Eating local, organic food is one of the ways people can practice sustainable living, Dave Ring, owner of Ring Family Farm and the Downtown Farm Stand, said.
Organic produce is raised without chemicals, pesticides or herbicides and is raised in conjunction with nature, he said.
Ring said eating organic is becoming more popular because organic produce is healthier, has a higher nutrient content, is more environmentally friendly and is better for local economies than conventional produce.
"The main advantage right now is that you can talk to the producer and know how the food is produced," he said. "It also helps the economy because the producers buys local, which supports building a local food system."
Ring will be speaking about local food systems from 5 to 6 p.m. on Saturday as part of the Living Lightly fair.
Living Lightly, Muncie's second-annual sustainability fair, will aim to raise awareness for eco-friendly lifestyles with activities and workshops from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at Minnetrista.
"I look forward to seeing all the like-minded people together in our community," Ring said. "It's kind of a chance to get to hobnob with people ... and hopefully you can influence other people to live more sustainably."
Sherri Beaty, marketing and public relations manager at Minnetrista, said Living Lightly will feature three outdoor concerts, more than 45 vendors and an environmental artist with works located all over the world.
Living Lightly is free, except for food, and open to all ages, she said. Shuttle buses will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. to transport students between Ball State's campus and Minnetrista. Free parking will be located at the Delaware County Fairgrounds and bike racks will be available at Minnetrista on Saturday.
"It's a great opportunity for [students] to come and learn some very simple things they can do to decrease their carbon footprints," Beaty said.
Junior Carissa Buchholz, Students for a Sustainable Campus president, said she is looking forward to going through all the vendors. Although the vendors do sell eco-friendly products, Buchholz said visiting them is less about consumerism and more about networking and learning about the environmental community in Muncie and Indiana.
"[The fair] is going to be a great place to listen to musicians, to learn about living green and it's gonna be a lot of fun," she said.
James Eflin, department of natural resources and environmental management chairperson, said he, a graduate assistant and some members of the Natural Resources Club will distribute information about environmental careers, such as resource management specialists, environmental consultants and park rangers.
Even the Muncie Obedience Training Club will be at the fair to teach people about how to reduce their dogs' carbon "paw prints."
Merrielle Turnbull, director of agility at the club, said dog owners can purchase a product called the Doggie Dooley, a dog toilet that works like a miniature septic tank by breaking down waste with enzymes and water. There are also biodegradeable bags people can use instead of plastic bags to pick up their dog's waste, Turnbull said.
The club, with help from the Animal Rescue Foundation, will also be giving fairgoers information about "recycling dogs" by adopting an older dog who needs a home, as opposed to a puppy, she said.
Turnbull said it is important for students to attend Living Lightly so they can learn more about how an individual can make a significant difference.
"I think we need to have every one more aware of how each of us affect our environment," she said. "We tend to think of it as someone else's problem, or that [we] can't do anything because one person can't make an impact."
Beaty said all Minnetrista exhibits will be free on Saturday. Adult tickets normally cost $7, she said.
Living Lightly FairWhen: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. SaturdayWhere: MinnetristaMore information: Visit livinglightlyfair.org for a detailed schedule of events
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