Asheville ECO-GREEN Real Estate

eco-steward's GREEN LEARNING TOUR

WHERE is the perfect place to construct the green-built home of your dreams? Possibly on a remarkable building site  in one of Asheville, North Carolina's  eco-communities. "GREEN" is the word here in Western North Carolina's mountains.  

More and more here in Asheville we are noticing a trend toward sustainable environments, and more and  more. Asheville is becoming the "hub' of green and sustainable development. 

(Photo to the right of the meadows at Drovers Road Preserve courtesy of David Tuch, VP Equinox Environmental.)

So we have been touring various eco-communities in the Asheville, NC area to find out what this is all about.  We started with Hickory Nut Forest. (Worth your visit!)  Today we are traveling with Eco Certified® Real Estate Consultant, Bill Westel to check out Drovers Road Preserve, a favorite of the Garden Club, and another conservation neighborhood just outside of Asheville in Fairview, NC.. As it turns out, this eco-community is just down the road from Hickory Nut Forest . . .only about 20 minutes from the many amenities in downtown Asheville.  

Bill likes to say how Equinox Environmental Consultation and Design had a hand in this eco-community. He will tell ya' that   "The people at Equinox really are a dedicated group of professionals that are capable of handling a wide variety of developments from small residential conservation easement subdivisions in urban areas to 1000+ acre multi-family developments. They have a diverse team of skilled people ... an Environmental Land Planner ...a Landscape and Environmental designer... with a Field Biologist, a Botanist, an Environmental Scientist, and a Land Planner/Landscape designer."

" Now this is what I call a Green Team . . ." Bill said recently in a glowing post on his BLOG.. I tend to agree. Many environmentally-sensitive projects I've come to know over the years enjoy the Equinox Environmental Consultation and Design stamp of approval. The one we are visiting today,  Drovers Road Preserve, may be my favorite. That's because I've spent many happy hours here.

Just inside the entrance to this eco-community you can discover a bit of authentic Appalachian history. You can actually see the roadbed that once connected drovers to and from the markets of Asheville's city center. The trail is marked. The mood is set.

This 186 acre conservation residential development has only 23 lots. They range in size from 1.5 to 10 acres. Of the almost  190 acres, 110 have been placed into conservation easement. As we saw at Hickory Nut Forest, the easement permanently protects Drovers Road's natural resources and the majority of the development's forested land from any future development.

(Site map to the left at Drovers Road Preserve courtesy of David Tuch, VP Equinox Environmental.)

As stated on the property's website, "The philosophy of Drovers Road Preserve is to develop home sites in environmental and aesthetic harmony with the surrounding landscape." In order to carry out the philosophy, "a carefully conceived set of design guidelines governs all construction, ensuring that the character of the land is maintained and that man-made living spaces are an integral part of the nature preserve." No wonder Drovers Road Preserve has won several awards for sustainable and ecologically sensitive design.

As we tour Drovers Road Preserve please note the

•1.      Careful attention that has been given to the soil. This ensures that it can adequately support septic systems, and slope, to further limit the environmental impact of development.

•2.      Obvious evaluation of slope allowed the developers to place the roads to limit impact and removal of trees

•3.      Design elements like innovative stormwater management techniques also speak to the eco-friendly approach of the development.

•4.       The amazing constructed wetland used to treat stormwater runoff by allowing the settling of sediment and pollutants contained in the runoff.

•5.      The bio-retention ponds (or rain gardens) that use a porous soil mix containing sand to allow excess water to trickle into the depression and become absorbed.

In a review of this eco-community in the New Life Journal , a print publication with a circulation of about 90,000,reflecting the interest in eco-communities in the Greater Asheville and Atlanta areas I stated :

  "It appears that great care was taken to preserve the integrity of the land-road layout and design are such that visitors and residents can still enjoy a connection with nature."

 Whether in an urban environment, or in the rolling regions beyond Asheville's city limits, buyers and investors and sellers of real property are taking note of the sustainable and ecologically sensitive design concept and the development of eco-communities is on the rise around these mountains.

  ....Looking to the Future....  

Asheville, NC eco-community scene is amazing- Asheville, N.C. and the City's healthy impetus for sustainable development,  diverse economic structure based on tourism, services, and  eco-innovative attitudes means  a positive outlook even in difficult times. -Overall education levels, wages and per capita income levels are on the "plus" side here in Asheville.  Standards of living are, too.   

....Greater Asheville, North Carolina's GREEN  real estate market enjoys clients who are hungry for sustainable neighborhoods, energy-efficient design and green-built homes.

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Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved  Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place  Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG and keep  those creative wheels a turnin'  

__~o
-\_<,
(*)/'(*) 

WE are IN a sustainable  world.    

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eco-stewards' GREEN LEARNING TOUR

Asheville is the  "hub' of green and sustainable development. Whether in an urban environment, or in the rolling regions beyond Asheville's city limits, buyers and investors and sellers of real property will tell you-  "GREEN" is the word here in Western North Carolina's mountains. "We are in a sustainable framework, and we're lovin' it!"  Numerous eco-communities are popping up in and around Asheville. This post is the first in a series on those eco-communities. Today I'm taking you on a jaunt (about 20 minutes or so) to  Asheville area's  Hickory Nut Forest.

