The B&B 60 km north of Riverton opened about a month ago. [BILL Martin] said the home's steel roof "should last forever," and the cement-covered bale walls keep the space toasty. The couple used special paint that doesn't off-gas and lets air pass through, so moisture won't build in the walls.

I guess I'm a bit of an environmentalist," he said. "I like things natural."

"We just love it," he said. "It's everything we expected."