Workshop: Partners Not Pets

In this Workshop:Partners, we explore the role a of chickens, ducks, rabbits, and quail in the ecosystems and health of Mezzacello Urban Farm. Care and cleaning, integration into soil health, compost, byproducts and humane care are covered, as well as Problem-Solving, Using animals to influence the impact this has on creating a sustainable and safe community through the lens of the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals. When we understand what the goals are, we can start looking at ecosystems and engineered systems with a better outlook.

Workshop Benefits

• A basic introduction on the care and feeding of the livestock at Mezzacello Urban Farm
• Learning applied STEM cues and patterns will help any person better understand how we are sustainable
• We will take the time to care for, clean, and treat both humans and livestock
• We will be exploring some of the quirks of integrating animals on an urban farm
• We’ll be caring for, feeding and inspecting and working with the livestock!
• Waterproof boots and jeans are a MUST
• Encourage trust and communication, respect and belonging in your community
• Encourage kids to see their value together as problem solvers!
• This workshop is optimized for grades 5 – 9

Workshop Costs and Structures

Saturday, June 1, 2024 9:00 – 2:00 Presentation at 2:00

COST: $90 for a seat and this includes supplies and a video presentation

MAX Class size: 10

All of Mezzacello’s Workshops are $90 and have a max capacity of 10 students. Each workshop offers students to work together in teams and with Mezzacello staff to learn applied STEM and natural systems, or work in two teams! Teams in this context is very popular.

This camp will run Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 9:00 – 2:00. Lunch is not provided. From 1:00 – 2:00 each team will come together to teach each other what they know. This can be filmed or not. But sharing new knowledge is central to Mezzacello Urban Farm’s mission of Grow, Maintain, Sustain, and Explain.

Do you think you and your kid are up for the challenge? Sign up today before this weekend workshop fills up!

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Workshop: BioTech in Action

In this Workshop: BioTech in Action, we explore the role a of treating and diagnosing common problems and pathologies of chickens, ducks, rabbits, and quail, as well as Problem-Solving, Using Tools and Strategies to build and solve basic problems on a farm and what impact this has on creating a sustainable and safe community through the lens of the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals. When we understand what the goals are, we can start looking at ecosystems and engineered systems with a better outlook.

Workshop Benefits

• A basic introduction on the care and feeding of the livestock at Mezzacello Urban Farm
• Learning applied STEM cues and patterns will help any person better understand how we are sustainable
• We will take the time to understand three pathologies that impact humans and livestock
• We will be exploring viruses, bacteria, and fungus and parasites and how to avoid them, safely
• We’ll be caring for, feeding and inspecting and working with the livestock!
• Waterproof boots and jeans are a MUST
• Encourage trust and communication, respect and belonging in your community
• Encourage kids to see their value together as problem solvers!
• This workshop is optimized for grades 5 – 9

Workshop Costs and Structures

Sunday, May 26, 2024 9:00 – 2:00 Presentation at 2:00

COST: $90 for a seat and this includes supplies and a video presentation

MAX Class size: 10

All of Mezzacello’s Workshops are $90 and have a max capacity of 10 students. Each workshop offers students to work together in teams and with Mezzacello staff to learn applied STEM and natural systems, or work in two teams! Teams in this context is very popular.

This camp will run Sunday, May 26, 2024 from 9:00 – 2:00. Lunch is not provided. From 1:00 – 2:00 each team will come together to teach each other what they know. This can be filmed or not. But sharing new knowledge is central to Mezzacello Urban Farm’s mission of Grow, Maintain, Sustain, and Explain.

Do you think you and your kid are up for the challenge? Sign up today before this weekend workshop fills up!

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Workshop: BioEngineering Basics

In this Workshop: BioEngineering Basics, we explore the role a of Simple Machines, Problem-Solving, Using Tools and Strategies to build and solve basic problems on a farm and what impact this has on creating a sustainable and safe community through the lens of the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals. When we understand what the goals are, we can start looking at ecosystems and engineered systems with a better outlook.

