Novus Builds On Environmental Efforts With Renovation Of Home On Company Farm

Novus International Inc., a St. Louis, Missouri based animal health and nutritional company, embraces a variety of environmentally-friendly practices in its production and operating processes around the world. Seeing an opportunity to build on a long line of environmental initiatives, Novus recently completed a major renovation on a newly-acquired home that qualifies the home for consideration of one of the most well-known certifications given to sustainability projects.

Novus recently purchased a small farm in Montgomery City outside St. Louis for use as a research facility. One of the properties on the farm was a caretaker's home that dates back to approximately 1920 and is currently used by the farm's manager. As is the case with most homes of the period, the construction process and materials used didn't result in an energy-efficient structure. Seeking to remedy that, the company embarked on a major renovation that now qualifies the home for the internationally-recognized Leadership in Energy and Efficient Design (LEED) for Homes certification. .

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) created the LEED platform for the design, construction, operations, and maintenance of green projects undertaken in both the commercial and residential sectors. Over the years, a number of standards were created that culminated in the development of a framework governing environmental and energy-efficient practices in both interior and exterior construction and rehabilitation. The voluntary ratings framework was developed beginning in 1998 and has grown to include a variety of certifications for commercial and residential projects.

The LEED for Homes designation is the newest of the USGBC’s certifications. Like the other LEED ratings programs, the homes designation uses a point system based on sustainable site practices, water efficiencies, responsible natural resource management, improved indoor environmental quality, and energy-efficiencies.

Once Novus decided to embark on an environmentally-friendly rehabilitation of the property, which is located at 1337 Highway 161 in Montgomery City, the company hired a highly-integrated team of green design and construction specialists, including architectural designer Ben Fehrmann, landscape architect Hunter Beckham, Brooks Critchfield, a LEED-accredited professional, and Matt Ford, an engineer specializing in designing sustainable heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.

The team then began an ambitious project that included a gut renovation, although much of the material removed was salvaged for reuse, including some of the wood used in cabinet construction. Local materials, materials with a high-recycled content and materials with low VOCs were used in the construction. The renovation also included the use of aggressive moisture control measures to prevent mold and other water-related damage and increase overall durability. The home was sealed using a castor-based foam sealant and treated with a non-toxic termite barrier. Also, a variety of high-efficiency plumbing fixtures were installed in place of standard fixtures to minimize water demands. Energy consumption is also minimized through the use of state-of-the-art insulation, high-efficiency windows, Energy Star-rated household appliances, a highly-efficiency heating, air conditioning and ventilation system, as well as a hot-water-on-demand system which heats water only when needed.

A variety of other measures were also taken outside the home, including the preservation of all existing trees and the use of drought resistant, indigenous grass and plants to minimize the need for irrigation and synthetic chemical use. The site design includes no hardscape so that all rain water can be retained on site and returned to water cycle naturally. Also, all roof runoff following storms is captured in “rain barrels” and used for such needs as plant establishment.

The project includes some simple measures as well. No shoes are allowed in the house to control pollutants from being spread throughout, and the house will be maintained with non-toxic environmentally-preferred cleaners and equipment. The home's caretaker also received extensive training to help extend the life of the home and its various components.

Finally, the home and portions of the farm will be served with an on-site renewable energy system that may include solar and wind power. Several other energy-related plans are also being considered for the farm, including the establishment of a wind farm.

Mr. Tom Hampton, Manager, Product Research, Novus International said the home renovation is just the latest in a long line of examples where Novus has embraced sustainability.

Novus’ commitment to bettering its environment was evident when the company built its new global headquarters in the Missouri Research Park in metro St. Louis. The innovative $20 million, 90,000-square-foot facility earned LEED Platinum certification earlier this year, the highest energy and environmental designation available in the United States. As only the fourth building in Missouri to achieve the distinction, the Novus headquarters is one of fewer than 100 buildings in the nation so recognized.

“Sustainability has been one of our top initiatives since our founding in 1991. All of our animal feed products are designed from inception to ensure our feed delivers the maximum amount of nutrients possible, which in turn reduces the contamination of ground water,” said Hampton. “In addition to our global headquarters, our blending plant in Indaia¬tuba, Brazil was sustainably designed. The facility collects, cleans and/or sepa¬rates water, waste and recyclables and minimizes energy use through smart control systems.. We're proud of the commitments we've made to the environment and the impact they will have for a long time to come.”

Cattle Network ©December 2009