Buy Local Summit has numerous topics
The following is a description of workshops that will be held at the second annual Buy Local Summit at the Fayette County Fairgrounds Sept. 15.
n Business Planning 101 will be covered by Ed Molchan from the Fay-Penn Economic Development Council. He will help participants work through many business planning thought starters, such as what makes my business unique? Participants can learn how to go from an idea to a logical plan to start a business venture.
n Canning after Harvest will be presented by Janet Gallagher, former Laurel Highlands School District home economics teacher. Participants will learn how to stock-up for the winter by canning produce from their garden or local farms. Enjoy local produce all year-round and save on grocery bills, too.
n Cooking with Seasonal Foods will be presented by Jeremy Critchfield, the chef and operating partner at The Stone House and Greg Andrews, chef of the The Supper Club in Greensburg. They will show how to cook seasonal foods.
n Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) will be presented by Winifred McGee Sr. extension educator, Entrepreneurship, Penn State Extension and a guest local CSA producer who will discuss
what is CSA, how does it work, and is it a production model for local use.
n Energy Conservation will be discussed by Lori Swettlen, West Penn Power and Jay Sandberg, Honeywell, who will offer suggestions on making the home and office more energy and cost efficient. With so many options out there, learn which would be the most effective in your life.
n Foraging for Wild Edible Plants will be presented by Seth Caton, Caton Design Group, who will advise participants on which plants in the wild they may eat, how to safely identify, harvest and use wild plants from our area. Discover the most common species, poisonous ones to avoid, and methods for finding, trying and preparing wild food.
n Freezing & Drying After Harvest. Participants will learn how to stock-up for the winter by freezing and drying produce and fruit from their garden or local farms. Janet Gallagher will instruct.
n Gardening 101 & Compost: The Latest Dirt. Audrey White and Valerie and Bert Sesler, Penn State Master Gardeners, will teach the basics and key tips to starting your own garden and composting waste to maximize yield.
n Marcellus Shale & Our Natural Water Source. Mountain Watershed Association will inform about the connection between Marcellus Shale drilling and the water people use each day. Take action and know how to monitor your water.
n Marcellus Shale: Know Your Rights. Thomas W. Shaffer, attorney and mineral engineer, will review what rights property owners have as the natural gas industry takes hold in the area.
n Value of Marketing your Business. Marketing in every region of the U.S. is unique. Learn the best methods and options for marketing in southwestern Pennsylvania, from social media to print. Joanne Hunt, Herald-Standard.com, and Seth Caton, Caton Design Group, will lead the discussion.
n Outdoor Recreation. SCA Trail Town Outreach Corp. will offer information about the best and safest places to hike, bike, kayak, climb, and more in the region.
n Regional Food System. A Penn State Extension educator will answer questions such as what is a Regional Food System and why is a viable regional food system important to the future of
local agriculture as well as the health and well being of southwestern Pennsylvania. Also learn about
current programs and initiatives to support a Regional Food System in Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania.
n Sourcing Local for Restaurants and Small Businesses. Discussion will be led by Greg Andrews, a culinary leader in the local and fresh food movement. He is the chef for the region’s premier Farm-to-Table restaurant, The Supper Club.