Workshop Benefits

• A good system is a system that adapts to what is available and how it is important
• Learning applied STEM cues and patterns will help any person better understand how we are sustainable
• We will take the time to understand Structure, Pattern, and Process to see how a solution would work
• We will be exploring all six of the simple machines in engineering
• We’ll be tracking data and competing!
• Encourage trust and communication, respect and belonging in your community
• Encourage kids to see their value together as problem solvers!
• This workshop is optimized for grades 5 – 10

Workshop Costs and Structures

Saturday, May 25, 2024 9:00 – 2:00 Presentation at 2:00

COST: $90 for a seat and this includes supplies and a video presentation

MAX Class size: 10

All of Mezzacello’s Workshops are $90 and have a max capacity of 10 students. Each workshop offers students to work together in teams and with Mezzacello staff to learn applied STEM and natural systems, or work in two teams! Teams in this context is very popular.

This camp will run Saturday, May 25, 2024 from 9:00 – 2:00. Lunch is not provided. From 1:00 – 2:00 each team will come together to teach each other what they know. This can be filmed or not. But sharing new knowledge is central to Mezzacello Urban Farm’s mission of Grow, Maintain, Sustain, and Explain.

Do you think you and your kid are up for the challenge? Sign up today before this weekend workshop fills up!

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Family Workshop: Climate Effects

In this Family Workshop: Cimate Effects, we explore the role a of Climate, Resources, Energy, and Ecosystems in nature on creating a sustainable and safe community through the lens of the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals. When we understand what the goals are, we can start looking at ecosystems and engineered systems with a better outlook.

Family Workshop Benefits

• A good system is a system that adapts to what is available and how it is important
• Learning applied STEM cues and patterns will help any person better understand how we are sustainable
• Could you and your family create a “Floor Is Lava” system to better understand sustainability?
• We’ll be tracking data and competing!
• Encourage trust and communication, respect and belonging in your family
• Encourage kids and families to see their value together as problem solvers!

Workshop Costs and Structures

Saturday, June 29, 2024 9:00 – 2:00 Presentation at 2:00

COST: $100 for a Family of 4 extra kids are $20 and kids under 6 are FREE

MAX Class size: 15

All of Mezzacello’s Family Workshops are $100 and have a max capacity per family of four and a five family max. Each workshop offers families to either work together with Mezzacello staff to learn applied STEM and natural systems, or work in two teams! Kids vs Parents is very popular.

This camp will run Saturday, June 29, 2024 from 9:00 – 2:00. Lunch is not provided. From 1:00 – 2:00 each team will come together to teach each other what they know. This can be filmed or not. But sharing new knowledge is central to Mezzacello Urban Farm’s mission of Grow, Maintain, Sustain, and Explain.

Do you think you and your family are up for the challenge? Sign up today before this weekend workshop fills up!

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Family Workshop: Nature’s Ninjas

In this Family Workshop: The Floor Is Lava, we explore the role a of energy and athleticism in nature on creating a sustainable and safe community through the lens of the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals. When we understand what the goals are, we can start looking at ecosystems and engineered systems with a better outlook.

Family Workshop Benefits

• A good system is a system that adapts to what is available and how it is important
• Learning applied STEM cues and patterns will help any person better understand how we are sustainable
• Could you and your family create a “Floor Is Lava” system to better understand sustainability?
• We’ll be tracking data and competing!
• Encourage trust and communication, respect and belonging in your family
• Encourage kids and families to see their value together as problem solvers!

Workshop Costs and Structures

Saturday, June 22, 2024 9:00 – 2:00 Presentation at 2:00

COST: $100 for a Family of 4 extra kids are $20 and kids under 6 are FREE

MAX Class size: 15

All of Mezzacello’s Family Workshops are $100 and have a max capacity per family of four and a five family max. Each workshop offers families to either work together with Mezzacello staff to learn applied STEM and natural systems, or work in two teams! Kids vs Parents is very popular.

This camp will run Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 9:00 – 2:00. Lunch is not provided. From 1:00 – 2:00 each team will come together to teach each other what they know. This can be filmed or not. But sharing new knowledge is central to Mezzacello Urban Farm’s mission of Grow, Maintain, Sustain, and Explain.

Do you think you and your family are up for the challenge? Sign up today before this weekend workshop fills up!

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Family Workshop: Nature’s Ninjas

In this Family Workshop: Nature’s Ninjas, we explore the role a pollinators and livestock play on creating a sustainable and safe community through the lens of the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals. When we understand what the goals are, we can start looking at ecosystems and natural systems with a better outlook.

