Just who are we anyway?
For an overview of their quest for the good life, preview their latest books, ECOpreneuring: Putting Purpose and the Planet before Profits (New Society), Edible Earth: Savoring the Good Life with Vegetarian Recipes from Inn Serendipity (Paradigm Press Ltd.) and Rural Renaissance: Renewing the Quest for the Good Life (New Society)
In addition to feature writing for publications such as Hobby Farm Home, Mother Earth News and Wisconsin Trails, Lisa regular blogs for Green Options and is a lead writer for Renewing the Countryside, a non-profit organization showcasing rural entrepreneurial and agricultural success stories. Lisa is educational outreach director for Renewing the Countryside: Wisconsin, published in partnership with the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES). She directs the MOSES Rural Women's Project, an innovative new initiative designed to raise the voice of women in agriculture and farm-based businesses by providing networking, training and support, aiming to increase media and public awareness issues of female farmers and rural entrepreneurs.
John Ivanko is an award-winning photographer, writer, author, national speaker, ecopreneur and globetrotter. Before joining Leo Burnett Advertising in Chicago in 1989, he was involved in the start-up of two restaurants in Ann Arbor, Michigan. However, on April Fool's Day, 1992, John jumped off the corporate treadmill to journey around the world. One year and 29 countries later, he returned to the U.S. with over 15,000 photographic images and stirring accounts of his up-close understanding of world issues. While serving as an Adjunct Lecturer at Penn State University, he completed the text for his first book, The Least Imperfect Path--A Global Journal for the Future ; the travelogue describes his journey and search for new path which would better conserve our environment as well as lead to a more sustainable, peaceful and just tomorrow.
For many years, John also embarked on a working relationship with the Global Fund for Children, an organization dedicated to helping bridge children's understanding of and respect for the diversity of cultures through books and other outreach initiatives. He is the co-author of and photographic contributor to six multicultural children's photobooks including the award-winningTo Be A Kid, To Be an Artist, Be My Neighbor, Animal Friends, published in partnership between Charlesbrige Publishing and Global Fund for Children Books, proceeds from which help support the Global Fund for Children. John has also contributed photos for Children from Australia to Zimbabwe, Extraordinary Girls, and Let the Games Begin.
His work has been published in Mother Earth News, Hobby Farms, BackHome Magazine, Natural Home, Home Power, Hobby Farm Home, American Profile, Islands, Wisconsin Trails, E-The Environmental Magazine, Mountain Travel*Sobek, and Wilderness Travel, among many others. He regularly blogs for Green Options. John's work is represented by Nielsen Studios and the Photo Market.
John received a M.S. in the area of "ecotourism" and recreation management from Penn State University and a B.B.A. from the University of Michigan School of Business Administration.
Lisa and John have been "cheeseheads" since November, 1996 -- and they never tire of the sunsets and sunrises over the surrounding hills. They're on a constantly evolving journey toward a more sustainable, peaceful and just tomorrow, leading in both actions and words through the projects they support or help create. For upcoming speaking or workshop engagements, see the Calendar of Events or to learn what keeps them up at night, visit their Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. And last but not least, on October 21, 2001, they welcomed into the world their first (and only) son, Liam Ivanko Kivirist who is now the greeter and campfire entertainer at the B&B.
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Lisa Kivirist embodies the growing "ecopreneuring" movement: innovative entrepreneurs who successfully blend business with making the world a better place. A distinguished W.K. Kellogg Food & Society Policy Fellow, Lisa's fellowship work focuses on capturing and promoting the story and economic vitality of female farmers and rural entrepreneurs. Lisa also penned Kiss Off Corporate America: A Young Professional's Guide to Independence, described as a "down-to-earth road map for navigating out of corporate America's clutches" (Booklist).