Meet the experts at tomato festival

By Andi Anderson

The 17th Annual Heirloom Tomato Festival, scheduled for August 24th in downtown Pierceton, has announced its lineup of expert speakers.

The festival, a popular event for gardening enthusiasts, will host Steve Koontz and Karen Richey, who will share their knowledge on indoor gardening and food preservation.

Both presentations will take place at The Old Train Depot, located near Brower Park, just off Ind. 13. The event promises to offer valuable insights for those looking to extend their gardening season and preserve the summer harvest.

Steve Koontz will kick off the day’s events with his program, “Grow Lettuce in Your Living Room,” at 10:30 a.m. In his presentation, Koontz will explore various methods for growing vegetables indoors throughout the year, even during the harsh Indiana winters.

He will introduce attendees to different soil-less gardening systems, both homemade and commercial, that can be used to cultivate lettuce and other veggies inside the home. Koontz, who has been growing vegetables on a Tower Garden system since 2012, founded Keep It Watered, a business focused on indoor gardening solutions.

The second program of the day, titled “Preserve It Now … Enjoy It Later,” will be presented by Karen Richey at 2 p.m. Richey’s session will cover essential canning and food preservation techniques to help attendees make the most of their summer harvest. With over 33 years of experience as a Mastering Home Food Preservation instructor with Purdue Extension, Richey brings a wealth of knowledge to the festival.

Her extensive background in foods and nutrition, along with numerous awards and accolades, underscores her commitment to education and service in rural Indiana.

The Heirloom Tomato Festival provides a unique opportunity for participants to learn from seasoned experts and gain practical skills in gardening and food preservation. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, the insights shared by Koontz and Richey will be valuable for extending your growing season and enjoying your harvest throughout the year.

Mark your calendar for August 24th and join the festival at The Old Train Depot in Pierceton for a day filled with knowledge, fun, and, of course, tomatoes!

Photo Credit: gettyimages-bastetamn