Town of Bridgewater - Exhibitors & Educators

The Growing Green Festival features a large and exciting diversity of exhibitors on August 25 in downtown Bridgewater. Exhibitors will be set up on King St from 8:30am to 12:30pm. Learn all about sustainability from the people who know it best! Please check back here regularly as we are continuously adding more confirmed exhibitors.

Food, Product & Service Vendors

Bear Cove Resources	Bear Cove Resources manufactures Storm-Cast. Sorm-cast is seaweed washed ashore by storms, gathered, composted and bagged locally in Queens County for use as an all-purpose fertilizer/soil amendment, especially for those gardeners who prefer to garden with the tides of tradition.
BTS Property Inspections	I am a certified home inspector as well as a certified energy advisor that consults with clients on energy upgrades for their homes.
Do-It Textile Repair	Nancy Price is a textile artist with many years of experience in working with textiles. She encourages people to creatively address a sustainable approach to their wardrobe and working with textile materials. She will demonstrate techniques such as darning and hand sewing. Participants will be encouraged to reuse, repair, deconstruct clothing and other textiles.
Friend's Café	We're a coffe shop-style restaurant providing homemade cuisine for breakfast and lunch with healthy choices and variety menus, from Thai, Canadian, and European dishes. All the food is cooked and baked in the café including breads and pastries.
Helping Nature Heal Inc.	Restorative landscaping specialists. Repairing ecosystems into a living well designed landscape. We sell the products we use to aid in local self sufficiency.
LaHave River Credit Union	LaHave River Credit Union is the only local financial instituation in the Bridgewater area. We offer all the products and services that the big banks offer, but we are not focused on big profits--we are focused on you! This focus is exemplified through lower service charges, great interest rates, and old fashioned personal service. We have also returned over one million dollars in rebates to our customer-members over the last 10 years.
Luvly in Lunenburg	LUVLY is a store that is devoted exclusively to independent Canadian designers of women's clothing. LUVLY offers unique clothing for women of all ages, including many one-of-a-kind items. LUVLY's designers are committed to responsible and sustainable practices in the choice of materials and in manufacturing.
Norma Smith	I am a basket weaver. I use locally grown witherod. Baskets have been made and used since the beginning of time!
Sweet Cheeks Diaper Service	Cloth diaper manufacture and service to homes.
TAMMACHAT Natural Textiles	Eco-friendly, fair trade fashion accessories and home décor from rural women in Thailand and Laos. Supporting and sharing sustainably created, handcrafted textiles and cultural traditions.
The Ark	A non-profit organization focusing on vocational skills for the specially challengedin our community, The Ark is especially proud of their efforts in recycling. Used clothing is used for rug hooking, felting, and rug braiding.

The Cultivators Market LTD.	The Culivators Market Ltd is a food brokerage and distributor for locally farmed food. We offer ethically, sustainably, and locally grown vegetables, fruits, meats, poultry, eggs, cheeses, herbs, coffee, baking goods and more! All of our food products are grown withoutgenetic modification, biosolids, and chemicals. The Cultivators Market also offers an exclusive fundraising program for schools and non-profits: Dick & Jane's Food for Fundraising ™. We broker and distribute local food to schools, hospitals, retirement homes, non-profit organizations, and individual consumers. The Cultivators Market is closing the gap in the local food system for a food secure future! A social company, we invest time, money and management into community, agriculture, sustainability, fundraising, and health and wellness.We feed your family, support our famers, and enhance the quality of life in our communities.
The Neck's Best Thing	The Neck's Best Thing is a labor of love and a source of pride. Working with colors and fiber issuch a pleasure and to witness the depth and range of color that nature produces is truly 'magic'. All the scarves and ties are dyed using natural products with no harsh synthetic chemicals. The leftover products is compostable.
The Nodding Group	We are a full service construction, general contracting and marine operation founded on high quality Lunenburg County workmanship. We are dedicated to trust and integrity in our business practices, exceptional customer service and sourcing environmentally respectful solutions for your home, business, and industry.
Tummy to Mummy	"A shop for moms and babies and those who love them," Tummy to Mummy is mompreneur owned and operated. We are located at 479 Main Street in beautiful Mahone Bay. We carry stylish maternity and nursing wear, products for natural parenting (baby carriers, cloth diapers, non-toxic toys, body products and more) and a range of beautiful and functional baby products including exclusive hand-made Nova Scotian items.
Valerie White	I live just outside Bridgewater and have been crafting since I was a little girl. Several years ago, I started working with previously loved wool sweaters and different types of fabrics. These pieces are upcycled into beautiful purses, mittens, scarves, hats, clothing, etc.

