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Health & Fitness

Spring Forward Paulding 2014: Live, Learn, Local

What is the 3rd Annual Paulding County Spring Forward Festival?  It’s the brain child of the Paulding County University of Georgia Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Development Team. The idea is to provide county residents with a one-stop-shop to learn about local resources for living sustainably in Paulding County. The festival’s theme is Live, Learn, Local. 
With spring just around the corner; officially beginning on March 20th, it is time to prepare for all the great things that come along with spring, warmer weather, longer days and more time to spend outdoors. The festival is stocked with exhibits, exhibitors, and enthusiasts from a cross section of county wide civic organizations, businesses, who are passionate about what they do. And, equally important enjoy sharing their know-how with others. 

County residents can learn about vegetable, herb and landscape gardening, propagation techniques, water and energy conservation, beekeeping, locally grown food initiatives and farmers markets. Paulding County 4-H’ers and FFA students will be on hand doing demonstrations in remarkable project areas. But there is more:  Live music, food concessions, a petting zoo, local businesses, and Civil War re-enactors.  There is something for every family member. 

Mickey Gazaway, Lifetime Paulding County Master Gardener Extension Volunteer and professional horticulturist, will speak from 2 – 3 pm on Gardening in Paulding.   Mickey works full time in the nursery industry, contributes regularly to the Walter Reeves Lawn and Garden Show, gardens in her own yard in Dallas and has recently taken up beekeeping and managing a backyard flock.  She is a delightfully knowledgeable speaker. Come learn about her experiences with living and learning locally about our natural resources!

Paulding County UGA Extension and 4-H have teamed up with several local organizations and businesses which include Paulding County Master Gardener Extension Volunteers, Paulding County Farm Bureau, Paulding County Water Department, and Paulding County 4-H’ers, UGA Cooperative Extension, Paulding County Future Farmers of America, Paulding County 4-H Horse and Pony Club, Greystone Power, Elrod Garden Center and many others!

Entry to the festival is free thanks to the generous sponsorship from Elrod Garden Center, Paulding County Farm Bureau, Rambo Nursery, Paulding County Master Gardener Extension Volunteers, the Rotary Club of Dallas, the Dallas Woman’s Club,  Paulding County High School, Future Farmers of America and the Dallas Garden Club.

The 3rd Annual Paulding County Spring Forward Festival will be held March 22, 2014The festival begins at 10 am and concludes at 3 pm in the Auditorium and Gymnasium of Paulding County High School located at 1297 Villa Rica Hwy, Dallas, GA 30147.  Admission is Free.  

Remember, you can ask a Master Gardener or the County Extension Agent at 770-443-7616 or online at http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/paulding/askanexpert.html.  This is a series of gardening articles by Master Gardener Extension Volunteers.  Master Gardeners welcome your gardening questions and requests for information on specific topics. We are here to help you with your gardening questions.  

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