The National Heirloom Exposition, 2nd Annual Event, September 11, 12, &13, 2012

In just a few short weeks The National Heirloom Expositions second annual event opens at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, California, and I can’t wait to go again.

Last year’s premier event opened as the first “World’s Pure Food Fair”; and what an event it became.  Within the short 3-day run, over 70 speakers, 250 vendors, dozens of educational workshops, food tastings and demonstrations, seed swaps and many more activities helped provide answers to many of the questions Americans are having about their food supply, now and in the future.  Almost 11,000 “pure food’ enthusiasts attended last year, including almost 800 school children that were bussed in for Educational and Fun Day on the second day.

This year the event will again be showcased in Sonoma County “with its deep roots in agriculture and the overall passion there for good food.”  There will be more than 75 educational speakers covering a vast array of subjects including genetically modified seeds, concerns about honeybees, raising heritage animal breeds, preserving small farms, supporting seed banks, the local food movement, growing heirloom vegetables, healthy cooking, food politics, learning to break the corporate food chain and much, much more.

My sister, Barbara, and I attended the event on the last day last year and we were overwhelmed with the informative presentations, demonstrations and displays.  One of the highest points was getting to meet Jere Gettle of Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, who put the Expo in motion.  The exposition is operated as a “not-for-profit” and any funds generated over and above the costs go to school gardens and other food programs.

The Sonoma County Fairgrounds are at 1350 Bennett Valley Road, in Santa Rosa, California.  Admission price is $10.00 for adults, free to kids 17 and under.  Hours are 11 am to 9 pm.  There’s more information at http://www.theheirloomexpo.com