Lifestyle

Vikki Gerrard Shares How To Start An Eco-Friendly Home Composting System

Published

2 years ago

August 17, 2023

The world is facing a major environmental crisis, and it’s our responsibility to do what we can. We can do our part by starting an eco-friendly home composting system. Composting is a simple and effective way to reduce waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden. The expert, Vikki Gerrard La Crosse WI has some tips for you. This blog post, La Crosse WI, will share nine ways to start an eco-friendly home composting system.

Choose a Composting Method That Works for You:

Several composting methods include traditional composting, vermicomposting, and hot composting. Each method has pros and cons, so choose one that works for your needs and lifestyle. For example, if you have limited space, vermicomposting (using worms) might be better than traditional composting. Therefore, carefully considering which method would work best for your home is essential.

Gather the Right Materials:

For a successful composting system, you’ll need a few basic materials such as organic materials like food scraps, leaves, grass clippings, and animal manure; a bin or container; and a supply of air. Depending on your composting system, you may need additional materials, such as bedding, for vermicomposting.

Pick the Right Location:

Your compost bin needs to be in a location that is easily accessible but also out of the way. You don’t want it in a high-traffic area, but it also needs to be convenient enough that you’ll use it regularly. It should also be in a spot that receives sunlight but isn’t too hot.

One way to get started is by sectioning off a corner in your yard using wood or plastic bins.

Add the Right Materials:

Composting requires a mix of “green” and “brown” materials. Green materials include vegetable and fruit scraps, while brown materials include leaves, sawdust, and newspaper. It’s important to add the right mix of materials to your compost bin to keep it balanced. Too much of one type of material can lead to a smelly, slow-to-mature compost.

For example, adding too much grass clippings can create an environment that’s too wet and lead to mold or fungus growth.

Stir Regularly:

For your compost pile to break down efficiently, you’ll need to stir it regularly. You don’t need any special equipment – a pitchfork or shovel will do the trick – but stirring helps move oxygen throughout the pile, which helps to break down the materials and create compost faster.

You can also add water to your compost pile, but be careful not to overdo it. Too much water can create an environment that’s too wet, leading to mold or fungus growth.

Avoid Certain Foods:

While many food scraps are great for composting, there are some foods you should avoid. These include meats, dairy products, oils, and fats. These items can attract rodents and other pests, and they can also slow down the decomposition process.

On the other hand, you can add eggshells, coffee grounds, and tea bags, as these are all excellent sources of nutrients for your compost.

Maintain Your Compost Bin:

To keep your composting system running smoothly, you’ll need to maintain your compost bin. This means turning the compost regularly to help it break down more quickly and adding water to keep it moist. You’ll also need to keep an eye on the level of your compost bin – if it’s too full, you’ll need to start a new bin or find ways to use the compost you already have.

Use Your Compost:

Once your compost is ready, you can use it to fertilize your garden. This nutrient-rich soil is excellent for plants and can help reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. You can also use it for potted plants or give it to friends and family.

Another way to use your compost is by donating it to local farms. Many small-scale farmers require nutrient-rich soil and would be happy to take your compost off your hands.

Troubleshoot Common Problems:

While composting is a relatively simple process, there can be some issues you’ll need to troubleshoot. These can include problems like odors, pests, and slow decomposition. To troubleshoot these issues, you may need to adjust the mix of materials you’re adding to your compost bin or change the location of the bin.

Additionally, you may need to ensure your compost pile is getting enough air or add some water to help speed up the decomposition process.

Conclusion:

Vikki Gerrard La Crosse WI understands that starting an eco-friendly home composting system doesn’t have to be complicated. By following these nine tips, you can create nutrient-rich soil for your garden and do your part to reduce waste. Remember to choose a composting method that works for you, add the right materials, avoid certain foods, maintain your compost bin, use your compost, and troubleshoot common problems. You can contribute to a healthier planet with little time and effort.