Hickory Nut Forest  is an evolving "green" community and conservation neighborhood. Honoring the Land, the eco-developers placed just 17 lots here, and they are surrounded on three sides by over 800 acres of conservation land. What a place.  From the eco-community, trails lead to those 800 + Acresand to the adjoining 250 acres where community buildings and an organic garden will expand into healthy possibilities.  

Natural beauty inspires: You can stand by a waterfall and talk with me, your Eco Certified® Real Estate Consultant , about the 15 or more waterfalls on the Conservation Partner's Lands- or about the trails leading to wildflower meadows and rock-climbing adventure- or about the heirloom apple orchard (seen in photo JT took , above) and the "grape garden"...  that is . . .if the noisy Hickory Nut Creek doesn't first beckon you to visit.....and you can "sense" the special energy this Land offers. 

Would you choose to visit each one of these "gifts of nature" many, many times ? Possibly the answer is "YES!" ...especially when you consider how much the kids, future grandkids, family and friends are going to love it at Hickory Nut Forest.. "YES!"... views from building site, good solar-orientation... "YES!"... the whole CONTEXT  from the perspectives of  

•  location  
•  Asheville's lively "green" real estate market   
•  an opportunity to help create a sustainable eco-community    

Now, I said that there are a number of very worthy eco-communities in and around Asheville. So you may wonder why I'm taking you to Hickory Nut Forest first...The reason is CONTEXT. 

CONTEXT The Eco-Community & Conservation Land

 -  Hickory Nut Forest is one of the first ECO developments in the USA to combine wide-ranging land conservation  with an eco-friendly community of green-built  homes, to be powered by renewable energy  -(wind power, hydropower , geothermal) - to create  a  "net-zero-energy community".  

• Living in this conservation neighborhood means enjoying the forever-wild mountain forests, soaring cliffs and pristine, cascading streams, out your back door. You can walk for miles in the serenity of nature. 
•  
• This eco-community- is an easy drive from Asheville's, cultural amenities, arts, music and delicious cuisine, as well as excellent healthcare all nearby. (17 miles, 23-27 min.)   And just 4 minutes to the CSA.  Positive perks for body mind and spirit.

Hiking trails lead conveniently from the building sites into 800+ acresof nature preserve lands  with waterfalls, streams, cliffs and mountaintop vistas. And, here to enjoy are tennis courts,(adjacent to Site 1) and close-by- horseback riding, bird watching,  fishing, picnicking, boating, over a dozen golf courses in the area, biking, gardening, and community social events.

This is convenience where adventure abounds... 

Stay tuned for the next in my series on Asheville's eco-communities and Green communities.
And let me know what you think!
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 Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved  Asheville ECO Real Estate: Trends, Legacies & The Home Place  Subscribeto Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG and keep  those creative wheels a turnin'  

__~o
-\_<,
(*)/'(*) 

WE are IN a sustainable  world.   

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I love tomatoes. How about you? . . .And . . .if you are relocating to, visiting or already live in Asheville, North Carolina-where can you go to find some of the best-tasting, locally-grown, organic, fresh-off-the vine  tomatoes possibly in the entire world? Why...at one of Asheville's tailgate markets,  of course...such as:

 The Asheville City Market. This is a  new tailgate market... just "sprouted up" in the  Spring of 2008.

 Yes, there are other tailgate markets in convenient locations around Asheville, and we'll try to visit them all as part of this series...

 but aren't you  curious about the "new kid on the block" ? I am. So last Saturday I headed out to find...Tomatoes.

Little did I know that I would encounter a lot more than tomatoes.. .such as

fiddlers

• bakers

jovial companions

smiling neighbors

dogs with wagging tails...and some of the most attractive locally-grown, organic produce you could imagine. (see photo to your left,  below)

I had parked in a City of Asheville Lot for free and snapped a couple photos (notice color of sky in the photo above,right) as I walked to the market.  Asheville's renowned architecture was  evident.
The carolina blue skies were, too. (see photo).    But would the Asheville City Market prove to be so amazing ?. . .and would I find some outstanding red tomatoes? 

 IEureka!  Tomatoes and more.  Here, for your simple pleasure are interesting conversations with eco-friendly vendors. Sixty (60+ ) vendors enjoy telling you about their offerings- everything from organic produce and hormone-free meats and dairy products, to farm foods, prepared foods, crafts, weekly entertainment, and ... 

•       plants for your vegetable garden and landscape
•       fresh (oorganic) produce
•       farm-raised meats including lamb, pork, beef, and trout
•       goat cheese (three vendors!)
•       cage-free eggs
•       farm-made ice cream
•       cider
•       jams, preserves, salsas
•       breads, pastries, and cookies
•       herbs
•       honey
•       natural soaps and other herbal body-care products and gifts
•       hand-sewn quilts and other modern and traditional mountain crafts
•       shrimp from the family of NC fishermen

Oh. It's a delicious experience at Asheville's City Market! The smell of baked goods and coffee in the air, the  sounds of music, laughter and neighborly chatting. The touch of a tomato still warm from the sun. 

