The Office for Sustainability at the University of Arkansas held its third annual Earth Day Vendor Fair on Tuesday, April 22. The fair was well-attended by community and campus organizations and businesses who all share a common interest in sustainability. Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan addressed the vendor fair audience, presenting a proclamation for Fayetteville’s Earth Day.
“It’s a big deal to have the Mayor there to reiterate and strengthen people’s participation in recognition of Earth Day,” said Carlos Ochoa, director of the Office for Sustainability.
The Mayor’s proclamation recognized what the U of A campus community, the Office for Sustainability and the city of Fayetteville do for Earth Day. During the fair, Eureka Pizza catered free pizza and breadsticks to those who were present.
Kate Shoulders, an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Technology, conducted a solar oven demonstration and distributed flyers on how to build your own oven.
“She helped keep the breadsticks warm and showed [students] how to make their own solar ovens,” said Katie Ferran, Office for Sustainability intern.
The fair also hosted many different vendors, ranging from the U of A Biological Sciences Department and registered student organizations such as The Wildlife Society, GroGreen and Students for Gender Equality.
“The Wildlife Society RSO had snakes, lizards and turtles, was for people to hold,” said Ferran.
Students were also given the opportunity to pot their own plants, provided by GroGreen, and then take them home.
“GroGreen provided soil and seeds, and then you could pot whichever plant you wanted,” said Ferran.
Staff at the Students for Gender Equality table gave away free samples of skin care products every half hour and encouraged women to examine the contents of their beauty products to ensure that no harmful chemicals are present.
“They talked about the conscious use of chemicals in everyday products, which is an environmental concern, but also a gender-related issue, because the use of dangerous chemicals in some products may disproportionately affect women,” said Ferran.
The Office for Sustainability also held a free raffle and Ozark Natural Foods handed away lots of sunglasses.
One of the fair’s most helpful vendors was Bob Munger, the owner of Sustainable Urban Mobility.
“He brought two little electric cars onto the Union Mall to demonstrate, so he was able to help us carry stuff around. He also talked about his cars and how he’s hoping to get those integrated into urban settings,” said Ferran.
Other vendors present at the fair included Keep Arkansas Beautiful, Fayettechill, Beaver Water District, Ozark Water Watch, Washington County Environmental Affairs and City of Fayetteville Recycling.
“We’re looking for opportunities to partner with other organizations on campus, because partnerships can increase the chances of having a successful event,” said Ochoa.
The 2014 Earth Day vendor fair was a success for the University of Arkansas and the Fayetteville community. According to Ochoa, there are more vendors and participants each year. With so many enthusiastic vendors and participants, next year’s fair is sure to be a success also.
If you would like to partner with the Office for Sustainability for future events or for Earth Day, please contact Carlos Ochoa at sustain@uark.edu
By Paige Acklie, Agricultural Communications Experiential Learning Lab Reporter