Family Workshop Benefits

• How we are all Alpha Animals and why we need each other
• How sustainability REQUIRES empathy, compassion, and skills
• Training Butterflies and Ladybugs to feed on natural resources
• Training Chickens and Ducks to recognize and seek out pests and destroy them
• Encourage trust and communication, respect and belonging in your family
• Encourage kids and families to see their value together as problem solvers!

Workshop Costs and Structures

Saturday, June 15, 2024 9:00 – 2:00 Presentation at 2:00

COST: $100 for a Family of 4 extra kids are $20 and kids under 6 are FREE

MAX Class size: 15

All of Mezzacello’s Family Workshops are $100 and have a max capacity per family of four and a five family max. Each workshop offers families to either work together with Mezzacello staff to learn applied STEM and natural systems, or work in two teams! Kids vs Parents is very popular.

This camp will run Saturday, June 15, 2024 from 9:00 – 2:00. Lunch is not provided. From 1:00 – 2:00 each team will come together to teach each other what they know. This can be filmed or not. But sharing new knowledge is central to Mezzacello Urban Farm’s mission of Grow, Maintain, Sustain, and Explain.

Do you think you and your family are up for the challenge? Sign up today before this weekend workshop fills up!

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Activity: Plants to Paper

In this activity: plants to paper we will be converting cellulose and fiber found in grasses and leaves into pulp to make paper. This is a process that takes a few days and some special devices. We will also be building those devices out of wood, screen, and simple machines!

Basic Physics and Chemistry

Making paper is really simple. It requires 400% more material than you plan to create and it also requires that those fibers be pulped and an alkali be added. Finally we cook the pulp to cause a chemical reaction in the pulp.

Once we have the pulp it needs to be well hydrated and rinsed. WE can use the alkali water in our gardens if we neutralize its pH with an acid. Furthermore, we can be even more sustainable if we use gray water from hand washing stations here at Mezzacello.

The next step will be felting the paper. We put the pulp into a vat ow water big enough to place a screened frame into (see screen frame instructions). Then we dip the screen frame into the pulp water to cellect enough pulp to make paper.

Set that frame aside to dry a bit, and use a second screen to keep felting the pulp from the solution. While that second frame is drying, Carefully pull the paper off the screen and set it between some wool felt or cotton and in between glass sheets or cardboard.

Brute Force and Drying

When you have a stack of paper felts, their moisture wicking material (cardbord can serve as both a layer and moisture wicker, FYI) you will want to press them dry. For this you can stack the layers under boards and add concrete blocks, or you can make a press (see press making instructions).

Once you have all the moisture pressed out, you’ll want to let the paper air dry. After a few hours in the sun or in fronnt of a fan, the paper will be ready to use. Now we can add seeds and plant them, or make origami, or take notes on the next project we will be working on!

2024 Earth Day School Visits

Are you a high school or middle school teacher in Columbus City Schools? Looking for a fun and exciting Applied STEM tie-in to Environmental and food science? Consider bringing Mezzacello Urban Farm mobile farms to your class with 2024 Earth Day School Visits!

Why Earth Day?

Environmental awareness is a very important aspect of the Earth Day experience. However we know that knowing the problem is not enough. We need to also give our kids applied STEM tools to help address, solve, and better understand our challenges.

In addition, the theme of the 2024 Earth Day events this year is Planet Vs Plastics and their impact on Nature. All of our programming here at Mezzacello Urban Farm are aligned to the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Dealing with the inherent pollution of living in and growing in a dense urban environment is at the core of Mezzacello’s mission, this includes combatting micro-plastics pollution.

Bringing The Urban Farm To You, 2024 Earth Day School Visits

Each of the three portable urban farm carts is completely mobile and modular. There are three themes that can be explored using the mobile labs: Energy, BioEngineering, and Ecology.

If you are interested in having a mobile lab come to your school, please comment on the form below. This year, Earth Day falls on Monday, April 22, 2024. I can bring a mobile lab to a STEM class or an assembly. But a registration must be made first.

Visit Mezzacello Urban Farm

If you’d like to tour Mezzacello Urban Farm you are welcome to that as well. Mezzacello is located on the Near East Side of downtown Columbus, Ohio at Broad and 20th. It is central enough that Olde Towne and King Lincoln/Bronzeville schools can easily visit!

