Earth Festival 2015 - Otsego County Conservation Association

Earth Festival 2015
JOIN US FOR OUR 10TH ANNIVERSARY!
A free, environmentally focused, interactive event featuring exhibits, workshops, vendors, food and
entertainment, all with a fun, earth-friendly twist.
Presented by Otsego County Conservation Association, the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce and Central NY
Mobile Marketing, with support from Five Star Subaru.
Saturday, April 11
At Milford Central School (follow the signs)
Information as of 4/1/2015. Stay tuned for additional details as we get closer to the event date.
Information and Vendor Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the gymnasium
• Traditional information and vendor fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Exhibitors/vendors, to date: Bath Fitter, Busy Bee’z, Casella Waste Management of NY Inc., CNR Energy Solutions, Cooperstown
Farmers’ Market, Dave Brandt Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society Inc., Enviro Energy, Farm Service
Agency, First Presbyterian Church, Fox Falls Farm, Friends of Glimmerglass State Park, Gilson’s Native American Crafts, Green
Circle Accounting, Hanford Mills Museum, Hartwick College Friends of Recreation, Conservation and Environmental Stewardship
Club, Larry’s Custom Meats, League of Women Voters of the Cooperstown Area, Leatherstocking Beekeepers Association,
Milford Central School TREP$ Marketplace, Mohican Farm, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Origins Café, Otsego
County Chamber of Commerce, Otsego County Conservation Association, Otsego County Planning & Solid Waste Departments,
Otsego County Soil & Water Conservation District, Otsego Lake Association, Otsego Land Trust Inc., Otsego Regional Cycling
Advocates, Otsego 2000, Recycling Agricultural Plastics Project, Revolution Solar, “Save the Planet” Initiative, Soles to Share,
Suburb City Country Style, SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station, Viridian, Whistlestop Kettle Korn.
Judson Reid to speak at 1 p.m., free and open to the public
Spring Garden Day, hosted by the Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties
on Saturday, April 11 at Milford Central School, will feature a keynote presentation by Cornell University Vegetable
Program Specialist Judson Reid titled “Extending the Garden Season for the Home Gardener.”
• Spring Garden Day workshops at 11:15 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties’ Spring Garden Day workshop topics include
the American chestnut, food preservation, native pollinators, tomato diseases, moss gardens, and more. The fee for workshop
participants is $10; pre-registration is required. For more information, call 607-547-2536 extension 0 or visit http://cceschoharieotsego.org/events/2015/04/11/spring-garden-day.
Other Earth Festival highlights:
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• 10 Anniversary Giveaways!
In celebration of Earth Festival’s tenth year, random prize giveaways will take place “on the 10s” – at 10 minutes after the hour,
and 10 minutes before the hour.
• 411 Information Station
Get the 411 on everything environmental in our region on 4/11 at Earth Festival! Sign up to receive e-mail information from
participating Earth Festival exhibitors at the 411 Information Station.
• Energy audit raffle
The Otsego County Conservation Association will raffle off a home energy audit, compliments of Equity Energy.
• Recycled Fashion Photo Station
Attendees and exhibitors are invited to showcase wearable art they made or embellished themselves using recycled and/or
repurposed materials. Photos will be posted to the online Earth Festival photo gallery.
• Pre-festival Bird Walk with Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society
DOAS Director Bob Donnelly will lead this excursion, which sets out from the Milford Central School parking lot at 8 a.m. For more
information, contact Donnelly at [email protected].
• Wood pellet bag collection
Otsego County Conservation Association will accept wood pellet bags for recycling at Earth Festival. Steps to follow for recycling
are: 1) Shake out all pellets from bags. 2) Roll empty bags tightly, or stack and fold; slide rolled or folded bags into another empty
wood pellet bag to store. 3) Keep bags clean and dry. Include no other plastic or garbage. 4) Wood pellet bags only. For more
information, contact OCCA Program Director Jeff O’Handley at 607-282-4087 or [email protected].
• TerraCycle collection
Previously non-recyclable waste items being collected at Earth Festival are:
• any brand used toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes and plastic toothbrush packaging
• diaper packaging waste, including plastic diaper packaging, wipes outer plastic packaging and individual wipes packaging
• all plastic cereal bags and cereal bag liners of any brand
• any brand pens and pen caps, mechanical pencils, markers and marker caps, permanent markers and permanent marker caps
The following are NO LONGER accepted: Elmer’s products, flexible cheese packaging of any kind, chip/snack bags.
