Expo adds sustainability
Homeowners could use some country knowledge
By ADAM STEWART Staff Reporter
Due to last year’s enthusiasm over the hide tanning class offered at the Country Living Expo held at Stanwood High School (SHS), this year, the extension service through Washington State University (WSU) had to order an entire case of brains.
“Yup, they use brains,” said Joan DeVries, WSU livestock program assistant. “The class is actually very popular.”
For the faint of heart, keep reading, there are 134 other classes to choose from.
Starting as the Cattleman’s Winterschool 37 years ago, the event has shifted as the population of cattlemen in the area has diminished, said DeVries.
“You don’t have to be a livestock person” to appreciate the event, she said. “There are classes for everyone.”
Beyond typical classes involving cattle, pastures, soil and manure, the expo offers lessons for the average Stanwood homeowner about growing vegetables and herbs, building a greenhouse, generating solar energy and creating water features for your garden.
Because residents in the area are thinking more about growing and preserving their own food, said DeVries, this year’s expo has workshops focused on sustainability.
This is the third year for the expo at SHS. DeVries expects more than 1,000 visitors. She praised the staff at the high school for working with WSU Extension and described Stanwood’s participating FFA program as “amazing.”
“This is a fun event meant to support the local community,” she said. “It’s also a time to network and share ideas.”
In addition to six sessions of classes, a trade show with 40 vendors selling locally grown products and handmade crafts will take place in the gymnasium throughout the day.A
registration fee includes a prime rib lunch prepared by Pat Cairus of Del Fox Custom Meats.
The expo begins at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday,
Jan. 30 with registration and coffee. Pre-registration
forms and a complete schedule of
classes are available through the WSU Extension
Web site, www.skagit.wsu.edu/CountryLivingExpo.
Stanwood High School is
located at 7400 272nd Street NW. Questions?
Contact the WSU Extension Office at 360-
428-4270.