The Asheville City Market is just one of the cultural perks here in Asheville. It is an outreach of the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project .  The Project informs us: 

"By buying directly from local farmers and shopping and dining at those businesses that support local farmers, you are getting the freshest, best-tasting food, contributing to a strong local economy, and helping preserve our rural mountain landscape."

To learn more about Appalachian Grown, ASAP's branding program for family farms, click here.  Looking for Mountain Farm Tour information? You'll find it here. 

Interestingly, the Asheville City Market is located at the Public Works Building, on S. Charlotte Street, right on the edge of downtown Asheville so it's convenient for visitors to Asheville-  folks staying at nearby hotels and B&Bs. They amble in at intervals during the day.

MAP courtesy of ASAP Connections

Just a side note: If you choose to relocate to Asheville (or already live in the "Happiest City in the USA") you might want to discover a CSA. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) .

This  is a direct connection between the farmers and the consumers. Every week throughout the season, the CSA community receives a box of that week's harvest. Most of the local CSAs deliver to several convenient area locations, but they always encourage the community to come to the farm, and even to participate in the growing of their food.

Hope you enjoy my candid shots of Asheville City Market,(seen in this post)  but if you'd like to see what a professional photographer has to say about Asheville's City market...just click here for more photos

Now, I'm taking a poll. Who else love tomatoes and tailgate markets? Let me know.

(This was written for my friend LXS who's a Tomato Nut.)

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Read  the latest news about mountain and valley  neighborhoods, day trips, picnics, and local ecotourist attractions and events you'll just love. Check THIS  out!

Curious about green building, remodeling and green communities ?
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(*)/'(*)      

Asheville's 434-acre Public Garden is a splendid gathering place. If you live in, are relocating to, or simply are visiting  Asheville, North Carolina you can expand your dreams and ideas, brighten your days and feed your heart and soul within our eco-friendly community. Because so many of us  love the idea of stewardship, this "events" column focuses on positive futures, the expressions of sustainable community, nature and eco-wise development all revealed on a regular basis at Asheville's Arboretum. 

I am a member of the North Carolina Arboretum.  And, I must admit, am not objective about this amazing place! Once you discover it, you won't be either. A center for education, research, conservation and economic development, and garden demonstration, the Arboretum offers a wide range of activities for visitors of all ages.

It is a 434-acre public garden located within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest of the Pisgah National Forest. Surrounded by the dense folds of the botanically diverse Southern Appalachian Mountains, the Arboretum is nestled in one of the most beautiful natural garden settings in America. 

This photo of one of the numerous trails at the Arboretum is courtesy of the Center.

Established in 1986 by the General Assembly as an inter-institutional facility of the University of North Carolina, the Arboretum came into existence nearly a century after this country's father of landscape architecture, Frederick Law Olmsted,  (probably urged on by my beloved landscape architect, Charles Eliot first envisioned such an institution near Asheville.

The vision became a reality and is thriving today! North Carolina's  Asheville's Arboretum invites you to enjoy the goings-on this summer. . .JULY EVENTS: Here are just a few of the events/programs offered in JULY:

1) Here's one those of you who love the idea of garden art are sure to find amazing. Ten (10) of our regional artists have won a place at the Arboretum this summer. They are exhibiting  their work in a show called show. "Kaleidoscope". We like the idea that we can see  beautiful form, pattern and change in three-dimensional art objects and in a natural setting as I tour the Arboretum's gardens. How about you? 

If you are intrigued, catch the  "Kaleidoscope" ~ Contemporary Landscape Sculpture Exhibit. Now through October 31, 20088 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day
Arboretum grounds

2) Photography Exhibit.My son is a professional fine art photographer. He is also a great co-pilot as I scout the Greater Asheville area for eco-logical-home places. Here is something he recommends ..."fine art photographer Cynthia Walker's exhibition of favorite images of insects and flowers, inspired by the mountain region. The exhibit conveys hidden simplicity within the complexity of nature's patterns and light.
Now through October 14, 2008
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Education Center

3) Perfect for a Sunday afternoon...take the 10k Self-Guided Hike, a 6.2-mile tour of the Arboretum's gardens and woodland areas.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Baker Exhibit Center and Education Center 

4) and if you don't feel like walking.... enjoy an environmentally friendly, smooth ride along Arboretum trails on this (see photo). . .

 It's a Segway^TM Tour known as "A Glide Through Nature" Segway^TM. The tour lasts three hours and includes an instruction session followed by a tour of the Arboretum. $45 weekdays; $55 weekends. Call the Arboretum at 828-665-2492 (x317) to schedule a tour.

