Spring Planting Festival, May 4-5 - Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co.

I'm not associated with BCHSC, but I do enjoy their products and wanted to send out a reminder for those interested in their annual Spring Planting Festival in Missouri. I lift text from their website and display below:

We are greatly excited about our 14th annual Spring Planting Festival coming up on May 4 and 5. This is shaping up to be our greatest festival yet at Bakersville Pioneer Village.

What began in the year 2000 when Jere Gettle hosted a garden show in a makeshift tent right in front of the seed store attracted a crowd of about 400 people. That little garden show has grown into an annual event that drew more than 7,500 people last year and is expected to be even larger this year. Now a 2-day affair that celebrates all things heirloom, old-time, and non-GMO. Both days are filled with non-stop music that includes yodelers, fiddlers, country singers, gospel singers, and much more. Enjoy wandering minstrels, piano music in the restaurant, and on going jamming sessions. We even hold a folk-music contest that is open to amateur singles or groups with an old-time performance. The winner takes away a handsome prize.

Sunday's Presentation Schedule:

10:30 Joe Simcox—The Botanical Explorer

11:30 Dave Murphy—Founder and CEO of Food Democracy Now!

12:30 Drew Hopkins—Proprietor of Viridis Aquaponics

1:30 John Roulac—Founder and CEO of Nutiva organic super foods

2:30 Jim Long—Professional herb gardener and author of more than 2 dozen books

3:30 Shoshanna Easling—Owner of Bulk Herb Store and author

4:30 Charlie Hopper—Missouri Department of Agriculture Marketing Specialist

5:30 Panel discussion ... Topic to be decided


Monday:


11:00 Jeff Nekola—University of New Mexico Researcher

12:00 Will Allen—Urban Farmer and Founder/CEO of Growing Power

1:00 Katherine Paul—Writer for Organic Consumers Association

2:00 Ken Bezilla—Virginia farmer and “inventory guy” for Southern Exposure Seeds

3:00 Irina Stoenescu—Food researcher and historian

4:00 Joseph Simcox—The Botanical Explorer

5:00 Panel discussion...Topic to be decided

This event is priced to be affordable at only $5 per adult per day. Children under the age of 17 are admitted free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Both days. We are at 2278 Baker Creek Road, north of Mansfield, MO. Just take Highway 5 north to London Road and follow the signs—or the car in front of you! For more information, please visit us at www.rareseeds.com, call 417-924-3031

You won't see me at anything Jere Gettle sponsors.

His off handed comments about the American troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan turned me against him.
He referred to them as "...Americas wayward youth..."
Rather than bad mouthing the 'boots on the ground', he should have been targeting the Commander in Chief who ordered them there.
IMHO

I appreciate you sharing your opinion, John. I think that's the beauty of this forum. I wasn't aware that Jere Gettle had done that. That's too bad. I also appreciate the tact that you displayed in communicating what you know. You could have taken the low road and resourted to name calling and the kind of stuff that will cause the forum monitors to delete. Salute!

As a vet myself, I am ashamed at the way our nation treats veterans in general, but I know many that I served with didn't deserve much national empathy while others I served with deserved everything this nation could offer them ... just like any subsegment of society, there are good and bad. Poor behavior toward our vets isn't new and it won't go away because we all have diffent feelings about armed conflict.

Regarding the Commander in Chief and culpability. I agree there is a significant responsibility that should be laid on the CinC when sending people into armed conflict (Congress too, but that's another discussion). But, I'm also honest enough to admit my own consumer choices play a role in that decision. I believe -- though I admit I could be wrong -- that our collective appetites for various global resources is a factor in starting, escelating and sustaining war. I'm trying to change my choices now by becoming more self sufficient.

Thanks again for bringing it up, John.

If you want to see a man who is passionate about plants, and re-discovering plants for the modern society. Look up Joseph Simcox on YouTube, that guy is awesome.