Spring Round Up Community Day
April 4, 2009 1 pm - 4 pm

Unity Center of Columbia,
1600 West Broadway at Clinkscales Road.

Open to the public free of charge.

About the event:
The Spring Round Up Community Day will bring together local farmers, community members, gardeners, cooks, and all who enjoy fresh, local food. The afternoon event will feature speakers and workshops on diverse topics connected to food, agriculture, cooking, gardening, and home preservation of fresh foods. Local farmers will have booths at which customers and community members can stop to talk, ask questions, learn about the farms, and build relationships in a more relaxed setting than the farmers market. Come join us to learn about and take part in your local food supply!

Featured speakers:

Keynote speaker: Dr. Kamyar Enshayan, 1 pm - 2 pm

Kamyar Enshayan, Ph.D., is the Director of University of Northern Iowa Center for Energy and Environmental Education as well as for the regional Buy Fresh, Buy Local initiative, which strives to connect people, restaurants, and stores with local farmers and processors. The winner of the 2008 Sustainable Agricultural Achievement Award from Practical Farmers of Iowa, Kamyar has been recognized for his influential work in local foods and local communities. Enshayan also teaches environmental education classes at University of Northern Iowa, is program manager for Yards for Kids, and is a city council member for Cedar Falls.

Chef Demo by Chef Craig Cyr of Wine Cellar & Bistro, 2 pm

Chef Craig will shop the Columbia Farmers’ Market the morning of April 4. He will then prepare his findings in this demonstration. Come see and learn how rewarding is our local food system.

Home Food Preservation by Vera Massey, MU Extension, 3 pm

Now more than ever folks are wanting to re-connect with food.  Preserving some of the freshly harvested foods provides an opportunity to enjoy those foods throughout the year.  This workshop will provide the latest research-based information to make sure the foods you preserve are of the highest quality and safe to eat.  Learn about a variety of preservation methods—jam/jelly making, pickling, canning, freezing and drying.  Decide what preservation methods are right for you and have fun preserving!  

Break Out Sessions:

2:15 pm, Blue Room: Adam Saunders, Bobby Johnson, Daniel Soetaert: These urban agriculturists will give a presentation on their work in the Bennett-Stephens neighborhood. They are already affecting city policy.

3:15 pm, Blue Room: Community Garden Coalition President Bill McKelvey will give an update on the 2009 season plans for community gardens around Columbia.

2:15 pm, Green Room: Worm Bins & Backyard Composting: Presentation by Dorothy Canote of Harvester Farm in Harrisburg. Dorothy is an agronomist and experienced science teacher. Learn more about easy, small-scale composting techniques in this hands-on demonstration.

3:15 pm, Green Room: Bee Observations: Presentation by Vera Gelder of Walk About Acres. Are bees the monitors of our global environment? How much of the food system is depended on bees? What can you do to encourage bees in your at-home habitat? Learn more about these vital insects.

2:15 pm, Orange Room: Methods of Organic Pest Control presented by Rex Roberts of Seasons Farm and Sue Baird, owner of SueBaird Organics, a consulting firm for organic certification. Learn how to control pests while providing a safe environment for beneficial insects.

All kinds of resources will be available, including MU Extension handouts, seed catalogs, and brochures. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer any of your gardening questions.

Vendor displays

There will be up to thirty local farmers and vendors present for you to visit and buy from. This will be a relaxed atmosphere for asking questions and getting to know your local suppliers. Take the time to ask questions, learn about their farms and businesses, and make new connections and friends.

Event Sponsored by Columbia Farmers’ Market & MU Extension Healthy Lifestyle Initiative. For more information contact Caroline Todd, CFM Manager. 573-823-6889