GREENFIELD — The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and Greening Greenfield will hold their annual Better Greener Living Show this weekend, featuring local vendors and workshops aimed at offering exciting ways of improving quality of life while living more lightly on the earth.
“It’s a home show and an Earth Day celebration, and it’s a really great place for people to get a well-rounded idea of how to improve their homes and the way they live — they go together,” said Lisa Davol of the Chamber of Commerce.
The show, which has been running for more than 30 years, will be held April 23 and 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Franklin County Fairgrounds. In addition offering attendees the chance to support local businesses, nonprofits and to learn new skills, the show will feature more than 45 vendors and 16 workshops on home improvements, gardening, green energy, healthy living and more.
“It’s a good way for people who live in Franklin County to meet Franklin County businesses and to shop locally,” Davol said.
Nancy Hazard of Greening Greenfield said the show is offering more workshops than ever before, which range from earth-friendly ways to cut utility bills to making backyards more wildlife friendly. They will be held at 11 a.m., noon., 1 and 2 p.m. daily.
“They’re designed to help people find exciting ways to improve their quality of life and live more lightly on the earth, and at the same time support local businesses and nonprofits and learn new skills and basically foster community resilience and get to know their neighbors,” Hazard said.
Six workshops usher in spring and the gardening season with ideas on how to make yards more wildlife friendly, including how to support pollinators, harvest rain, use cover crops to improve garden yields and sequester carbon and create permaculture gardens.
Homes will be the focus of six other workshops, offering information on energy-saving heating systems, a new Massachusetts solar loan and rebate program and building affordable homes such as tiny houses.
Four workshops address how to cut carbon footprints by biking safely with kids rather than using a car, reducing waste, making homemade beer and hard cider and holding green burials.
Vendors include local builders, heating and cooling installers, realtors, alternative energy providers, pools and spa companies, and other home improvement specialists. The show also offers steps attendees can take to make their home improvement plans a reality, including local banks and financial information on loans and incentives available for such purposes.
In addition to the many workshops offered, there will be an ask the realtor booth for general home buying, selling and market questions as well as information on local programs offered to anyone interested in transitioning to a career in renewable energy.
Full workshop descriptions can be found at fcbetterlivingshow.org/workshops.