The photo of the Seqway adventurer's is courtesy of Wikipedia

 5) On Wednesday, July 23.  ..it's back to walking, so put on your walkin' shoes and join us for an "In-Depth Walk: What's New in the Garden." An Arboretum staff horticulturist will lead the way focusing on the alluring features in the gardens. We'll be meeting at 10:30 a.m. Baker Exhibit Center .This is the perfect opportunity to get to know Asheville's 434-acre Public Garden .

6) Next Thursday, July 24  how about exercising the old grey matter, too? You can avail yourself of a full day of seminars. Four speakers will discuss the unique medicinal plant biodiversity of the Southern Appalachians and the role of the Bent Creek Institute in their pioneering work of documenting medicinal properties of our mountain native plants treasury.
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Education Center

Let's Get Together!  and Check back for my August Arboretum Picks!and some news about  Creating a Beautiful Home Landscape.

Read  the latest news about mountain and valley  neighborhoods, day trips, picnics, and local ecotourist attractions you'll just love. Check THIS  out!

Curious about green building, remodeling and green communities ?
Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.   

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)      

This second of the series on ASHEVILLE'S SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES, Montford might surprise you ! Some unusual "creatures" "live"  in Montofrd--GRIFFINS... well, Griffins as architectural interest points for those restoring this sustainable neighborhood of Asheville, NC . 

Much of the Montford neighborhood was designated as an Historic District and listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Since that time, historic restoration has been on the rise. Today the Montford community is home to residential properties and even several businesses. This neighborhood has developed a new outlook centered around the historical restoration projects of a number of devoted stewards of a variety of architectural designs.

here is a photo of one of Montofrd's neighborhood parks..quality of life is important in this neighborhood

Even with the variety of designs throughout Montford, consistent patterns and use of materials like shingles, stucco, pebbledash and half-timbering comprise a cohesive Montford impression." .  But, as you may surmise from the photo in the first post in this series,, it is the people in the neighborhood, through their vibrant sustainable community spirit, that make this neighborhood a great place to visit and an even greater place in which to live. 

For many years, I've been keeping a close eye on homes being restored and looking for new stewards in Montford. Prices range from the low $200s (condo) to about $1.4M.

But, if you are curious and want to know how much  an elegant, already restored home in the Montford Neighborhood costs...You may be surprised when I tell you! A residence e described as a "...stunning home adjacent to beautiful Montford Park (see photo)  ... fully restored Queen Anne ..." winner of the Griffin Award from Asheville's Preservation Society.  ...with handiwork of artisans known for their old-world methods of replicating woods, marbles, and distressed leather in such masterpieces. .. may sell for under $1M!

Just FYI: The Griffin Awards are named for the ancient Greek creature of mythology. You will  remember that this character was endowed with the body of a lion and the wings of an eagle.  Back in the day in Asheville, a griffin often was placed at the entrance of a building to protect those that entered and you can see them today at the entrance to the Grove Arcade in downtown.  

There are numerous Griffin Award Winning restorations in Montford. Here's one from 2008.

The Gunn Residence... 2008 Griffin Award for Residential Rehabilitation

Designed by Richard Sharpe Smith in 1901, this building remained mostly uninhabited for 18 years until its purchase by Kate Gunn in 2006.  Relying on the original architectural drawings, a restoration of the building has been recently finished.

You will find this neighborhood close to the downtown area of Asheville. Montford Road runs right into downtown which is within an easy walk or bike ride.

*Look for #3 in this series where I'll tell you about at least one cozy  B&B ...also a Griffin Award Winner.
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The Eco-Steward Firm, Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants Copyright. © 2008 All Rights Reserved

~ Curious about green building, remodeling and green communities ? Read  the latest news about mountain and valley  neighborhoods, day trips, picnics, and local eco-tourist  attractions you'll just love then  ~

Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.  

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)      

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The Montford Neighborhood ~ Asheville, N.C. ~A Community Embracing a Sustainable Future. Part I.

     MONTFORD:  Where one picture tells the story.  (see photo)

The MONTFORD NEIGBORHOOD in Asheville, North Carolina: Historic and Happening!

Here is a neighborhood of about 300 acres that expresses a rich diversity of architectural styles,   most constructed between 1890 and 1920.

Montford, like its residents, is a place of complex overall character.. .Romance and history are in the air, so expect to " feel"  the artistic influences.

Even residents of other neighborhoods in and around Asheville find themselves drawn to Montford. Maybe you will see them strolling down a tree-lined boulevard. Maybe you will notice how often they stop  to gaze at  the majestic homes that grace the streets.

Maybe you will be amazed when you see this for yourself!

Certainly, you will find wondrous architectural details including those from such  trendsetters as Bruce Price, Bernard Maybeck, the prominent Arts and Crafts architect, and Frank Lloyd Wright.   The Arts and Crafts style made popular in Asheville by noted society architect, Richard Sharp Smith, supervising Architect to Biltmore House is well-represented here in Montford. According to the National Park Service, "Smith's preference for pebbledash, shingles, high-pitched roofs and heavy stone foundations contributed to an overall form for the neighborhood.

UPDATE: Thought you might like to see a portion of the Spotlight on Montford - from presentation made by Sharon Fahrer and Joe Masters at the June CAN meeting.

