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Natural ways: Mother Earth News Fair promotes sustainable living

A third-generation farmer and prolific writer on “beyond organic” and sustainability matters will be the keynote speaker at the annual Mother Earth News Fair at Seven Springs Mountain Resort next weekend.

Joel Salatin, whose family owns and operates Polyface Farm in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, has lectured nationally on the broader issue of sustainability methods, as well as specific how-to topics.

In all, more than 150 hands-on workshops are scheduled in the categories of animal husbandry, green building, modern homesteading, natural health, organic gardening, nature and community, real foods, renewable energy and children’s themes.

Additionally, more than 200 vendors will be present, along with 50 demonstrations taking place at various venues at the resort.

Fair organizers expect 18,000 to 20,000 people to attend, said Alec Weaver, associate producer of national events for Ogden Publications, parent to Mother Earth News magazine and sister company to the owner of the Altoona Mirror.

Weaver said the deadline to order discounted tickets online is noon, Sept. 23, for a $15 single-day pass or a $20 weekend pass. At the gate, a day’s pass is $25 and a weekend pass is $35. Children 17 and younger get in free.

William Churchill and Fred Stowell, owners of Underhill Farm near Hollidaysburg, will be attending for at least the sixth year in a row to promote their heritage and endangered breed, the Leicester Longwool sheep, as well as their angora goats and products. They also will have a shearing demonstration at their booth.

“Our sheep and Angora goats provide us with fiber,” which American mills process into their Underhill Farm Yarn line, said Stowell. The yarn will be on sale at the fair, he added.

Home Solutions of Altoona will attend for the first time, promoting its energy-efficient windows made in Salzburg.

“We know a lot of people like that, we are keeping things at home, and when it comes to energy efficiency, our triple-pane windows fit in with the Mother Earth idea,” said Melissa Yon, events manager. “I haven’t been there. I’m excited.”

The Friday workshops include “The Woodstove/Off-Grid Lifestyle”; “A Tiny Home to Call Your Own: Living Well in Just-Right Houses”; “From Skins to Leather: Home Tanning”; “Keeping Backyard Bees”; “Cheap Sturdy Buildings from Straw, Clay and Pallets”; and “Herbs for Kids.”

Saturday workshops include “Earthship: Sustainable Design, Building and Systems”; “Natural Hair Coloring: How to Use Henna and Other Pure Herbal Pigments for Chemical-Free Beauty”; and “Aquaponics For Young People: A STEM Curriculum with a Tasty Coating that Kids Love.”

Sunday options include “Chickens in the Garden: Natural Insect and Weed Control”; “Chinese Greenhouses: The Intelligent Choice for Year-Round Production”; “Natural Strategies to Manage Your Blood Sugar”; and “Kids Can Build with Sticks and Mud.”

Demonstrations are scattered throughout the venues on a myriad of topics, including DIY solar, basketmaking, making your own herbal remedies for winter wellness and natural psoriasis and eczema help.

In addition to Salatin, other guest speakers will include:

* Eliot Coleman, who has been involved in organic farming since 1965 and has written extensively on the subject since 1975.

* Dan Chiras, who is director of The Evergreen Institute in Missouri, where he teaches workshops on a wide range of topics on self-sufficiency and sustainability. He has written 32 books and hundreds of articles on residential energy efficiency and renewable energy, sustainable communities, green building and natural building.

* Lisa Steele, a fifth-generation chicken keeper who returned to her rural roots on a Maine farm after a short stint on Wall Street. She has written widely about naturally caring for her flock of chickens and duck using herbs, weeds and edible flowers.

Mirror Staff Writer Cherie Hicks is at 949-7030.

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