Lifestyle

Confronting Propaganda: Street Smart Documents Honest Reactions to Gaza Indoctrination Footage

Published

2 hours ago

November 6, 2025

Michelle Langton

Photo Courtesy of: Street Smart

Byline: Michelle Langton

In a recent project, the Street Smart team gathered 20 strangers and presented them with propaganda footage from Gaza that has circulated widely online but remains largely unfamiliar to many audiences. The aim wasn’t to provoke outrage or test media literacy in a classroom setting. It was to capture raw, unfiltered emotional reactions to material that reveals how narratives are formed at the source. The resulting video offers a candid look at how people process shocking content and how their perceptions shift when they see what is rarely shown on mainstream platforms.

The Structure of the Experiment

The format was simple. Participants were seated and shown a series of clips from Gaza, including children’s programming and broadcasts containing intense ideological messaging. No background information was provided, and viewers were not instructed on how to interpret what they were seeing. After watching, they were asked for immediate reactions.

The footage elicited a wide range of emotions. Some viewers were stunned by the content, admitting they had never seen anything like it before. Others expressed disbelief, questioning why this kind of material isn’t more widely discussed. A few were visibly shaken, saying the experience fundamentally altered their understanding of the situation.

By presenting the footage without narration or added commentary, Street Smart allowed participants’ genuine responses to emerge. The experiment revealed how propaganda can affect an entire generation. It can shock, unsettle, and force people to reconsider their assumptions.

Why This Project Matters

Sage Fox and Dorani aligned the purpose of this experiment with Street Smart’s broader mission of challenging prevailing narratives and encouraging critical thought among younger audiences. In an environment where footage spreads rapidly across digital platforms, propaganda can shape public opinion long before context catches up.

By showing the Gaza Indoctrination footage in a controlled setting and recording uncoached responses, the team aimed to expose the emotional and cognitive impact of this type of content.

“The first reaction is often the most revealing, because it shows how powerful images can be without context.”

The Range of Reactions

While each participant brought their own perspective, several themes emerged. Some expressed sympathy with the imagery itself, saying it was emotionally powerful.

One participant said, “It makes me question what I see online every day. How much of it is shaped this way?”

Their comments highlight how propaganda resonates differently depending on prior knowledge and exposure. Many viewers have simply never encountered such footage directly.

Street Smart’s Approach

This project continues a pattern established by Sage Fox & Dorani’s earlier videos. Rather than relying on experts or lengthy analysis, Street Smart focuses on real people and their honest reactions. The approach is simple but effective. Present potent material, listen to what people say, and share those moments with a wider audience.

The Gaza Indoctrination footage experiment fits this model. It doesn’t attempt to draw final conclusions or offer political commentary. Instead, it documents how people respond when they’re exposed to narratives that are usually filtered through intermediaries.

Implications for Media Literacy

Beyond its viral potential, the video raises broader questions about how people interact with powerful imagery online. Propaganda operates on emotional reflexes. As this experiment shows, those reflexes are often unexamined until they’re brought to the surface.

Sage Fox & Dorani hope that projects like this push audiences to think more critically about what they see and share.

“The purpose is not to tell people what to believe. It is to remind them that every image comes from somewhere, and that source matters,” they said.

Next Steps for Street Smart

As Street Smart’s platform grows, Sage Fox & Dorani plan to conduct similar experiments in different contexts. They intend to use their direct, street-level approach to highlight how people react when presented with challenging material.

The Gaza footage project is one piece of a larger mission. The team uses simple methods to shed light on complex issues. By focusing on authentic reactions, they continue to build a unique space in online media that blends cultural investigation with raw human response.

A Window into Unfiltered Thought

“We showed 20 strangers real propaganda footage from Gaza — and filmed their unfiltered reactions” is not a dramatic exposé or academic study. It is a clear, unmediated record of how individuals respond when confronted with material designed to persuade. In that restraint lies its strength.

By documenting these moments, Street Smart shows how awareness can begin with a pause. A brief space between seeing and believing.