Jackson’s Green Energy Park to appear on UNC-TV
By Jennifer Garlesky • Staff Writer
Viewers across the state will have the opportunity to learn about Jackson County’s green energy production from their living room.
Film crews from Farmers Almanac TV are shooting a documentary about the Jackson County’s Green Energy Park that highlights its efforts to promote renewable energy.
The energy park, which has been operating since October 2006, interested Farmers Almanac TV because of its focus on the environment, said Supervising Producer Paul Leone.
The Farmers Almanac TV is now in its third season and shows 30-minute segments about topics similar to those one would read about in the book “The Farmers Almanac.” For almost three full days film crews shot footage of the park’s blacksmithing classes, the greenhouse and its methane generating landfill.
“It’s an unbelievable idea. The thought that you can capture gas from garbage that would otherwise go into the atmosphere — its amazing,” Leone said during a break from the filming. “Without this landfill of trash this (the energy park) wouldn’t be here.”
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Being recognized for its efforts in renewable energy production is something for which Park Project Director Timm Muth is proud.
“I’m honored to be here,” Muth said. “I think it’s a very cool project.”
An important part of the park’s mission is to educate the public about renewable energy, its economic impact and the benefits it has to the environment.
Another benefit of filming a documentary, Muth says, is that he is able to explain how methane gas works.
“People raise questions about the methane gas that is produced being a toxic substance, but this is not the case at the energy park,” said Muth.
Muth says that some landfills do contain high amounts of toxics substances; however, at the green energy park the methane isn’t toxic and it provides fuel for the blacksmithing forges, bio-diesel production and heat to the greenhouse.
Another part of the documentary features the energy park’s future endeavors, which include the addition of glass blowing and pottery studios.
The footage about the energy park will be shown in a five-minute segment on the show and it will also be used in other segments about green energy, Leone explained.
Watch local TV listing this spring for the documentary to air on UNC-TV.
Anyone interested in the Jackson County Green Energy Park can visit www.jcgep.org to learn more about its programs. Also, to watch the documentary email Carrie Blaskowski at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Timm Muth at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to get the dates for when it will air.
