Adventures

When driving past garbage dumps, most people hold their nose, roll up their windows and try to hold their breath. This isn’t the case in Jackson County, NC.  Nestled in the convergence of the magnificent Blue Ridge and the Great Smoky Mountains, this picturesque county offers beautiful scenery, pleasant aromas and a plethora of activities, passive and adventurous, for visitors.  Dillsboro, a charming, crafty town is on the cutting edge, both in glass, smithing and biofuel production (recycling waste). Known as the cultural epicenter of a variety of heritage arts and crafts, it seemed only fitting that the new, old landfill become an artisan studio. The Jackson County Commissioners met to discuss the possible end uses of the natural gas and thus created the Jackson County Green Energy Park (JCGEP). The JCGEP utilizes clean, renewable energy sources to encourage economic development, provide environmental protection and offer educational opportunities for a more sustainable future. JCGEP is offering an incubator program for blacksmiths, glass blowers and pottery, offering fully functional studios and one to three years of free LFG to artisans. With everyone seeing “green”, or trying to GO GREEN, you’ll find this energy park buzzing with gems to help you be sustainable in your home or business.  On a recent visit, blacksmith, William Rogers demonstrated his trade to us. He has more than 30 years experience, as a Master Blacksmith and he helped design the studio. The studio is well equipped with; gas forges, plasma cutter, arc welder and welding area and other power welding equipment. While on our tour of the landfill, we were given a demonstration by Master Smith Rogers of how the blacksmith village forges runs off the gases removed from the landfill. From the modified natural gas, the forges have reached upwards of 2300 degrees for smiths to heat metal and mold or remold them, usually with a hammer, into usable wares such as gates and light fixtures. The second aspect (construction) of the artisan studios has broken ground, the hot and cold glass shops and is expected to be completed by the summer of 2009. More can be read here: http://jcgep.org/crafts.html  Currently the JCGEP also has a greenhouse which utilizes landfill gas and solar lighting and innovative irrigation, among other “green” implementations. The plants have provided the county with thousands of plants for the beautification of the area as well as saving them hundreds of dollars by growing their own landscaping products. Additionally, a local florist who needed more space for his growing business, was able to rent greenhouse space to meet the needs of his customers (retail and wholesale). Greenhouse buildings, construction and fuel for these structures can be very costly for florists and growers. Ray Nation is able to take advantage of the free fuel to heat his greenhouse, hire on more help and offer educational seminars during the year. Pansies, mums and other year-round flowering shrubs are able to grow in the duel-fuel boiler run  greenhouse. Unique, beautiful, handcrafted wares can be purchased in and around Dillsboro for yourself or as gifts. 

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