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Author: Jonathan

Posted on by Jonathan

How We Set Up Our Off-Grid Solar System

Power Up Your Independence: Building Your Own Off-Grid Solar Array

Living off the grid is a dream for many, and harnessing the sun’s power to meet your energy needs is a key step towards achieving that dream. Building your own off-grid solar array might seem daunting, but it’s actually a manageable process with the right knowledge and preparation. For our 10 acre property, we needed to set up solar otherwise we would have no electricity for the many tools we use on the farm.

This blog post will guide you through the five essential components you need to consider when building your own solar oasis.. Alternatively, feel free to watch our YouTube video where you can see first hand the 5 components in action!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzDSklWCE9o&t=8s

1. Solar Panels: These are the workhorses of your system, converting sunlight into electricity. Choosing the right type and size of panels depends on your energy needs and available roof space. Monocrystalline panels are the most efficient but also the most expensive, while polycrystalline panels offer a good balance of cost and performance. You can calculate your estimated power needs using online calculators or consult with a solar installer for guidance.

2. Solar Charge Controller: This crucial component safeguards your batteries by preventing overcharging or damage from excess voltage. Choose a controller with the appropriate amperage rating to handle the current output of your solar panels. Most controllers also monitor battery voltage and disconnect the panels when the batteries are full.

3. Batteries: Your energy storage bank! Deep cycle batteries, designed for repeated discharge and recharge, are essential for an off-grid system. Lead-acid batteries are the most affordable option, but lithium-ion batteries offer longer lifespans and higher efficiency. Consider factors like budget, desired storage capacity, and discharge depth when making your choice.

4. Inverter: This converts the DC electricity from your solar panels and batteries into usable AC power for your appliances. Choose an inverter with a capacity that matches your peak power requirements and consider if you need a pure sine wave inverter for sensitive electronics.

5. Wiring and Applications: Connecting everything with the right gauge of wire ensures safe and efficient power flow. Plan your system layout and consult a qualified electrician if needed. Finally, choose your appliances wisely! Opt for energy-efficient options and consider alternative power sources for high-consumption items.

Bonus Tips:

  • Research local regulations and permitting requirements for installing off-grid solar systems.
  • Invest in quality components for reliable performance and extended lifespans.
  • Regularly monitor your system’s performance and maintain your equipment for optimal efficiency.
  • Join online communities and forums for support and guidance from fellow off-gridders.

Building your own off-grid solar array is a rewarding journey towards energy independence and self-reliance. By understanding these key components and planning your system carefully, you can unlock the power of the sun and power your off-grid dreams!

Remember, this is just a starting point. Feel free to delve deeper into each component and research specific options that best suit your needs and budget. With dedication and a little DIY spirit, you can build a reliable and sustainable solar power system that fuels your off-grid adventures.

Posted on by Jonathan

4 Ways To Protect Yourself While Farming

As anyone with a green thumb can most likely agree, activity and farming go hand-in-hand. And while it’s great to stay active as we accomplish our gardening goals, it’s also just as important to stay safe. Here are 4 no-brainer reminders to protect our bodies – our vessels – while we are outside this and every season. Below, we’ve added our accompanying Youtube video for those of you that are visual!

Skin Protection!
Whether you are black, white, or purple – please protect your skin. It’s the first line of defense between the outside world and our internal state. And in fact, our skin is the largest organ of our body – even if it doesn’t pump, or move large amounts of fluid. It is also susceptible to threats – such as over sun exposure – the extreme of which can lead to skin cancer, over time. According to studies, 1 out of 5 people will have some presence of skin cancer by the age of 70. That’s alarming – especially for those of our active farmers on the field. Simple protections include – sun screen, high density fabrics such as denim or articles with a verified UPF rating, and headwear such as hats or the atypical farmer sombrero. Fashionable and useful!

Hydration – Drink Yo’ Water

If water is so important for the plants that we grow in the garden, just imagine what it means to us! Water by weight comprises about 50-60 % of our body and is crucial for a plethora of life processes including brain function, distribution of wastes, and of course, temperature regulation via sweat. Personally, we recommend a durable thermal regulating thermos like this one at Bambaw for a low 20$. Not only is having hydration on hand important for our productivity and accomplishing our goals, but its also cost-effective too. Think about it, one reusable container can effectively eliminate the use of countless plastic bottles – for a fraction of the lifetime price.

