In a sure sign of spring, the Kaw Valley Seed Fair is returning to the Douglas County Fairgrounds Saturday with food, vendors and thousands of seeds to share.
The fair is re-emerging after canceling last year because of COVID. Event organizer Laura Green said volunteers had been working hard to prepare for the event, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12 at Building 21.
“We will have 27 farmers market-style vendors who will be selling their products and giving out information,” Green said. “Tonight we’ll be sorting seeds out onto the tables.”
The fair will feature information and goods from local farms, gardening supply stores, and organizations promoting sustainability and biodiversity in the Kaw Valley region.
In the interest of safety, organizers have chosen to suspend workshops and demonstrations, but fairgoers will still find children’s activities, food by Queen of Tarts Bakery, and tables featuring seeds brought for exchange and donated by companies from across the country.
“People visiting the fair can take seeds home and try them out,” Green said. “The idea is that they will grow their plants and then bring seeds back next year to share with others.”
Organizers encourage attendees to bring their own saved seeds or packaged seeds to share at the exchange tables. Fairgoers planning to bring seeds home should bring their own envelopes or baggies for transport. Donations of envelopes and other seed containers are welcomed.
Green said she and the 40 volunteers putting together this year’s event look forward to seeing everyone return to the fair.
“People love coming together and getting to see neighbors and friends,” she said. “We’re looking forward to getting back into the swing of things.”
More information can be found online at the Kaw Valley Seed Fair event page.
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Andrea Albright (she/her), reporter, can be reached at aalbright (at) lawrencekstimes (dot) com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
