Fair University 2010
Superintendent: Christine Williams
Facilitator: Michael Oyola
Fair University is a non-premium four-day series of classes geared toward enhancing Islanders’ land stewardship, self-reliance and healthy living skills. All classes are held in the Antique Barn except for the chainsaw safety class, which takes place in the Log Show area.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 19
Whidbey Island Conservation District Day
2 pm FEATHERED FRIENDSHIP Join Joel Mooney of Wild Birds Unlimited in Clinton as he shares seed selection and feeder design tips.
3 pm PASTURE, GRASSES, WEEDS – OH MY! Pros David Ridle of Skagit Farmers Supply and WICD’s Ken Drecksel and Karen Bishop discuss what you want your critters to eat (or not) and why.
5:15 pm TRIM ONLY TREE LIMBS Chainsaw safety class led by arborists Jim Fox, Tony Rubner and Albert Gabelein may help you keep your own limbs intact.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 20
WSU Extension Day
12:00 (TRIPLE) SINK OR SWIM? Take Island County Public Health Dept. food pro Sally Waters’ advice on what it takes to sell food products from your kitchen, garden or farm.
1 pm TAKE THE HEAT Get your questions about efficient composting of everything from food waste to manure and yard waste answered by Waste Wise pro Janet Hall 2 pm EARTH-FRIENDLY CLEANSERS Let Scott Chase show you how to make toxic-free products using simple household ingredients you probably already have, at a fraction of the cost of so-called “green” storebought cleaners.
3 pm HOMEMADE HONEY David Neel of Island Apiaries and WSU Director Tim Lawrence discuss bee basics and
reasons for the current decline in the honey bee population, along with honey taste treats.
4 pm RAIN BARREL CONSTRUCTION Harvest the rain for a sunny day and provide your indoor and garden plants with naturally soft water. Scott Chase advises on materials needed, where to get them and how to make your own barrel for far less than the cost of buying one.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 21
Grange Day
1 pm CANNING THE BOUNTY Sue Ellen White offers food preservation basics for a winters-worth of harvest goodies.
2 pm PORKY IN THE PAN Comedian George Lawson shares how to select, season and stuff sausages at home that put Jimmy Dean to shame.
3 pm MMM! DRIED CHERRIES Continuing with food preservation essentials, Sue Ellen White takes you step-by-step through dehydration basics.
4 pm BETTER THAN USDA Learn the whys and benefits of the Goose Community Grocer’s unique marketing plan for pasture-raised beef from five Whidbey ranchers.
5 pm NO MORE MY-ACHING-GARDEN-BACK SYNDROME! Chiropractic Zone’s “Dr. Craig” Weiner teaches practical
ways to avoid and/or care for garden-back to prevent injury. Leave your shovels, rakes and Advil at home.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 22
South Whidbey Tilth Day
12:00 YOU GOTTA EAT ENOUGH DIRT Learn how Whidbey soils originated and sustain us, and how to increase the productivity of your particular soil from Tilth’s Marc Wilson.
1 pm DEFINE “ORGANIC” A panel of SW Tilth farmers discuss organic pest control strategies, soil fertility and field your questions on making it all work.
2pm STUMP THE NURSERYMAN Eric Studebaker of Bayview Farm & Garden challenges the audience to bring their pesky plant problems to him for a solution.
3 pm WHO PAYS FOR THE FAIR IF OUR TAX DOLLARS DON’T? Through thick and thin, the Island County Fair has been self sustaining since 1934 and has never been a burden to taxpayers. Find out how from Administrator Sandey Brandon.