• EcoArt/Trendy Trash contest
This trash-to-treasure challenge to create something practical or artistic from items that have outlived their original purpose is
open at no charge to students, with a $5.00 fee for adults. Submissions will be displayed at Earth Festival and accepted up to and
including the day of the event. As in past years, prizes will be awarded to winners in several categories including “Best of Show,”
“Judges’ Choice” and “People’s Choice.” Visit www.occainfo.org for an entry form, or call (607) 547-4488 to learn more.
• Recycling collection
Styrofoam (clean, white only), bubble wrap, empty inkjet cartridges, old cell phones, unwanted videotapes, audio tapes and CDs,
and used nylon monofilament fishing line – all at no charge (donations welcome).
NEW this year: natural corks and tennis balls.
• Free Confidata Shredder, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Empire Recycling will be back with the free Confidata Shredder service.
• Soles to Share
Soles to Share is a non-profit organization that collects new and slightly used shoes and gives them to people in need. Soles to
Share’s parent organization is Cooperstown Foundation for Excellence in Education (CFEE). There are several ways that the
collected shoes are donated and distributed. Soles to Share has donated shoes to the Cooperstown Food Bank, the Cooperstown
Veterans Club, the Cooperstown Angel Network and many local families. People who are in need of shoes or know someone who
is can contact Cooperstown Central School nurse Mrs. Meehan at (607) 547-2808 or [email protected]. Donations of
shoes can be brought to Cooperstown High School. Soles to Share accepts any type of new and slightly used shoes, and would
like people that donate shoes to tie pairs together and label them with the shoe size and whether they are for men or women.
Soles to Share also accepts monetary donations toward the program. Checks should be made payable to CFEE, with “Soles to
Share” written in the memo and mailed to Cooperstown High School. Like Soles to Share on Facebook!
• Textile collection
Suburb City Country Style will collect textiles for recycling at Earth Festival. The following items can be donated in any
condition (torn, worn, stained, missing buttons, broken zippers, shoe without a mate, etc.) as long as they are clean, dry,
and odorless – clothing: tops (T-shirts, blouses, shirts, tank tops), sweaters, sweatshirts, dresses, outerwear (coats, jackets,
blazers), bottoms (pants, slacks, jeans, sweatpants, skirts, shorts), suits, socks, pajamas, slips, bras, underwear; accessories:
hats, bags (pocketbooks, backpacks, duffle bags, totes), belts, gloves, ties, scarves, bathrobes; linens: sheets, blankets, towels,
curtains/drapes, aprons, dish cloths, cloth napkins, table linens, comforters, throw rugs, placemats; other: all stuffed animals,
Halloween costumes, sports jerseys, pet beds and clothing, rags, pillows, canvas.
• Soil sample testing by Hartwick College FOCUS
The Hartwick College Friends of Recreation, Conservation and Environmental Stewardship (FORCES) Club will test soil samples
brought in by the public at no charge while supplies last (donations much appreciated).
• Information on eRideShare.com
Visit the OCCA booth to learn more about eRideShare.com. Founded in 1999, it is the leading carpool/ridesharing website,
according to Yahoo and Google. It has been recognized as "Best of the Net" by About.com, and was featured in Al Gore’s book
“An Inconvenient Truth” as a way to take action. The site has over 17,000 fresh commuter, travel, and local rideshare listings
throughout the U.S. and Canada.
• Pre-festival bird walk sponsored by DOAS
Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society will lead a bird walk as part of Earth Festival. Participants should meet in the Milford School
parking lot at 8 a.m. to car-pool. Hike location to be determined.
• Children’s activities led by Milford Central School students
Visit with the Milford Environmental Club from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for fun and educational environmental activities.
• Festival food by Origins Café and Larry’s Custom Meats
Look forward to the debut of Larry’s Custom Meats at Earth Festival, and the return of perennial favorite Origins Café! The Origins
menu will include: sweet potato and black bean chili served with homemade corn bread; a quinoa bowl with squash, arugula,
cranberries, and walnuts; Raindance Organic Farm Italian sausage; craft mac and cheese; and herbal homebrewed iced tea.
