What's old is new in fruits and veggies at Heirloom Garden Show

Garfield Farm Museum's annual Heirloom Garden Show is not just a showcase of vintage produce - it's a celebration of genetic diversity.

A lack of options in the fruit and vegetable aisles at large grocery stores is one of the main reasons the show is in its 26th year - organizers want to educate the general public on the options they have been missing.

"We know things about 210 different kinds of running shoes, but we don't know about different varieties of foods we can have, because only two kinds are available in the mass market," said Jerome Johnson, the farm's executive director.

The show will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23, in Campton Hills. Visitors can pay $6 to see an array of crops including this year's focus, hardy vegetables and rare flowers.

At the show, visitors will learn about the lack of biodiversity offered large-scale food retailers. As an alternative, they are invited to experience a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and crops that they may not be familiar with.

"We have seen big change over the years as this generation has changed the tradition of going out to county fair and exhibiting these things," Johnson said. "It's on the decline. The fact that we do get people to come out is a sign people are concerned with this."

Disease is one of biggest concerns for many farmers. And without a variety of crops, the harvest may be more susceptible to sickness. Farmers shouldn't be putting "all their eggs in one basket," Johnson said.

"You never know when you might need a change due to new diseases for nutrition or because of changes in the climate," Johnson said.

The event is not only good for visitors, but the farmers themselves as well. Exhibitors will get the chance to make industry connections to buy seeds and increase the genetic diversity of their yield.

"Some exhibitors are just backyard gardeners; some have larger farms," Johnson said. "They can share with the public their experience with different varieties."

One of those exhibitors will be Tonya Webster, who operates Prairie Acres Farm in Sigourney, Iowa.

"We just harvested so it's the perfect time for us," Webster said. "A lot of these varieties are age-old."

Her focus is on a number of species of garlic. But she will also bring a variety of jams, jellies, and fresh tomatoes.

"Having a big variety is just fun of life," Webster said. "People don't realize that you have 50-some options of garlic."

This year will mark her farm's seventh visit to the annual event. Webster looks forward to the show as a finale to the summer and hopes her children continue to learn at the event, she said.

"It's a part of our summer and a touch of the past," Webster said. "It doesn't make any sense to be in the present if don't know where you've been."

For information, visit www.garfieldfarm.org.

If you go

What: Garfield Farm's 26th annual Heirloom Garden Show

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23

Where: Garfield Farm Museum on Garfield Road, off Route 38 in Campton Hills

Admission: $6 for adults and $3 for children 12 and younger

Details: <a href="http://www.garfieldfarm.org">www.garfieldfarm.org</a>