voice (262)
642-8753Social Entrepreneurs
in Our EcoVillage
Nokomis EcoDairy Welcomes You
You will find our farm amidst gently rolling hills, woods, and
wetlands. Our 120 dairy cows have access to about 300 acres of
pasture and hayfields, where bulls run with the cows and calves can
bond with their mothers.
In conjunction with Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI), we
grow about 120 acres of soybeans, corn and small grains. Although
separate from our dairy operation, Stella Gardens (an MFAI program)
grows 20 acres of vegetables for local families as part of the
holistic management of our Biodynamic farm.
We invite you to walk on our Destiny Path, where the trail is marked
to show our many environmental practices. You can pause on the
benches atop one or another of our hills to reflect on your own love
of nature and the earth… and your own destiny path.
A Rare Organic Agricultural Research Institute
One of the reasons Susan moved to East Troy was that the Michael
Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI) is here, serving as an
incubator for one initiative after another for us to help heal the
earth. One scientist, in collaboration with other institutions, is
developing a strain of open pollinated corn that is commercially
viable. Other programs compare various aspects of Biodynamic,
organic and even conventional farming methods. MFAI has two main
functions – one is to educate future farmers and gardeners. This
they do through hands-on garden training combined with lectures. The
other function is agricultural research.
Other projects include harvest festivals, urban-rural conferences,
nature and human nutrition workshops, Earth Beauty Art Shows and
community festivals where leaders share their expertise in medicine,
finance, education, dance, art and farming. Among Susan’s favorites
are their Celebrity Chefs organic luncheons prepared by the area’s
leading chefs.MFAI’s mission is “to cultivate the ecological,
social, economic and spiritual vitality of food and farming systems
through education, research, policy and market development.”
”Flow Forms” Revitalize Water
Did you know that most of the water we drink is ‘dead’ water, having
lost much of its life-force, according to various scientists? East
Troy is the home of Flow Forms, Inc., which creates unique and
beautiful fountains based on patented scientific principles about
how to revitalize water.
What Is “Biodynamic” Agriculture?
Biodynamic agriculture is a method of farming where we consider the
farm as an agricultural ecosystem. We try to grow all of our own
animal food. These animals, in conjunction with a balanced crop
rotation, then provide all the fertility for the farm. We also use
herbal preparations which we place in our compost piles. These
preps, made of stinging nettle, chamomile, oak bark, dandelions and
valerian, work in a homeopathic way to enliven the compost and
soils. We also use two field sprays made of cow manure and silica
that help with the growth and quality of the plants.In Biodynamic
farming, we believe in the spirituality of the earth and hold a
space for cosmic as well as terrestrial processes.
Old World Treasure in East Troy
The Nokomis Bakery and Natural Foods Store was founded in 1984 by
Christopher and Martina Mann, when Nokomis began baking whole-grain
artisan bread in the old-world style. The Mann’s saw a need for good
nutritionally-complete breads that were hard to find in the Midwest.
They also wanted to give farmers an outlet for their grains. Martina
used to bake the breads in a small wood-fired clay oven located on
their property. The breads were so popular with the local folks that
they decided to build a full-scale bakery facility to serve the
Milwaukee, Madison and Chicago markets.
All of the breads they make are made with the most basic ingredients
– grain, water, sea salt and a little honey or dried fruit. All
products are certified organic by the Demeter Association under the
Stellar and Aurora labels, under guidelines mandated by the USDA.
Nokomis delivers vitality and energy with the highest quality whole
grain organic breads. Specialties include Kettle Moraine Sourdoughs,
Wheat Alternative Sourdoughs and the softer yeasted breads. As the
local bread sales grew, a need was quickly identified for
introducing other local natural and organic products. Some of the
warehouse space was converted into a small natural foods store.
Today the store caters to natural and organic whole foods and is an
outlet for many local vendors who create unique products, from soaps
to honey to dairy and beef (including Walter’s Biodynamic beef).
They even have a small selection of homemade treats to offer those
with a sweet tooth! Tricia and Jamie Riley currently manage the
business with the help of a dedicated and invaluable crew of people.
Please call ahead for a tour (262.642.9665) or contact Nokomis via
their website at:
www.NokomisBakery.com
The Only Biodynamic Pharmacy in America
A bustling staff of 12 at Uriel Pharmacy in East Troy grows its own
biodynamic herbs for its uniquely-prepared medicines. Offering a
medley of home-remedy type medicines for colds, flu, aches and
pains, Susan has used them successfully whenever she’s had a health
problem. Knowing the very high quality standards and love with which
these medicines have been prepared is a great reassurance in
contrast to the other medicines available. And all ingredients are
organic or better. Uriel works with homeopathic and anthroposophical
doctors around the country to create new medicines as well. Email:
uriel@centurytel.net.
Teaching Students Organic Farming
Michael Fields' Garden Student Program offers agricultural education
and experience with a community purpose. Students learn by doing and
get a start toward vocations in agriculture. Through experiential
education, the program emphasizes sustainable farming practices
including soil fertility, Biodynamic and organic practicum, food
production techniques, plant classification and culture, transplant
and greenhouse production, tool and equipment use, tractor safety,
and organic vegetable marketing and subscription sales.
Day Care In The Waldorf-School Style
East Troy is the home of the first Waldorf-style day care center in
North America, Lifeways. Its early success at teaching children to
nurture themselves and others has grown into a nationwide non-profit
organization: LifeWays North America. Young children in America are
the least-attended-to segment of our population. More brain growth
and development happens in the first three years of life than in all
the rest of one's life. The caring staff at LifeWays is giving
children, parents and the community a new, healthy, life-affirming
joyful, home-style environment in which to grow and develop
physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. They are
changing the face of childcare and community life in America. Check
out their website:
www.lifeways-center.org
Do You Believe “Naturally You Can Sing”?
Singing is disappearing! We sing less now than we have in the whole
history of the world. My friend Mary Schunemann is on a mission to
get people singing together again! She has founded the company
Naturally You Can Sing! and has now published five songbooks,
complete with CDs, in the Singing with Children Series. In her four
years in business she has sold more than 10,000 copies from home.
There is one sweet, simple tune after another for parents, teachers,
care-givers and children to share. “If you can walk you can dance,
If you can talk you can sing,” Mary says. She intends to change the
world . . . one song at a time! Thanks to Mary, East Troy voices are
often raised together in joyful, peace-filled song! Check out her
website:
www.NaturallyYouCanSing.com
Reality Through Hands-On Learning
A Week on the Farm is a no-nonsense organization encouraging
children (and some adults) from all walks of life to get immersed in
all aspects of farm living and cultural exchange. Their week-long
program welcomes people of diverse backgrounds - rural, urban,
affluent, low-income, and from many states and even different
countries. Small scale, biodiverse, integrated agriculture is taken
seriously. Their Reality Through Hands-On Learning mission is:
“Bridging the gap between reality and virtuality in modern life.”