Current Connection - Crow Wing Power News Article
January/February 2007

Strawberry Farm Installs Wind Turbine -

A new wind turbine has been erected south of Brainerd MN to produce electricity on a strawberry farm called Boys-n-Berries. The farm is owned and operated by Caroline and Robert Nibbe along with their boys, Aaron and David, and produces grass, alfalfa hay and an acre of strawberries. An additional two acres of strawberries will be planted in the spring - ready to pick in 2008

The wind turbine project grew out of a desire to produce enough electricity to offset monthly fixed costs. Robert and Caroline also looked at solar systems, as they have over 1000 square feet of a south-facing barn roof, but determined that solar power would be nearly three times more expensive than wind power, according to Robert. The turbine will supply electricity for the irrigation system throughout the summer. If excess electricity is produced, Crow Wing Power will purchase it.

The Nibbes worked with the David Winkelman (Winkelman's Environmentally Responsible Construction...WERC) group and submitted an application to the USDA for a sustainable farming renewable energy grant. The grant was approved in August, which provided 25% of the cost.

Robert said, "We are excited about the project. Caroline and I feel it will be an asset to the farm in offsetting utility costs, providing a public focus to our strawberry patch, supporting school systems as a tool for learning, and promoting clean energy."

He added if anyone is interested in projects like this, he can be reached at 825-7449, or people can drive by the farm, two miles south of Brainerd on St. Mathias Road.

Crow Wing Power applauds people, such as the Nibbes, who go the extra distance to improve our environment through individual actions. Members who lack the resources and a suitable site to install their own wind generator can participate in Crow Wing Power's GreenPower program. The voluntary GreenPower membership purchases wind generated at large successful wind farms in the windy parts of our state. - END