July greEn-Mail

Georgia eases outdoor water schedules
Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue announced on June 10 the Ga. Environmental Protection Division has issued a non-drought schedule for outdoor water use for the 1st time since June 2006. Outdoor water use will be allowed 3 days a week on assigned days. Since May 2008, 55 north Georgia counties have been under a level 4 drought response, which prohibited most types of outdoor water use. North Georgians averaged monthly water savings of 15% since November 2007. Posted 06.15.09

Greenhouse to turn plant debris into energy
Pelee Hydroponics, a hydroponic vegetable greenhouse operation in Leamington, Ontario, Canada, will be the site of a 2-stage anaerobic digester that will turn plant waste into heat and electricity. Seacliff Energy is receiving a $1.6 million loan from the Canadian government to construct a $6.5 million facility that processes plant waste from greenhouses, local farms and food processors to produce electricity and fertilizer. The digestion process will generate enough methane gas and thermal heat to operate Pelee Hydroponics. Seacliff will sell excess electricity to the Ontario power grid. Posted 06.01.09

Dust devil damages Michigan nursery
A dust devil damaged Lincoln Nursery in Grand Rapids, Mich., on May 17. The main damage path was approximately 25-30 ft. wide. Plastic film was ripped off steel hoop houses and plant material inside was scattered. The steel frame of the 1st structure hit was severely bent and railroad ties inside the structure were picked up and moved. Posted 06.01.09