*8:00 am

350 Bell Ringing

*Old South First Congregational Church will ring its bells 350 times to usher in the international day of climate awareness.

*8:30 am to 12:30 pm

Community Energy Challenge Workshop

*Location: Old South Church, Main Street, Farmington

*Well-known energy guru Dr. Charlie Wing will lead a free workshop on key concepts of the Energy Challenge, a program using simple home energy assessments and weatherization to improve people's homes.

*Sponsors: Franklin County Energy Resource Team, United Way of the Tri-County Valley, UMF Sustainable Campus Coalition.

*For more information: conservationfair.wordpress.com/join-the-community-energy-challenge/ Please sign up in advance with nteel@localnet.com

*9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Free Electronics and E-Waste Recycling and Disposal

*Location: Aubuchon Hardware parking lot; routes 2 & 4, Farmington

*Bring TV's, computers, monitors, VCR's and other electronic devices listed at www.ewastemaine.com to be safely taken care of.

*Sponsor: Old South First Congregational Church, Main St.

Donations accepted to support community service, outreach, and youth programs

*For more information, contact magri@maine.edu

*10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Farmington Conservation Fair

*Location: Community Center, Middle St., Farmington

*Organizer Jeremy Smith's goals are to demonstrate what is already being done in Franklin County towards green improvements and to connect citizens with information on energy efficiency and with networking opportunities.

*This will be a full day of energy exhibitors, workshops, speakers, and local foods, with light breakfast refreshments thanks to local businesses.

Keynote speakers from 11:00 to 12:15: Dion Olmstead, weatherization and sustainable home design; Iver Lofving, affordable renewable energy for the home; Chris Knapp, low-impact living.

*Sponsors: Jeremy Smith and Farmington citizens, UMF Sustainable Campus Coalition, Koviashuvik Local Living School.

*For more information or to sign up as an exhibitor (free) contact Jeremy Smith at 350conservationfair@gmail.com or check conservationfair.wordpress.com/tag/350.org/

1:00 to 2:30 pm

Talk on Bioefficiency by Will Bonsall

*Location: North Dining Hall, UMF

*Bonsall is a leader in the conservation of crop genetic resources, Director of Scatterseed in Industry, a director of Seed Savers national organization, and author of Yaro Tales. *Sponsor: Jeremy Smith, UMF Sustainable Campus Coalition

*For more information: 350conservationfair@gmail.com & conservationfair.wordpress.com/tag/350-org/

1:00 to 3:00 pm

Tours of Sustainability and Nature at UMF

*Location: Education Center on High St.

*Tours: 1) LEED-certified Education Center; 2) ARAMARK Dining Services; 3) UMF Arboretum, 4) Local geology

*Sponsor: UMF Sustainable Campus Coalition

*For more information contact huebner@maine.edu or barton@maine.edu

1:00-3:00 pm

*Halloween mask-making for children using recycled materials

*Location: Education Center lobby, High St.

*Children 4-12 make Halloween masks under the direction of Alpha Phi Omega, UMF service club.

*Sponsors: APO, UMF Everyone's Resource Depot, UMF SCC

*For more information contact ruby.l.bond@maine.edu, huebner@maine.edu or barton@maine.edu

4:00 pm sharp

*Live outdoor video shoot demonstrating that Farmington is committed to lowering carbon emissions. Everyone can join this event that may be broadcast worldwide. Please wear a green shirt or jacket.

*Location: High St. parking lot at UMF

*Sponsors: UMF Sustainable Campus Coalition, UMF SEA-Change

*For more information contact huebner@maine.edu or barton@maine.edu

5:00-7:00 pm

Pot-luck supper at Old South First Congregational Church

*Location: Main St., Farmington

*You may drop off your food contribution as of 2:00 pm and then join neighbors for supper from 5-7. Local foods are encouraged.

*Sponsor: Old South Church

*For more information contact epliddy@yahoo.com

7:30 pm

350 Day Concert: What Can We Poor Musicians Do?

*Location: Nordica Auditorium at UMF

*Great variety of local talent performing songs and readings that inform, inspire and entertain, including Ruth Hill, Bill Berlinghoff, Jane Parker, Seth Fogg, members of Northfield, a children's chorus, UMF student members of Clef Notes, and many more performers. The winner of a song contest will perform. Donations accepted to defray costs.

*Sponsors: WordPlay Theater, UMF Sustainable Campus Coalition

*For more information contact Sarah Sloane at sloane@maine.edu and http://conservationfair.wordpress.com/

Here's an excerpt from the blog for the event found at :

http://conservationfair.wordpress.com

I believe that an event for the purpose of bringing together local entities and individuals helping to shape the long term future of our area will help inform citizens and attendees by the following guiding principles:

• exploring sustainability in areas such as energy conservation and the development of alternative energy sources.

• residential and commercial applications of renewable energy technology for our local community.

• showcasing a gamut of small businesses with an emphasis on green.

• working to reduce human impact and waste and look for new ways to preserve our precious land and natural resources.

• encouraging friends to buy foods from local producers.

The October 24 event will allow local people first-hand exposure and information about some of the great work being done in this area. Those involved in creating the fair hope to provide visitors with positive ideas about how to enhance their communities by telling of their experiences and sharing in discussions. The discussions will range from topics concerning education about environmental issues and it is my hope that the fair will also include hands-on activities that citizens may participate in to help everyone learn more about our unique area.

Announcing the first-ever, Farmington Conservation Fair 2009: Sustainable Practices for Farms, Businesses & Community. We are planning to have the Farmington Community Center available on October 24, 2009 12-4 PM for vendors and presenters to share their successes and ventures with the general public.

The idea for this project came from the work of Bill McKibben and is not for the purposes of furthering a political agenda. However, we do represent the movement that is occuring throughout the country to conserve resources, boost local economies and provide support to citizens wanting to be involved in similar activities aimed at protecting the planet.

We are working to create an event to tie-in with events planned by UMF’s Students for a Sustainable Campus Coalition on October 24. Helping to organize local entities and organizations to add to the scope of what SCC is planning for the day, as well as highlighting the great work being done in our local communities to enhance economic viability and conservation of natural resources is what we are planning to accomplish. In a sense, to bring the community together for the greater good.

This event ties in directly with 350.org’s goals to educate citizens about the myriad of options that are available to communities looking to become more sustainable in their energy practices.