Mother Earth News Fair April 10-12, 2014

MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR shows practical and fun aspects of sustainability

The MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR makes its Southeastern debut at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center outside of Asheville, N.C., with more than 200 workshops and demonstrations covering the gamut of sustainable living. It runs Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The FAIR began in 2010 as a way to bring MOTHER EARTH NEWS magazine to life. The magazine selected Seven Springs Mountain Resort, a sister company, as the inaugural host of the FAIR based on its environmental stewardship, resource management and environmental protection practices.

With the Seven Springs event taking off, the magazine added a second FAIR in 2011. The Puyallup Fairgrounds hosted the FAIR during the first weekend in June. Northeast Kansas was added to the lineup in October 2013. All three venues continue to grow attendance and the number of activities offered. More than 15,000 people come to each FAIR – many traveling hundreds of miles to participate.

Hands-on learning has deep roots in MOTHER EARTH NEWS’ 44-year history. Between the mid- 1970s and mid-1980s, the magazine hosted thousands of visitors each summer at its 600-acre Eco- Village in Hendersonville, N.C. The Eco-Village served as a hands-on research center, with attendees learning about everything from beekeeping to cordwood construction through experimental gardens, houses and energy projects.

For more information on the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR, visit MotherEarthNewsFair.com.

WHO: MOTHER EARTH NEWS magazine

WHAT: The MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR is a family-friendly sustainable living event with more than 200 hands-on workshops and demonstrations from experts on preparing and preserving food, organic gardening, homesteading, renewable energy, green building and remodeling, small-scale livestock, green transportation, natural health, and related topics.

Also on the grounds: hands-on children’s projects; vendor, livestock and craft demonstrations; artisan food tastings; and local and organic food offerings.

WHEN: Saturday, April 12: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday, April 13: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

WHERE: Western North Carolina Agricultural Center 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher, NC 28732

WHY: MOTHER EARTH NEWS, the country’s largest and longest-running publication on sustainable living, is bringing its message of practical, self-sufficient living to life for people at every point on the green-living spectrum.

TICKETS:

• Weekend pass – Pre-ordered: $25 / At the gate: $30 • Single-day pass – Pre-ordered: $20 / At the gate: $25 • Children 17 and under get in FREE

Tickets are available:
Online, by calling 800-234-3368, and at the gate.

Select Keynote Speakers
Sylvia Bernstein, aquaponics expert; Sherri Brooks Vinton, food preservation expert; Jere Gettle, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds founder; Sandor Katz, fermented foods ‘revivalist’; Joel Salatin, organic farmer, author and owner of Polyface Farms; Stephanie Tourles, herbalist and licensed holistic aesthetician.

Workshops
More than 200 hands-on workshops and seminars focus on gardening, real food, green building, small- scale agriculture, alternative energy, natural health and green transportation.

Demonstrations
The FAIR hosts several off-stage demonstrations including:
• logging with horses and constructing a tiny home (Booth 6505, stall F-40, south arena)
• herding with dogs (show arena; ongoing)
• blacksmithing, broom making, weaving, spinning and dyeing, and chair making (Booth 6024, ongoing) • carding and spinning wool (Stalls F-6 and F-7; ongoing)
• creating fun, healthy meals even picky eaters will love (Booth 1800; ongoing)
• companion planting from seed (Booths 1200 and 1300; Noon to 1 p.m.; ongoing for informal advice)
• making mead (Booths 1400 and 1500; ongoing)
• goat milking (Stall F-12; 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. daily)
• growing and using herbs, and saving herb seeds (Booths 7010-7015; ongoing)
• building solar panels and LED grow lights (Booths 1400 and 1500; ongoing)
• throwing and hand-building pottery (Booth 5138; ongoing)
• traditional broom making (Booths 5033 and 5034; ongoing)
• making healthy, herbal no-bake cookies (Booth 2712; ongoing)

Approximately 300 artisans and vendors sell goods ranging from locally made crafts and foods to solar energy systems and outdoor power equipment.

The Kids’ Treehouse Club offers free hands-on activities for children to interact with ducks and chickens, make healthy foods, plant garden seeds, and more. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

The MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR strives to lower its impact on our planet.

With the help of volunteers and event staff, the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR is designed to divert waste from landfills. Plus, MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR works with vendors and event suppliers to offer green alternatives on site and through continuing education.

About Our Efforts

• Everything that can be recycled at the event is recycled.
• Every plate, bowl, cup, spoon, knife, fork, straw and napkin used is 100-percent biodegradable and will be collected with all food scraps to be composted.
• Event signs have been designed with reuse in mind. Each piece is made from environmentally friendly materials.
• All MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR collateral is made with recycled-content materials.

What You Can Do

• Carpool to the show.
• Use recycling and composting bins at the event.
• Spread the message!