Green Earth Day combines teach-in with fest
It's all well and good to think globally and act locally. And to consider every day Earth Day. And to declare that you're going green.
Armed with your slogans you recycle what you can, shut off the tap when you brush your teeth and flip the switch on your lights - outfitted with those energy-efficient bulbs, of course - when you leave a room.
Now what?
The Green Earth Institute has a few ideas.
The nonprofit group runs an organic farm in Naperville, where it offers educational programs for children and adults and demonstrates healthful growing practices. Volunteers tend acres of vegetables for the institute's Community-Supported Agriculture program in which subscribers buy a share of the seasonal bounty.
The group's Green Earth Fair on Sunday, May 3, "is a combination teach-in and Earth Day festival where people can have fun and learn ways to achieve a greener and healthier lifestyle," Executive Director Steve Tiwald said.
Fair visitors can hear from 12 speakers and about 50 exhibitors offering information about being more sustainable in daily life with suggestions on earth-friendly practices for home, yard, garden and transportation, Tiwald said. The free event also features music, food, children's activities, farm tours and a sale of organic vegetable seedlings and native landscaping plants.
Tiwald discusses the institute and its efforts make it easier for you to be green.
Q. What is your mission? How do you work toward accomplishing that goal?
A. The mission of the Green Earth Institute is to promote nutritional health and environmental sustainability. Using our organic farm as a demonstration and learning center, we grow healthful vegetables in an earth-friendly way and educate about nature, nutrition and caring for the earth.
Our Community-Supported Agriculture program supplies fresh, locally grown organic vegetables to more than 500 households annually. In addition we donate more than 6,000 pounds to local food pantries for hunger relief.
Several hundred children participate in educational programs at our farm, and some 2,000 attend our annual Green Earth Fair where there are speakers and exhibits regarding how to live in more green and healthy ways.
Q. When and why did the organization start? How has it grown?
A. The organization was founded in late 2002. By April 2009 our mailing list has grown to more than 2,100 households receiving our quarterly newsletter.
Q. What kind of successes have you had?
A. Our rapid growth shows we have struck a responsive chord. People are concerned about environmental issues and nutritional health, so they are participating in our programs.
Q. What challenges does the institute currently face?
A. At our organic farm, we need a new well in order to have enough water to irrigate during a dry spell.
Q. What do you wish the community at large knew about the institute?
A. The Green Earth Institute is a source for healthy food and for helpful, practical information about living more sustainably.
Q. How can readers get involved?
A. Donate funds for the new water well, participate in our annual Green Earth Fair on Sunday or volunteer at the farm or to help with organizational needs.
If you go
What: The Green Earth Fair, an educational event with speakers and exhibitors
When: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 3
Where: Green Earth Institute, 10S404 Knoch Knolls Road, Naperville
Cost: Free
Details: 12 speakers and 50 exhibitors offer suggestions for sustainable living; children's activities; plant sale
Info: GreenEarthInstitute.org
Speaker topics
1:30 p.m. Architectural Solutions for a Green Home; Organic Lawn Care; Conservation@Home; Sorting out Nutrition Issues
2:30 p.m. Greening Your Existing Home; Organic Home Gardening; Sustainable Landscape; Kids Need Nature and Nature Needs Kids
3:30 p.m. Are You Effectively Green?; Organic Lawn Care; Rain Gardens and Rain Barrels; Beekeeping at the Farm
How you can help our communities
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