The First Annual National Heirloom Exposition

User Rating: / 1
PoorBest 

We are pleased to announce that the National Heirloom Exposition, which has been alternately described as the “World’s Fair” of the heirloom industry and the “World’s Pure Food Fair,” is coming to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds for three days on September 13, 14, and 15, 2011. A non profit event sponsored in part by the Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company and their local outlet, the wildly popular Petaluma Seed Bank, proceeds from this trade show for the pure food, seed, and green industries will benefit local school garden and food programs.

This event will feature one of the largest arrays of heirloom produce ever displayed, from across the United States and beyond, as well as over 250 vendors from like-minded organizations such as seed and tool companies, food producers, nurseries, produce growers and more.

Over the course of three days more than 50 speakers will give a variety of informative and educational presentations on subjects as diverse as seed saving, genetically modified organisms, home gardening, food politics & policy, farming, marketing local foods, and more. Keynote speakers currently include world-renowned pure food advocate, philosopher, and activist Dr. Vandana Shiva; Dr. Jeffrey Smith, the nation’s foremost critic of GMO foods will speak and conduct workshops; and Alice Waters, world renowned chef and owner of Chez Panisse and one of the most passionate and articulate proponents of healthy, locally grown food. Other speakers include congressional candidate and activist Norman Solomon; Bob Cannard of Green String Farm and Tara Smith of Tara Firma Farm, both of Petaluma; Trathen Heckman of Daily Acts and Transition US and many more.

The expo will also feature: workshops on heirloom seed saving and sharing; educational seminars for local school groups and their gardens; movie screenings of a variety pure food movement films; giant pumpkin, tomato, and watermelon contests; a poultry and livestock show; farm and art exhibits; numerous renowned chefs preparing their favorite healthy foods and live music as well.

The current list of sponsors of the National Heirloom Exposition includes Mother Earth News, Seed Savers Exchange, Amy’s Kitchen, Marin Organic, Garden Life, Grit, and Sunset magazines, Sonoma County Farm Trails, Whole Foods Market, The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, Green Mary, and Daily Acts.

For more information about this first-of-its-kind, groundbreaking event, interested members of the media and interested sponsors, vendors, speakers, exhibitors, gardeners, farmers, and school groups should contact Event Manager Paul Wallace at 707-509-5171 or at info@TheHeirloomExpo.com. You may also visit us online at www.TheHeirloomExpo.com.