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Father of Earth Day Gaylord Nelson powerful advocate for environment

Gaylord Nelson was eulogized July 13 as a powerful statesman and a great defender of the environment by generations of lawmakers he influenced in his lifetime of public service.

Former Vice President Walter Mondale joined Wisconsin politicians in paying tribute to Nelson, calling him the person who “did more to protect America’s beauty and wildlife … than any one single person in American history.”

Dozens of Wisconsin dignitaries — past and present — were among the estimated 2,000 attendees at a Capitol memorial service for Nelson, who died July 3 at 89 of cardiovascular failure.

Read complete article in Green Bay Post Crescent

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Rural Elcho couple use wind power for electricity

Seventh Generation Energy Systems hoisted a six-ton turbine and blade assembly atop a 110-foot tower at the Wetzel home Tuesday. With three 25-foot blades, the propeller-type system will generate enough energy to power up to eight homes. The average U.S. household consumes about 10,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. Additional power obtained may be sold to the Wetzels' utility company.

"We are not doing the installation to earn money, we are doing it to help the environment," said Jan Wetzel. "We are trying to set a good example and encourage more people to do this -- this is the wave of the future."

The $100,000 system is partially funded by Wisconsin Focus On Energy through the help of Renew Wisconsin, and is one of the largest systems of its type in northern Wisconsin. Renew Wisconsin is an independent, non-profit organization that acts as a catalyst to advance a sustainable energy future through public policy and private sector initiatives.

Read complete article from The Capital Times

Fighting Bob Fest IV, 2005
“The Vote At Risk: 40 Years After the Voting Rights Act”

From http://www.fightingbobfest.com/index.htm

Voters have come to doubt the fairness of our democracy and the accuracy of our voting methods in light of a series of questionable presidential elections and computer-paperless voting. We have an obligation to protect our voting rights.

It’s a long tradition. During “Fighting Bob” La Follette’s term as Governor, Wisconsin became the model of voting reform by becoming the first state in the nation to implement the open primary system for state office. The party bosses were replaced by the people, their hold was effectively broken, and government began working for the people.

Now it’s our turn. Since the Progressive Era, the power of money has eroded La Follette’s many reforms and Wisconsin finds itself, once again, with a reputation of corrupt politics. Fortunately, as they say, our future is still our own!

Join us in Baraboo, Wisconsin on Saturday, September 10, 2005 where we will celebrate the 150 th birthday of Robert M. “Fighting Bob” La Follette. We’ll also welcome the grassroots excitement of The People’s Legislature, and plan a course of action for reform. There will be speakers, music, and an enthusiastic crowd of progressives looking for new ways to improve upon the “experiment in democracy” that is Wisconsin.

Read article about speakers for Fighting Bob Fest IV

Fish linked to healthier hearts - but watch out for mercury and pcbs

Eating fish on a regular basis was linked with substantially lower levels of inflammation in the body, according to the largest study yet to find such a benefit.

The study also found that the fish could be small, lean varieties and did not have to be fatty, cold-water species such as salmon, which contain the highest amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.

Read complete article in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

MOSES: Nominations Sought For 2006 “Organic Farmer of the Year” Award

The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) has issued a call for nominations for the 2006 “Organic Farmer of the Year” award. This prestigious award has been presented annually since 2003 at the Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin. More than 1800 people attended the conference this past February. Previous award winners have been vegetable producers Martin and Atina Diffley of Eagan, Minnesota, community supported agriculture pioneers Richard De Wilde and Linda Halley of Harmony Valley Farm in Viroqua, Wisconsin, and cash grain and hog producers Carmen and Sally Fernholtz of Madison, Minnesota.

Those that seek to nominate a farmer or farming operation for the award must complete and return the Nomination Application form, available from the MOSES office (715-772-3153) or at www.mosesorganic.org. The deadline for nominations is October 15, 2005.

For more information Read the article at WisBusiness