Diversity on Display

 

I recently had an opportunity to view the bounty and diversity of agriculture in Southern California. Not just the yield farmers harvest in monocultural production plots, but the actual real diversity of shapes, colors, flavors and the wisdom of open pollinated richness. Yep! You guessed it. I went to the National Heirloom Expo in Ventura, California.

Put on, for the most part, by Baker Creek Seed Company (rareseeds.com), this annual event highlights the importance of open pollinated, tried and tested varieties of everything from flowers to squash and melons to tomatoes and more. This year, heritage breed chickens, ducks and geese were even on display.

So whats the big deal? Well, besides the pyramid of squash and gourds built at the entrance to the event, and the melon tasting space, the importance of preserving and protecting gentic diversity is on display also. And, perhaps, even more important is the presentation of Freedom. Freedom from corporate control. Freedom from synthetic chemicals. And, yes, the freedom to be self-sufficient.

And yet as daunting and heavy as those concepts might sound, the National Heirloom Expo presents it in a way that is fun, family oriented (including a Kids Hall), multicultural and educational. Speakers present ideas, practices and products throughout the three-day event and a hundred or so companies, organizations and personalities have displays and booths in five buildings at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

The three day event is worth the visit even if you are short on time. I managed to see everything except some of the speakers I wanted to hear, in four hours. I could have easily spent 3-days there, even it meant returning to the watermelon line a couple more times. Soooooo goooood!

This is an annual event that has been held for the past two years in Ventura. Previously it was in Northern California. If it returns to Ventura next year, I highly recommend making an appearance as it is worth every penny of the parking and entrance fees.