For More Information Contact:
John Mitchell, 341-8539 (office) or 954-7528 (cell)
Eugene Water & Electric Board

April 19, 2006

Sustainable agriculture: Food for thought at Earth Day Celebration 2006

Sustainable agriculture is a hot topic these days. Awareness is growing about the importance of supporting local agriculture for health, economic and environmental reasons.

Drop by Earth Day Celebration 2006 in Eugene Water & Electric Board’s River Edge Plaza on Saturday, April 22 for some free local food samples (courtesy of the Willamette Food & Farm Coalition, formerly Lane County Food Coalition) and learn more about how your daily eating habits can change the world. You may never look at your food the same way again!

Join local farmers as they discuss why they chose their livelihood, community members in the food service industry sharing ideas about how to get more local food into restaurants, and the “farm to cafeteria” program that is working to get fresh, local foods into school cafeterias.

The event will feature a seed swap and giveaway during the day in the “Food & Farm Room.” Bring seeds to share or simply take some home to try out. A vermicomposting (worm-composting) display will also be on hand to inspire budding worm enthusiasts.

11:30 - 11:40 a.m. Why is Local Important? 
A brief overview of why buying local products is a key strategy for helping us save the planet.
Julie Daniel, BRING Recycling
11:40 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Farmers' Round Table
Come hear from the farmers' mouths about why local agriculture is important and why they toil over the soil day after day. 
Bill Booth, Horton Road Organics
John Poynter, Hey Bayles! Farm
Ted Purdy, FOOD for Lane County's Youth Farm
Jabrila Via, Winter Green Community Farm
12:30 - 1 p.m.

Swap or Swipe Some Seeds!
Now is a good time to ask questions about particular varieties of seeds available on the seed swap table. 
Nick Routledge, Seed Swap Host and Seed Steward
1 - 2 p.m.

Sustainable Food Service Roundtable
Celebrate Earth Day with local restaurateurs in a discussion of local and organic food and sustainability in the food service industry.
2:30 - 3:15 p.m.

From Farm to Table: Supporting Healthy Communities
The 2006 Food Directory is out and the Willamette Farm & Food Coalition wants to celebrate and share it! Get a copy, try a free food sample, and learn about the challenges of the current global food system and why buying local food is better for our community.
Jen Anonia, Harry Battson and John Pitney from the Willamette Farm & Food Coalition (formerly Lane County Food Coalition)
3:30 - 4:15 p.m. Pesticide-Free Parks: It's Time!
People want places they can go with their children and pets where they won't be exposed to pesticides. Learn why pesticide-free parks are so important to a healthy Eugene.
Aimee Code, Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP)
4:30 - 5 p.m.

“Lettuce”  Have Healthy Local Food for Lane County Schools
The food children eat can have a profound impact on their behavior. Learn about the efforts to help shift school cafeteria food towards healthier choices, including local options.
Jen Anonia, FOOD for Lane County, and Meredith Whiten, Food On! Farm to Cafeteria Project, Willamette Farm & Food Coalition

Lane Transit District will provide free bus service throughout the Eugene-Springfield area on Earth Day, April 22.

The event is free and open to the public. Check out www.earthdayeugene.com for more information.

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