CORVALLIS, Ore. - The public is invited to enjoy free food and live music at the ninth annual Earth Day Hoo Haa on a student-run organic farm on the outskirts of Corvallis on April 22.

The festivities, sponsored by Oregon State University's Organic Growers Club, will take place from 3-7 p.m.

Attendees are welcome to bring a turning fork to help till the ground and plant beets, greens, lettuce and 10,000 onions. During the event, participants will be able to tour the two-acre farm, listen to live music, view displays from local organization and student groups, watch a bubble artist, learn about soil, and see how chickens in mobile coops are used to till the earth. Circus performers and face painting will be available for children of all ages.

A variety of local musical talent will be showcased, including comic country roots rock trio Radio Cowboy and others as well as readings by nationally renowned poet Paul Hunter.

For dinner, vegetarian tamale pie will be served. People are encouraged to bring their own bowl and silverware.

Organizers also ask visitors to leave their dogs at home.

Starting at 3 p.m. free shuttle vans to the farm will depart from the OSU Bookstore approximate every 15 minutes. It will stop along the way at the Oak Creek Center for Urban Horticulture and the Student Sustainability Center where other Earth-friendly activities will be featured. To drive to the farm, take Highway 34 east after crossing the Willamette River, then turn left onto an unnamed dirt road after the Trysting Tree Golf Club. Look for a circus tent. Drivers are asked to park on the east side of the gravel road.

For more information go to http://cropandsoil.oregonstate.edu/organic_grower/hoohaa.

Source: 

James Cassidy, 541-737-6810

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