[GSBN] The EU wants 5% strawbuildings by 2020 says the Economist..
Jacob Deva Racusin
buildnatural at googlemail.com
Sat Dec 21 04:57:37 UTC 2013
Really interesting. Here on the east coast, common cover crops (green
manures) are rye, wheat, buckwheat, oat - all common cereal straws we
see in buildings (maybe not so much buckwheat, and oat's a bit weak but
works alright for in-fill walls). They all have different benefits for
soil - rye is good for arresting spring erosion given its growth
culture, buckwheat is a quick crop, oat is a good nurse crop - and
certainly tilth may be more favorable than nutrient availability for
some of these, but I'm out of my knowledge base here - suffice to say
cereal grains are commonly planted for cover cropping out here. I
understand that the timing in which they are integrated as a cover crop
is not necessarily the same as a harvest crop, but tilling in is a
common practice in sustainable grain production (when the crop isn't
marketable or prioritized) - although I'm sure it's much more nuanced
than that (Derek, interesting point about disease). John, sounds like
rice is quite a different story!
I'm happy to hear that there is such good abundance out west - seems
like this is much less of an issue out there. I've noticed straw being
less abundant in the 12 years I've been building with it - granted, some
years are worse than others and seasonal variations abound. Honestly, I
don't know enough about the big picture here to comment much further -
part of the reason I take interest in this topic, lots more for me to
learn. I don't want to take supply for granted, and since straw isn't a
'resource distribution' (aka waste) problem out here, I'm still a bit
unsettled about how our burgeoning industry fits into the bigger
picture. Really, if this is what we're concerned with, we're doing
great compared to most of the rest of the building industry - but it's
not the complete no-brainer east coast as it still seems to be west
coast. I continue to be humbled by the intricacies of the ecologies and
economies in which we operate. Thanks John for describing more about
the environment in which rice straw is used as a resource in your neck
of the woods, very interesting indeed.
Like Derek, I too am interested in others' experiences with straw
sourcing and regional production. I'm grateful for the diversity of
opinions and regions represented on this list.
Best,
Jacob
On 12/20/13, 11:20 PM, Derek Stearns Roff wrote:
> However, this part of the discussion reminds me of the distance
> between what could be and perhaps should be, and how things currently
> work. It's true that almost all agriculture is pulling nutrients from
> the soil, and replacing them with artificial fertilizers. Plants have
> been bred to minimize the waste products and maximize the salable
> products. So even if all stalks and roots were returned to the soil, a
> large amount of mass would still be removed each year.
>
> I'm told that two other factors militate against the return of straw
> to the soil. For the same reasons that we like straw for building, it
> isn't particularly good as a soil builder. It doesn't break down all
> that easily, and it doesn't have that many valuable nutrients. A more
> severe impediment is that many farmers believe that returning plant
> stalks to the soil can increase the frequency of soil diseases
> affecting those plants. Unless crop rotation is sufficiently diverse,
> tilling straw, or other plant stalks back into the soil can reduce
> crop yields in subsequent years.
>
> I read that straw is still a waste product, and that in California,
> storage of excess straw is a problem. Even though finding good bales
> is hard, I believe that straw is still treated as a waste product
> across much of the west. I would be interested in learning more about
> the situation in the east, and in other countries.
>
> Derek
>
> On Dec 20, 2013, at 8:37 PM, Jacob Deva Racusin wrote:
>
>> I think that Carol makes a crucial point - straw is actually getting
>> more difficult to find here, and there are a lot of competing
>> industries both within ag and in landscaping. Heck, there's a pretty
>> big farm west of us that grows a straw crop specifically for horse
>> stables (big horse racing country over there) - it's the primary
>> crop. Straw may be a secondary crop, but it is definitely not a
>> waste product - and if we are considering the goal that folks in this
>> thread have stated of dramatically increasing straw construction by
>> adoption into the mainstream by prefab applications and other means,
>> then we are talking about a future in which there is a lot more straw
>> being grown for buildings (primary or secondary crop).
>>
>> By removing all that carbon from the soil and not tilling in to
>> restore soil nutrients and tilth, we are having a net-negative impact
>> on soil health and ecology - inherently unsustainable. If we till
>> back in and/or cover crop, we reduce net yield, requiring more
>> farmland or production somehow. There is already a growing concern
>> in this part of the world about the competition for farmland between
>> food and energy production (i.e. corn-based ethanol); if we add a
>> surge in straw construction to that, coupled with reduction in yields
>> due to diminishing soil productivity, and throw in some climate
>> change-induced natural disasters...whoa, ok, not trying to get too
>> down here, I honestly don't think that straw is in scarcity danger
>> right now - far from it. But I do believe that source is an issue we
>> should be taking very seriously, if we are planning for the long haul
>> - around here, the sources of our straw are not stable for the long
>> term (I'm not even sure how much longer I can get long straws, with
>> all the farms switching over to chop-straw combines), and there is
>> certainly none of it going to waste. If we truly want to scale up in
>> production, we need to be able to ensure availability of our raw
>> materials, and I don't feel too secure in that right now. Of course,
>> this involves major paradigm shift in industrial agriculture
>> production...good thing we're all such a bunch of fired-up
>> change-makers. Maybe we'll be using the PAKSBAB-style bale press and
>> go back to gathering field grasses, old-school Nebraska-style, after
>> the revolution...
