Demonstrations at the 2008 Southwest Michigan Harvest Fest

There's a lot to see, do and learn at Harvest Fest. Here's another roster of activities to fit into your day here!

Worm Composting & Compost Tea

Noon, Presentation Area, South Exhibitor Tent

Come and spend time with Flowerfield Enterprises watching demonstrations of vermicomposting (indoor composting of kitchen waste using worms) and compost tea (a rich, aerated brew of compost and nutrients, completely safe for children, pets, and livestock, that can reduce and eliminate the use of chemical products on lawns, fields, orchards, gardens, vineyards, and playing fields). The use of compost tea and vermicompost exemplify the biological approach to sustainability: Put back what has been depleted in the soil, and do no more harm.

Kids & Veggies: Fun with Food

1:00 PM, Presentation Area, South Exhibitor Tent

Professional chef, teacher, writer, and food historian Channon Mondoux struggled like any mother with getting her three boys to like vegetables. Bring your children to learn how to prepare fun dishes, and find out her tips and tricks for engaging and educating kids about delicious nutrition. She says, "It's OK to play with food as long as you eat it, too."

Fermentation

4:00 PM, Presentation Area, South Exhibitor Tent

Herbalist, teacher and busy mom Shawna Greenway will be on hand to discuss fermentation and ways to prepare healthy foods with live cultures. Find out how to make your own sauerkraut, kefir (a cultured milk product like yogurt), kombucha tea and more. Shawna is a knowledgeable and enthusiastic resource on fermented foods, which are enjoying resurgence in popularity around the country.

Old-time Farming Skills

All Day, throughout the Festival site

Enjoy demonstrations and activities provided by Tillers International, including wheat threshing, sorghum grinding, rope-making, oxen plowing, and hayrides.

Making Biodiesel

All Day, Biodiesel Co-op Booth, North Exhibitor Tent

Back for a fourth year, Steve Bertman and the Kalamazoo Biodiesel Cooperative will show how easy and fun it is to make biodiesel at home. Whether you're looking for relief from high gas prices or want to reduce your personal dependence on fossil fuels, here's the place for information and advice.

Spinning & Weaving

All Day, Weaver's Guild Tent

Watch as members of the Weaver's Guild of Kalamazoo demonstrate the traditional crafts of spinning and weaving. The group is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and will amaze you with the simple pleasure and beauty of spinning yarn by hand and by wheel. Members create all kinds of lovely and useful projects, from baskets to blankets. Weaver's Guild welcomes beginners, and even has equipment for rental.

Survival Camp

All Day, wooded area by the Family Tent

Lost in the woods? You could build a shelter, make a fire, eat wild plants, and drink the available water. Adults and kids alike will enjoy learning these vital skills, based on traditional wisdom and demonstrated through the experience and insight of John Windsor and friends.

Heritage Animals

All Day, path to Museum

Come and see some of the animals that once populated the nation's farmyards—and are now returning. This lively exhibit is sponsored by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Founded in 1977, ALBC is the pioneer organization in the U.S. working to conserve historic breeds and genetic diversity in livestock, protecting over 150 breeds from extinction, including cattle, goats, horses, sheep, pigs, rabbits, chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys.