"We could have just sold to a developer, but we don't want to see just a typical subdivision." says Maxine Austin of the Austin Conservancy Group. When Maxine Austin decided to sell her family farmland, she wanted to stay true to her agricultural roots. That's why she's turning the land into Janesville's first green neighborhood.

"We haven't had the experience without any other type of similar development of knowing what that market may be and what those costs may be so this to a large degree would be a test case for the city of Janesville." says Duane Cherek, Janesville's Manager of Planning Services.

The Austin's are requiring homebuilders to follow a strict green covenant. One provision stipulates the owner is required to select a minimum of three alternative approaches for energy production such as wind turbines or solar panels. This makes construction costs high, but owners are expected to make that money back in seven years.

In addition to green houses the Austin's are looking for green landscapes. Think native plants and vegetable gardens as opposed to green lawns which often require harsh chemicals and do little to prevent runoff.

"The environment is so important, so precious and really needs to be protected and energy costs are going up, but bottom line, this is the land where I grew up and I'm doing this for my dad and I'm doing this for my grandparents and I'm doing it for my descendants." adds Austin.

Right now only 5 lots are available, but if all goes as planned the Austin's hope to someday have 150 green homes on their old family farmland.

Austin's Fisher Creek neighborhood is hoping to eventually bring in some small businesses such as coffee shops and day care centers, but for now they are still trying to sell their first lot.