(EMAILWIRE.COM, April 21, 2009 ) Spencer, IA -- Many members of the Iowa Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers Association (IBBIA) are involved in activities that foster a healthy, sustainable environment while adding efficiency to business practices and eliminating wasted resources. These innkeepers consider the sustainability of the materials they buy, and they embrace the use of locally produced services and products.

Our Tara Inn in Lansing, Iowa, went 'green' two years ago by doing everything possible to reuse, recycle, and reduce their operation’s carbon footprint. Solar lights, rechargeable batteries, cloth shopping bags, and other environmentally friendly tasks have been accomplished. Plus the innkeeper always buys local produce in season. Families staying at the century old restored barn enjoy a large outdoor play area, kite flying, bird watching – which includes bald eagles – and more mushroom hunting along a nearby walking trail through the wooded area on the B&B property. For full details contact Signe at (563)568-2665.

Dug Road Inn of Decorah is another perfect Eco-getaway with their use of organic linens and low VOC paints and cleaning products. Guests are served a full breakfast using organic and locally grown ingredients. And, for the gardener in you, Decorah is the home of the Seed Savers Exchange and the Oneota Coop organic food market. For full information about staying at the Dug Road Inn contact, Shirleen at (563) 382-9355.

The Garden and Galley B&B in Indianola welcomes children. The Garden Suite is perfect for a family of five. It has an entertainment center with DVD player and kid friendly DVDs to borrow and view. The innkeeper also stocks games and puzzles along with big box of special toys and books for younger children. Child friendly breakfasts like chocolate chip pancakes and waffles are available for the "kids" of all ages. The resident dog Sam, and cat Hildie, just love it when children visit. There is 9 acres for all to roam and it includes a pasture with paths, a woods and pond, an apple orchard (guests enjoy picking and eating the apples right off the trees), and there are benches to sit on and swings to swing on. The acreage wild life includes three types of tree frogs, deer, and a large variety of birds. The inn keeper is always happy to make a peanut butter sandwich, pour a glass of milk and treat guests to homemade cookies. Contact Esther at (515) 961-7749 for full details or to check on availability.

The Hannah Marie Country Inn is located on a grain farm just south of Spencer, Iowa. Two three-year set-aside acres will be planted in the spring of 2009. Their first year of sustainable vegetables and grains, featuring Japanese and vintage vegetables. This popular country inn features a labyrinth path to walk, and there is a path in their tall prairie grass and wild flower area where guests can rediscover Iowa’s prairie heritage. Guided tours of the area are given free. And families often enjoy their breakfast in a basket to take to under the old apple tree when weather permits. The innkeeper also gives children's etiquette workshop luncheons in the months of July and August. Call Mary for details at (712) 262-1286.

The Country Heritage B&B in Hampton, Iowa, is family-friendly and visiting families often stay in their special family wing that includes one room with a queen size bed, one room with a double bed, and one room with a single bed – which also contains a microwave and refrigerator. The family wing also has its own large bathroom. Some of the activities that families visiting the B&B have enjoyed is catching fireflys, listening to the crickets, checking out the calves in the pasture or feeding the chickens, and listening to the rooster crow as well as playing with the dog. They may also play croquet in the back yard or sit around the firepit at night and enjoy smores or tell stories. Plus there is a very nice gazebo to relax in. Contact Lacey at (641) 456-4036 for more details or to check availability.

About the IBBIA
About Iowa Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers Association
Iowa Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers Association (IBBIA), founded in 1986, is the leading publisher of bed and breakfast guidebooks in Iowa, with more than 69,000 bed and breakfast guidebooks distributed in the last 3 years, and runs www.iabedandbreakfast.com, a top Iowa bed and breakfasts and country inns directory.

Contact Information:
Iowa Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers Associ
Anissa Jepsen
Tel: 800-888-4667
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