Gerlach School Community Garden Project - needs water?

[Canoe]

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Anyone know anything more about this?

The Dutch based Laboratory for Microclimates is trying to help get the Gerlach School Community Garden Project back on its feet after water was cut when the schools funding was reduced following the Empire plant closure.


They're looking for $8,208.00 for

• ... reconnecting the water supply and start a trust for monthly water bill payments.
• $100 a month for the water bill for five years
• $800 for a sustainable 'desert-flower' hydration system
• 8% to cover kickstarter fees

They're in the Netherlands, so the kickstarter is in Euros. (international Burners...)

... Goal: The Laboratory for Microclimates wants to raise enough money to revitalize the project and supply them with enough water to continue the project for the next five years. To increase the sustainability the Laboratory for Microclimates install desert-flower irrigation system to reduce the use of water. ...

Eight years ago schoolteacher Elizabeth Jackson and her colleagues started an educational community school garden and greenhouse project in this barren environment. The management of the school acknowledged the importance and adopted the project as fresh vegetables are not widely available in this desert environment. The start of the project was promising and the school garden was so successful that even the town's elderly benefited from the project as they were served the freshly grown vegetables from the garden during the town's daily community center senior's lunch. ...

As the number of kids reduced rapidly, the school board had to take the unfortunate decision to terminate the community garden project as funds were lacking and the water supply was cut off. ...

[Sham]

I never heard about this project, but my understanding is that MOST of the students in the Gerlach school have left the area. The number of students--total--K-12 were in the single digits.

I think that if this garden benefits so many people in the town by providing a learning experience to the students and food to the seniors, that the town could actually provide water at no charge.

[Canoe]

I think the video said they're down to 14 students. And that they used to get their water from the school, but the school had to shut them off (money's tight).
They've got some outdoor plots and a green house.

[Elderberry]

Why doesn't BMORG just buy the town already as part of it's charitable foundation and provide the water? Larry could then be a real mayor all year long.

[theCryptofishist]

Yeah, but the whole death match in thunderdome v. Bruno thing has Larry running scared.

[some seeing eye]

I'm sure the organizers of this Kickstarter are fun burners. But this project is a microcosm of BM principles and culture. What is valued is to try (or as the current BM blog is essentially saying getting high by trying). It is not clear they have the legal structure to pay the water bill for 5 years, but they are buying their friend's product and getting publicity for it, funded by the Kickers. It is a lot like many international aid projects which operate and fail because they are not connected to the people they are trying to help.

It would be more effective for the Burner network to use its new found PnP crowd to being sustainable employers to Gerlach to increase its population back to a sustainable level. That's actually a good argument for the retreat center at Fly Geyser idea.

[lucky420]

^^^ like

[Canoe]

> they are buying their friend's product and getting publicity for it, funded by the Kickers.
True. Well known model of aid, except it's only ~10% of the budget, and if it works as promoted, it cuts down on water supply dependence, aiding to long term sustainability of the community garden.

> It is not clear they have the legal structure to pay the water bill for 5 years,
haven't a clue on that one

> It is a lot like many international aid projects which operate and fail because they are not connected to the people they are trying to help.
The video was shot in Gerlach, on-topic asking to pay for the water. And featuring a women giving her name and identifying herself as a resident? Seems connected to me. Or am I naive on that?

[Canoe]

> It is not clear they have the legal structure to pay the water bill for 5 years,

haven't a clue on that one

I guess I missed this...

2: Through the Gerlach School a trust/bank account will be opened to facilitate the monthly payment for the water delivery.

[goathead]

Wondering what is happening with the funds TTITD donates to the school. Do they still donate?
Plus, hmmm too local, will keep it to myself.

[Canoe]

Haven't heard.
But a few years ago, I did hear that the school roof was at risk of leaking. Don't know if they got the funds to fix it.