1 AIA LU|HSW Available
Rusted Gate Farm is a non-profit demonstration farm located In Jackson County, Oregon. They have a mission to assist small rural farmers and ranchers to increase productivity and create value-added methodologies to their farm and ranch products.
Cost:
Free to AIA members
$15 for non-members
The Rusted Gate Farm Building tour will allow participants to see a rural, multi-purpose commercial building that has received a Net-Zero Energy certification from the Energy Trust of Oregon. It is only the second commercial building in southern Oregon to be certified Net-Zero Energy. Cowhorn Winery in the Applegate Valley was the first to achieve this level of certification. Guests will learn the story of how the building came to be while touring the Display Gallery, Farm Store, Commercial Kitchen, Production Area, Multi-Purpose Room, Mechanical Room and support facilities.
The tour will also explore the "Solar Farm" onsite that provides one of the methods for the building to achieve net-zero energy status. Throughout, there will be explanations of why materials and systems were chosen, creative re-use of salvaged materials, energy efficiency strategies, and an explanation of how the multi-purpose building will serve small farmers and ranchers with education, support facilities, demonstrations and participation.
This building was designed to achieve a Net-Zero Energy Certification from the Energy Trust of Oregon. To achieve this certification no systems utilizing fossil fuels were allowed. The building's electrical use is offset by roof-mounted, pole-mounted and ground-mounted photovoltaic panel arrays. Additional conservation strategies include careful selection of building materials and system designs. The electric vehicle charging station is also powered by the photovoltaic panel arrays. The multi-purpose facilities available to the public will enhance the productivity of small farmers and ranchers.
Learning Objective 1:
Understand how the net-zero energy certification was achieved through energy analyses, energy modeling, building envelope design and solar potential analyses. The end results will be part of the educational component for people visiting and utilizing the facility in the future.
Learning Objective 2:
Understand how the building design embraces sustainability and resilience with the choice of "fire-wise" building materials, FSC framing, beams, columns and finish woods, and energy efficient design features that support occupant health, comfort, and productivity.
Learning Objective 3:
Understand how the building's resources and facilities will benefit underserved small rural farmers and ranchers. Examples include a commercial kitchen for demonstration classes and public use to expand their small production enterprises and a production area where fruit processing and specialized meat production can occur. The farm store will provide a venue for small producers to sell their products. The multi-purpose room will be available for educational presentations and public meetings.
Learning Objective 4:
Learn about water-wise landscaping strategies such as a rain garden feature, low water plant materials, demonstration plantings and a pollinator garden surrounding the ground-mounter PV panel arrays.
