Peter Robinson

When something dies the residue is carbon and other minerals. To convince me that growing something that then dies is carbon neutral, you would have to show me that the carbon is then oxidized to form carbon monoxide and or carbon dioxide. The oxidation takes place by burning with oxygen or by decomposition by biological activity.

On the subject of global warming.... 98% of the scientists have the opinion that global warming is real and a threat to the survival of mankind. It is my opinion that the remaining 2 % are paid by the organizations that want to continue to burn fossil fuels or are ill informed and hope to make a name for themselves by taking a position that is contrary to the majority.

I am 79 years old and I remember the clear skies of 1940, when you could see for hundreds of miles. I am a private pilot and from 10,000 feet, looking down, the earth is relatively clear but when you look horizontally you realize that you are looking through pea soup. I flew from Phoenix to Mazatlan, Mexico. It is 770 miles. For the first 400 miles the air was cloudy with pollution. When I was over Mazatlan, the air was crystal clear. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico was 204 miles away and there was not a trace of pollution in the atmosphere. The only comparable view I have had, has been to look at photos taken from orbiting space ships.

Incidentally, I am a scientist. I have a bachelors and a masters degree in engineering and all of the course work for a PhD from Stanford University. I was awarded 5 US Patents for my inventions when I was a staff scientist at Motorola Semiconductor Products in Phoenix, Arizona. In 1970 I chose to leave Motorola and to buy my farm in Camp Verde, Arizona.

I think that the solution to the carbon dioxide problem that is killing the earth with the greenhouse effect and subsequent global warming; is as follows:

Grow trees, which takes carbon out of the atmosphere. Some of the wood can be burned, which is a carbon neutral process in that you are returning the carbon back to the atmosphere.

Some of the wood can be made into charcoal, ground up and mixed with the soil or put into lakes and the ocean. My chemistry is about 60 years old but I can't think of a way to burn (oxidize) the charcoal once is is ground up and mixed with soil or water. Carbon CAN be oxidized by burning or adding the necessary chemical compounds. My question is, "Are there any natural processes that will oxidize carbon?" A further advantage is that carbon absorbs whatever it is in contact with. The finer the particles of carbon the greater the surface area and thus the greater the absorption of other materials. The masks for tear gas have activated carbon in them to absorb the tear gas. I am certain that there are many active things in the soil or water that can be absorbed by adding carbon to the soil and water.

I have about 8 acres of my farm where I can grow trees as an energy source and to perhaps convert the wood into charcoal, grind it up and mix it with the soil on the farm.

I don't know any chemists that could surely answer the question. Do you know any chemists? Your thoughts on this subject, please.

Best regards,

Peter Robinson

I have a 58 acre working organic farm in Camp Verde, Arizona, with 3/4 mile frontage on the Verde River. The farm is very private, quiet, safe and secure.

I am looking for many skills that can advance the work on the farm. No drugs, alcohol abuse or violence are tolerated on the ranch. The ranch is located at 4470 West Middle Verde Road. 5 miles west of I the 17 freeway. If you like to tinker or invent new things, you are welcome to join the fun. Currently we are developing two hydro power systems, new green houses, brick ovens, high efficiency wood heating energy systems, a system that provides free cooling for a walk in cooler and a whole roof solar hot water system. We will soon be building a new house that uses 10 foot x 20 foot x 12 inch hollow prefab concrete panels. After the walls are in place, they will be filled with sand or earth. This gives the thermal performance of a 12" solid masonry wall. Four inches of Styrofoam will be added to the exterior wall and covered with stucco for protection. Suggestions for a more ecological insulation material are welcome.

The farm has been farmed organically for the last 43 years. The goal of the ranch is to be a local source for quality organic food and to provide sustainable sources of energy. I have two degrees in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, with an emphasis on physics. I was awarded 5 US patents when I worked in the electronics industry.

If privacy is important to you, you won't be disturbed.

The ranch has access to the Verde River and the National forest for riding, fishing, canoeing and general recreation. Many wild animals are seen, passing through the farm. This morning a Great Blue Heron Crane was "fishing" in the irrigation ditch. I protect this wildlife and it is not allowed to disturb them. Pets OK as long as they don't bother the cattle, horses, alpacas, sheep, goats, guineas, geese and chickens on the ranch. If you have a dog that loves to run and won't leave the ranch, they are welcome to be free roaming.

The skills I am looking for are:
Management and organization
Computer
Bookkeeping
Bee keeping
Gardening
Animal husbandry
Equipment repair
Electronic circuit construction. The farm now has a Tektronix 20 MHz dual channel oscilloscope
Tinkering and new invention skills
Welding
Machine work. The farm now has a large vertical milling machine and we are looking for a good lathe.
Baking and cooking

There is limited housing available on the farm. There is a wild and beautiful area adjacent to the Verde River, where you are welcome to camp.

This is a perfect situation for someone who loves farming but doesn't have the practical experience. If you would like a "college education"; at age 77, I have the knowledge and experience to teach engineering, physics and mathematics. I believe that my best form of immortality is to teach others what I know and to help them to have their own successful life.

References required and a background check will be done. For more information or to arrange a visit to the ranch, contact me,
Peter Robinson
928 821 2369 cell phone
Hilofarmer SKYPE number

My long range plans are:
1.) To have a happy family
2.) To contribute to the local development of Organic food
3.) To create local sources of sustainable energy
4.) To contribute to ways of using resources in an efficient and sustainable ways.
5.) To have this farm doing well financially and add a second organic farm on the Big Island of Hawaii.

I now have a 3 bedroom 1 ¾ bath home that is located on the Big Island of Hawaii, 6 miles North of Hilo on the Hamakua coast. This home is rented and I will probably move there in August 2014. My neighbor, Alan Hurt, is organically farming the 18 acres that surround my home on ¼ acre. Alan has tentatively agreed to leasing ¼ acre of land adjacent to my house where I will build a shop for research on the above goals and have a large Organic garden.

Natasha, my wife is lives in Bolbasovo, Belarus, and we are working through the details of her green card. She has been a nurse in the Bolbasovo Hospital for 32 years. Before I met her, her dream was to be a surgeon, living in Hawaii and gathering wild plants in the jungle. Valentine, my step son, will probably attend NAU in Flagstaff in the fall of 2013 and spend some weekends on the ranch. Valentine is fluent in Russian, Belorussian, English and conversational German.

I am bilingual English/Spanish and my Russian is sufficient to travel in Russian speaking countries without language assistance if necessary.