Montford Neighborhood Association has the distinction of being one of the longest and most successful established neighborhood groups in Asheville.  Montford has always been a diverse neighborhood, not only in terms of residents but also in housing stock, with lots of big and little houses and everything in between.  ...close to downtown and to 19/23 and 240, it is a neighborhood [that has]  made everyone a stakeholder in an effort to create a ["safe"] neighborhood ...One strength of the Montford Association is their newsletter, which is produced by Montford resident Joe Newman. There are 10 editions each year, with 1600 copies printed per issue. Residents all have the opportunity to contribute to the newsletter - it is a true community effort.  The newsletter goes out to all residents and businesses in the neighborhood.  Hard copies are hand delivered by 50 people to residents and community locations including Pack Library.  The most current newsletter and 12 years of archived issues are available on the Association's web site www.montford.org.  ..The Association also has a listserv to reach out to residents and interested folks.  It is a great tool for fostering community discussion and dialog and keeps people in touch with each other and current issues. 

for more on the Coalition of Neighborhoods
Check Out   www.AshevilleCAN.org

* # 2. Stay tuned for more on this very delightful neighborhood you may, one day, call home.

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 The Eco-Steward Firm, Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants Copyright. © 2008 All Rights Reserved 

~ Curious about green building, remodeling and green communities ? Read  the latest news about mountain and valley  neighborhoods, day trips, picnics, and local eco-tourist  attractions you'll just love then  ~

Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.   

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)       ____________________________________________________________________________________  

Quality of Life. "Green" Communities. Sustainable Innovation in Homes and ECO-Friendly Living. THIS Asheville area picnic (one of a series of picnics planned with all of us in mind) includes all of the above.

It's an Appalachian wonder, all right, where  you can just hang out, toss your picnic basket on a rustic table beside the mighty French Broad River (see photo) and really get into a slower pace.

Bring along some homemade peach cobbler, and just "BE" for an afternoon...or longer.

Today I'm taking you with me to a place where the French Broad River runs boldly and small towns nearby nestle comfortably beneath the sheltering wealth of the oldest mountains on Earth.

On the way, we will stop to chat with an organic farmer about the benefits of a gentle lifestyle for horse lovers, Permaculture advocates, and life in a small town.

Take the small college town of Mars Hill, in Madison County North Carolina, for example.(see #1 of this series) . Mars Hill, just twenty minutes or so north of Asheville-with its old-time white wood gazebo on Main Street is a place to find "good old-fashioned" things happening. Like this July, as I chatted with a couple from Michigan who are investing in a land trust  for their family, a parade with horse-drawn floats and a 20-piece marching band distracted us. I could see my clients' eyes light up.

 "How often do you get such homespun pleasure?" they asked.

"Life, as an art form, is present in our lives around Asheville almost every day!" I smiled.

Yes, you may come to know what the poet Albert Camus , one of my all-time favorite poets meant when he said,  

"A man's work is nothing but this slow trek to rediscover, through the detours of art, those two or three great and simple images in whose presence his heart first opened."

Great and simple images.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________  

The Eco-Steward Firm, Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants Copyright. © 2008 All Rights Reserved. 

~ Curious about green building, remodeling and green communities ? Read  the latest news about mountain and valley  neighborhoods, day trips, picnics, and local eco-tourist  attractions you'll just love then  ~ Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.  

__~o
 -\_<,                                       
(*)/'(*)       ____________________________________________________________________________________  

This is the time of year when folks head for the mountains and the cool breezes to be found there.

For those of you who are yet to discover the splendor of Asheville's hills that quickly expand into peaks, come on over and visit...and you may just choose to stay. There's some local exploring to be done. So grab your picnic basket, fill it with locally-grown and baked goodies (more on our fabulous eateries later)  and discover the art of relaxation all over again.

 THIS IS A SERIES ON PICNICS and the sustainable culture that's on the rise in the Greater Asheville area. Check back for a number of day trips you can enjoy in the mountains just to the north of Asheville in and around neighboring towns and villages of Mars Hill, Marshall, and Hot Springs, all located in Madison County, North Carolina.

Today we're off to Mars Hill in Madison county.

Madison County, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, is a rural county. It is only about half an hour or so from Asheville, but with approximately 3,500 small family farms, agriculture is the largest industry in the County. In fact, agriculture accounts for half of the gross income in the County.

When you pack a picnic and head to Madison County, where streams and pastures and coves abound,you may look out your window as you drive the scenic country roads and notice tobacco crops. That's because Madison County is the largest burley tobacco producing county in North Carolina. In fact, there are approximately 2,350 farms with burley tobacco quotas. A decade ago, burley tobacco accounted for $10 to $12 million for agriculture income annually. But recently, as you may suspect, the demand for tobacco has been on the decline.

Not to be defeated, local farmers have become creative. Crops are changing, and farmers are diversifying. You now will find local growers cultivating the most amazing organically-grown crops. Vegetable and organic and nursery crops have increased dramatically in the last 20 years. . Stop by the family-run vegetable, fruit, and flower market just as you come in to Mars Hill, and you will see what I mean.

