'Go Green Weekend' salutes alternative energies

A rural Litchfield farm, known for its annual Pumpkin Patch Festival, will highlight the green energy movement October 15 and 16.

Green energy – specifically wind energy - is highlighted at Nelson Farm throughout the Pumpkin Patch Festival, which runs weekends through October 29. The farm's signature cornfield maze features a wind turbine and the message "Go Green."

"You can stay on the ground while working your way through our 400-foot wind turbine maze and learn interesting facts about green wind energy," said farmer Don Nelson, who owns and operates Nelson Farm with his wife, Sonja.

The maze and "Go Green Energy Weekend" October 15-16 is a salute to increasing importance of alternative energy. The green trend is especially noticeable in this region with the construction of a wind farm in southwestern Meeker County.

Twenty-four wind turbines started producing electricity in Meeker County this past spring. The turbines each are 262 feet tall with blades reaching up to 404 feet. The turbines produce enough electricity to power 10,000 to 12,000 homes.

Several regional alternative energy producers will exhibit their wares during Go Green Energy Weekend at Nelson Farm, including:

--Renewable Energy SD will talk about wind turbines.

--Doug Adams and family of Cosmos, owners of one of the Meeker County wind farms, will talk about their operation.

--L and S Electric of Springfield will display information about solar energy.

--Bushmills Ethanol of Atwater will offer information about the ethanol industry.

--Meeker Cooperative Light and Power will provide information about geothermal heating and cooling systems.

--IPS Trico Wind of Litchfield will exhibit information about its wind turbine repair operation.

Admission to Nelson Farm is $7.50 per person; children 2 and younger are admitted free. Nelson Farm is located at 23618 CSAH 1, Litchfield. For a complete list of Pumpkin Patch Festival activities, visit www.nelsonfarm.com , or call (320) 693-7750.

Tags: news, updates, energy, wind, solar