October 2008 - Upcoming Organic Events

A myriad of wonderful events take place each fall in West Virginia, but there are two standouts in which I am delighted to participate. I hope some Two-Lane Livin' readers take advantage of the information presented here, and join me and many others for either of these special gatherings.

October 31-November 2 at Day's Inn, Flatwoods, the West Virginia Herb Association and Mountain State University will present the Fall Herb Festival. This informative, fun-filled conference is even more thrilling this year because herbalist and ethnobotanist David Winston is scheduled as the keynote speaker. With over 35 years of training in Western, Cherokee, and Chinese herbal traditions, Winston has served as herbal consultant to many health-care professionals within the US and Canada. He is an internationally- known lecturer and his herbal company manufactures over 300 products.

The WVHA is sponsoring a conference contest spotlighting Calendula (pot marigold), the Herb of the Year. WVHA's goals include providing educational programs and projects; promoting professional and public awareness and ethical herbal use; supporting successful herbal business development; establishing public herb gardens throughout WV; promoting professional, public and organizational networking regionally and statewide. The WVHA also has published five cookbooks and an herb journal, all of which will be available for purchase at the conference or by mailorder.

Now readers, do your homework! Find out more about David Winston. His knowledge alone is well-worth the price of admission to the conference. For conference or WVHA information, call Dot Montgillion at 304-269-6416, email smokecamp@iolinc.net, oror check out WVHA's website: www.wvherb.org

Sunday, November 9 the annual Wild Foods Potluck and Dessert Contest takes place in Calhoun County at the Upper West Fork Park in Chloe on Rt. 16. Doors open at noon for setup. Dinner is at 2:00 pm. This is my favorite event of the year -- one visit and you'll be hooked, too. The original goal behind the Wild Foods Potluck, courtesy of the vendors and friends of the Calhoun County Farmers' Market, was to encourage folks to taste foods harvested from the "wild;" i.e., woods, meadow, pond, pasture, and hillside. These foods include wild greens, herbs, nuts, berries, fruits, game, fish, mushrooms and more. West Virginia is blessed with microclimates and eco-niches for a diverse diet; to be sure, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

The event now includes food from local gardens and orchards; a great opportunity for sharing recipes. A highlight is the Dessert Contest which awards a $50 first prize, $25 second prize, and $15 third prize. The rules are simple: Vendors vote on the main ingredient to be used in the dessert. That ingredient MUST be locally grown - NOT from the supermarket. For example, the first year the contest ingredient was apples. You might not have your own apple trees, but perhaps a neighbor or relative does; those are local apples. So this year the ingredient is berries -- try strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, ground cherries, gooseberries, elderberries, dewberries, blueberries -- you get the idea. They can be fresh, frozen, canned, dried, whatever in your recipe, as long as they were grown locally. All desserts must be registered by 1:30 pm.

With live (local!) music, generously donated raffle/auction items, delicious desserts, "wild" foods of all kinds, and some kindred souls who enjoy the simple pleasure of celebrating the harvest, this day is one to write on the calendar. Join us. Want more information? Call Tracy at 286-2905.