And/or you  simply could stop by a tailgate market at Mars Hill College. Tomatoes are almost in season. Time for the famous lettuce and tomato sandwich on home-baked bread? You can collect the ingredients all right there, then stroll across the street to campus (see photo I took not long ago, just below)  for an incredible picnic.

Fresh. Old-fashioned. And sweet. What do you think?

All we need now is a banjo and a fiddle.

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 The Eco-Steward Firm, Eco-Certified® Real Estate Consultants Copyright. © 2008 All Rights Reserved. 

~ Curious about green building, remodeling and green communities ? Read  the latest news about mountain and valley  neighborhoods, day trips, picnics, and local eco-tourist  attractions you'll just love then  ~

Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.   

    ~o
 -\_<,                                       
__(*)/'(*)       ____________________________________________________________________________________  

I'm out on the Land today. I'm out on the Land in an Asheville area eco-development we represent. It has open spaces and forest land and waterfalls and climbing cliffs and streams and an heirloom apple orcahrd now producing juicy specimens you'd love to eat...(see photo) oh it is amazing! 

So here I am, out on the Land, feeling very privileged indeed... and thinking.   

I'm thinking about a notable quote a real state client/friend here in Asheville sent for my review this morning:  

"...we need to grow strong caring communities in which we get more of our human satisfaction from caring relationships and less from material goods. ..."

This notable quote comes from David Korten, BA in psychology from Stanford University and MBA and Ph.D. degrees from the Stanford Business School, Vietnam War as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force, Visiting Associate Professor of the Harvard University Graduate School of Business where I taught in Harvard's middle management, M.B.A. , and doctoral programs, and can be found in YES Magazine  

I'm thinking.....As real estate professionals, we stand at a very powerful intersection of time and place where how we view the "landscape" really can have a positive outcome for our clients.  So often, it seems to me, we lose track of that  positive influence we can have on the lives and fortunes of our clients .

 Possibly, just being in a "strong caring community"
(such as the one where I am today) it is easier to keep in mind.

All this strong caring community musing has me thinking about grandkids. . .just now learning to scramble across the floor...and a carpet that contains toxic chemicals they could ingest that has been shown to cause cancer...as opposed to a non-toxic surface...  What would that surface be? ECO Certified® Real Estate Consultants and ECOBrokers know the answer. . .. Just ask us and we'll tell you =)

Again from Korten: " Wouldn't it be nice if it turned out the choices we must make together to survive together are the same as the choices we need to make to create the very world everyone wants? If that were true, then we should be able to just get together and make it happen. Wouldn't that be cool?  

Maybe we should start a conversation to find out to find out what people truly want." As a real estate professional, I'm up for that. How about you? 

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group    where AR Members "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trends & Green News ...like this handy home energy saver calculator .

Curious about green sustainable communities?  Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

__~o
-\_<,
(*)/'(*)

______________________________________________________________________________________ 

The opinions expressed by the Activerain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of janeAnne "Greenolina" http://activerain.com/janeanne  Broker/Owner of The ECO-Steward Real Estate Firm www.EcoStweardRealty.com which is not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community.

Asheville's  primary community development goal is to "preserve and increase the supply of workforce/affordable housing so that decent, safe housing is available in Asheville for people of all income levels." 

As Eco Certified ®Real Estate Consultants, today, keeping the above statement in mind, the "E-Team" at our Firm has been checking around to see what's out there for first-time home buyers. We are looking to see if we can find several single residential properties that  could meet the needs of (for example) a schoolteacher with a young child. Here are a couple one of our Brokers found right off the bat:

1. "... a new starter home with large living area and spacious kitchen. Dining area features french doors to back yard. Neutral colors throughout and all kitchen appliances provided. Large master suite with nice walk in closet. solid new home in convenient location - a great opportunity for first time buyers."( $159,000) 
2. "...a darling new bungalow with nice covered front porch and cedar siding. Open living, dining and kitchen areas with wood laminate. Large master suite with views. All  kitchen appliances included. The convenient location and great price make this an excellent starter home. " ($165,000) 

Noted:  "BRING AN OFFER"  is a prevalent remark ...HMMM! something to think about. . . 

Now, looking to 2009 opportunities for workforce housingin Asheville, NC, we are keeping an eye out for the disposition and The Eagle-Market Street Redevelopment site where a 10-story building with 46 for-sale residential units over 3,600 square feet of retail space and 27 on-site parking spaces close to the center of town is proposed. 

According to City officials, among the goals of re-development are:

•       Increasing housing opportunities for a diversity of residents, including those earning  less than area median income.

•       Activating currently under-utilized areas to further strengthen Asheville's economy.

•       Supporting sustainable developmentpractices that include mixed-uses, multi-modal transportation opportunities and efficient use of existing resources.

•       Supporting projects that will include a number of environmentally sensitive design features and the use of LEED standards. .

•       Seeking high standards and best utilization of public assets.

•       Incorporating vibrant public spaces into developments.

