Apr 12, 2012

Earth Day Fair

Central Lakes College will host a free, public Earth Day Fair on Wed., April 25 at the Brainerd campus from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event features presentations by speakers, earth-centered games and activities for children and adults, prize drawings, and a lunch-hour cook-out hosted by the Natural Resources Club. Bob Schafer, director of the Central Lakes College Agricultural and Energy Center at Staples, will present an update on bio fuels and how farmers can grow crops that can supplement their fuel costs. The Center is a state leader in research of energy crops and on-farm biofuel production.
The small-scale biofuels project under way at the Center is being conducted to test the “Distributed Energy” concept.  This involves growing renewable energy crops locally, processing them locally and consuming the fuel locally. It has the advantage of a college working farm, existing biofuels infrastructure, Diesel Mechanics program, Heavy Equipment program and enthusiastic farming community.
            Exhibitors and educational vendors with environmental and eco responsibility have been invited to reserve space for the event. Past participants have included agencies with natural resources orientation and producers of organic and conservation-based products and services.
            The sponsoring Environmental Studies class, Natural Resources students, and Horticulture and Landscaping students at CLC have announced the following schedule:
            10 a.m. and noon – “Backyard Birds” with Judd Brink on ways to attract birds to your yard and home, W 145; “Rain Gardens” with Beth Hippert.
            11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – “Green Fire” video about the life and work of Aldo Leopold and his ideal of the Land Ethic, Chalberg Theatre; “Biofuels” with Bob Schafer, W 120.
             11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Cook-Out near the South Doors offering grilled burgers, hot dogs, chips, and beverage for $5.
            Noon to 1:30 p.m. – Games and activity time for little ones, hosted by Environmental Studies class and Natural Resources students. Meet at the Circle Cube by the cafeteria.
            Noon – Food Web Game by the Environmental Studies class and NR students.
12:30 p.m. – How many Bears live in the Woods by the Environmental Studies class and NR students.
            1 p.m. – Pine Cone Bird Feeders by the Environmental Studies class and NR students.
            3-3:45 p.m. – Earth Day Prize Drawing in cafeteria area.
Gary Carson, environmental studies and natural resources instructor at CLC, is the contact for interested vendors or anyone else needing more information, who may reach him at (218) 855-8079 or email gcarson@clcmn.edu