'm thinking that rabbit and bird hutches could be stacked on top of one another or built under the grow beds.

Pumpkins can be grown over the roof of sheds, or over lattice on the side of a fence etc. Another question to ask is if the growing area has to be confined to a specific 100 sq area or can be 100sq in total. Eg, a citrus tree in a pot in one place, the aquaculture set up in another, the bird aviary in another. The herb garden in another etc.

[GaryD]

Hi Echidna,

I didn't think that what I offered was prescriptive....

I wasn't referring to anything you (or anyone else) said.....and I'm sorry if you misunderstood me. I'm with you......I'm keen to see where the whole discussion takes us.

Also will there restrictions as to the area having to be one dimensional or will it be allowable to go upwards....

I think that vertical stacking is certainly a part of any efficient backyard food production system.

By way of guidance.....let's agree that an Integrated Backyard Food Production system is anything that you could reasonably put together in an urban backyard.

So.....let's say we're looking at 100 square metres in area and a maximum of 3 metres high.

GaryD