Standard Process ranks among top Wisconsin organic farms

Although they’ve been in Wisconsin for over 80 years, Standard Process hasn’t been well-known until the last few years as people have become more concerned about health and nutrition.

The 420-acre certified organic farm, located a mile or so from its headquarters in Palmyra, WI., grows whole foods for their high nutrient content – alfalfa, barley grass,oats, pea vine, buckwheat, Spanish black radish, kale, beets, radishes, Brussels sprouts – and processes them into nutritional supplements.

Organic growing methods include:

• All of the seeds are organic and always untreated and free of genetically modified organisms (GMO)
• Zero tolerance for genetically modified seed, synthetic herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, or seed treatments. Our whole foods are cultivated with only natural nutrition and no synthetic fertilizer.
• Every field is professionally tiled to optimize drainage. And, we set our soil testing levels well beyond what’s required because we believe that well-managed soil produces high-quality raw materials.
• Irrigation water is supplied from a naturally occurring artesian flowage, although we water as infrequently as possible to encourage the roots dig deep down and find nutrition.

 

Health Care Partners

Standard Process sells only to health care providers  including chiropractors, dentists, and acupuncturists. Many chiropractors prefer to recommend Standard Process supplements to their patients because the products use whole foods instead of more highly processed ingredients. Standard Process offers more than 300 products through three product lines: Standard Process whole food supplements, Standard Process Veterinary Formulas, and MediHerb herbal supplements. The company is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as well as state and federal agricultural departments.

 

Related articles

• 2011 American Inhouse Design Honors Awarded to Standard Process Inc. (prweb.com)
• Standard Process Inc. Named to List of Wisconsin’s Top Private Companies for Fourth Consecutive Year (prweb.com)
• Organic farming can be more profitable (chimalaya.org)
• OCA’s 10 Reasons to Buy Organic (missogk.wordpress.com)
• Organic farming CAN feed the world: 30 year study shows superior yields (veganactivist.wordpress.com)
• Standard Process Inc. Listed as Top 100 Southeastern Wisconsin Workplace for Second Consecutive Year (prweb.com)

Nation’s first zero-energy multifamily community opens

The first zero-energy multifamily community in the US is now open, demonstrating that cutting edge green building technologies are not only possible – but also scalable – for mainstream housing production.

Located in Issaquah, Wash., zHome’s 10 townhomes use zero net energy; 70% less water; nearly 80% Forest Stewardship Council certified wood; healthy, low-toxicity materials; and salmon-friendly site practices.

“This pioneering project sets a new standard for how homes can – and should – be built in our region and country,” says Issaquah Mayor Ava Frisinger. “Our vision is that zHome’s innovative approach will catalyze the market for much greener building materials and technologies, as well as inspire the next generation of homebuilders through examples that are replicable and market rate.”

zHome was built thanks to a public/private partnership spearheaded by the City of Issaquah, in conjunction with Built Green, King County, Port Blakely Communities, Puget Sound Energy and the Washington State University Energy Program. The homes were built and developed by Ichijo USA and Seattle builder Matt Howland.

The partners have also created a sustained, long-term education and marketing program to accelerate market adoption of sustainable housing in the region. One of zHome’s 10 units will remain as a Stewardship Center for the next five years, offering educational programming and tours for the community, builders, designers and students.

“Buildings account for 40% of all carbon dioxide emissions nationally, yet modern homes are about as innovative as the Model T,” says zHome project manager Brad Liljequist with the City of Issaquah. The Stewardship Center will also offer folks innovative and practical steps for replicating zHome’s approach in their own home building or remodeling projects.”  

zHome is designed to push the limits of green building and hit aggressive, numeric benchmarks in energy, water, materials, construction waste and site development.  The benchmarks include:

• Zero net energy and carbon neutral because of energy-efficient construction practices and solar panels.
• Use 70% less water than the average home, achieved through an integrated rainwater recycling system and water-efficient fixtures.
• Incorporate 78% FSC-certified wood products and a high percentage of recycled, reclaimed and regional materials.
• Diverted 90% of all construction-related debris through waste prevention, reuse and recycling.
• Offer high indoor air quality through low toxicity materials and proper ventilation.
• Reduce stormwater impact through low-impact site development strategies – including recharging runoff onsite – to mimic the site’s original, forested state.
• Achieve the highest ever Built Green certification score of 850 points.
• Developed in conjunction with an adjacent 150-unit YWCA Family Village workforce housing community. Together, they form a transit-oriented development adjacent to a regional transit center.  

Related articles

• Grand Ridge Trail, Issaquah Highlands (issaquahfun.com)
• Zero Net Energy zHome is “A Model For Mainstream Housing In The Future” (treehugger.com)
• Casa Verde: America’s Best Eco-Neighborhoods (casasugar.com)

 

US Pharmacy uses electric delivery trucks

Duane Reade is the first US retail pharmacy in New York City to electrify its truck fleet as part of a pilot program with Smith Electric Vehicles. Duane Reade is part of the Walgreens family of companies and the largest drug store chain in NYC.

The vehicles are ideal for urban delivery applications that demand heavy stop-and-go driving. Smith Electric medium-duty electric trucks will be included in its delivery fleet.

The “Newton” vehicle has a range that exceeds 100 miles on a single overnight charge and can carry over 16,000 pounds. Its average annual operating cost is 33%-50% of conventional diesel trucks. The electric truck is virtually silent and features a regenerative braking system that reduces wear on the brakes while restoring charge to the battery.

All new and renovated Duane Reade stores have LED lighting, which is reducing power consumption by 40% a year. The efficient lighting allows the stores eliminate energy consumptive air conditioning units, which were previously needed to mitigate the excessive heat produced by traditional light sources.

Other companies in NYC that are buying Smith’s electric trucks include Frito-Lay, Coca-Cola and Down East Seafood.

Related articles

• Former GM exec Bob Lutz to build electric trucks (marketwatch.com)
• Fleet owners push the pedal on alternative fuels (news.cnet.com)
• How Tiny Solar Trucks Can Save American Cities (treehugger.com)
• AAA unveils its new electric-car recharging trucks (content.usatoday.com)

Sustainable, green colleges impact student’s quality of life

Image via Wikipedia

Going to a green college may sound trendy, but for some students, a school with green, sustainable policies will be much more appealing to them.  Although they may not major in environmental studies, going to a green college will have a positive impact on their quality of life.

LEED Certified Buildings

When colleges, like Lawrence University, add new buildings they are often LEED certified which means they reduce energy and water use, improve air quality and use natural lighting when possible. Green garden roofs are often used to absorb energy, cool the building or reduce runoff by capturing rainwater.  Other colleges have renovated their residential halls  to make them more comfortable and less dorm-like to live in. 

 Eating Local and Organic

Other schools grow their own fruits and vegetables or support their community by buying from local farmers and dairies. Since organic vegetables have a shorter shelf life than commercially grown vegetables, they can quickly be used in cafeterias on college campuses that often serve three meals a day. Schools like Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, shun long-distance, low-grade cafeteria food, offering their students only the good stuff.

Do you need a car?

Can you walk from your dorm or apartment to classes? If the campus is large, is there plenty of public transportation?  What kinds of transportation is available? Green schools such as Arizona State University and University of Arkansas-Fayetteville provide a myriad of transportation options, from free bus passes to bike share and even car share programs.

Related articles

• More Colleges Adding ‘Green’ to School Colors (nytimes.com)
• Taking Stock of Campus Sustainability (green.blogs.nytimes.com)
• LEED Gold Certification Awarded to Ringling College Academic Center and North Hall Student Housing Buildings Built by Willis A. Smith Construction (prweb.com)
• Nexus South (torontonewcondos.wordpress.com)