Gloves – Let’s Protect Those Hands!

Our hands are perhaps the most useful parts of our body and how we interact with the physical world. And yet, time and again, I’ve seen many older farmers who – over the course of decades of work – have callused and toughened hands often developed by not wearing appropriate gloves. Of course, normal wear and tear will happen as we work hard on our farms, but we can limit the damage to our digits by wearing work-appropriate gloves. Not only are they protective physically, but also chemically. As farmers, its not uncommon to handle dangerous chemicals such as pesticides, oils, and fertilizers that can seep into our skin with repeated use. And we just talked about skin damage in the last section! Be smart, invest in gloves. Your hands will thank you 🙂

Choosing when to Farm

Sometimes the best thing to do when an unstoppable force (yourself) meets an immovable object (your farming goals) is to do.. nothing. Yep, sometimes the best thing through something is around it – and that applies to your goals on the field. Personally, I choose to accomplish the majority of my farming between the hours of 6-10 and 2-6 EST. This allows me to circumvent the majority of the hours of the day that are super hot and intolerable.

And that’s it! For now, these were some simple reminders that we believe everyone would do well to reflect on as they’re out on the field. Comment either here or on our channel to let us know if we missed anything!

Posted on by Jonathan

Top 3 Ways Yoga Can Help Your Farming

When I started this farming journey, I knew that physically, my body would be put to work.

Farming is inherently, a physical world – whether you’re moving mulch, setting up a shade house, or planting.

It’s August here in South Florida, and many farmers are probably getting ready for the growing season. To be your best, if there’s one thing that I can be thankful for, that’s really helped me out when I’m on the field, it’s yoga.

I’ve started a Youtube channel, where I’ll be posting alongside these blog articles. I highly recommend you guys check it out for a concise version of this post!

For the past 12 months, I’ve been improving my yoga practice – both individually and in group sessions in Fort Lauderdale.

I couldn’t help but notice some similarities between the movements I would practice in these group sessions and the functional movements I needed to apply on my farms.

For many farmers – especially migrant workers – the lower back is used when bending over to inspect plants or tend to crops. Anyone who’s had to squat to harvest greens knows what I’m talking about.

I prefer a full body fold to lengthen the spine from time to time. if you prefer sitting down, a seated forward fold can also suffice. Apart from lengthening the spine, these also help in flexing the hamstrings. Alternatively, if your hips are flexible enough, a Yogi Squat Pose, or prayer squat, can loosen up the pelvic floor. I find that I prefer to get low like this as it doesn’t put too much strain on my back.

There are also some movements within yoga that I’ve found helpful – even when standing up – such as when I need to leverage my weight to move material like mulch or soil. The warrior poses, in general, have been very helpful when centering my body and creating that stability.

And finally, the often unrealized benefit that my yoga practice has on my health and well-being is in practicing mindful breathing.

From what I’ve noticed during my sessions with Brynlee and my other instructors, steady breathing has increased my endurance significantly and has given me clarity to organize my thoughts to have more productive days.

A quick set anyone can practice is Box Breathing – which is known to reduce stress and anxiety.

To perform, it’s simple:

  • Breathe in for 5
  • Hold for 5
  • Breathe out for 5
  • Hold for 5.. and repeat for however many times you see fit.

I don’t think many people realize truly that a lot of the effort that we exert throughout the day – whether that be mental or physical.

Farming can often be viewed as this happy go lucky lifestyle to those who haven’t lived it – but ultimately, it’s hard work.

I hope that this gives you guys an incentive to add yoga, or stretching in general, to your daily or weekly practices. It goes without saying that a little bit goes a long way and the sooner you start, the better off your body will be when you’re tackling the terrain on your farms.

I’ll always encourage you guys to just. do. more.. Living a sustainable life is more than just recycling, or eating plant-based, its also about pouring intention back into the body, and taking the time to heal when you need to.