•       Promoting living and working in downtown.

Interesting to watch how what we set out as objectives can become trends. In the consumer-driven area of sustainable development and affordable housing, we are thinking "trend"! How about you?  

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group    where AR Members "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trends & Green News ...like this handy home energy saver calculator

Curious about sustainable workforce housing?  Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

__~o
-\_<,
(*)/'(*)

________________________________________________________________________________________ 

The opinions expressed by the Activerain Network and it's members and those providing commentsare theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of janeAnne "Greenolina" http://activerain.com/janeanne  Broker/Owner of The ECO-Steward Real Estate Firm www.EcoStweardRealty.com which is not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community.

River Update 

As REALTORS®, more and more we are educating ourselves about and facing environmental issues. One such issue is pollution. Pollution affects quality of life. And quality of life is important to our real estate clients and to all of us.  This post is one in a series of posts on environmental issues having to do with water, water supply and  rivers. Although local in outlook, the story touches everyone, so please tell us what's happening with your rivers.  

Situation: The Pigeon River Watershed struggled to improve its water quality for at lest 30 years. The Clean Water Act of 1972  helped as did improvements in the Canton Paper Mill, So, over the years, the watershed began to feel the positive effects.  

However, for the first time in just as long, the water quality in the Pigeon River now is suffering and is on the decline. In fact, the NC Division of Water Quality's latest assessment shows that the number of failing or impaired streams in the Pigeon River Watershed has increased by 60% from 2006 to 2008. And this is true not only of the Pigeon River, but   Greater Asheville area's  mighty French Broad River as well. (see photo I took of this spectacular river to your left.)

Causes: Many people are embarassed to say...Human... including industrial waste, dumping and soaring population growth.  North Carolina's rising population is affecting our natural resources. According to RiverLink,  the regional non-profit spearheading the economic and environmental revitalization of the French Broad River and its tributaries as a place to work, live and play,

• 21 people move to North Carolina (NC) every hour -  more than 500 people per day.
• By 2030, NC's population will increase 50% to 12 million.
• At least 383 acres per day are converted to new roads, shopping malls and housing developments.
• NC leads the U.S. in lost farm and forest land - more than 1 million acres in 10 years. 

But There's Plenty of Hope: Recently, at least one elected official accompanied by a group of paddlers, canoed the Pigeon River. They toured the paper mill, and performed health assessments that included monitoring  sediment runoff and industrial pollution dumps, eroding construction sites, illegal mining, stormwater runoff, and effluent from the mill. They took water quality samples along the way. They noted that effluent from the mill all still have a major impact on the river. And they voiced concerns and charged the culprits.

 According to RiverLink, 

"Five major trash dumps and four sites with sediment and erosion control problems were uncovered.  One trash dump was over 30 feet tall, but the culprit left behind their mail enabling us to track them down. The slime and sheen on Waterville Lake was another major area of concern. This lake acts as the end of the drain, catching and storing much of the pollution from the Canton paper mill and polluted stormwater runoff."   
 
To see pictures and read more about the trip, visit RiverLink's BLOG 

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group   where AR Members "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trendy Green News ...

Curious about green issues...building, remodeling and communities?  Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

__~o
-\_<,
(*)/'(*)

_______________________________________________________________________________ 

The opinions expressed by the Activerain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of janeAnne "Greenolina" http://activerain.com/janeanne  Broker/Owner of The ECO-Steward Real Estate Firm www.EcoStweardRealty.com which is not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community.

The LOOKS COUNT Series.  Urban infill communities. Part III.  
Re-Development of a Brownfield Area/ The River Arts District.

"The plan celebrates the area's rich past, its present reinvention as Asheville's premiere arts district, and its future as a vibrant sustainable community."

FIRST Imagine

• stepped pathways
• public plazas
• terraces and courtyards
• a bowling alley
• a children's library of art and architecture
• an artists' cooperative
• restaurants and shops

THEN check this out  to see what the developer envisions. 

A newsletter containing this artist's rendering from the develpoer reveals that, " ...  the ground floors along [the street] and the pedestiran alley will be a vibrant, energized mix of art galleries, cafes and shops. The floors above will be residential lofts perfect for artist live/work space..."

 If you are a person who values sustainability, the New Urbanism, and in establishing and engaging in green communities you may be attracted to a creative yet traditional approach.

If you are a person who wants a say in how this all comes together, as many of my clients are, you may be fascinated with how the developers approached the project.  They hosted a design charrette with renowned urban planners and architects. Dedication to sustainability , in this case, includes studios, cafes, shops, homes  on a "human scale" and on a workforce budget ( Loft presales are in the #150,000. range.) 

AND if you are a person made thirsty for more... mark July 19, 2008 for the grand opening of Wedge Brewing complete with a showing the drive-in classic Thunder Road  which was shot in Western North Carolina And get this...it includes a chase that roared right by the Wedge Brewery location.

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group    where AR Members "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trendy Green News ...