Mezzacello Urban Farm’s Applied STEM and agriculture infrastructure is extensive! We run programming here throughout the year, on site and online. On site there are four lab classrooms (Livestock, Energy Production and Renewables, BioEngineering and Automation, and BioTechnology).

In addition to the labs, Mezzacello Urban Farm has a complete standards-aligned and UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals aligned curriculum, formal gardens, aquatic, herb, hydroponic and traditional food gardens. All of these gardens have applied STEM and advanced permaculture and technology solutions built-in.

Camps and Workshops

Mezzacello runs summer camps, workshops, and online courses. Perhaps your students would be interested in taking a week-long camp or a one-day workshop? Perhaps you would be interested in becoming a teacher alongside my team of interns and teachers?

Family Workshop: Family Matters

In this Family Workshop: Family Matters, we explore the role a family can play on creating a sustainable and safe community through the lens of the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals. When we understand what the goals are, we can start looking at ecosystems and natural systems with a better outlook.

Family Workshop Benefits

• Exploring how systems influence each other
• Creating new ways of growing and preserving food
• Managing animals and pollinators in a unique Technological and Natural Farm
• Creating technology solutions to solve real-world problems
• Encourage trust and communication, respect and belonging in your family
• Encourage kids and families to see their value together as problem solvers!

Workshop Costs and Structures

Saturday, June 8, 2024 9:00 – 2:00 Presentation at 2:00

COST: $100 for a Family of 4 extra kids are $20 and kids under 6 are FREE

MAX Class size: 15

All of Mezzacello’s Family Workshops are $100 and have a max capacity per family of four and a five family max. Each workshop offers families to either work together with Mezzacello staff to learn applied STEM and natural systems, or work in two teams! Kids vs Parents is very popular.

This camp will run Saturday, June 8, 2024 from 9:00 – 2:00. Lunch is not provided. From 1:00 – 2:00 each team will come together to teach each other what they know. This can be filmed or not. But sharing new knowledge is central to Mezzacello Urban Farm’s mission of Grow, Maintain, Sustain, and Explain.

Do you think you and your family are up for the challenge? Sign up today before this weekend workshop fills up!

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2023 Mezzacello Annual Report

Our Mission:

Grow, Maintain, Sustain, Explain

Mezzacello Urban Farm invites students, families, and communities to learn about sustainability in a live enclosed, interrelated ecosystem lab in a densely populated urban environment. With gardens, ponds, pollinator systems, classrooms, compost, livestock, fish, insects and various bacteria, we teach about life. Our farm includes a greenhouse, power generation and water collection and purification systems, and a series of labs for research and teaching. Our focus is on hands-on applied STEM and we integrate robotics, automation, coding, and sensor systems needed to maintain a healthy, balanced homestead in the 21st Century.

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Growth:

We were incorporated into a non-profit in 2021 and have been operating learning labs, tours and workshops here since then. In 2023 we saw ENORMOUS growth.

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2023 Highlights:

• 2024 Innovations included a new BioLab for Biotech research and greenhouse use, an expanded BioEngineering Lab including 3D Printing and data analysis, and expanded power generation and renewables.
• New for 2023 was the first iteration of my Student Leadership interns – a cadre of five well-trained and competent middle schoolers capable of teaching and leading with confidence.
• In 2023 Mezzacello presented 6 presentation on Applied STEM innovations to the Global Innovation Field Trip and in partnership with Franklin Park Conservatory and The PAST Foundation.

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Donations and Connect!

We created Mezzacello Urban Farm to make the world, or at least our local communities more innovative and sustainable. But we need your help. Please consider a donation to help us create a sustainable world.

Financials

That 10% in donations allowed 28 young people to attend camps at Mezzacello. Be a force for positive experience and change. Rick and I ourselves empowered 35 kids to join us here at Mezzacello Urban Farm. This is our first year in independent operation. 2024 holds so much more!

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Please Consider Joining Us Here at Mezzacello Urban Farm!

There you can learn more about our mission, camps, workshops, research and development or to schedule a tour, donate or collaborate.

Sponsors and volunteers are welcome as well. All this can be accessed on Mezzacello.org.

Become involved in our Mission Today!

Thanks to Our Generous 2023 Sponsors and Partners!