Sustainability Educators

Bird Studies Canada	Bird Studies Canada (BSC) is a national not-for-profit science based organization dedicated to the conservation of wild birds and their habitats. In Nova Scotia, BSC coordinates the Piping Plover Conservation Program and through our monitoring, educational and outreach activities works to protect endangered Piping Plovers and their beach habitat, and to increase understanding and appreciation of the importance of beaches to other wildlife, plants, and our communities. With Nature Canada, BSC is the Canadian co-partner of Bird Life International and delivers the Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program, which aims to identify, monitor, and conserve a network of sites that provide essential habitat for significant bird populations.
Bluenose Coastal Action Foundation	BCAF is a non-profit charitable organization that adresses the environmental concerns within the Lunenburg County Watershed. We strive to promote the restoration, enhancement, and conservation of our ecosystem through research, education, and action.
Bridgewater Active Transportation Committee	The Town of Bridgewater's Active Transportation Committee supports people to walk or ride to get from place to place. We help the town, local businesses and organizations make it easier to walk or ride around town by improving roads and walkways, promoting community programs, and building local excitement and involvement.
Bridgewater Heritage Advisory Committee	The Heritage Advisory Committee advises the Town of Bridgewater on such issues as the designation of buildings, streetscapes, and areas within the town as Heritage Properties. The Built Heritage Assistant is a summer student who does research, prepares information and supports the Heritage Advisory Committee as it protects the built heritage and architectural history of Bridgewater.
Bullfrog Power	Bullfrog Power, Canada's 100% green energy provider, offers homes and businesses clean, renewable energy solutions. By choosing Bullfrog Power's green energy, you can reduce your environmental impact, support the development of new renewable generation in Canada, and create a cleaner world.
Citizens for Public Transit	Citizens for Public Transit Society (CPT) promotes the development of a public transit system which is affordable, sustainable and accessible to all citizens of Lunenburg County and encourages involvement of Lunenburg County residents in the transit decision making process.
Clean Nova Scotia's Climate Change Education Department	The Climate Change Education Department (CCED) at Clean Nova Scotia (CNS) is committed to youth education on the subject of climate change and sustainability in their lives. We use participatory learning activities and scientific information to teach youth about how they affect their environmnent and what they can do to make a positive impact.
Community Sustainability Network - Bridgewater & Area	At this booth, Festival visitors can review the many ways people contribute to sustainable living and communities. These ways include sustainable practices in food preparation, energy consumption, transportation, enjoying the outdoors, economic development, "green" education, and community engagement. Visitors will be invited to take part in a fun and interactive survey using colourful tokens to count the different, interesting, and equally important ways we each took our "first step" and other ways we might take "the next step" in thinking or acting "green". Visitors are also invited to enter the CSN draw for a prize by filling in their program ballot that records your visits to the Festival booths and leaving it at our booth
Council of Canadians	Canada's largest citizens' organization, we work to protect Canada's independence by promoting progressive policies on fair trade, clean water, energy, security, public healthcare and other issues of social concern.
Ecology Action Centre Food Committee	Since 1971, the Ecology Action Centre has been working to build a healthier, more sustainable Nova Scotia. The Food Action Committee aims to promote the social, economic, and environmental benefits of locally produced food.
Efficiency Nova Scotia Corporation	Efficiency Nova Scotia Corporation helps homeowners and businesses use energy better. We're the leading resource for learning about energy efficiency, and taking action on energy-saving projects.
Green Lizard	Renewable energy provider, specializing in photovoltaics (pv).
Lunenburg and Queens Baby-Friendly Initiative Committee	A committee with representation from public health, acute care, midwifery, La Leche League, and the community. Our mission is to "provide leadership for the protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding" in our communities.
Lunenburg County 4-H Leaders Council	4-H is a youth organization for young people between the ages of 9-21 years. Members complete livestock and life skills projects whil provide them with new skills,broadens their interests, and provides increased pride in their communities. They take part in club community activities and learnto organize and carry out a meeting and participate in public speaking.
Lunenburg/Queens Federation of Agriculture (Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture)	The Federation of Agriculture represents the interests of the South Shore's agricultural community. We work to ensure a competitive and sustainable future for agriculture and a high quality of rural life.
Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute	The Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute (MTRI) is a non-pofit co-operative with a mandate to promote sustainable use of natural resources and biodiversity conservation in the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve and beyond through research, education, and the operation of a field station.
Municipality of the District of Lunenburg	The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg covers approximately 432,000 acres and is home to more than 25,000 residents in over one hundred communities.
Nova Scotia Department of Environment	We conduct public education to help citizens comply with environmental law. The Environmental Home Assessment Program assists homeowners on proper operation and maintenance of their septic system, well water, and oil tank.
Region 6 Solid Waste Management	We promote proper recycling and composting.
Saltrock Farm	I have been a small scale dairy goat farmer and gardener on Mosher I. for over 30 yrs. Living on an island 2 miles from shore forces a person into a self reliant and sustainable lifestyle. I have been practising organic methods from the start and also buy quality equipment and tools that will last.
Second Story Women's Centre	Second Story Women's Centre (SSWC) works to enhance women's lives by providing services and education designed to promote personal growth, community awareness, and social change. We are a non-profit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors.
Slow Food Nova Scotia	The Slow Food movement is a global grassroots organization intended to reconnect people to local food traditions, where food comes from, and to promote healthy food choices.
South Shore Public Libraries	South Shore Public Libraries is a regional rural library sustem that serves Lunenburg and Queens Counties.
The Block House School Project	The Blockhouse School is the central and first project undertaken by the umbrella organization, South Shore Social ventures Co-operative Ltd. Or SSSVC. This is a not-for-profit organization and its purpose is to hold abandoned properties while growing the means to re-use them in energy efficient, sustainable ways. In other words, we recycle properties and make them useful for future generations. We are creating a model for how to become more self-sufficient and sustainable in: food, shelter, energy, culture, and employment. The entire venture is open-ended and creative. It is also inclusive, welcoming anyone in the community who is interested. The old Blockhouse Elementary School will be retrofitted with composting toilets, solar power, straw bale buldings and productive gardens and greenhouses. Rooms will be rented for production and showcasing of local green businesses, at the same time as other building areas will be used for courses, a timeshare commercial kitchen, workshops, events, meeting space and cultural presentations.
The Lunenburg Makery	The Lunenburg Makery is a place for learning, making, and gathering around textiles and crafts. We are committed to promoting DIY skills and artisanal knowledge as well as fostering teaching and learning in the art and craft community. We offer workshops, space, a craft library, an alterations service, and equipment rentals in Lunenburg NS.
Windhorse Farm	Windhorse is a place and a path of celebration. We celebrate sufficiency, stillness, impermanence, diversity, kindness, humour, and natural wealth; the experience of nothing missing. Windhorse Farm is a place for people to let go of the busyness and habitual patterns of their lives and celebrate the magical simplicity of mind and nature. A path of land stewardship, honouring the 150 year legacy of the Wentzell family. Windhorse Farm is one of the sustainability "demonstration sites" for the climate change program of Windhorse Education Foundation. Come visit us and you will see ancient forest that have been sustainably logged for 180 years, organic gardens grown based on permaculture principles, wind turbines, solar powered buildings, and much more.

