Adopt-a-Highway Program
Highways in need of a "parent" in Green County (average portion is 2 miles long): Wisconsin 69, five portions; Wisconsin 59, four portions; Wisconsin 81, three portions; Wisconsin 11, 2 portions; Wisconsin 39, one portion; Wisconsin 92, one portion.
Visit the program's website at www.dot.wisconsin.gov/localgov/aid/adopt-a-highway.htm. The site features a safety video and an application link.
You can also contact southwest region coordinator Donna Sanford at (608) 246-3871 or by email at donna.sanford@dot.wi.gov.
MONTICELLO - The Minglewood Farm is known for its breeding of horses, but a little extra publicity doesn't hurt. That's part of why Debbie Fairbanks signed up eight years ago for the state's Adopt-a-Highway Program.
"When I've said the name, I've had people say "Oh, I know you. You're the road-cleanup people," said Fairbanks, whose business benefits from the state-provided recognition sign that sports the Minglewood name along Wisconsin 39. "It definitely makes for a good image."
And it makes for a more beautiful Green County, too.
"When (husband) David and I moved here from Illinois, we couldn't believe how beautiful this area was and we wanted to keep it that way," Fairbanks said. "We would see some occasional trash and we wanted it gone. It feels good to drive down your stretch of road and see that it looks so nice."
With the spring thaw not too far off and the roadside trash about to come into view, Fairbanks said she'll soon be planning a pickup day along her 2-mile stretch of road starting at Poplar Grove Road heading east toward New Glarus.
Volunteers are asked to commit to at least four years and conduct two or three pickups per year. They are provided with trash bags and bright yellow safety vests. The collected trash is later picked up by county employees.
"I also like the fact I'm out in nature," Fairbanks said. "So many of the highways are elevated so you get some wonderful views."
Green County has a strong tradition of supporting Adopt-a-Highway, which began in 1990, according to Donna Sanford, the southwest region program coordinator with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Among the organizations that have shown long-time dedication include the New Glarus Future Farmers of America (since 1990), the Monroe Clinic (1993), the Green County Conservation League (1993) and the New Glarus Bakery (1996).
However, several area highways have portions that need adopting (see information box). The average length of roadway is 2 miles and usually requires only a couple of hours of work, Sanford said, and the benefits are numerous.
"We provide the sign that gives the name of your organization or business and people always tell us how great the exposure is," she said. "As for service groups, many have bylaws that call for a community project and this one is fun and easy to do. As for businesses, we hear about how good of a bonding experience it can be for employees."
Meanwhile, the volunteer work puts a big dent in the county's cleanup costs.
"I'd say it saves Green County between $5,000 and $10,000 each year," said Duck Marti, the county's patrol superintendent. "It certainly cuts down on our workload and lets us get on with more important issues, like patching pavement and weed cutting.
"The people here in Green County do a great job with it."
Items that are large and hazardous are to be avoided and reported, with the focus being on everyday litter.
"We mostly find fast-food wrappers, soda bottle and beer cans," Fairbanks said. "Oh, and lots of banana peels. People must think they're biodegradable - if they are, they must take a long time."
Sanford has heard plenty of stories over the years, everything from found money to found keepsakes that found their way back to an owner.
Once in a while, she hears about motorists tossing their trash toward the collectors, as if they're helping, but mostly she hears of people honking their horns in tribute to the effort.
"It really stands out to people and hopefully gives them the idea that they could also make a difference," Sanford said. "And what an impression it makes on young people, to see the parents out there. We need more of that these days."
"When I've said the name, I've had people say "Oh, I know you. You're the road-cleanup people," said Fairbanks, whose business benefits from the state-provided recognition sign that sports the Minglewood name along Wisconsin 39. "It definitely makes for a good image."
And it makes for a more beautiful Green County, too.
"When (husband) David and I moved here from Illinois, we couldn't believe how beautiful this area was and we wanted to keep it that way," Fairbanks said. "We would see some occasional trash and we wanted it gone. It feels good to drive down your stretch of road and see that it looks so nice."
With the spring thaw not too far off and the roadside trash about to come into view, Fairbanks said she'll soon be planning a pickup day along her 2-mile stretch of road starting at Poplar Grove Road heading east toward New Glarus.
Volunteers are asked to commit to at least four years and conduct two or three pickups per year. They are provided with trash bags and bright yellow safety vests. The collected trash is later picked up by county employees.
"I also like the fact I'm out in nature," Fairbanks said. "So many of the highways are elevated so you get some wonderful views."
Green County has a strong tradition of supporting Adopt-a-Highway, which began in 1990, according to Donna Sanford, the southwest region program coordinator with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Among the organizations that have shown long-time dedication include the New Glarus Future Farmers of America (since 1990), the Monroe Clinic (1993), the Green County Conservation League (1993) and the New Glarus Bakery (1996).
However, several area highways have portions that need adopting (see information box). The average length of roadway is 2 miles and usually requires only a couple of hours of work, Sanford said, and the benefits are numerous.
"We provide the sign that gives the name of your organization or business and people always tell us how great the exposure is," she said. "As for service groups, many have bylaws that call for a community project and this one is fun and easy to do. As for businesses, we hear about how good of a bonding experience it can be for employees."
Meanwhile, the volunteer work puts a big dent in the county's cleanup costs.
"I'd say it saves Green County between $5,000 and $10,000 each year," said Duck Marti, the county's patrol superintendent. "It certainly cuts down on our workload and lets us get on with more important issues, like patching pavement and weed cutting.
"The people here in Green County do a great job with it."
Items that are large and hazardous are to be avoided and reported, with the focus being on everyday litter.
"We mostly find fast-food wrappers, soda bottle and beer cans," Fairbanks said. "Oh, and lots of banana peels. People must think they're biodegradable - if they are, they must take a long time."
Sanford has heard plenty of stories over the years, everything from found money to found keepsakes that found their way back to an owner.
Once in a while, she hears about motorists tossing their trash toward the collectors, as if they're helping, but mostly she hears of people honking their horns in tribute to the effort.
"It really stands out to people and hopefully gives them the idea that they could also make a difference," Sanford said. "And what an impression it makes on young people, to see the parents out there. We need more of that these days."