Loose Leaf Notes

-The following appeared with a larger collection of photos in the May 7, 2015 issue of The Floyd Press.

This year’s annual Floyd Earth Day Eco-Expo surpassed past year attendances, judging by the full parking lot and the number of people participating.  Hosted by the Partnership for Floyd at the Floyd Ecovillage on Saturday, the free educational event took place under a blue sky and included nature walks, children’s activities, homemade food made from locally sourced food, guest speakers and exhibits, demonstrations and information from more 20 ecological businesses and organizations.

“Everyone was having a good time,” reported organizer Jane Cundiff.  She said that some children who made newspaper garden hats last year came ready to make new ones.  “Some people came from North Carolina to hear the featured speaker, horticulturist Jeanine Davis, talk about growing ginseng and herbs,” Cundiff said.  Along with many Floyd County attendees, some came from Roanoke, Franklin County and Henry County.

Cundiff said she appreciated the generosity of EcoVillage founders Jack Wall and Kamala Bauers for the use of the space and all the volunteer help from the Partnership of Floyd membership.  Cundiff co-coordinates the annual event with Barbara Pleasant, a Mother Earth News contributing editor who gave a talk on Managing Milkweed and Monarch butterflies.

Other speakers included David Grimsely of the Appalachia Medicinal Herb Growers Consortium, who spoke on Growing Chinese herbs in Floyd County, and Biological Woodsman from Healing Harvest Forest Foundation, Jason Rutledge, who whose talk focused on Managing Your Woodlot in a restorative way.

Katie Lu Phillips (center) and Kris Bower (to her left) of Fat Bean Farm sold homemade sauerkraut and passed out samples. Here, Roberts talks to David Larsen about the new business, which is based out of the Sweet Providence Farm kitchen.

Inge Terrill of Apple Ridge Farm talks to an attendee about the educational and nature enrichment programs happening at the farm. Apple Ridge was a new presenter this year.

An attendee picks a free local tree sapling with the help of Partnership for Floyd member John Hopkins.   

A young attendee visiting from Greensboro, NC, was happy to pet a wild tagged deer that hangs out on the EcoVillage property.

The Ecovillage’s Conversation Café was a hub of activity at lunchtime.

Partnership for Floyd volunteer Ella Roe helps a young attendee decorate a newsprint garden hat.

Blue Mountain School had an extensive booth presentation that incorporated children’s activities. There was also a toy swap table at the Earth Day event.

Families hang out together as children bounce in the 50 foot blow-up caterpillar ride.