Goal For The Green

I firmly believe that implementing renewable energy systems is the right thing to do for the planet, for our children, for ourselves, and for future generations.  It is  a necessity for a sustainable future for all, around the world.

Sky Factory’s solar array, is a manifestation of a consensus-based company that  represents a unified desire to develop and act on that type of inner knowledge and belief, and make it a reality.

MEDIA ALERT – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sky Factory’s 54kW, 3,500 sq. ft. solar array will generate 104% of their own company’s power needs. It is the largest privately owned solar array in Iowa.
Sky Factory Flips the Switch To Become the First Net-Zero Solar Powered Business in Iowa.

On Thursday, June 7, 2012, The Sky Factory, designed and installed by Fairfield’s Ideal Energy, is a global fine art and technology company based in Fairfield, Iowa.  They will “flip the switch” to become Iowa’s first net-zero solar powered business.   The photovoltaic panel array generates 54 kilowatts of power,  and will be the largest privately owned solar array in Iowa.

You can join with The Sky Factory, to celebrate the launch of this landmark renewable energy system. You’ll hear from Mayor Ed Malloy, as to  why Oprah calls Fairfield, one of the greenest communities in America.  You can also, tour the solar array, and learn about the latest in solar technology from former US Navy SEAL and Ideal Energy owner Troy VanBeek, Founder Bill Witherspoon,  Amy Greenfield, and Sky Factory employee-owners.

Fairfield youth will also present their ideas and share their thoughts on, what it means to serve as an “Eco-conscience” of the future. They will discuss sustainability and pledge to serve as the “eco-conscience” of their family, school, community, and the world.  There you can also witness,  the group signing of the original Eco-Conscience Pledge, and honor Fairfield youth -as our “eco-conscience” of the future.

All of this takes place at The Sky Factory on Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
801 N. 18th Street (between Stone and Gear Avenues) in
Fairfield, Iowa 52556

11:00 A.M. – Tours of the Sky Factory, the new solar array, and organic garden featuring greenhouse with rocket stove, composting system, and just arrived baby chicks.

11:30 A.M. – Presentations by Sky Factory founder Bill Witherspoon, and Mayor Ed Malloy. Ideal Energy owners Troy VanBeek,  Amy Greenfield,  and Sky Factory employee-owners will be there.

11:50 A.M. – The celebration will culminate in a collective “flipping the switch” to launch the Sky Factory as a net-zero solar powered company. From that point on, Sky Factory’s Illusions of Nature products, in primary use as stress-relieving technologies in healthcare facilities, will be created with wholesome, solar-made electricity.

12:00 PM – Interview opportunities and continuation of tours.

Sky Factory creates Illusions of Nature with virtual skylights and windows – that transform interior environments and enliven our innate biophilia. Products are designed and manufactured in Fairfield, Iowa, and distributed globally through a network of authorized International Partners. The company founded the Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) in 2008.  The mission of its non-profit organization is to initiate and support the development, research and implementation of sustainable systems that are locally and globally relevant.

Sky Factory was inspired by Jack Eastman, long-time Sierra Club leader and Sky Factory’s own eco-conscience.  That inspiration, led the company to  investigate and implement sustainable practices throughout. Their total recycling, new energy conserving building, and implementation of a renewable energy system, all sprang from Jack’s dedication to an eco-centric awareness of life and living.

Furthermore, for the last several decades bio-evolutionary science, has been honing the idea that human beings have an innate love of nature, called biophilia. This instinctive attraction to nature, has been dampened by the way modern life has distanced us from contact and connection with nature.  By enlivening our inherent biophilia , we are drawn closer to our roots in the natural world. It renews our sensitivity to the wonder of nature, and delivers proven benefits for body, mind and spirit.

The Sky Factory’s primary business and goal, is to create illusions of nature that enliven biophilia.  In turn, enlivened biophilia promotes a life deeply rooted with nature. As our instinctive appreciation and love of nature grows, we care for nature with greater enthusiasm and understanding.  Sky Factory has worked toward building  better tomorrows, by bringing nature and healthy illusions together indoors.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Whitney Farms for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

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With 25+ years of leading gardening experience, Whitney Farms has now improved their products to have low to no dust, no manure odor, and its easy to apply.  Their products are specially designed with protein-based blends, to provide your plants with both macro and micro nutrients and the beneficial microbes that they need to grow and thrive.

