These will take place in “Portal” and “Energy” tents behind the main stage. The “Portal to the Future” program offers concentrated journeys into agriculture, energy and health from community members with lots to share.
The mix of offerings starts
Next, a visit to the world of the honeybee, with a practical workshop by Angela Roell of Yard Birds Farm on the habits and needs of local pollinators.
Lou Leelyn of Lou’s Upcycles shows what to do with plastic bags, from where to recycle them to turning some types into fabric for creative uses.
Sarah Hastings of rhizhome.com, an expert on tiny houses, will talk about laws impacting them and other aspects of this housing alternative.
When it comes to getting over those hills, consider electrifying your bicycle: Peter Talmage shows how.
Then, Aimee Hanson will demonstrate how to save fruits and vegetables through food dehydration.
Saturday afternoon features two programs in the Energy Tent. In the slide presentation “Renewables Are Ready,” at 2 p.m., Pat Hynes of the Traprock Center for Peace & Justice shows how renewables and efficiency can help meet energy needs in an era of climate change.
An hour later, local solar expert Claire Chang, with Bob Michaud, will explain affordable solar installations and how everyone with a sunny roof or yard can participate in the renewable energy revolution.
At 2:15 p.m. in the Portal Tent, you can learn some surprising uses for black electrical tape and aluminum duct tape from Mike Dabrowski.
Other Saturday presentations are by Sarah Shields of Birch Moon Farm and Herbals in Shutesbury on natural remedies for the common cold (2:45 p.m.) and by Lydia Grey on “Using Local Resources for Glazing and Firing Pottery” (3:15 p.m.)
On Sunday, this great information fair continues with an 11:45 a.m. introduction by Catherine Bryars to urine-diverting privies and composting toilet systems and how area farms and communities are benefitting from this technology. If you haven’t heard about this basic form of resource recycling, check it out!
At noon, Laughing Dog Farm’s Daniel Botkin will share his passion for heritage hard squashes from around the world, followed by Rick Innes of Clearview Composting’s demonstation on using compost for fall mulching and more.
At 12:45 p.m., Pat Larson of North Quabbin Energy offers “Three Ways to Green Your Electric Bill” with a Portal Tent mini demonstration, followed by Hughes Pack’s case study of retrofitting a 1790s home into a “solar energy island.”
Tom Sullivan of Pollinators Welcome will show how to support area bees. Then, Stefan Maier will describe low-voltage solar power applications most people can do at home, sharing a handout about parts, suppliers and basic schematics.
At 2 p.m. in the Energy Tent, Tyson Neukirch of The Farm School will give a 40-minute presentation on regenerative agriculture in the Quabbin region and greater Northeast and on the capacity of agricultural systems to improve soil health, carbon sequestration, water quality and ecological diversity.
Meanwhile, back in the main Portal Tent (2:15), local farm advocate Cathy Stanton will discuss “What to Know Before you Vote on the Animal Welfare Ballot Question,” on the pros, cons and complexities of proposed legislation on national, state and local levels.
Sunday afternoon continues with North Quabbin Energy’s Janice Kurkoski showing how to make your own “Low-Tech Window Insulation Panels” (2:45).
At 3 p.m. in the Energy Tent, Joe Graveline, president and co-founder of the Nolumbeka Project, will talk about what a sustainable way of life looked liked over the millennia to the first peoples in our region, compared to the environmental challenges inflicted by modern lifestyles.
Finally, Deb Habib from Seeds of Solidarity gives tips for enjoying garden bounty well into autumn in a 20-minute talk in the Portal Tent at 3:15 p.m.
This Portal to the Future program on energy policy, energy practice, health and agriculture — past, present and hopefully future — is brought to us by community folks who have spent years and much energy developing their skills.
With a cast of more than 100 other volunteers, they offer this knowledge and experience back to their community.
There are many natural resources in our region, and the Portal, offering a gateway to a healthier future, is one.
For that, at a time of harvest, despite drought and insecurity, we give thanks.
Anna Gyorgy is a Wendell resident. For schedule and more see garlicandarts.org/portal-to-the-future.