Greenleaf, Wis. (November, 2021)] – The Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council has named [Trout Springs Winery] a [GREEN Master LEVEL] within its Green Masters Program. Recognizing sustainable actions by businesses from across the state of Wisconsin, the Green Masters program works to identify businesses that have taken at least one action within each of the nine pillars of sustainability. Participants in the program receive recognition for their sustainability accomplishments and develop ideas for future sustainability actions.
Trout Springs Winery remains the “Gold Standard” for sustainability and carbon reduction footprint in the state of Wisconsin. Through wise land use protocols, and cutting edge techniques both implemented in the winery, and at the trout hatchery, Trout Springs continues to lead the Viticulture, as well as Aquaculture industries in Wisconsin in sustainable practices. Implementation of several sustainable measures such as Geo-Thermal heating and cooling, carbon sequestration, and renewable water recirculation has made Trout Springs a uniquely sustainable business
By taking a minute to analyze business processes, Trout Springs has cut its carbon footprint by a whopping 68% in reductions and is the only winery in Wisconsin to achieve Green Master status. Being sustainable is not just a catch phrase; they live it every day and implement actions instead of just words.
The Green Masters Program is an objective, points-based recognition, assessment and certification program that enables Wisconsin businesses of all sizes and from any sector to join a group of like-minded companies working towards sustainability. The program has established three levels of participation: Green Apprentice, Green Professional, and Green Master. [Trout Springs Winery] joined the program as a Green Master in 2018. Each year at the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council Conference, the current top 20 percent of companies that applied during the calendar year are identified and recognized as the Green Masters level companies.
“Trout Springs will continue its commitment to sustainability and looks forward to new opportunities to become better than we were the previous year” says Steve De Baker.
https://www.wisconsinsustainability.com/greenmasters
“The Green Masters Program is a tool for businesses to assess and grow their sustainability programs, to benchmark against their industry and to receive a third part certification recognizing their achievements in sustainability,” says WSBC’s managing director, Jessy Servi Ortiz.
Trout Springs Winery is the oldest winery in Brown County, and the oldest vineyard in NE Wisconsin starting with the grape vine plantings in 1995. The Trout Hatchery was started in 1985 and became the largest producer of Brook Trout in the state in 2012. In 2005, Steven J. De Baker petitioned the Federal Government for the creation of The Wisconsin Ledge AVA (American Viticulture Area) and in 2012 after 4000 hours, and 7 years, the State of Wisconsin received recognition as the 203rd AVA in the United States known as The Wisconsin Ledge. For this Trout Springs Winery was recognized as the 2012 Winery of the Year by the Wisconsin Grape Growers Association and Wisconsin Winery Association. Trout Springs has been officially recognized as the “Birthplace of the Wisconsin Ledge AVA” by the Wisconsin Congressional Congress. Steven serves as a Steering committee member with NERN {Niagara Escarpment Resource Network} and as of July 31st 2021 has completed the Wisconsin Ledge AVA Monument located at Way-Morr Park just outside of Wayside, Wis.