I live near a worm farm, and know that vermi-compost is excellent for all your plants and vegetables.  However, you do need to use it sparingly, along with good soils like those offered by Whitney Farms.

I am getting a late start on gardening this year because the weather here in th Pacific Northwest, has just recently started to warm up. So long as I have my starts planted by the end of the month, it should still be worth the effort.  Here is a picture of what I would like my garden to look like.   Photo courtesy of Photo Bucket.

I know it is possible with Whitney Farms products and plant food.

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How to be Safe and Green

We just celebrated  Earth Day and Earth Month,and that helps bring communities together.  I just wanted to share a story about “getting the (your) neighborhood to go green.”  To do that, I wanted to make sure you knew about Nextdoor.  It’s the free private social networking site for neighborhoods that’s now in 46 of the United States (and growing) rapidly. With the rash of home invasions and burglaries on the rise across the nation, this is a very welcome way to keep neighborhoods safe.

Here are 4 Ways to Go Green in your Neighborhood

It’s the time of year that means people are recycling, focusing more on sustainability and perhaps thinking about “going green.”  It’s not enough for just one person to do it, so have you ever wondered how you could get your entire neighborhood onboard with the idea?  Here are some bright ways to go green, and take your neighbors along with you in the adventure, using the new, free and secure social media service for neighborhoods.  It’s called Nextdoor.

1. Organize an e-cycling event for neighbors. It’s not always easy to properly recycle your old TVs and electronics, but what if your community had a day where a local volunteer stopped by your house and hauled away your unwanted gadgets? Communities using Nextdoor, can create calendar events and and invite their neighbors. Is someone in your community willing to donate an afternoon to drive people’s old gadgets and electronics to an e-cycling center? Let your community know, set up a calendar event and invite your neighbors to add their unwanted gadgets to the drive.

2. Share and share alike. You don’t have to break the bank every spring and buy new gardening gear and tools. Think sustainably and use Nextdoor to borrow a ladder (instead of buy one). Do you have power tools that you only use once a year? Post a notice to your Nextdoor community and let people rent or borrow your equipment. Do you have a service, like landscaping or plumbing, to offer? Let your neighbors know and stay local. Think of all the time and money you can save.

3. Donate your unwanted possessions. Organize bi-annual donation drives, or have a neighborhood sale. Designate a drop-off location for clothes, books, furniture, games and more, and donate it to your favorite charitable organization.

4. Organize a neighborhood cleanup.  Post before and after pictures from the event to Nextdoor when you’re finished.

Why Go Social With Neighborhoods? Data & Insights:
– Over 65% of all online adults use social networking sites. (Pew Research)

– One in three Americans don’t know their neighbors by name. (Pew Research)

– Social networks in a neighborhood lower crime, improve public health and raise test scores. It helps keep neighborhoods safe, like a blockwatch but is conductd on line by those who want to participate. (Robert Putnam, Harvard Professor and Author: Bowling Alone)

About Nextdoor
Nextdoor is a free and secure social network that connects people across the United States with their neighbors. Nextdoor communities are self-started by individuals like you and  me, in communities who want to connect with their neighbors over a verified, secure infrastructure.  Nextdoor is a San Francisco based startup, founded in 2010 by internet veterans with deep experience in creating thriving online communities.

Nextdoor has been featured in publications like USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, AARP, TIME, Forbes, FastCompany and more.

– Learn More About Nextdoor
– Nextdoor in the News
– Like Nextdoor on Facebook!

Here is a little about What People are Saying About Nextdoor:
– We’ve seen lost pets returned in minutes, ping pong tables finding new homes in a matter of posts, and a heightened sense of security in the neighborhood when a recent crime wave hit. – Brent Bamberger, Nextdoor Sleepy Hollow

– We have an elderly neighbor who has cancer and is quite frail. She had a security issue and when other neighbors got wind of it through Nextdoor, they came out of the woodwork to offer assistance. – Bob Thornburg, Nextdoor Sol y Lomas

So check here at Nextdoor to see if it is available in your community.  If it’s not,you can be the one to get Nextdoor started in you community. You’ll be the center of the buzz in your neighborhood, while working toward a safer and better tomorrow for everyone.