Editing Land lab (section)

==Circular systems in land labs==
[[Circular system]] experiments, promoting a [[circular economy]], are a natural fit for educational land labs.  Circular systems function by ensuring that nothing is wasted.  Every output of a system becomes an input for another system.

For example:  Food scraps feed chickens, chicken manure fertilizes the garden, the garden grows more vegetables, food scraps are then available from the vegetables to feed chickens.
[[File:Methane Biogas Generator.jpg|alt=A methane digester intakes food waste, water, manure and other biomass. Methanogens in the water then consume nutrients in the organic slurry, and methane gas is released. The methane gas is captured, stored and pressurized, and then is used to power a gas stove for cooking. Liquid fertilizer is produced as a byproduct of this process. This is a fantastic example of sustainable, local energy.|thumb|A methane digester intakes food waste, water, manure and other biomass.  Methanogens in the water then consume nutrients in the organic slurry, and methane gas is released.  The methane gas is captured, stored and pressurized, and then is used to power a gas stove for cooking.  Liquid fertilizer is produced as a byproduct of this process. This is a fantastic example of sustainable, local energy.]]
Circular systems that are well-suited for land labs include:

* [[Anaerobic digestion|Biogas methane digesters]] for generating [[Renewable natural gas|clean cooking fuel]] and liquid fertilizer for gardens
* [[Compost|Composting rollers]] for composting leaves, grass clippings, & food scraps
* Raising [[Hermetia illucens|black soldier fly larvae]] on [[Food loss and waste|food waste]] to become feed for chickens or fish 
* [[Solar panel]]s for providing on-site power
* [[Pastured poultry|Free range chickens]] for providing eggs and manure
* Greenhouses for growing [[Fungiculture|mushrooms]] and seedlings
* [[Raised-bed gardening|Raised beds]] for market garden vegetables
* [[Beehive]]s for garden pollination, honey, and wax
* [[Rotational grazing|Rotationally grazed pastures]] for goats, cattle, pigs, sheep, etc
* [[Biochar]] production to improve [[soil quality]] and [[Carbon sequestration|sequester carbon]]
* [[Aquaponics]] systems for growing [[Tilapia|fish]] and greens symbiotically
* [[Rainwater harvesting|Rainwater collection]] systems for retaining water for gardens