| JUNE 4, 2015 -- On Saturday May 9th, Oxford Grange #194 held its “Home on the Grange Share and Learn” symposium for those interested in gardening, winemaking, bee-keeping, keeping of small animals, and other small scale agricultural pursuits.
The purpose of the event was to disseminate knowledge of these backyard farming activities to the public by a variety of speakers who are experts in their fields of endeavor. Those present listened to five half hour presentations on various topics. Guy Beardsley of Guy’s Eco-Garden in Shelton spoke on organic gardening techniques. Jon Haight from Maltose Express in Monroe spoke on home wine, beer, and cider making. Then renowned bee expert Al Avitabile of Bethlehem spoke on honeybees and their importance as pollinators. Robert Owsiany, Oxford’s Agriculture Commission Director, held a question and answer session on keeping small animals such as rabbits, chickens, and goats. The final presentation was on natural pollinators and their importance by Charlotte Pyle of the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Dawn Sotir of Coon Hollow Farm and Pam Blasko of Dream Come True Farm, both in Oxford, were on hand with demonstrations of spinning natural fibers into yarn as well as other products from their farms to sell. Mary DuFord from the UCONN Master Gardener Program was present with literature and to answer questions. Grange member Raye Hodgson entertained those in attendance with folk music in the gazebo behind the Grange hall. |
