Bushnell to host first sustainability fair Saturday

The first ever South Dakota Sustainability Fair is coming to Brookings County next weekend.

The event, to be held in Bushnell from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, will feature workshops, speakers and exhibitors helping advance the skills of homesteading, self-sufficiency, community resiliency, stewardship and sustainability.

Organizers say the theme for the fair’s inaugural year is “Stocking Up your Harvest.”

The event will take place in the historical town hall of Bushnell. One of the older Brookings County communities, Bushnell was a jumping-off point of pioneers settling South Dakota.

“It is a great location for the promotion of sustainability and community resiliency, with its ties to agriculture and its collection of resident artists and craftspeople,” said organizer Anisah David.

Areas of interest for workshops include:

• Abundant backyards: raising poultry in your backyard; dehydrating with the sun; worm tea and composting; and cold weather gardening

• Kitchen wise: making fruit conserves (preserves) without pectin; cookbook exchange – bring your extra cookbooks to swap; and a cooking with pheasant demonstration

• Healthy home: rubbing essential oils into your life; Mom's sharing circle; and recipe exchange

• Naturally crafted: blacksmithing demonstration – repairing, repurposing of tools; Christmas wreathes from your yard; and winter bird and wildlife feeding for the family.

Sponsors include Square One Productions of Brookings, Frugal Living in South Dakota blog of Bushnell, Wenger Gift & Gallery of Bushnell, Dakota Rural Action of Brookings, Clareen’s PCH of Huron, Adee Honey of Bruce, Hilltop Dairy of Elkton, Reflections / Purse Exchange of Brookings, Little Hooves Miniature Horse & Pony Rescue of Lennox, and Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue.

Organizers are planning for both outdoor and indoor vendor and demonstration booths, as well as workshops. Kid workshops will be there, too, with activities and a play area.

The event will have a private area for nursing moms and a diaper-changing tent as well as a smoking lounge tent.

The public is invited to attend, and vendors are still welcome to call 651-5112 if they’re interested in setting up a booth.