Etherfarm is a 160-acre mixed-use property in Wisconsin’s scenic Driftless Area. The property features 40 acres of farmland and a few acres of “residential” living space, and the remainder as natural area containing an oak savanna, a sedge meadow, wetlands, two creeks, a wild apple orchard, a large dry mesic oak forest and several prairies. There are around 8 miles of walking trails connecting these ecosystems.
The Driftless Area is one of the country’s hidden gems. Its rolling hills and dramatic ridges and valleys are home to thousands of people who are passionate about food, handcrafts, beer, agriculture, cider, outdoor activities, cheese and art. The area features an astonishing number of good restaurants, thriving small towns, active farms, and cultural institutions. There are many points of interest within a short drive of Etherfarm, such as Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin, the American Players Theater, The House on the Rock, as well as world headquarters for Vortex Optics, Robust Lathes, Duluth Trading Company, Epic Software, Land’s End, and many more.
Current conservation efforts at Etherfarm include the restoration of a 13-acre oak savanna and the conversion of agricultural fields to prairies. Since 2020, several new buildings have been constructed, existing buildings substantially renovated, and a large garden and small orchard have been established. A large solar array powers the most lived-in area and environment-friendly, energy-efficient climate control systems are in use in all structures. Future projects include a small agroforestry farm, hardwood tree plantings, a set of small ponds, the restoration of a midcentury modern hunting lodge, and the construction of a wood-fired sauna.
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