Larry’s will feature locally-raised meats – hot dogs, sausage, Philly cheese steak and pulled pork – along with dill pickles, chips
and a variety of drink options.
For more information, contact OCCA at 607-547-4488 or [email protected]
www.occainfo.org
Exhibitors
Bath Fitter
Bath Fitter is the #1 bathroom remodeler in the U.S. It will never need to be replaced, so less waste for our future generations!
Busy Bee’z
Young entrepreneur selling all natural, homemade lip balm made with all the ingredients to leave your lips feeling soft and
pampered. Some lip balms are made using locally harvested raw honey and beeswax.
Casella Waste Management of NY Inc.
The Casella exhibit will feature an interactive “did you know” board so kids can see what recycled materials are used to make.
Children’s books on recycling, compost and waste removal will be highlighted. General information on recycling will be available.
CNR Energy Solutions
Specializing in solar hot water, solar heating, solar electric and home energy auditing. CNR offers free site evaluations to assess
how they can custom fit a solar system to meet the needs of your home or business.
Dave Brandt Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Trout Unlimited is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting our cold water resources. TU’s mission is to conserve, protect,
improve and restore the environment for the propagation and habitation of trout. TU activities include: streamside cleanup,
improvements to prevent stream bank erosion (e.g., planting of trees along creek banks or the building of physical structures to
shore up banks), replacing culverts under roadways that prevent fish access to natural spawning areas, water quality monitoring,
and to create public awareness through various educational venues. They also have members that actively assist the DEC in the
stocking of many of the area streams. The chapter also sponsors fishing derby events at Neawha Park in Oneonta and another at
Hanford Mills where children of all ages can learn the art of angling and the practice of “catch and release.” TU’s purpose is to
ensure that good quality fishing be maintained for generations to come. Their table will feature a display of photos of the chapter’s
participation in past events in the Oneonta area. They will have tyers demonstrating various fly-tying techniques. They will also
have available raffle tickets for their annual fundraiser where much of the proceeds are used to annually sponsor local kids to a
DEC Conservation Camp and a Trout in the Classroom program. This year the chapter sponsored four local youths to camps at
the Lake Colby Camp near Saranac Lake, and the Pack Forest Camp near Warrensburg. In addition, they will be offering those in
attendance memberships to Trout Unlimited.
Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society
DOAS will be at Earth Festival with a display about its Golden Eagle Telemetry Project as well as information about educator
resources and upcoming programs and field trips, including a Saturday series for families, 2015 Summer Day Camp, and the 3rd
Annual Birds, Brunch, and Beer event on June 7. DOAS interns will lead children’s activities and the DOAS letter-writing
campaign this year is to support a bald eagle conservation plan. DOAS will have bluebird houses, bird friendly coffee and other
retail items for sale as well to help support its programs.
Enviro Energy, LLC
Enviro Energy will have a demonstration of the performance of their “Magical Multiplying Mulch and Soil Enhance” and also talk
on the benefits of barley straw pellets over bales. They will also educate people about the benefit of their newest product, Biochar,
coming soon. All of their natural bio pellets are made from local grasses and weeds.
Farm Service Agency
The Farm Service Agency works with landowners and farmers to improve the soil and water of Otsego County through grants,
special funding, and Natural Resources Conservation Service programs.
First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown
The First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown is recognized as an Earth Care Congregation by the Presbyterian Church USA. To
receive this recognition, the church promotes environmentally sustainable practices in its worship, education, facilities and
outreach. Within the past few years, the church has taken numerous steps to reduce its environmental footprint and energy
consumption. Its exhibit will provide like-minded churches ideas for following a similar path of environmental stewardship.
Fox Falls Farm
Fox Falls Farm is a small family-owned farm in central New York currently offering pork, beef, lamb, sheep and wool. Fox Falls
Farm consists of Ed Jr., who lives on the farm with his wife Yuriko and their two daughters, Emmy and Sera. Ed Sr. and Vicky
also live on and contribute to the farm. Fox Falls Farm will be promoting its farm and meat CSA. They proudly offer local and
naturally raised pork, beef, and lamb. Come learn about the farm and arrange a tour to see where your food comes from.
