Stevens Point, Wisconsin, a small city located on the Wisconsin River and about as close to the middle of the state as one can get, may be making a name for itself in the fields of sustainable agriculture and renewable energy.
Local business people have developed a row of businesses into a block of local companies that emphasize working with local organic farmers. It has also, long had a local farmer’s market that recently benefited from a makeover of an old public square. Now, some local activists want to turn a long abandoned building into a showcase for renewable energy and organic agriculture.
Renovations for Sustainability
Sorensen’s Floral was a staple of downtown Stevens Point for years. When it closed, it left a storefront, a storage facility and a greenhouse and no takers.
Stevens Point has long been home to people who are interested in sustainable agriculture and organic food. The city has long had a food co-op a few blocks north of the downtown. Portage County, Stevens Point’s home county is also home to an organization called the Midwestern Renewable Energy Association. So, the idea of using a derelict building to promote organic food and renewable energy is not the odd of an idea for Stevens Point.
The project has received a major boost as Stevens Point-based fantasy author, Patrick Rothfuss, has bought the greenhouse and agreed to lease it to the coalition of groups that are trying to get this project off the ground.
This project is similar to other projects around the Midwest that are trying to combine urban farming and renewable energy
Sustainability Projects in Other Midwest Cities
Stevens Point’s greenhouse project is already being done in much larger cities. Chicago has urban farming projects.
Milwaukee has an organization called Growing Power. Growing Power works at putting together projects involving sustainable food and energy. Growing Power Chief Executive Officer, Will Allen says on the group’s website, "If people can grow safe, healthy, affordable food, if they have access to land and clean water, this is transformative on every level in a community. I believe we cannot have healthy communities without a healthy food system."
It may be a sign of the success of this type of activism that it is starting to filter from larger cities to smaller communities like Stevens Point. Stevens Point has a track record for this type of activism, already. More sustainable energy and food activism may be taking root their soon.
Sources:
- Growing Power Official Website
- Local author steps in to help downtown greenhouse renovation project.(September 20, 2011). Stevens Point Journal
Jon Pike - Pike is a Ph.D. in communication and writes about activism and popular culture topics for Suite101.
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