2024 National Heirloom Expo
"Cultivating Connections and Heirloom Treasures at the National Expo: Unearth a Vibrant Gardening Community, Rare Seeds, and Forgotten Flavors with Expert-Led Workshops and a Diverse Vendor Marketplace!"
Jonathan Burton
10/1/20246 min read
This year we welcomed the return of Baker Creek to the Ventura County Fairgrounds for the 11th National Heirloom Expo!
Three-day event billed as "world's largest pure food fair" returns for a second year to the Ventura County Fairgrounds Sept. 10-12.
Lecture:
Learn and attend lectures, panels or roundtable discussions given by more than 40 world-class experts. Witness the beautiful works of international vegetable and seed artists. Three whole days of sharing stories and seed swaps.
Exposition Hall:
The largest display of heirloom produce in the USA! Thousands of varieties showcasing the diversity our planet has to offer, including incredible displays of vegetables and tropical fruit varieties! Also meet the phenomenal and friendly farmers who grow them. Engage with interactive displays showcasing the significance of heirloom gardening and seed saving. While exploring the fruit on display don't forget to stop at the watermelon tasting.
Art & Creativity:
Stunningly beautiful heirlooms aren't the only art at the Expo! Enjoy works in many mediums, including jewelry, fiber art, painting, chalk art, and fruit and vegetable carving.
Largest Seed Swap:
Discover the excitement of heritage gardening at our rare and heirloom seed swap event! Join us each day to exchange seeds rich in history and biodiversity.
DON'T FORGET TO BRING YOUR SEEDS!
Livestock:
Experience rare and exotic poultry breeds at the exhibit. Celebrate heirloom poultry with fellow enthusiasts and marvel at their beauty and diversity
Entertainment:
Enjoy live music. From folk tunes to lively performances, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Head over to the music stage throughout the day. Wrapping up one of the nights was a screening of the acclaimed film Common Ground. The Film provides hope for future generations with concrete ways to fix a broken system. Exploring how regenerative agriculture can help heal the soil, our health and the planet.
Kids Zones:
Fun for the whole family! The Kids Hall offered educational activities, interactive exhibits, crafts, and face painting, making it a perfect place for young minds to discover the wonders of heirloom gardening and sustainable living. Children under 17 get in free!
Lectures:
We offer the world’s leading heirloom farm and garden speakers! Learn about seed saving, home gardening, marketing, food politics, and farming from acclaimed experts.
The Vendors Halls were filled with returning crowd favorite:
Farm made, biodynamic, non-GMO and real organic compost, potting soil and seed starter for your heirloom seeds and garden.
John Kohler from GrowingYourGreens.com and Wendi Phan of Wendiland.com teamed up sharing a booth showing off rare plants fertilizers and gardening supplies.John sported his vacuum blenders, juicers and dehydrator.
Longtime friend of mine Michael Whitman of Blue Sky Biochar, spoke about BRIX testing for our plants. BRIX measures the sugar content of the plant or tree. The higher sugar levels create better nutrition density and creates a better immunity against insects. This was on top of preaching about the numerous benefits of using biochar. He also sold a wide selection of next level products including biochar, wood vinegar and proprietary HyperDrive biostimulant.
Some of this year's new vendors:
Come meet owner Michael Pierron and explore the diversity the Big Island has to offer. In addition to the wide range of beautifully artwork seed packets he stuffed his suitcase's full of White Jade pineapples, Awapuhi and a diverse colorful group of taro (Kumu ‘ula’ula, lehua, and ‘elepaio).
Offering organic local Southern California adapted seeds for Zones 9-10
Farmers Market Produce:
This year's Expo will feature a pop-up market at the fairgrounds with a variety of healthy, delicious local food and drink. This was organized by the Ojai Community Farmers Market non-profit organization in Ojai, CA, focused on cultivating community by providing access to healthy food and education about the local food system.
