First time the GTF Meeting is Televised
Meeting comes to order 3:1
Introductions are made by the attendees
Councilman Benson introduces Passion Murray
Pashon’s father had a small contracting company in Grand Rapids. She went to landfills with her father, as well as having a farm in Missouri. She was exposed to farming and the land through her family is how her philosophy of life revolves.
Hundreds of millions of dollars is being pumped into Grand Rapids to create a sustainable environment. Contractors and managers have a different take on what comes in and out of an area.
Introduces The Carbon Revolution Concept
The CR is a campaign she is pushing throughout the country. We need to start thinking about the microbial community in the ground. We deal with contamination throughout the world, including the brownfields of Detroit.
It is important to compost – we need to think about the extinction of the microbial community, as we are hinged on it’s success.
Shows The Carbon Revolution video presentation
Explains the purpose of Detroit Dirt as an engine of the urban farming community.
In the beginning, it was a social, environmental … SEED
She noticed the Urban Farmers are doing a great job, and the local raw materials are available for processing.
The connection of the supporting community must redirect. Americans are creating 218 billion dollars of food waste. There is no way we should be burying this that creates carbon imbalance.
A Low Carbon Economy (see Low Carbon Economy solutions slide pic
She has created a closed loop model with BCBS, GM, the Zoo, and others to make compost out of the food waste and herbivore manure.
She created the contract with the entities and find land and found the proper ratios for a balanced composting environment and get it back into the community. 10-12 months of manual work was necessary to remove the pathogens and get the proper temperatures. End Vessel Technology creates the ability to compost quickly through its technology.
She looked at the ingenuity of the city that created cars to create thee industry of creating a large scale model for composting.
The United Nation says we have 60 years of soil before the world’s soil system breaks down.
We have to start creating and redirecting our practices to put the carbon back into the soil where it belongs.
She believes that Detroit should be a leader in this industry, as she is being asked to share this information all over the world and in conferences all over the country.
The STEM program is there to bring information about this to the kids.
She is speaking at Cranbrook next week. She is looking to get yourg children to start gaining this information and putting the resources back into their hands. Bosch and other industries are helping her to fund this.
Shows rendering for the Detroit Dirt Concept Plan
Solar, end-vessel technology for mass compost production along with areas for different ratios of soil for different needs. These systems will create jobs and technology to build a culture around this.
She explains why we need to be friends with the soil scientists. She mentions her mentor and colleague, Jo
She believes we are in a crisis right now. Our oceans are contaminated, erosion and climate are impacted.
Q&A
Sierra Club Rep from water sub committee:
Looking for specifics on the layer of soil and how it helps with storm water management.
A- start doing a lot of testing samples and create the compost applications for the specific areas.
Compost creates micro-organisms that clean the water and do their job, but we must set those processes up, adding the compost, and going to the labs – the universities would probably love to be a part of that. Soil scientists should also be involved. “There are plenty of experts and I would be willing to help.”
Benson – Can you talk about your business model
A- If we were able to purchase this, jobs are created, methane could be used as energy, along wth bio-fuels. The trucks could be using bio-fuel as well. It is a closed loop system on its own.
I truly believe that we have only touched the surface when it comes to the city – only working with 2 companies in the area. various products can be produced, from high quality worm casting to general soil. The retail space for this needs to be expanded and the workforce is there.
The wholesale can be there for the urban farmers. It’s job creation, several products that need to be created, your effecting the climate positively. Industry creating more industry creates sustainability.
Peter, Friends of the Detroit River –
Are you using aerobic or anaerobic systems.
A – Aerobic, but the zoo has an anaerobic system that has been going for about a year. She is interested in an end-vessel that does large composting.
Margaret Weber, Zero-Waste Detroit
Q- have you thought about the funding vessel to pick up curbside and how to transition?
A- She doesn’t plan on doing it herself, but the model that exists in San Francisco and other cities around the country can be modeled. Small testing areas and private funding are a good start – talks about tipping fees and other ways to promote the building of the infrastructure to pilot. She thinks the city and county could do it. Legislation can drive the changes.
Erma Leaphart Sierra Club Rep from Co-Chair GTF water sub committee
Q- Composting can offset the cost of rain gardens for the communities –
A- I would be willing to look at working on that. Already has some of the analysis for the projects mentioned.
Sub committee updates:
Khalil, water subcommittee
At the next meeting, we will be reviewing the Detroit Water Agenda to update 5 year progress on the city’s achievements towards the report’s recommendations. They are looking for input and feedback on where the progress has taken place.
Hosting a Green Infrastructure Poster Contest for DPS students in 6-8 grade. Poster theme asks students what water means to them. Winning artwork will be posted in buses and on billboards across the city. Need volunteers to serve as panel judges and event and venue sponsors for the award event.
Next meeting takes place Tuesday at 1 pm, Block At Cass Park, 2727 Second Avenue, Detroit. Water Subcommittee meets every 3rd Tuesday from 1-3p
Natalie, recycling and waste reduction sub-committee
New development on storage and collection for recycling in new areas and developers initiative plans.
County – received June 9, Dearborn Aug 11, Westland and Nov 3, Taylor – collecting televisions
over 48,000 families currently participating in collections
Feb 26th 2 p.m., 5800 Russell Street
Tony Henry, Renewable Energy Sub-committee
Dan Worths from Traverse City spoke at the last meeting
Sustainability Conference at Parker Village Project – tag teaming with them for a workshop the morning
Contact Toni Henry
319.560.5194
tch.toni.henry@gmail.com
Renee Wallace from recycling subcommittee – March 1st 10 a.m. meeting here at MSU
Benson –
What can 1 megawatt power? – 1,000 kilowatts
Size and capacity differ on solar panels
Good of the Group –
Kerwin Wimberly – April 21st is the Second Annual Earth Day Celebration
GFL is sponsoring again
Awards will be given out for outstanding work in the community
Breakfast will be at the IBEW Hall, net zero building – the walk thorough is tomorrow
Peter Benz –
Thank you to everyone who exhibited last year for the Family Fun Fair
Beginning of April – clean up for the Detroit River – the only one that gives you a boat ride to the islands
Looking for presenters for the Detroit River Fest in October
Adjournment at 4:25