Jefferson County Farmers and Neighbors plans Earth Day celebration

Jefferson County Farmers and Neighbors (JFAN) is planning an Earth Day for Everyone celebration on Saturday, April 23 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.

Join JFAN and three other area organizations for a free community-wide extravaganza to celebrate Earth Day.

Hear about a host of local innovative projects and programs on sustainability and regenerative agriculture.

Participate in dynamic learning opportunities. Enjoy music and international food. It’s a day of celebration, inspiration, learning, and fun – all to help generate solutions to protect Jefferson County and our precious earth.

There will be community service opportunities from 9-11 a.m. and festivities from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Earth Day for Everyone features:

•Interactive learning sessions for children and adults

•Innovative speakers

•Solar tour

•Volunteer Opportunities

•International Food

•Music

Many exciting announcements including:

•The selection of Fairfield for a Resilient Communities pilot project

•Jefferson County’s new sustainability coordinator

•New management plans for city and county wildlands

•Fairfield’s new Home Garden Initiative

Speakers on earth-friendly topics, including JFAN board members Dr. John Ikerd and Dr. Francis Thicke, on:

•Food utilities

•Regenerative agriculture

•Humane hog production

•Iowa’s watershed and streams

•Fairfield Food Collective

•Fairfield Garden Initiative

Community service activities:

•Tree planting and maintenance

•Community orchard maintenance

•Litter cleanup and inventory for waste management

•And a solar installation tour!

•Sign up ahead of time at SEIowaSierraClub@gmail.com to participate

In addition, 150 tree saplings will be given away, donated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Fairfield Arbor Committee, and the SE Iowa Sierra Club will give away many native plants and seeds.

Enjoy many hands-on learning activities and demonstrations for adults and children along with many information booths.

Visit JFAN’s table focusing on sustainable livestock production and sources of humanely raised meat, dairy and eggs.

Earth Day for Everyone is a collaborative effort by Southeast Iowa Sierra Club, Jefferson County Farmers and Neighbors, Inc., University of Iowa School of Social Work, and the Sustainable Living Coalition