Eat Pizza For Your Energy District
Kristin Eggen, Communications Specialist
The Winneshiek Energy District is partnering with Luna Valley Farm on Friday, May 17th from 4-8pm for a clean energy fundraising night. A percentage of the evening’s sales will support local, clean energy programming in Winneshiek County.
The Winneshiek Energy District is a local non-profit with a mission to lead, implement, and accelerate the locally-owned, inclusive, clean energy transition in Winneshiek County. Recent projects have included the Winneshiek Solar Fair, an electric vehicle Fest(EV)al, Green Iowa AmeriCorps home energy assessments, environmental education activities at the farmers market, Carbon footprint workshops, farm energy planning, local clean energy advocacy, monthly energy breakfasts, and growing the energy district movement in neighboring counties.
“Serving NE Iowa communities through home energy efficiency has been so rewarding! It truly makes a difference for homeowners by reducing utility bills -about $100 a year!” says logistics coordinator Briana Burke. Burke works as part of the 2018-19 Green Iowa AmeriCorps team, providing free or low-cost home energy assessments for people who are elderly, disabled, low-moderate income, and/or veterans. “ For many of our neighbors, saving $100 a year because of energy efficiency improvements is significant. It puts more food on the table, and they don’t have to decide between being comfortable in their home or paying the bills. I’m so glad we can make small changes that add up to a huge impact!”
Green Iowa AmeriCorps First Step Home Energy Assessments have served over 1000 homes in northeast Iowa since they started work in 2009. To date they have saved over 9000 tons of carbon emissions from homes served. The team is currently crowdfunding for a new vehicle and will have information available at the event. Learn more at energydistrict.org.
“We are super excited to be able to partner in this way,” says Luna Valley owner, Maren Beard. The Beards recently installed ground-mounted solar at their farm. Now all the farm’s electricity comes from the sun.
“Local food and local energy go together!” says Winneshiek Energy District staff member Kristin Eggen. “It’s all about living sustainably and working together to make our home an even better place to live.”
Luna Valley Farm is located at 3012 Middle Sattre Road, Decorah and hosts an on-farm pizza restaurant every Friday night from May – October, and glamping. Learn more about the Luna Valley experience at lunavalleyfarm.com.
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