by jboullion | Jul 12, 2011 | Uncategorized
From an article by Gregg Hoffman on WisBusiness.com:
Tom Lukens has been to a lot of places over his long career in horticulture and business. Now, the president emeritus of Golden State Bulb Growers is creating “a beautiful place to simply be” along the West Fork in the Kickapoo Valley.
“I believe human beings are motivated by sharing experiences,” said Lukens, who continues to serve as a senior sales rep and technical consultant for the Moss Landing, California, Golden State Bulbs company, and has started Nature Nooks Retreat.
“That motivates me here. I believe this place gives you a sense of belonging which is good for us. We’ve built the buildings to not only be energy efficient as possible, but to bring the outside to you when you are inside. . . .”
Driftless Area Project head Jeff Hastings, Trout Unlimited, UW-Madison researchers and others have helped Lukens in his development of Nature Nooks and have embraced his bio-diversity approach to stream restoration.
The green construction starts with Lukens’ home, a 1,440 sq. ft. structure that resembles Frank Lloyd Wright designs and is intended to make as small a carbon footprint as possible.
Through the use of passive and active solar, hydronic heat in the floors, energy efficient windows and materials and a little bit of wood, Lukens was able to operate the home without “a drop of petroleum” last winter.
He estimates the solar part of his system cost about $34,000 more than conventional heat systems would, but he received an $18,000 tax credit and will recover any additional costs through energy efficiency.
Lukens also has worked with local contractors and has used local materials whenever possible.
“It starts by not building a home with more space than you need,” Lukens said. “This space is plenty for our purposes. By using local materials and labor, you also save costs, contribute to the community economically and leave less of a footprint because of transportation.”
by jboullion | Jul 6, 2011 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Kolbe Windows and Doors:
Wausau, Wis. (July 2011) – Located in Wausau, Wis., Red Eye Brewing Company produces and sells craft beers complimented by dishes made from home-grown ingredients. The owners’ preference for locally-sourced, environmentally-responsible materials, their attention to detail and their appreciation for quality, contributed to their selection of Kolbe’s windows and doors.
“Red Eye truly believes that our success as a business is measured through our commitment to the community and the environment, paired with sound economic practices,” says co-owner Brett Danke. . . .
Bringing this systematic, sustainable, whole building design to life, S.D. Ellenbecker served as a hands-on general contractor, including the installation of Kolbe’s windows and doors. Opened in 2008, the 6,000-square-foot space’s other green building features include:
- location is a quick walk for downtown shoppers, near a designated bike route and one block from the bus terminal;
- reclaimed Redwood fence, planed by hand, and re-used as wood trim;
- waterless urinals, which save a combined 90,000 gallons of water per year;
- spent grain from the brewing process is provided to a local farmer, which he uses as a supplement for his cattle, eliminating it from the landfill;
- wood burning oven is fired with locally-sourced hardwoods, a renewable source of energy, which avoids the consumption of natural gas and electricity for primary cooking needs;
- solar water heat, which further reduces the consumption of natural gas and electrical power, equating to nearly 35 years of “free hot water” for use in the brewery and its restaurant.
by jboullion | May 23, 2011 | Uncategorized
From an article by B. C. Kowalski in the Wausau Daily Herald:
AMHERST — Green beer can be quite common during St. Patrick’s Day — but the owners of Central Waters Brewing Co. had a different kind of green in mind when they began 13 years ago.
Central Waters was recognized for those green practices Friday as the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources named the company to its Green Tier program, which celebrates environmentally friendly businesses in Wisconsin. It is the first brewery in the state to be added to the program.
The DNR presented the business with a plaque and welcomed it to the program in front of about 50 people at the brewery in Amherst.
Entry into the program came after an application and a public comment period in which residents could say whether they thought the brewery should be added to the program.
Not a single person said it shouldn’t be added, co-owner Anello Mollica said.
The facility runs on radiant floor heat, and water is heated by 1,000 square feet of solar panels.
“It’s a steep upfront ticket, but the payoff is remarkable,” said Paul Graham, Central Waters co-owner.
by jboullion | Apr 29, 2011 | Uncategorized
Sustainable Dunn announces the West Wisconsin Sustainability Fair, Sat. July 16, 8 AM – 2 PM at the Dunn County Fairgrounds, 620 17th St., in Menomonie. Coinciding with the Farmers Market, the Fair will host exhibitors from business, government, and non-profit groups, and will offer speakers, workshops, music, energy efficient vehicles, a photo contest, and a tour of the Cedar Falls Dam. Come and shop at the Farmers Market, talk with friends and neighbors, and learn more about sustainability in Western Wisconsin. For more information see the Sustainable Dunn website (sustainabledunn.org) or contact Margy Hagaman.
by jboullion | Apr 27, 2011 | Uncategorized
From an article article by Casandra Colson in the Jackson County Chronicle:
Living “green” always has been a way of life for Brambleberry Bed and Breakfast owners Chris and Sherry Hardie.
“That type of lifestyle was automatic,” Sherry said. “It wasn’t anything we strived for — it was the way we were raised.”
The Hardies, who each grew up on a dairy farm, now make sure Brambleberry Bed and Breakfast guests get a taste of what it’s like to live sustainable lifestyles during their stays at the couple’s rural Taylor getaway destination.
Brambleberry was named one of Wisconsin’s Eco-Elegant B&Bs by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism last year, and it’s also one of the state’s certified Travel Green destinations since 2008.
Travel Green Wisconsin businesses need to score at least 30 points in the certification process to receive the designation. Branbleberry scored 71.
“That’s a really good score and shows their support for sustainability,” said Shelly Allness, Travel Green Wisconsin program manager.
The Hardies were chosen to have the fifth-top eco-elegant inn, largely because of their commitment to growing and using homegrown produce for guest meals. They make homemade blackberry wine, use fresh herbs, serve homegrown pork and eggs and also make and serve homemade maple syrup.
