Biodiesel / Composting Research

Nearly a year of work on site has past and plans for Jacob's Ladder are gearing up for the upcoming year. Our latest project, which we are quite excited for, will be investigating the establishment of a biofuel / composting business plan on site which will not only generate money to continue research, but generate public interest by spreading the word about Jacob's Ladder. The Penn State Biodiesel Research Group is currently working on the design of a small-scale biofuel production system to be incorporated at Jacob's Ladder. Working in collaboration with the hotel district of Ocho Rios, developers plan on creating biodiesel from waste cooking oil which will then be used for on-site use as well as sale. By providing a free source of fuel, we will then be able to pursue a second business model creating compost and mulch from food waste, also obtained from Ocho Rios and surrounding communities. We are in the process of applying for numerous research grants to help kick-start this project.

Shipping Container Library

As part of two Penn State undergraduate honors thesis projects, a team of students traveled to Jacob's Ladder for a week in November to construct a library for the residents. To demonstrate sustainability, the library featured numerous alternative and innovative building techniques. The structure was built from a recycled shipping container and will support a green roof and solar array on it's roof. In addition to the solar panels, a wind turbine located behind the library will help charge an electric golf cart on site. To provide additional cooling to the library, passive solar design elements were incorporated into the overall layout of the windows, air vents, and doors.

After a week of construction, the team of six were able to complete the first half of the library. Unfortunately, heavy rains for most of the trip hindered how much work was able to get done during the week. For this reason, the team plans on returning to the site at a later time to finish construction of the green roof, solar panels, and wind turbine. Shelving for the books was finished however which will be used to house 2,000+ books collected in a book drive event in Pennsylvania for the project.

The shipping container library marks the first project Penn State has been able to complete on site at Jacob's Ladder. In addition to serving as an educational building for the residents on site, the library will serve as a showcase for future visitors of the site. Posters and models located in the building will explain to visitors the future vision for the site and show the relationship between Penn State and Mustard Seed Communities. We were extremely excited to see the progress which was done over the week and believe that this project will mark the first of many research efforts to help better the site.

Jacob's Ladder News

Welcome to the Jacob's Ladder News page! Over the course of the project, we will be posting important and relevant news about recent developments, design changes, and updates at the site. We are glad to see that you have an interest in Jacob's Ladder. Check back for more updates about the site!!