What is a Preparedness Fair?

Keynote Speaker: Marcia Paulson

Marcia Paulson has worked for over 20 years in the non-profit sector of our community and so has a unique understanding of how to build a resilient community, one that is able to work through disasters and crises. She is currently the Chief Development Officer of Great Plains Food Bank.

How well you and your family responds to personal disaster will impact how well a community responds. What is your role in responding to personal and community crises?

With her extensive experience work with community non-profits as background, she will address the question: How do we build personal and community resilience? Come listen to Ms. Paulson’s expert advice and find motivation to become more self-reliant.

Booths and Displays

We’ll have several booths and displays. In the past, we’ve had booths and displays covering topics like:

• Safe power—A representative from Cass County Electric Co-op will show you how to be safe during a power outage and safely use a generator.
• Knitting and fiber arts—learn the basics of knitting, spinning and making your own cold-weather clothing.

• Preparedness for the elderly and special needs—Alyce Goldthorpe, co-owner and manager of Beehive Homes Assisted Living, will show you how to care for your elderly parents or other handicapped adults during an emergency.

• Ham radios—Ham radios are a vital part of emergency communication. The Red River Radio Amateurs will have handheld radios to demonstrate local amateur communication as well as a demonstration of the emergency equipment in the Radio Trailer (which will be set up in the parking lot outside.)

• Food storage for beginner— Are you just getting started on preparedness? Don’t know where to begin? Our expert will help you get started.
• Gluten Free Food Storage—If you have family members with dietary restrictions, such as gluten intolerance, come talk to Carol. Being gluten intolerant for most of her life, she can answer all your questions and give you ideas on how to have a nutritionally complete food storage.
• 72-hour Emergency Kits—Learn why and how to have a 72-hour emergency kit.
• Creating a family plan—The first step to being prepared is creating your family plan. This hands-on booth will have everything you need to create a plan that will get you and your family ready for a disaster.
• Water in an emergency—Learn the why and how of storing and purifying water for emergencies.
• Continuing your education—Rob Neuteboom is the Associate Dean of General Education at Rasmussen University. He will be available to discuss the value of education, the roll of institutions to assist with your educational goals, and the advantages and challenges of online learning. He is also an excellent resource to answer questions associated with time to degree, investment in education, and any other topics related to higher education.
• The Herbal Medicine Chest—Learn what herbs and other natural remedies you can have on hand to improve your family’s health.

• Fire Safety—Talk to members of the Fargo Fire Department about fire safety at home, work or school.
• Alternate Heat—What are you going to do when the power goes out? Learn different ways you can cook and heat when there’s no electricity.

• The Magic Kitchen—This is a focus on cost, convenience and creativity. Learn about master mixes for the busy lifestyles of today. No time? We have the answer! No money? We have some great cost saving measures! No ideas? We can help with that too! Stop by and check us out—Leona and Micki—everything from soups to spices, baked goods and main dishes. We have all the shortcuts!
• The Preparedness Notebook—If you are just getting started in being prepared, this is the place to start. Grant and Precia Simmons are newcomers to the preparedness world. They will show you how a notebook will help you get started, organize, set goals and keep on track with your preparedness plans.

• Gardening for Beginners— Master Gardener Michelene Peterson and Bonnie McMullen will show you how to get started gardening or improve the yield of your current garden. No room to garden? No problem. Michelene works with Growing Together Community Garden and can connect you to one of the many community gardens in Fargo.
• Quick and Healthy Family Meals— Mariam Said is a Nutrition Education Assistant at NDSU.

• Protecting Technology—Leon Francis, owner of LyonTekk IT Solutions, will show you how to protect yourself from security breaches and protect your electronic devices during a power outage.
• Emotional Preparedness—We never know when stressful events will interrupt our lives. Dena Burk is an integrated health therapist at Sanford Health. She will help you with community resources and skills you can practice when life hits you all at once.
• The Best Food Storage System—Do you want to get a food supply to see you through disasters? Husband and wife Scott (MBA) and Jody (CPA) compare the cost per calorie, taste and nutrition, ease of acquisition, shelf life and other factors to help you decide between ready-made kits, freeze-dried or buying in bulk.
• The Preparedness Library—See the books and other resources available to help you get started or improve your preparedness plans.

And Classes

Booths give you an introduction to a wide array of topics. Classes give you more in-depth instruction. Many classes includes hands-on training.

Here are some of the classes that we’re planning:

• Take Control of Your Health—Learn the some basic things you can do to ensure good health during all phases of life.

• Car Repair and Maintenance—Richard Sailor will show you how to keep your car running better and longer, saving on gas and repairs.
• Seed Saving Coming all the way from Rochester, MN, Heidi and Kelly have established community seed libraries in the communities around the Twin Cities. They will teach two classes: Seed Saving from Your Garden, at 12:00 pm, and Starting a Community Seed Library at 1:00 pm. If you are interested in sustainable gardening or community gardening, you do not want to miss this!
• Cut Your Grocery Bill: Inflation is hitting us hard. It’s time to hit back harder. Brenda Huhtala, the Queen of Frugal, will teach you a variety of shopping techniques to help you dramatically lower your food bill.
• Talking Trash: Upcycling discarded clothing and furniture is not just about re-use. It’s about adding function, style and artistic value and it can cost little to nothing. Gail Myers recently retired from teaching fashion at the University of Minnesota. She is an Allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers and has a long career of doing interior design for major department store and commercial properties. She will also have a booth where you can ask questions.
• Become a Ham Radio Operator: Presented by Brad Leeser, a long-time member of the Red River Valley Radio Amateurs. This class will get you started on the first steps towards getting your ham radio license.

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