Farmers Market standout:
G Farms
This produce stand was stuff full of fruit from your stone fruit 2 and incredible assortment of pluots and unusual grapes definitely not your average Fruit Stand deserving not only a look but it taste all their samples to see what you're missing.
I personally sampled almost all of the food & produce vendors there and they were all amazing and delicious
Local food vendors included:
Indulgia (Indian Fusion) My Personal Favorite
CenaVegan (Vegan Mexican)
Masarap Lumpia (Filipino)
Raging Pot (Asian Fusion)
Wrapped (Greek with a Syrian Twist)
Convenient Gathering Spot for Gardeners
One of the Expo’s most underrated features is its location. Ventura offers a central venue, making it easily accessible for both Northern and Southern California gardeners. It was amazing to see such a diverse group of people come together, united by a shared passion for gardening, food, and sustainability.
Hopefully we see the national heirloom Festival in Ventura for many years to come
Mark Your Calendars for Next Year!If you missed this year’s Expo, don’t worry! The National Heirloom Expo will be back next year, promising another three days of learning, sharing, and growing together. Whether you’re an heirloom enthusiast or just beginning your gardening journey, this event offers something for everyone.
Hope to see you all at next year's Expo!!!
For more information about next year’s event, visit rareseeds.com. nohttps://www.malibucompost.com
Malibu Composts farm made, biodynamic, non-GMO and real organic compost, potting soil and seed starter for your heirloom seeds and garden.
John Kohler from GrowingYourGreens.com and Wendi Phan of Wendiland.com teamed up sharing a booth showing off rare plants fertilizers and gardening supplies.John sported his vacuum blenders, juicers and dehydrator.
Longtime friend of mine Michael Whitman of Blue Sky Biochar, spoke about BRIX testing for our plants. BRIX measures the sugar content of the plant or tree. The higher sugar levels create better nutrition density and creates a better immunity against insects. This was on top of preaching about the numerous benefits of using biochar. He also sold a wide selection of next level products including biochar, wood vinegar and proprietary HyperDrive biostimulant
The Vendors Hall was filled with returning crowd favorite:
Come meet owner Michael Pierron and explore the diversity the Big Island has to offer. In addition to the wide range of beautifully artwork seed packets he stuffed his suitcase's full of White Jade pineapples, Awapuhi and a diverse colorful group of taro (Kumu ‘ula’ula, lehua, and ‘elepaio).
Offering organic local Southern California adapted seeds for Zones
Some of this year's new vendors:
This year's Expo will feature a pop-up market at the fairgrounds with a variety of healthy, delicious local food and drink. This was organized by the Ojai Community Farmers Market non-profit organization in Ojai, CA, focused on cultivating community by providing access to healthy food and education about the local food system.
Farmers Market standout:
G Farms
This produce stand was stuff full of fruit from your stone fruit 2 and incredible assortment of pluots and unusual grapes definitely not your average Fruit Stand deserving not only a look but it taste all their samples to see what you're missing.
I personally sampled almost all of the food & produce vendors there and they were all amazing and delicious
Local food vendors included:
Indulgia (Indian Fusion) My Personal Favorite
CenaVegan (Vegan Mexican)
Masarap Lumpia (Filipino)
Raging Pot (Asian Fusion)
Wrapped (Greek with a Syrian Twist)
Farmers Market:
One of the Expo’s most underrated features is its location. Ventura offers a central venue, making it easily accessible for both Northern and Southern California gardeners. It was amazing to see such a diverse group of people come together, united by a shared passion for gardening, food, and sustainability.
Hopefully we see the national heirloom Festival in Ventura for many years to come
Mark Your Calendars for Next Year!If you missed this year’s Expo, don’t worry! The National Heirloom Expo will be back next year, promising another three days of learning, sharing, and growing together. Whether you’re an heirloom enthusiast or just beginning your gardening journey, this event offers something for everyone.
Hope to see you all at next year's Expo!!!
For more information about next year’s event, visit rareseeds.com.
