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Inaugural Asheville Event Offers Attendees Crash Courses for Living on Less and Loving It April 12-13

March 31, 2014. Interested in producing your own food and shelter as a means to slash those ever-rising bills? Find out how at Asheville’s first Mother Earth News Fair. 

The event takes place April 12-13 at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center at 1301 Fanning Bridge Road in Fletcher. The fair runs from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. Nationally known keynote speakers will offer attendees perspective on broader sustainability issues.

Organic farmer and author Joel Salatin will identify modern society’s orthodoxies, explain the “heresy antidote” and offer ways to chart a different path for integrity living. Salatin’s Polyface Farm was featured in the documentary Food, Inc. 

Sandor Katz, a fermentation expert, will give an overview of the history of fermentation throughout the world, as well as share how to use fermentation techniques today for flavorful, healthy food. Katz authored The Art of Fermentation and Wild Fermentation. 

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds founder Jere Gettle will show how to grow heirloom varieties and save your own seed. Baker Creek now sells the largest selection of rare, heirloom varieties in the United States. 

Sylvia Bernstein will discuss how to start an aquaponics system, raising fish with organic vegetables, greens, herbs and fruits. Bernstein wrote Aquatic Gardening: A Step-by-Step Guide to Raising Vegetables and Fish Together and is president of The Aquaponics Source. 

Once a beehive has completed its first winter, Bee Culture editor Kim Flottom will show how to harness that energy all spring and summer so both the bees and the beekeeper benefit. 

Stephanie Tourles, author, herbalist and licensed holistic aesthetician will offer 150 recipes for effective homemade herbal remedies to treat a wide range of conditions, from headaches to arthritis, tendonitis, fungal infections, anxiety, cuts and scrapes, insomnia and cracked skin.

More than 200 hands-on workshops will cover organic gardening, preparing and preserving food, renewable energy, small-scale livestock, green building, natural health, green transportation and related topics. Sustainable and rural lifestyle experts from across the country will lead the sessions. 

In addition to workshops, the fair will host children’s activities like an alternative fuel vehicle display, country skills, vendor and livestock demonstrations and local and organic food options. 

Adult tickets cost $25 for the weekend or $20 for a one day pass in advance, or $30 and $25 respectively at the gate. Children under 17 get in free. To purchase advance tickets, go to www.MotherEarthNewsFair.com or call 800-234-3368.

Mother Earth News Fair sponsors include Blue Ridge Naturally, Botanical Interests, Brushy Mountain Bee Farm, Coconut Bliss, Deltec Homes, Earthineer, Farm Credit Association of North Carolina, Ford Motor Co., Ingles Markets, John C. Campbell Folk School, Kapstone Farm, King Bio, Nature’s Flavors, Premier 1, Purina, Selina Naturally, Sundance Power and Theo Chocolate.

 About Mother Earth News

Mother Earth News (www.MotherEarthNews.com), the Original Guide to Living Wisely, covers organic gardening, cooking and food preservation, natural health, do-it-yourself projects, renewable energy, and all aspects of rural and urban homesteading.  

About Ogden Publications Inc. 
Ogden Publications Inc. (www.OgdenPubs.com) is the leading information resource serving the sustainable lifestyle, rural lifestyle, farm memorabilia and classic motorcycle communities. Key brands include Mother Earth News, Mother Earth Living, Utne Reader, Capper’s and Grit. Ogden Publications also produces environmentally friendly housewares through Natural Home Products LLC, and provides insurance and financial services through its Capper’s Insurance Service division.