April 2006 | Conscious Comment
Cousin Power
How a Germany trip seeking family history boosted Montana to a leading wind energy state
By Susan Carskadan
When Bob Quinn decided to research his family roots in Germany, little did he know he would find not only a cousin, but a kindred spirit. Today, Quinn, his cousin and another German partner can take pride with the fact that they initiated Montana’s first and largest wind farm.
Judith Gap Wind Farm provides 135 megawatts of electricity to 300,000 customers in central and western Montana. The $150 million project joins the $1.5 Billion wind power industry.
“Montana will be a leader in energy,” said Brian Schweitzer, the governor of Montana. “In one day, the Judith Gap Wind took Montana from 50th to 15th in wind energy production nationwide. I am committed to promoting renewable energy development in Montana, including wind.”
The governor has recently made headlines in promoting the development of a coal to liquids facility as a bridge from the petroleum economy to new sustainable energy and as an important step in reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil.
Quinn made a name for himself in the organic farming industry where he is well known for advancing sustainable agriculture and proving that it can be profitable, successful and fun. He has put helped put Montana farmers on the map for such green efforts.
Another first, Quinn brought a non-hybrid type of ancient Egyptian wheat, marketing it under the name kamut, into the forefront. As a kamut grain grower, he encouraged other farmers to become involved. Now, 20 years later, there are over 110 kamut grain growers in North America and Australia. Kamut grain is used in more than 400 products like organic breads, pastries, cereals, snacks, and even drinks, soups, and seitan. This was his first commercial venture into making sustainability profitable.
When Quinn met his distant cousin they soon realized sustainability was their common passion. Von Wedel had just completed a wind park on his farm in northern Germany, near Wilhelmshavan. Quinn explained his involvement in U.S. organic farming and the legislation of the U.S. National Organic Act. He was one of the founding members of the NOSB (National Organic Standards Board).
“We just looked at each other and were amazed that we were working with the same philosophical concept: sustainability,” explains Quinn, a fourth generation Montana farmer. “We were just applying it to different aspects of life, culture and the environment. It has been so exciting to see how a simple trip to find family history, led to the creation of a wind park in Montana.”
Quinn and the team worked for five years on the project. Eventually, the project was sold to Invenergy, a Chicago firm, who became the builder and now operators the wind park.
“I can foresee a time when wind power, organic agriculture, and other truly sustainable concepts will be part of the same package,” Quinn says. “It’s coming and as long as the wind blows and people are concerned about food quality, there will be a growing market for sustainable choices.”
Susan Carskadan is a Denver-based marketing and conscious-business consultant.
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