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I was given a system by the city, who was trying to burn through some grant money- it's fairly 'tedious?' to put together and is quite large as well so I don't want to have to move it. (I also didn't realize I had to seed it with 25 gallons of manure, lol) I am excited at the idea of the possibility of demonstrating alternative energy and waste management systems and wondering if it would be put to better use by donating to an organization that is more knowledgable/proficient/ or visible to make a bigger impact. I was thinking a school, but after being shut down by multiple schools several years ago when I tried to start gardens, I feel torn by the potential bureaucracy even though we've come a ways, they still don't like to let the kids eat what is grown, although that may have more to do with stepping on toes of the companies who supply the official school lunches.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this? They cost around a grand to buy, and even though there was supposed to be more engagement, noone at the city knows anything about it, and the person in charge was an intern now gone. It definitely needs someone to oversee it, and while I compost, I havent been successful at STARTING much- my previous attempt at a Makerspace failed, and even collaborating to start an aquaponics component at a local community garden was met with resistance ( that was due to my questioning the Budget, which listed gloves, building components, and other supplies at a HUGE markup of retail prices instead of sourcing them more economically) I am good at ideas, and financially supporting them, but it's been hard to get others to see new ideas as clearly...For example, I read that using pond bottom muck can be used to start composting systems, in my local community, but people's ignorance and resistnce to change is  frustrating, especially when I don't have the experience, just the willingness. I have tried engaging with local officials, suggesting introduction of graywater as an option, even contacted Insinkerator to discuss a project that would pre- chop organic waste, and the VP who called me back informed me that once local officials invest in  waste to energy plant, they aren't interested in anything that at all interferes with them 'feeding the beast'. It was an honest insight that I appreciated, but I inadvertantly caused a councilperson to ressurect his inaccurately coined 'Toilet to Tap' dismissal of any reclaimed water initiative. And got me a call from another vice-president- this one from Mosaic, who thanked me for 'caring about Mother Earth' but suggested I leave the big decisions to the experts- this was in response to my comment about their ongoing permit for dumping Process Water into our water supply- somehow he got my phone number, address and personal info about me- and this was in 2009. It started souring me on trying to make change  but I'm starting back up with baby steps...

Hi Theresa,
I added your post to the biogas forum. Maybe there are some permies that have some thought on it.

I personally am of the opinion, that all of those systems are too complicated and labour intensive in the end. Also stinky. My road to close the cycles is compost toilets and wood for heating/cooking.

Sorry to hear that your efforts seem to rund against walls all the time in your area. It's hard to start things up on your own. Maybe there are some local initiatives that you could join instead of trying to get things started from scratch.
Glad to hear you're taking baby steps again though!

I have been there and done that years ago.

I learned that I am one of a kind.  So I just stopped trying to influence others.

Enjoy your gift or put an ad on Craig's List to gift/sell it to someone else.

Hello all,

I feel your pain, here on the big island of hawaii we have money hoarders that are keen to invest money for things that benefit them. But the reality is that there are many people on the fringe that barely have the money to sustain themselves. An example is we have a feral dog problem and I wanted to start an animal sanctuary but being new to the community and an outsider let’s say they were rather rudely unexcited about me asking them to put skin in the game to the tune of $25 each. So I started a nonprofit and raffled off my Harley to get the funds. Well, we are now on the way to having an animal sanctuary and continue to take off big ticket items. Think out of the box in ways that can be accomplished solely on your own.

The United Nations site used to have a great deal of information on biogas.  It has been several years since I have been in their site.