>>
>> So, are farms in CA/out west still burning straw? I thought that was
>> banned years ago...is there really such a glut of straw out there
>> that it's still considered waste? Regionalism is fascinating...
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Jacob
>>
>> On 12/20/13, 8:01 PM, carolatkn at aol.com wrote:
>>> Sorry John, but straw is ABSOLUTELY NOT a waste product - its
>>> greatest value is as a soil improver - I can't stress how important
>>> that is - even if many "modern" farmers don't seem to agree these
>>> days. Farm soils have lost so much organic matter over the last 50
>>> years that it is very a scary situation indeed. Of course, locking
>>> up carbon in a super insulated straw wall is the second best thing -
>>> and it would be sustainable to use straw for this wonderful purpose
>>> every third year or so - in an ideal world!
>>> best wishes
>>> Carol Atkinson
>>> www.strawcottage.co.uk <http://www.strawcottage.co.uk/>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: John Swearingen <jswearingen at skillful-means.com>
>>> To: Global Straw Building Network <GSBN at sustainablesources.com>
>>> Sent: Fri, 20 Dec 2013 19:50
>>> Subject: Re: [GSBN] The EU wants 5% strawbuildings by 2020 says the
>>> Economist..
>>>
>>> Jacob's points about supporting local and sustainable business are
>>> well taken, but these are choices that we can make, with our
>>> pocketbooks, in order to bring about better communities.
>>> That said, I think the bottom line is that straw is a/waste
>>> product/. Unlike wood, it's not grown for construction, and it has
>>> limited use--for erosion control (composting) or to spread over
>>> muddy paddocks for livestock. Extra straw, and there is a lot,
>>> would likely be burned.
>>>
>>> Following the very sound sustainability principle of "highest and
>>> best use", *any* use of bales for construction involves taking
>>> garbage and putting it to good use and that's worthy of support.
>>> When you consider that bales sequester carbon, that's an extra benefit.
>>>
>>> John (Trash Talk) Swearingen
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wed, Dec 18, 2013 at 6:37 PM, Jacob Deva Racusin
>>> <buildnatural at googlemail.com <mailto:buildnatural at googlemail.com>>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Valentina,
>>>
>>> I appreciate your perspective. This is a conversation that has
>>> come up a number of times in our courses and conversations with
>>> our colleagues - namely, the roll of agribusiness in providing
>>> feedstock for our construction. I think 'greenwashing' may be a
>>> bit strong, when I compare to the claims of the concrete and
>>> foam industries as being 'green'. That said, the impacts must
>>> be considered, and the benefits of using straw in regards to
>>> deep ecological and social impact should not be overstated if
>>> the source of straw is not being considered. We have access to
>>> straw that is grown from medium- and small-scale farms, which
>>> come closer to the higher potential of working with this
>>> material. It is very analogous to working with wood -the same
>>> framing member can come from a local sawyer practicing
>>> sustainable silviculture, or from a genetically-engineered
>>> clear-cut plantation pine shipped across the world.
>>>
>>> >From data I've seen, even industrial straw is a fraction of the
>>> embodied carbon of other common forms of insulation, so context
>>> is relevant when evaluating materials for deep impact. You make
>>> an especially good point about the danger of introducing this
>>> material to industrial scale, and losing more of the
>>> benefits/exacerbating the liabilities in favor of snapping the
>>> technology into the mold of industrial housing/building
>>> development. We would do well as a community not to lose sight
>>> of the importance of scale, and as you mention the relevance of
>>> the social benefits of working with straw. At the same time,
>>> access to a much larger market and making the technology
>>> available to many more people is an arguable net gain, even if
>>> there is a sacrifice for environmental and social impact in
>>> production - again, compared to the alternatives. I think there
>>> is room for both, and as long as we continue to engage in the
>>> debate, I have confidence that we'll continue to move the ball
>>> further down the field.
