EasternIowaFarmer_Fall2023
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THE ENERGY ISSUE<br />
Martens Angus Farms<br />
Jody and Laurie Martens with children Mckenna and Mckayla<br />
EASTERN IOWA FARMER PHOTO / BROOKE TILL<br />
Doll plans to continue being environmentally friendly along side her<br />
dog, Lincoln.<br />
construction help conserve<br />
heating and cooling energy<br />
better than conventional walls.<br />
“I haven’t run my air conditioning<br />
all summer,” Doll said,<br />
despite a stretch of 90-degree<br />
days.<br />
In addition, Doll’s<br />
south-facing windows contribute<br />
by letting in a lot of<br />
sun in the winter but have an<br />
overhang to provide shade in<br />
the summer.<br />
Doll says that her energy-efficient<br />
living is the best<br />
for the summertime, and her<br />
off-grid location provides for<br />
the best views.<br />
Her deck is perched<br />
perfectly to overlook her<br />
childhood pond, 12 rows of<br />
grapes, and vegetable garden.<br />
Clean clothes hang on a<br />
clothesline stretched across<br />
one corner. Not only does she<br />
like the fresh scent of air-dried<br />
laundry, it also keeps her from<br />
Pictured: Owner Duane Stickley<br />
having to run her dyer indoors.<br />
Doll’s way of living allows<br />
her to still have power in a<br />
storm when everyone else may<br />
not with low effort.<br />
“The solar panels have been<br />
maintenance-free,” said Doll.<br />
Even on overcast days, Doll<br />
manages to get energy.<br />
“The solar by far is more<br />
efficient; even on a cloudy day<br />
you get something,” said Doll.<br />
The use of solar energy still<br />
has room to grow in Iowa,<br />
according to the Solar Energy<br />
Industries Association, a<br />
Washington D.C.-based trade<br />
association.<br />
Currently, solar panels provide<br />
just 1.06% of the state’s<br />
energy needs, or enough<br />
to power the equivalent of<br />
84,065 homes.<br />
Doll plans to continue being<br />
environmentally friendly<br />
alongside her dog, Lincoln. n<br />
THE<br />
RIGHT<br />
FIT<br />
FOR ALL YOUR<br />
ELECTRICAL<br />
FARM NEEDS<br />
JOIN US FOR OUR<br />
2nd Annual<br />
Bull & Heifer Sale<br />
— February 28, 2024 —<br />
1:00 p.m. at the farm<br />
Featuring calves out of some of the<br />
most proven bulls in the Angus breed:<br />
Carson, Man in Black, Tribute,<br />
Fair and Square, Legion and Odyssey.<br />
Light Birthweight - Fast Growth<br />
Carcass Quality - Quiet Disposition<br />
Martens Angus Farms<br />
37939 346 Avenue • Bellevue Iowa 52031<br />
martensangus@gmail.com<br />
(563) 552-8890<br />
563-652-2439<br />
stickley1948@stickleyelectric.com • 113 Western Ave., Maquoketa, IA<br />
www.martensangus.com | Find us on Facebook<br />
“Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough<br />
to make them all yourself.” - Eleanor Roosevelt<br />
eifarmer.com FALL 2023 | EASTERN IOWA FARMER 65
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