5 Reasons You Should Volunteer at the National Heirloom Expo

By Lavonne Mireles-Clardy

Food. We all require sustenance to support our thriving vessels. For this reason, this being believes that foods have the ability to free us from the perils of global separatism. This idea will be put into practice at the National Heirloom Expo in Santa Rosa, California from September 8th-10th at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. The event is a massive montage of pure food lovers from all over the world. People gather as a community to not only perpetuate their old world knowledge and heirloom seeds (and the nutritious foods grown from them), but to aid the personal growth of all in attendance by providing education and innovative ideas about growing food in the most sustainable and efficient manner.

Here are some reasons you may want to trade some of your time volunteering at this historic event:

1. Free Admission + a Meal!

Really, really! Volunteers have proven to be a big part of the success of the National Heirloom Exposition. This includes the set-up and breakdown before and after the event. You may help to host as an usher during the expo, but there are many ways to get involved. As a thank you for a four-hour shift, volunteers are provided a meal and entrance for the rest of the day!

2. Vendors Galore

The 5th Annual National Heirloom Exposition is excited to feature a wide array of natural vendors from across the globe. Just last year, the event hosted over 350 vendors, each promoting products pertaining to natural food, growing heirlooms, sustainability, green living, and general health, too! It is unlike any other exposition in the world. Vendors epitomize the pure food movement, both in their diversity and in the sustainability of their approach, and many offer innovative ideas and cutting-edge products. The vendor list is long this year and includes booths dedicated to essential oils, fermentation, sustainable agriculture, healthy chocolates, innovative gardening tools, water devices, spices, handmade crafts, honey (!!!!!), and solar technology. Most notably, Luther Burbank (1849-1926) will be represented at the fair. He was a world famous horticulturalist who managed to introduce over 800 new varieties fruits, vegetables, and flowers! His legacy thrives today, but who knows what future renegade you’ll meet this year?!

3. Wisdom Bombs From Expert Food Enthusiasts

Leaders in the pure food revolution toward global sustainability are gathering. They are enthusiastic and motivated about creating optimal wellness for all — and they are thriving! Talented individuals from all over the earth are collectively sharing a mission for the greater good. And you can join them!

Here is a preview of a couple speakers from The National Heirloom Expo’s Exquisite List. According to their bios:

Jere Gettle: “…always had a passion for growing things, and at age 3 he planted his first garden. Ever since that day, he wanted to be involved in the seed industry. So at the age of 17, he printed the first small Baker Creek Heirloom Seed catalog in 1998. The company has grown to offer 1750 varieties of vegetables, flowers and herbs—the largest selection of rare, heirloom varieties in the U.S.A.”

Jeremy Seifert: is a “Concerned father and director of the film GMO OMG which looks at the way GMOs affect our children, the health of our planet, and freedom of choice.”

Jeffrey M. Smith is an “…international best-selling author and filmmaker; Executive Director, Institute of Responsible Technology and leading spokesperson on the health dangers of GMOs.”

Dr. Vandana Shiva: is an “Internationally renowned and award winning author of 20 books, philosopher, environmentalist, professional speaker and social activist who has fought for changes in the practice and paradigms of agriculture and food.”

4. Super Fun Events 

Educational Day: Kids under 17 are FREE on September 10th (and for one chaperone accompanying up to four students.) There are TONS of activities and events geared towards the youth scheduled on this day.

Chef Demo: There will be a “Next Great Chefs of America”contest where culinarians battle for the chance to win scholarship money, gifts, and much more!

Giant Pumpkin Contest: Last year’s winner was a massive 1,427 pounds!

Demeter’s Biodynamic Gardening Classes: This is where you shall find me, ridiculously excited about learning how to grow food that is highly nutritious and grown in harmony with the planet. According to their website, “A foundation of the Biodynamic method of farming is a Goethean observation of nature and its application to a farming system. This encourages a view of nature as an interconnected whole, a totality, an organism endowed with archetypal rhythm.”

5. Heirloom Expo Honey Show

Is there anything BETTER??? This is the first time the expo has held this event: “We hope the success of the show will pave the way for an annual beekeepers tradition in California,” said the organizers.

Please complete and return the show registration form if interested. There is still time!

Novice Division Registration Form

Open Class Division Registration Form

Overall, if you breathe oxygen, rely on mitochondrial function, and/or practice homeostasis, you want to attend this event. Food philosophies are becoming a collective notion — one that promotes optimal wellness. Individuals are realizing that they are part of a total sum, one oriented toward sustainability and growing not only healthier inhabitants, but a healthier world, too!

If you would like to help with general volunteering for any one (or more) of the three days of the expo, please follow this link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/508054ea9af2ca20-volunteers

If you would like to help with Kid’s Education and Fun Day, Thursday Sept. 10th, please follow this link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/508054ea9af2ca20-educational

If you would like to help with the Barn, please follow this link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/508054ea9af2ca20-2015

If you are available to help build the straw bale maze on Sunday, September 6th, please contact Chris Byrne, Kid’s Education and Fun Day Coordinator via email: [email protected]. A full day pass and a meal will be provided to attend the expo as thanks for help with the maze.

Lavonne Mireles-Clardy writes for theAntiMedia.org. Anti-Media Radio airs weeknights at 11pm Eastern/8pm Pacific. Image credit: Phoebe. If you spot a typo, email [email protected].

Lavonne Mireles-Clardy joined Anti-Media as an independent journalist in August of 2012. Her topics of interest include health, wellness, science and innovation, gardening and seed-saving, metaphysics, and meditation. Living in Lemon Grove, she hosts Anti-Media Radio on Friday’s. Learn more about Mireles-Clardy here!