Curious about green building, remodeling and communities?  Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

__~o
-\_<,
(*)/'(*)

________________________________________________________________________________

The opinions expressed by the Activerain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of janeAnne "Greenolina" http://activerain.com/janeanne  Broker/Owner of The ECO-Steward Real Estate Firm www.EcoStweardRealty.com which is not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community.

LOOKS COUNT Series.  Urban infill communities, What's True Green? 

The headline read, " Urban Infill Project Embraces Green Building Guidelines." Intriguing, eh?  First of all...what are they talking about? 1) What is an urban infill project? And 2) what is meant by "Green Building Guidelines"?

Seems GREEN is red-hot these days, especially right here in Asheville, N.C.  But, let's face it, there's small-case green, my friend the author calls this "Faux Green"... and then, well, there's True Green. As Eco Certified® Real Estate Consultants, we are impressed with the WNC HealthyBuilt® Home program. It's checklist of Green Requirements encompasses all aspects of environmental design and construction including:  site and landscape, materials, indoor air quality, heating and cooling systems, the building envelope, and water efficiency. Interestingly, an objective third party is required  to check on and make sure buildings pass the WNC HealthyBuilt® inspection at various phases of building process. This tells us that we are looking at True Green possibilities.

There are a number of True Green urban infill projects in our town.. 

Today I will tell you about just one urban infill development where True Green building and community cooperation add up to a sustainable special find. This WNC HealthyBuilt® eco-community is within walking distance of downtown Asheville. Nineteen units (four townhomes and ten single family) equal True Green real estate for sale.....but this is not what might be considered "workforce housing".  Prices range from the mid $400Ks to over $1M.  And buildings are just over 1,000 to just under 3,000 square feet. 

Proximity to downtown counts. And LOOKS COUNT! (I wrote about that earlier and this is the second in the series on that matter.) With views, stately trees preserved and cared for, top-of-the-line non-toxic  finishes, common areas and outdoor living spaces, this is one example of an urban infill project that could thrill the home buyer. All this -  a mix of condos, townhomes, and single family homes the interested person will find on just a 3.5 acre parcel, where literally dozens of 50-70 year old trees still stand because land planning and land use also count in this situation...and factor that into the cost..

"We felt compelled to honor this land, to do something that made sense for the neighborhood," said the eco-developer. And you will not find gates separating this green community from the rest of the area. 

 " We just want it to fit in, to have it feel like it's been there a long time, and we're hoping a variety of people, from young families to empty nesters, will appreciate our efforts. This will be home to people who make a conscious choice-to buy here because it's green and because it exemplifies a quality of life they desire."

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group    where AR Members "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trendy Green News ...

Curious about green building, remodeling and communities?  Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

__~o
-\_<,
(*)/'(*)

____________________________________________________________________________________  

The opinions expressed by the Activerain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of janeAnne "Greenolina" http://activerain.com/janeanne  Broker/Owner of The ECO-Steward Real Estate Firm www.EcoStweardRealty.com which is not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community.

Land, being mostly privately held, as you know, makes the landowners/stewards, developers, and the local city-county elected officials the land use decision-makers. That's something to consider when it comes to what we all can do in terms of land use and community planning right in our own/combined backyards.

So, bring on the Permaculture Pros, our real estate clients.  They explain the above and more... that Permaculture is about designing ecological human habitats and food production systems. (further defined below) We sure have expanded our land use perceptions since we met them....and  not only for farmland, but for urban-dwellers.

Our Permaculture Pros, with their innovative thinking and foresight, are a bonus of our being in the practice of real estate here in Asheville.  As Eco Certified® Real Estate Consultants, we're always intrigued with ways developers and builders can facilitate the creation of "green space" in their plans and, expanding on that, how urban communities can create green areas where previously there was a forgotten alleyway or small plot. If you asked, I'd tell you that how we use land and the land use decisions we make today are hugely important in long-term environmental issues. And I'd add...LOOKS COUNT.

So here begins a from time-to-time series of shared stories as we learn more about how all of this comes together.

Resources:   

PERMACULTURE. According to Wikipedia, "the word permaculture, coined by Australians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren during the 1970s, is a portmanteau of permanent agriculture as well as permanent culture.

Through a series of publications, Mollison, Holmgren and their associates documented an approach to designing human settlements, in particular the development of perennial agricultural systems that mimic the structure and interrelationship found in natural ecologies"

  Introduction to Permaculture: Concepts and Resources 

Links to USDA Sustainable Agriculture Programs
Sustainable Agriculture Network

Alternative Farming Systems Information Center

Sustainable Agriculture GRANTS http://www.sare.org/grants/

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved.  Join the conversation at the Eco-All-Stars Group    where AR Members "Cycle in" to the Latest in Trendy Green News ...

Curious about green building, remodeling and communities?  Subscribe to Greenolina's  "Green Wheels" BLOG.

__~o
-\_<,
(*)/'(*)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

The opinions expressed by the Activerain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of janeAnne "Greenolina" http://activerain.com/janeanne  Broker/Owner of The ECO-Steward Real Estate Firm www.EcoStweardRealty.com which is not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community.