The Heat is On: Enforcing Weed Control with Fire Weeding

by Melissa Ida
Spring has sprung and summer will soon be upon us.  As we approach the growing season, many of us know only too well that with the abundance of vegetable gardens, lush lawns, and fecund fields there is bound to be a never-ending source of stealthy, sun-hogging weeds. The common methods for dealing with these [...]

Really “Green” Grass

It’s the lawn care question many people are now asking: how can you make your lawn greener without using those dreaded pesticides? A non-toxic, yet green lawn may be easier and less labor-intensive than you think. This top ten list compiled from www.saferlawns.org and www.organiclawncaretips.com can give you a head-start on an eco-friendly lawn.
1. Conduct [...]

Innovation. Cooperation. Sustainability.

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Renewable Energy Tour Looks at Local Projects
by Katy Phillips, Communications Director, Wisconsin Farmers Union
“My story is no exception. Our area of northern Germany counts thousands of farmers like me: energy entrepreneurs who joined forces with local residents to build cooperative, sustainable businesses that produce renewable energy and value added jobs. From the bottom up [...]

Gardening Commandments

by Sharon Coates
Having taught gardening classes from beginners to seed-savers, I have a few “Gardening Musts” I’d like to share. These are even more important for those of us who grow organically, since we do not rely on herbicides, pesticides, etc.
1. A good gardening book
2. A notebook/folder/3 ring binder
3. Walk through your garden daily
4. Clean [...]

My “Honey Don’t Mow There” Garden

by Liz Johnson, Herbalist
As an herbalist, I accept that most folks are not quite like me, most don’t have a wild and wooly yard in town. I don’t know what city governments would do if we all kept our yards as wild as I’ve kept mine, but I do believe that everyone should try a [...]

Koreans to Pay for Food Waste With Swipe Cards

words and photo by Leon Kaye
Andong, Korea is a city with a population about the size of metropolitan Eau Claire. Like Eau Claire, Andong is full of trees, has its share of history, and its local art scene more than holds its own.
And like many municipalities of its size, the question of what to do [...]

Green Pages » May/June ‘12

Awareness is Key at Little Sprouts Academy

Joe and Lucy Lawrence have something very special to offer Menomonie and the surrounding communities in their new child care/learning center, Little Sprouts Academy Menomonie LLC.
Naturally, the development and well-being of children is their first priority, but how those goals are accomplished is what makes Little Sprouts unique. Joe [...]

Q&A: Updating the House

Questions and Answers with Ron Welsch, Heritage Builders Inc.
Q: I want to invest some money in something that increases in value. What do you recommend?

A: The first thing would be a home energy audit by Focus on Energy auditors. A 2-3 hour home energy inspection will: determine the rate of air loss from your home, [...]

Building Green Saves Green

by Mark Lewis, Archer Lion
Building a green home or remolding in a green way is more than just using recycled products. While that’s one component, building green is a holistic approach that involves many factors.
Landscaping – Planting deciduous trees on the South side of the house aids in summer cooling and when the leaves fall [...]

Sustainable Construction … More Than You’d Think

by Bob Sworski, cbs² Architects
Sustainability in the construction industry spans a very broad band of ideas and concepts. One of the first common “sustainable” concepts was realized in the 1970’s in conserving energy, both fuel and electricity. Simply turning off your lights when not in use qualifies as a sustainable practice. Today, more and [...]

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