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*(This post is also on the "Lounge" forum).

I received this email today from my friend, Lisa, at Middle Earth Healing and Learning Center, in Citronelle, AL. (SW ALabama):

Subject: Volunteer Opportunities at Middle Earth.....coming up... The Greenhouse Project!
Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2007 12:16:27 -0700
Just a quick note........

Middle Earth has received a matching funds grant from The Gulf Coast Resource Conservation and Development Council to construct 2 greenhouses powered by a photovoltaic solar system, along with 2 cisterns for rainwater catchment which will provide water for irrigation using solar powered pumps.

And WE ARE EXCITED!!!!

Now that the site development has been completed, the Solar Greenhouses/Water Conservation Project is finally beginning, and we are offering volunteer opportunities for the "roll-up-your-sleeves-and-get-involved-with-some-cool-stuff" individuals or groups.

Scheduled Volunteer Days: We begin around 9AM....arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 for conversation, muffins and tea or coffee; bring a sack lunch.....

Saturday, Sept. 22 and Saturday, Oct 6 to help construct a used-tire retaining wall on the south and west side of the greenhouse site. As part of Permaculture Design philosophy, each element in the design process has multiple functions (such as our chicken friends who weed, fertilize, and de-bug the gardens, not to mention the awesome free range eggs they give us); and so it is with the tire wall!

The main function is to prevent erosion of the earth bank on which the greenhouses will sit. In addition to that, the south facing wall will absorb heat during the day and reflect it back at night to the citrus trees planted at the base.

The tires themselves provide additional planting space for herbs and flowers, and plants that attract beneficial insects.

Saturday, October 27 and Sunday October 28 to raise the greenhouses!! These 2 approx. 20'x40' commercial greenhouses "flowed" into our lives two and a half years ago, were de-constructed in Mobile, transported to Middle Earth, and have been waiting patiently for the right time to be reconstructed. A future project will involve innovative ways (as yet to be
determined) to provide heat when needed in the winter WITHOUT the use of fossil fuel.

Dates for installation of solar power system and rainwater catchment irrigation system TBA.

For those who might want to stay over, there is space at Middle Earth for tent camping (primitive) and the outdoor, screened-in Harvest Kitchen is available for your food prep needs. There is also a motel in Citronelle.

Call us for further info on camping.....251-866-7204.

If being a studet of/participator in/ or "Co-Creator" of the Solar Greenhouses/Water Conservation Project, Phase One, sounds interesting to you, give us a call or email us, and we will gladly put your name on the list of volunteers!! If you have not been to Middle Earth before, let us know and we will email directions (don't trust mapquest or google to give you the most direct info....some folks have had some interesting experiences getting here). 251-866-7204 .

Thanks in advance,
Lisa

Middle Earth Healing and Learning Center Website:

http://middleearthhealing.com/entrance.html