Going GoingGreen Greeninin aaRestoration RestorationEconomy Economy
SUPPLY CHAIN Lisa Kivirist & John Ivanko Inn Serendipity, co-authors of Rural Renaissance & Renewing the Countryside
CASE STUDY Inn Serendipity B&B Browntown, WI
Food, Energy, Livelihood, Living Systems
CASE STUDY Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast • Hobby Farm, or Farmette • Two room B&B, plus other businesses managed from home office – Use power of Internet, computers, changing business climate
• Outside Monroe, Wisconsin • 5.5 acres on ridge • Flock of free-range chickens
CASE STUDY Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast • Experience of farm life attractive to city or suburban dwellers • Tours of garden & renewable energy systems key asset • Some guests even help with chores!
CASE STUDY Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast ECOpreneuring … mimics or harvests nature while thriving in a restoration economy. •
Food Systems
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Energy Systems
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Living Systems
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“Right Livelihood”
CASE STUDY Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast Food Systems • Diversified farm operation featuring three growing fields • Raise crops to meet 70% of food needs • Grow organically • Special dietary needs accommodated
CASE STUDY Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast Renewable Energy Systems: 10 kW Bergey Wind Turbine • • • •
120-foot tower Produces over 9,500 kWhs/year Grid-interconnected system Net cost $16,000, after Focus on Energy cash-back award
CASE STUDY Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast Renewable Energy Systems: .7 kW Photovoltaic (PV) System • 4 170-Watt Suntech modules • Cantilevered off equipment shed • Meets about 2% annual electricity needs • Net cost $4,285, after Focus on Energy cash-back award
CASE STUDY Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast Renewable Energy Systems: • Net Producer of Electricity on Annual Basis
• Reduce Ecological Footprint
CASE STUDY Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast Renewable Energy Systems: Solar Thermal System for Hot Water • 3 collectors • Capture heat from sunlight to heat water for domestic use • Estimated payback of less than 5 years
CASE STUDY Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast Solar Thermal System for Hot Water
CASE STUDY Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast Renewable Energy Systems: Woodstove for Winter Heat • Return to the hearth • Locally available wood at little or no cost • EPA certified, air-tight design (post 1990)
CASE STUDY Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast Renewable Energy Systems: Biodiesel • Processing used fryer oil using “appleseed processor” • $.90/gallon, about 4 hours per batch • Use in back-up heating systems (#2 fuel oil), portable heating units • Use in VW Jetta TDI
CASE STUDY Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast Renewable Energy Systems: Off-Grid PV System and EV Car •
.5 kW PV system for charging all-electric CitiCar
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Back-up electricity for greenhouse Recharging electric mower Striving toward carbon-negative Complete elimination of fossil fuels
CASE STUDY Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast Renewable Energy Systems: Energy Conservation & Energy Efficiency • ENERGY STAR appliances - Maytag Neptune, Sun Frost refrigerator • Compact fluorescent bulbs • Low-E window inserts • Line-dried laundry • Faucet aerators, caulking, hot water wrap
CASE STUDY Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast Living Systems: Natural Home • No-VOC products (paints, sealers, caulks) • Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified woods • Recycled products (tiles made from recycled windshield glass) • Eco-cleaners, organic/natural linens
CASE STUDY Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast Living Systems: Green Design Strawbale greenhouse • Made from local straw bales (R-43 walls) • Earthen & Lime-cement plaster • Solar thermal heating system with biodiesel back-up heating system • Steel roof (very durable) • Meet additional year-round food needs
CASE STUDY Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast Living Systems: Reducing Ecological Impacts • Trees for Travel certificates • Water and soil restoration • Tree planting program at cabin • Recycled paper, reuse & freecycle
MARKETING YOUR ECOBUSINESS • Communicate conservation story, but avoid “environment” • Offer authentic EXPERIENCES • Selective approach to media – Public radio, partner with non-profits, open houses/studio tours
• Network with like-minded lodging, attractions, events, restaurants • Celebrate the local community – Focus on unique sense of place
www.ruralrenaissance.org www.innserendipity.com www.ecopreneuring.biz Books by Lisa Kivirist & John Ivanko Rural Renaissance: $19 (22% off list price) Edible Earth (cookbook): $11 (22% off list price) Least Imperfect Path (ecotourism traveloque): $6 (50% off)