Welcome to Jeremiah Ridge – a residential green demonstration model located in Chilton County, Alabama. This site is located on 30 beautiful acres at nearly the mid-point of the entire state – between Birmingham and Montgomery, 20 minutes off of the Interstate and within easy driving distance of Auburn and Tuscaloosa. We believe this central location will allow this project to extend its influence throughout the entire state of Alabama and beyond.

This central location is critical to the impact Jeremiah Ridge can have. From the very beginning, this will be a “green” project, demonstrating the effective uses of materials, systems and techniques to builders, architects, students and the general public. These professionals and their clients will be invited to visit the site from ground breaking for the foundation to delivery of the last stick of furniture. After completion, we will hold an Open House every three months to evaluate the “livability” and cost effectiveness of the totality of this project.

With the increased use of these new technologies and materials in remodeling and new construction projects, we'll need people who are trained in working with and installing them. Every manufacturer that is included in this project, every contractor invited to participate in this emerging vision, will understand the need to train people to work in this new environment. This training component will add real green - real economic green - to this project. The systems and materials will show how to save energy and money on a residential project. The viability of the project and the building of a work-force will show how an industry can be built and jobs will be created and expanded here in Alabama and throughout the Gulf and Southeastern Region.

The Hilltop House sits on one the highest points of the property. It is a 3-bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home with 2300+ square feet of living space with another 2100 square feet in the wrap-around porch. There’s another part to Jeremiah Ridge already set in motion. The Green Cottage, a one-room dwelling, will demonstrate how a low-cost home can be constructed using recycled materials and efficient use of space. Click on these two projects below as we share our progress and our use of green materials and concepts.

One or two other residential units are planned. They will be more on the lines of a weeHouse or some similar modular unit. We were impressed with several houses at the recent Solar Decthalon in Washington, DC.  Rice University and the University of Illinois both did very nice jobs and exhibited style and livibility in a small footprint. Additionally, we are planning a stable and a couple of service/storage buildings. All will provide excellent platforms to host solar panels that will help us sell power back Central Alabama Electrical Cooperative, a group that presciently authorized net-metering over two years ago.

We will also share information on this site for every aspect of creating your own green environment. Whether you need good information on select green components to build or retrofit your home, looking for great DIY green projects or just looking for everyday green living tips, you can find it on the Jeremiah Ridge website. If you have your own suggestions, have questions about our project or want to become involved in our project with your green product, we would love to hear from you!