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>> Jacob
>>>
>>> --
>>> Jacob Deva Racusin
>>> Co-Owner
>>> New Frameworks Natural Design/Build
>>>
>>> Author, The Natural Building Companion
>>> Chelsea Green Press, 2012
>>>
>>> (802) 782-7783
>>> jacob at newframeworks.com <mailto:jacob at newframeworks.com>
>>> http://www.newframeworks.com <http://www.newframeworks.com/>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 12/18/13, 12:43 PM, valentina maini wrote:
>>>> Martin, John, Caroline, and all
>>>> as Herbert Gruber recently suggested on Leonardo group, this
>>>> article maybe very well connected with the EU funded
>>>> ( eco-innovation) investigation on @Modcell ....based in the UK
>>>> and with BathUniversity support
>>>>
>>>> I personally got in touch with the founder of this panels in
>>>> 2011 and met with professionals here in spain that are
>>>> collaborating in this EU funded program of analysis and
>>>> implementation of this "patent" strawbale panels....i've seen
>>>> fantastic software and marketing tools they were presenting at
>>>> Eco event in London 2011
>>>>
>>>> From my point of view and with very recent experiences on
>>>> professional development of strawbale in Spain i think and see
>>>> this article as a call for action to present the real value of
>>>> strawbale and strawbale network..that goes, in my view, very
>>>> much beyond the "simple" energy efficiency issue...
>>>> and i very important reminder for all that straw is not at all
>>>> a really safe for the environment product...since is a
>>>> byproduct of one of the most contaminated human "fabric"...as
>>>> industrial agriculture ...as very well reminds Luc Foissac in
>>>> is great book on strawbale...
>>>>
>>>> from my point of view...The very big risk/reality at the moment
>>>> is that straw is used very much as a "simple" greenwash.....
>>>> and even if i really celebrate the greenwash for what it
>>>> means in terms of getting rid of toxic materials...i think and
>>>> personally value much more the social innovation related to
>>>> strawbale... the ability of people and networks to create
>>>> opportunity and solutions....
>>>>
>>>> what is happening is just "business as usual" with a more
>>>> eco-material... what the strawbale network gave me me is much
>>>> much more than simple "strawbale tech"... i learned.... thank
>>>> to you all.... the value and the tools to innovate and
>>>> collaborate and manage uncertainty.... and adapt and always
>>>> look for the best solution for people, planet...and even profit...
>>>>
>>>> and personally i'm really convinced that the risk for
>>>> environment and quality (equality) in our society is so
>>>> big....., that is not enough anymore to "change" material...
>>>> and hope that the strawbale network (that i value for itself)
>>>> can make a huge step and show the world that strawbalers are
>>>> bringing much more to community and economy that a "simple"
>>>> prefab panel for passive house... a huge step to defend as the
>>>> real value the mission and vision of all the pioneers in
>>>> strawbale .... at least this is how i see you all ...
>>>>
>>>> hope my english is good enough...and...my mind is getting clear
>>>> on this issue just in this lasts months... so hope this
>>>> comments are of some interest for you ;-)
>>>>
>>>> best regards to you all, valentina
>>>> Valentina Maini
>>>> italy-spain
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential
>>>> and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to
>>>> whom they are addressed. Use, disclosure, distribute, print or
>>>> copy of this communication is prohibited by law. If you
>>>> received this email in error please notify the sender and then
>>>> delete it.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> GSBN mailing list
>>> GSBN at sustainablesources.com <mailto:GSBN at sustainablesources.com>
>>> http://sustainablesources.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/GSBN
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> John Swearingen
>>> Skillful Means Design & Construction
>>> 2550 9th Street Suite 209A
>>> Berkeley, CA 94710
>>> 510.849.1800 phone
>>> 510.849.1900 fax
>>>
>>> Web Site: http://www.skillful-means.com <http://www.skillful-means.com/>
>>> Blog: https://skillfulmeansdesign.wordpress.com
>>> <https://skillfulmeansdesign.wordpress.com/>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> GSBN mailing list
>>> GSBN at sustainablesources.com <mailto:GSBN at sustainablesources.com>
>>> http://sustainablesources.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/GSBN
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> GSBN mailing list
>>> GSBN at sustainablesources.com
>>> http://sustainablesources.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/GSBN
>>
>> --
>> Jacob Deva Racusin
>> Co-Owner
>> New Frameworks Natural Design/Build
>>
>> Author, The Natural Building Companion
>> Chelsea Green Press, 2012
>>
>> (802) 782-7783
>> jacob at newframeworks.com
>> http://www.newframeworks.com
>> _______________________________________________
>> GSBN mailing list
>> GSBN at sustainablesources.com <mailto:GSBN at sustainablesources.com>
>> http://sustainablesources.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/GSBN
>
> Derek Roff
> derek at unm.edu <mailto:derek at unm.edu>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GSBN mailing list
> GSBN at sustainablesources.com
> http://sustainablesources.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/GSBN
--
Jacob Deva Racusin
Co-Owner
New Frameworks Natural Design/Build
Author, The Natural Building Companion
Chelsea Green Press, 2012
(802) 782-7783
jacob at newframeworks.com
http://www.newframeworks.com
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.sustainablesources.com/pipermail/gsbn/attachments/20131220/a2ae1a26/attachment.htm>
More information about the GSBN
mailing list