News release

Live a Green Life Day at Fields Neighborhood, May 17, 2008

EAST TROY, WISCONSIN -- Interested in finding out what it would be like to live the green life you have imagined? Come experience living green at Fields Neighborhood’s Live a Green Life Day on Saturday, May 17, 11:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. All are welcome to tour Fields Neighborhood’s award-winning green built housing and other innovative environmental solutions. Come dwell in possibility as you walk the miles of nature preserve trails, enjoy the open expanse of land on a hayride or tour the farm at neighboring Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, where you can pick your own flowers or produce. Discover straw bale building as demonstrated by renowned straw bale expert Michael Morgan and learn about biodynamic gardening with veteran garden expert Janet Gamble.

Come to relax. Come to breathe. Located at the corner of South and West Streets, this vibrant farming community in East Troy, Wisconsin, is nestled in the rolling hills of Southeast Wisconsin 30 minutes from Milwaukee and 90 minutes from Chicago.

“When we saw the destructive nature of most suburban sprawl, we wanted to introduce people to a type of community and way of living that was in tune with nature. This community serves as a model and educational reference on sustainability with award-winning green built cluster housing, community gardens, natural tranquility and open spaces in permanent land trusts,” said Fields Neighborhood visionary Christopher Mann.

Mann created a similar, thriving green community in Manshire, England. “The idea is to create a new suburban environment that showcases solutions to the dismal urban sprawl most Americans are subjected to. Fields Neighborhood is an environment that offers you the ability to be in touch with your food and water sources, befriend your neighbors in the community gardens or simply be a caretaker of the land. This model green community combines all aspects of sustainable living into a whole social ecology that works not only for people’s health and well-being, but also for the health and well-being of our Earth.”

Long-time sustainable straw bale building advocate Michael Morgan will be on hand to demonstrate and discuss the environmental and health benefits of straw bale building methods that are being used for Fields Neighborhood’s community/kindergarten building. The completed structure will be utilized for music, drama lectures and other community activities.

“We want to showcase the truest form of green building using local raw materials found on the land and bring the structure into a sustainable marriage with its environment, making its carbon footprint zero,” explained Morgan. “Fields Neighborhood is truly a place where green ideas are flourishing and being nurtured by its residents.”

Residents of Fields Neighborhood have the foremost educational farming organization in the Midwest at their doorstep. The Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI) offers year round classes, local organic foods and a peace of mind that the surrounding farmlands are secured from future development.

“Michael Fields’ long history of promoting a green and healthy life is complemented by Fields Neighborhood’s commitment to it residents and mission to be a model for the region and the nation,” said MFAI Executive Director Ron Doetch.

The May 17 event is free and open to all interested in living a green life. For additional information or to make a reservation to participate in Live a Green Live Day, contact Paula Hocking at (262) 763-8477 ext 43. See also the Fields Neighborhood website.