The many sustainability educators at the Growing Green Festival have a wide diversity of steps toward sustainability for you, no matter where you are on your journey. You will learn about the many services and products offered "close to home" by knowledgeable and committed people working to help you take the next step in developing sustainable practices at home, at work, and at play. You will also have many opportunities to engage in conversation and activities with educators and local organizations that are part of a network focused on developing and integrating the many different and equally important ways to sustain a healthy environment, community, and economy.

Here is just a sampling of the education activities and booths registered for this year's festival:

The "Borrow a Pedometer" program at the Active Transportation booth allows you to use a step-counter during your time at the festival. Before you leave, return to the booth and a volunteer will calculate how far you walked and show you what errands can be walked within the town of Bridgewater with that number of steps!
The "Magic of Energy" interactive stations at the Efficiency Nova Scotia booth teach visitors young and old what it means to use energy--and how it's not really magic, but a lot of effort. They're also giving away shower timers and discounts on home energy audits to help festival attendees become more energy efficient. Attendees can enter to win a $5,000 energy grant or a high efficiency washer/dryer.
Bird Studies Canada will be featuring a "portable beach" for children to learn about sea birds and their role in the environment.
Citizen for Public Transportation will share information regarding a proposed 3 year pilot project of a fixed route public transit system in Lunenburg County. The routewould link the Municipality of Lunenburg and the towns of Bridgewater, Lunenburg, and Mahone Bay.
4-H will bring small stock, including a sheep, a goat, and several rabbits and educate festival attendees on their care and uses. They will also have special activites for kids!
The Food Action Committee of the Ecology Action Centre will share demonstrations on preserving local produce! Come bring your canning and freezing questions.
The Lunenburg Makery will offer a quick tutorial on how to make a small, stylish pouch from recycled bike tires.
Thomas R. Drew of Saltrock Farm will be presenting a hands-on demonstration on repairing and sharpening common tools eg handles on shovels or rakes, putting an edge on axe or scythe, as well as food dehydration demos.

And much, much more! See you at the festival!

The exhibitor spaces for the Growing Green Festival 2013 are nearly full! If you have not applied but are interested in doing so, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call our festival line at 541-4390 to enquire about available space.

If you have already applied and been accepted, feel free to contact Elisabeth Bailey at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions or concerns. Please let us know if you have any changes in terms of your space or power requirements, as supplies of both are in high demand!

Please note that we are currently in the process of sourcing both volunteers and materials for the street fair. If you are able to contribute in any way, please contact Elisabeth for a list of needs and opportunities.

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Information for Exhibitors