Friends of Glimmerglass State Park
The Friends of Glimmerglass State Park exhibit at Earth Festival 2015 will extend an invitation to attendees to volunteer and
celebrate I LOVE MY PARK Day on Saturday, May 2 at Glimmerglass State Park. Beginning at 10 a.m. on May 2, volunteers may
choose to assist nature in getting a head start on summer by joining with members of the New York State Covered Bridge Society
to prepare and plant shrubs and wild flowers in the area near the historic Hyde Hall covered bridge. Volunteers can register online
at www.ptny.org to participate in this statewide parks celebration. At noon, the Friends will provide lunch for volunteers at the
Nature Center. Full particulars on I LOVE MY PARKS Day and a complete schedule of Friends’ 2015 programs and fund-raising
efforts will be available at Earth Festival 2015!
Gilson’s Native American Crafts
Gilson’s Native American Crafts makes jewelry, beadwork, dream catchers and other Native American crafts. The Gilsons use
teeth, claws, antler, bone, feathers, shell, quills, stone and other natural materials. Their teeth, claws, bones, etc. are real. They
do not use plastics, acrylics or other imitation materials. Many of the bone and stone beads the Gilsons use are handcrafted by
them.
Green Circle Accounting
Green Circle will offer a balancing activity, upcycled potted plant giveaways, and information on the LocalMotive Workshop (a
local sustainable entrepreneur community) and Otsego TimeBanking (a sharing economy where time is used as currency).
Hanford Mills Museum
Hanford Mills in East Meredith will feature hands-on activities to showcase the methods of sustainable energy used at the mill.
Hartwick College Friends of Recreation, Conservation and Environmental Stewardship Club
The Hartwick College Friends of Recreation, Conservation and Environmental Stewardship (FORCES) Club exhibit will highlight
club activities toward protecting the environment and dealing with invasive species. FORCES members will hand out “I Love Soil”
stickers and conduct activities in conjunction with the United Nations designation of 2015 as International Year of Soils. The
exhibit will also include a soil texture analysis showing which properties are important for gardening and healthy ecosystems, and
students will conduct soil field tests to determine pH, nitrate, phosphate and potassium content.
League of Women Voters of the Cooperstown Area
The LWV of the Cooperstown Area has a proud and effective history in recycling education efforts and will be sharing basic
recycling information in paper form and with an interactive recycling game for people of all ages.
Leatherstocking Beekeepers Association
The exhibit will display beekeeping equipment, present facts about beekeeping/honey bees and display an observation hive. We
usually meet at 7 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month, January through October, at the Cornell Cooperative Extension
offices in Cooperstown.
Mohican Farm
The Mohican Farm exhibit will feature pictures and information on composting efforts presently underway in Otsego County as
well as information for those interested in home composting, plus Mohican staff will be on hand to answer composting questions.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
NRCS works with landowners and farmers through conservation planning and assistance designed to benefit the soil, water, air,
plants, and animals that result in productive lands and healthy ecosystems.
Otsego County Chamber of Commerce
The Otsego County Chamber offers business referrals from the Chamber’s website, and from our staff in response to inquiries
received at the office; a voice in Otsego County on issues important to the success of your business/organization; experts working
behind the scenes to ensure a great quality of life; a resource or “go to people” through the professional staff at the Chamber.
Otsego County Conservation Association, Inc.
The Otsego County Conservation Association will be present at Earth Festival with information on the many programs it
implements and/or provides funding for throughout Otsego County, including: septic system management, invasive species
prevention and control, lake/stream buffer planting, reduction of agricultural runoff, water quality internships, watershed
management, land-use planning, solid waste management and recycling, open space and stewardship initiatives, environmental
education, and alternative energy/sustainability. OCCA will also distribute its popular outdoor recreation guide, “Otsego Walks and
Paddles.” For more information on OCCA, please visit www.occainfo.org.
Otsego County Planning and Solid Waste Department
Information on County solid waste, recycling and public transportation programs.
Otsego County Soil & Water Conservation District
The staff at Otsego Soil & Water Conservation District works with landowners, land managers, local government agencies, and
other local entities in addressing a broad spectrum of resource concerns: erosion control, flood prevention, water conservation
and use, wetlands, ground water, water quality and quantity, non-point source pollution, forest land protection, wildlife, recreation,
waste water management and community development.
