Deep in the doldrums of winter, perhaps you noticed something colorful, exciting and new in the produce section? That is when the deep red of the grape tomatoes, the vivaciously delicious cherry tomatoes, and the bags of baby greens delightfully augmented with sunflower and pea sprouts first appeared—and Co-op members were pleased! Not only were they beautiful, flavorful and perfect—but they were organically grown five minutes away! The mealy, rock-hard tomatoes of winter, grown far, far away, can respectfully roll aside! The former Hillview Greenhouse, now known as Hillview Greenhouse Life Center, is back in production—and is better than ever. Growing their already impressively large community roots and expanding their idealistic vision of what a community should be provide both the intellectual and actual foundation of this newly formed nonprofit organization.

With the unfortunate exception of a brief hiatus in 2004, this 12,000-foot greenhouse has a one hundred-year history of community centered food production and horticulture as well as notoriety as a warm neighborhood social gathering space. Located in the heart of La Crosse, it’s always been a bustling, vital place that’s provided people with food of exceptional quality—all grown organically and sustainably. From off-season produce production that made the winters a little less harsh to helping feed people during the Depression, it’s historically been a community-minded place full of life and compassion!
Their mission states “The Hillview Greenhouse Life Center project seeks to utilize the growth and sale of organic produce to provide practical social support for our aging population, nourishment for our local community, and meaningful activity for all its members.” They achieve this mission by staffing the greenhouse with a volunteer force of workers that are eager to help and contribute something noble and worthwhile to society. A large part of their workforce is made up of retired seniors and the disabled who value not only the community contributions their labor brings forth but the camaraderie and socialization with like-minded individuals. People harbor a deep desire to be useful and are at their happiest and best when contributing to the health and welfare of others. It’s not a quiet place to while away the hours—there are friendly dogs, a cat named Cuddles and adorable (as of yet, unnamed) black kittens socializing with the volunteers as well as children of varying ages. The abundant green foliage, ripening vegetables, conversing people, warm sun, cats, dogs and bumble bees all contribute to a setting that vibrates with life and warmth—it’s a place you want to be!

The Life Center is a collaborative and complementary effort between Joel and Jean Olson, longtime owners of the greenhouse and organic gardening experts, and Tom and Julie Klemond. Tom is a doctor at Gundersen Lutheran who specializes in palliative care, internal medicine and geriatric care. Palliative care is a form of medical care that focuses on end-of-life issues such as reducing the severity of disease symptoms and pain management rather than halting progression of the disease or providing a cure. The goal is to alleviate suffering and pain in order to improve the overall quality of life for people facing serious, untreatable illness. The Olsons bring years of organic and biodynamic gardening expertise to the operation. They have long been advocates for organic gardening—not only is it better for the plants, animals, the community, the land, and health for everyone, but for their children, who spent a great deal of time in the greenhouse. (Plus, the food just tastes better!) Keeping pesticides, chemicals, and sprays away from young children is a necessity!

Naturally, everything is organic and biodynamically produced. The soil is painstakingly readied for tomato production. First, compost is created with leaves that have been picked up by the city and deposited at Isle le Plume and mixed with organic brewer’s grain from Pearl Street Brewery. The city needs to get rid of the leaves and the the brewer’s grain is a natural by-product of the brewing process, so both parties are happy to have a place to send these unwanted, but ultimately valuable, waste products. A green component, like recent tomato prunings and leaves, is added to the compost mixture as well. Then, peas are planted to fix nitrogen in the compost-soil mix. After the peas are done producing, spinach is planted and vermiculture is introduced. Vermiculture, or vermicompost, is the end product of the break-down of organic matter by earthworms. Worm castings are produced by worms churning through the compost and are a natural fertilizer and bio-insecticide. Soil enriched by vermicompost is of the highest quality and is nutrient-rich. Next, a type of leaf crop is planted, e.g., lettuce or arugula. Finally, the soil is primed and ready for tomatoes. Soil prepared with this much attention to detail and patience will produce exceptionally tasty tomatoes and hearty plants that will yield fruit for an entire year! If fertilizer is needed, the Cashton Co-op, an organic egg-laying facility, provides manure for a special organic fertilizer mixture made on site. The recipe is a secret and is still being tweaked for optimum effectiveness. Beneficial insects are used for pest mangement. Special predatory bugs known as Encarsia Fermosa (Nile Delta strain) are an effective way to manage a potentially destructive whitefly population. A single bumble bee hive can pollinate the entire tomato crop for sixteen weeks. Bumble bees are used because they are even more docile than honey bees, which are more aggressive and don’t pollinate tomato plants as well because tomatoes don’t produce nectar.

The Hillview Greenhouse Life Center’s socioeconomic model of operation is based on Will Allen’s Growing Power, which is based in Milwaukee, WI (www.growingpower.org). Allen, a former pro basketball player and Procter and Gamble marketer, decided to go back to his farming roots. He quit his job and snatched up the last working farm in Milwaukee. His family farm investment grew exponentially and today produces 100,000 pounds of chemical-free vegetables! Allen’s farm has since merged with Growing Power, a nonprofit training center with an outreach program that strives to develop sustainable community food systems, many in urban environments. Allen teaches student and volunteers about farming, food processing and marketing and to date has helped launch over twenty-five urban gardens in areas where quality food is often over-priced and hard to come by. Allen states, “We’re not just growing food, we’re growing communities.” Decentralizing the food system is more important now than ever as evidenced by the numerous salmonella and E. Coli outbreaks. Massive factory farms have gotten dismayingly large and impersonal, so much so that they are unable to adapt and respond to problems. It’s time to take a step back and think about what is best for our health and our community—and there are positive trends heading in the other direction.

Hillview Greenhouse tries to keep everything within a thirty-mile radius by not only using local supplies but also limiting the market for their produce as well. Supporting the local economy and providing our community with great organic food, creating a sustainable organic agricultural model while providing a welcoming environment for the elderly and disabled that imbues them with a sense of purpose and importance is a noble mission of the utmost importance. As funds permit, they have future plans for an adult day care facility—and much more!

By now, you’re probably wondering how you can help too!

• By buying and eating their vegetables with reckless abandon.
• Any and all are welcome to volunteer, young and old alike—come and be a part of something authentic and real. Volunteer orientations are held Tuesday mornings at 10:00—just show up!
• Donations are also gratefully accepted.