[Sdpg] National Heirloom Exposition September 13, 14, and 15, 2011, at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Northern California

[Wesley Roe and Santa Barbara Permaculture Network]

http://theheirloomexpo.com/events/about/
The National Heirloom Exposition is gaining incredible interest among 
home growers, farmers, school groups and the general public–so much so 
that it is shaping up to be the “World’s Fair” of the heirloom industry! 
This is a not-for-profit event, and any funds generated will be donated 
back to school gardens and food programs. The event will run for three 
days, September 13, 14 and 15, 2011.

Hours:
11am-9pm September 13th, 14th, and 15th
Location:
The Sonoma County Fairgrounds,
1350 Bennett Valley Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95404


Taste hundreds of varieties of traditional vegetables and fruits from 
all over the nation this fall—heirloom produce you’ve never seen before 
and bring your own homegrown or farm-raised heirloom favorites to 
display and share. Whether you’re an attendee or a participant in the 
first National Heirloom Exposition, you’ll be a part of culinary and 
agricultural history.

Taste Heirloom Produce
The inaugural National Heirloom Exposition coming up September 13, 14, 
and 15, 2011, at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Northern California 
http://theheirloomexpo.com/ is destined to be the biggest and 
best-attended heirloom industry event ever, and it’s for everyone: the 
home gardener, small farmer, professional farmer, even school-age 
gardening enthusiast. The spring growing season has begun throughout 
most of the country and we invite heirloom enthusiasts of all ages and 
levels of expertise to start growing their heirloom favorites to exhibit 
at the Exposition. We hope to have heirloom produce from all 50 states, 
as many as 5,000 heirloom fruit and vegetable varieties represented as 
well as heritage livestock and more. (Contact us at 
info at theheirloomexpo.com for details.)

This “World’s Fair” of the heirloom industry, sponsored in part by Baker 
Creek Heirloom Seed Company, will also feature dozens of seed companies, 
garden tool companies, and garden accessory craftsmen and their wares 
from throughout the U.S. as well as plants and plant starts, 
garden-inspired art and organic, natural and original food items. Top 
chefs will provide cooking demonstrations using the produce grown for 
the Exposition and participate in celebrity chef competitions. We expect 
to feature over 250 booths and are still taking applications from those 
interested in participating. Just contact us at the above e-mail address.

See thousands of different varieties of heirloom vegetables
Special demonstrations and informational booths will also be provided by 
our fellow event sponsors, including Seed Savers Exchange, Marin 
Organic, Amy’s Kitchen, Farm Trails, Green 960 Radio, Daily Acts, 
Comstock, Ferre & Co. LLC, Sunset Magazine, and the American Livestock 
Breeds Conservancy.

Over 40 local and international speakers will be featured, including 
world-renowned philosopher and environmental activist Dr. Vandana Shiva; 
non-GMO (genetically modified organisms) activist and noted author 
Jeffrey Smith of the Institute of Responsible Technology; author and 
Seed Savers Exchange chair Amy Goldman; and Green 960 Radio host Helge 
Hellberg—to name a few.

There will also be educational seminars throughout each day, including 
talks on seed saving and GMO’s as well as many other gardening, farming, 
and food preparing subjects. Special movie screenings on the history and 
future of our food will also be presented.
The Exposition will run on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with the idea 
of providing a daytime educational opportunity for school-aged children 
and youth. Special seminars and educational opportunities will be 
available for school groups, and school gardens are encouraged to grow 
produce for the event. (See contact e-mail above for more information.) 
The Heirloom Exposition is a “not-for-profit” event and any funds 
generated will be donated back to school gardens and food programs. A 
silent auction and live auctions of garden-related items and art will 
also benefit school garden programs and other food charities.

Hundreds Of Colorful Displays
There will also be representatives from national media, including the 
editors of several gardening and farming publications, including Organic 
Gardening, Ediblemagazine, Grit magazine, The Heirloom Gardener, and 
event sponsor Sunset Magazine.
And, it’s quite fitting that the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, where the 
National Heirloom Exposition will be held, is bound by GE-free counties: 
Mendocino County to its north and Marin County to its south.
Whether you join us as an attendee or participant, or both, mark your 
calendar now for this gargantuan heirloom event (September 13, 14, and 
15, 2011) in Santa Rosa, California.
Visit www.theheirloomexpo.com for more details.