Otsego Lake Association
“OLA – helping to preserve and protect a local treasure.” Information on ways to preserve and protect Otsego Lake. The mission
of the Otsego Lake Association is to support and further the implementation of the "Plan for the Management of the Otsego Lake
Watershed" adopted by the four municipalities within the Otsego Lake shoreline. OLA seeks to educate, and to encourage public
policy and personal choice changes that advance implementation of the "Plan". Projects to this end are funded by membership
and donations, and the work is done entirely by volunteers.
Otsego Land Trust, Inc.
Otsego Land Trust: connecting people to the healthy lands and clean waters that sustain us all.
Otsego Regional Cycling Advocates
Otsego Regional Cycling Advocates is a committee of the Otsego County Conservation Association. ORCA’s mission is to
promote cycling (and walking) as an enjoyable, safe, healthy, environmentally-friendly activity for people of all ages and abilities.
ORCA members would like to learn what they can do to help more people enjoy the benefits of cycling in Otsego County.
Otsego 2000
Otsego 2000 believes that the Otsego Lake region is a masterpiece of nature, and that its surrounding landscapes, valleys,
villages, and farms constitute a unique confluence of historic, environmental, cultural, agricultural, rural, and scenic resources.
They believe that the long-term economic well-being of the region and the quality of life for its residents derives from these
resources and their stewardship. Thus, they seek to protect these attributes for the benefit of present and future generations. As
no place is an island, they extend their concern and programs to the region's larger setting in Central New York. They advance
their mission through informed advocacy, public education, innovative projects, economic alternatives, and strategic campaigns.
Recycling Agricultural Plastics Project
OCCA is the local outreach coordinator for the statewide Recycling Agricultural Plastics Project (RAPP). A collaboration between
Cornell University with organizations, agencies, and businesses, RAPP develops markets and infrastructure for waste film and
rigid plastics from all sectors of agriculture. Since 2009, more than one million pounds of used plastic has been recycled through
RAPP. OCCA, partnering with the Otsego County Soil & Water Conservation District, helped local farmers recycle 64 tons of
plastic in 2014. Major funding is provided by the New York State Environmental Protection Fund, administered by the New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Revolution Solar
Photovoltaic systems for free energy from the sun! Harvest your resources – Revolution Solar, local installers who care.
“Save the Planet” Initiative
This student exhibit by Carly Rae Mossman Carillo will promote Carly’s passion for supporting endangered species and saving
the planet.
Suburb City Country Style
Nichole Bainer is a sustainable lifestylist. She teaches women how to uncover how they relate to the idea of being stylish, based
on where they live, the resources they have and the level of sustainability they would like to achieve.
SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station
The Biological Field Station will have hands-on displays of aquatic insects, information on hand about local lakes and streams, as
well as lakes throughout New York State that are currently being studied by graduate students in the Lake Management program.
Field Station researchers and graduate students will be available to field questions about the region’s aquatic resources and ongoing projects.
Viridian
Viridian Energy is a socially responsible energy company providing clean energy choices at competitive prices. Viridian was
founded with the vision to empower customers to make a difference in the environment and their personal lives simply by
switching energy providers.
Donors
Canopy
Five Star Subaru
Otsego County Conservation Association, Inc.
Sustainable Forest
Central NY Mobile Marketing
Pole Timber
Cooperstown Natural Foods
Rich McCaffery
Otsego 2000
Sapling
David Brandt Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society
Otsego Lake Association
Revolution Solar
Seedling
Bath Fitter
Casella Waste Solutions
Enviro Energy, LLC
Gilson’s Native American Crafts
Hanford Mills Museum
Otsego Regional Cycling Advocates
Viridian (paid)
Grass Roots
Carly Rae Mossman Carillo/Gerianne Carillo
First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown
Friends of Glimmerglass State Park Inc.
Jane Johngren
Leatherstocking Beekeepers Association
Paul Mendelsohn & Ilse Funk
Otsego Land Trust
Suburb City Country Style
Giveaway Prizes Compliments Of:
Martha Clarvoe
Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society
Enviro Energy
Friends of Glimmerglass State Park
Green Circle Accounting
Otsego County Conservation Association
Otsego Land Trust
Otsego 2000