Extension Increases Presence at Green & Innovation Festival 2011

A large contingent from the Extension office was in attendance with activities for all age groups. For the middle school crowd a, solar powered, 4-H table showcased the "Design a Sailboat" activity from the Power of the Wind Project, while younger children were invited to create a 4-H friendship bracelet or keychain. The consumer horticulture tables had Master Gardeners on hand to demonstrate  "green"  gardening tools and provide information on identifying and attracting pollinators.The Pollinator Prize Wheel and Penn State's rolling green robot, D.B.Pest, successfully reinforced the importance of pollinators with the children who stopped by for a chance to win a set of coveted antennae! Finally, nutrition education was well represented and busy distributing free in-home lead testing kits, a variety of canning and food preservation publications and a tasty sample of low-cost Confetti Salsa made from currently available fresh produce.  

This 2nd annual zero-waste event included many other earth-friendly food & product vendors, major corporations Giant Eagle and Home Depot were represented along with alternative transportation groups that included Bike Pittsburgh and CMU Commuter Info. 

New for 2011, Hay Day, an old fashioned hayride, was a favorite way for many of the attending families to complete this fun and informative event!