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It's Easy Being Green

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By SHERRI LONON

IN THE LOOP

Published: January 7, 2009

Going green in this economy doesn't have to be as costly or difficult as it sounds.

That's the message the Pasco County Cooperative Extension Office is hoping to send home with visitors who attend its annual open house in January. This year's event is dubbed the "Green Solutions Expo." The idea for the theme was born out of staff desire to show residents they could do their part to help the environment without busting their bank accounts in the process, said BJ Jarvis, executive director of the extension office.

"We kept saying how the word green is getting to be (one that) you don't know what it means any more," said Jarvis. We thought, "surely there are things that each of us can do. ... very concrete specific things that are actually doable and attainable with the tight financial situation we are in."

That notion, and the answers that staff came back with, gave birth to the expo, which takes place Jan. 10 at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 54 in Dade City. The countywide event will include a number of educational exhibits, demonstrations, giveaways and interactive activities for youngsters.

Some of the features that are lined up for the expo include demonstrations on using rain barrels and water-wise irrigation, information on instant vegetable gardening, hybrid vehicles, energy efficient windows and more. Giveaways include free trees, bags of compost and compact fluorescent bulbs.

"We're going to have all sorts of fun things going on - lots of educational things for both adults and kids," said Jarvis.

Residents are hoped to walk away with a better understanding of what they can do to make a difference in their home environments, Jarvis said.

"We're hoping it's going to be interesting to the whole family," Jarvis said.

Pasco County solid waste staff members will make a return appearance at this year's open house, Jarvis said. Again the agency will offer its free household hazardous chemical waste collection service.

According to Rose Parker of Pasco County, the agency will collect such hazardous materials as pesticides, automotive fluids, paint, paint thinners and removers, pool chemicals, batteries and more. It will also accept junk televisions and computers for a $5 fee and old propane tanks for a $3 fee.

For more information about the event, visit pasco.ifas.ufl.edu or call (352) 521-4288.

Editor Sherri Lonon can be reached at (813) 948-4287 or at slonon@mediageneral.com.

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