McHenry County College hosts Gardenfest Saturday
In honor of Earth Month, McHenry County College will host two events for the public in April, including Gardenfest 2012 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 14, and a film presentation of “Fresh” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 24.
Both events take place in the Luecht Conference Center at MCC, 8900 Route 14 in Crystal Lake.
Back by popular demand, Gardenfest 2012, the annual daylong workshop, will feature practical information for those looking to improve their “green” thumb, as well as for seasoned gardeners. Gardenfest is sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension, McHenry County Master Gardeners and MCC.
The event's keynote speaker is Ed Lyon, garden director for Allen Centennial Gardens, a public botanical garden at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Lyon's speech, “Changing Trends: Ornamental Edibles, New Audiences and More,” will focus on the new generation of gardeners and what incites them to pursue home landscaping. He also will explain ornamental edibles, lasagna gardening and gravel gardens. Lyon started to look at these issues as part of the university's garden so it would serve as an outdoor classroom.
Participants may choose from over 30 breakout sessions that will provide them with education, information and new ideas on topics such as fresh floral arranging, raised edible garden beds, ornamental grasses and seed starting.
Cost is $40 for general admission; $15 for MCC and high school students. Lunch is included. Lab sessions require an additional fee. Registration forms can be found at www.mchenry.edu/gardenfest. Forms may be faxed to (815) 459-0638 or mailed to Amy Carzoli, Luecht Conference Center, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake, IL 60012. For more information, call Amy Carzoli at (815) 455-8764 or Kristine Emrich at (815) 479-7570.
At 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, the “Fresh” film celebrates farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are reinventing the nation's food system. Each has witnessed the rapid transformation of our agriculture in to an industrial model and confronted the consequences: food contamination, environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, and morbid obesity. Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, these experts offer a practical vision for a future of our food and our planet.
The film is free and no registration is required. The event is hosted by the Lou Marchi Total Recycling Institute at MCC and sponsored by Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, McHenry County Transitions and Woodstock Farmers Market.
These events also speak to MCC's support of sustainability, which is a strategic priority and initiative for the college over the coming years. MCC will offer further programming, practices, information and resources on sustainability topics in the near future through the creation of a new sustainability center, funded by a grant the college received from the Illinois Green Economy Network. The center will offer resources and tips for employees, students and the greater McHenry County community.
“Through the emergence of MCC's Sustainability Center, we look forward to offering more ways for people to get involved in sustainability and more opportunities for our community to learn and share information on sustainability practices,” said Christina Haggerty, college spokeswoman.