By NANCY VORIS
Indiana Correspondent

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — It could be called “Everything You Wanted to Know About Making a Living on a Small Farm in the 21st Century.”
But organizers are just calling it “Country Lifestyle Experience.” The expo runs this Friday through Sunday at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and is designed especially for consumers, producers and residents of small farms.

Visitors will experience demonstrations, lectures, live animal exhibits and a trade show. Each day features nearly two dozen choices of workshops by experts on topics including domestic and exotic livestock management, beekeeping, herbs, egg handling, food preservation, growing flowers and herbs, small farm financing and seasonal cash flow and grant opportunities for small farms.
Presenters include industry experts from Purdue University, the Indiana Board of Animal Health, government agencies, livestock associations and independent producers.

“The Country Lifestyle Experience is a family event, designed for people who live in the country on land ranging from one to 100 acres,” said Event Manager John Clow.

“We’ll offer instruction and education for those wanting to improve small farming knowledge, profit and enjoyment, as well as learn more about ways to save energy, save money and ‘go green.’

“Our mission is that the Country Lifestyle Experience will provide a place for you to come share your knowledge and learn from others. Best of all, the Country Lifestyle Experience provides a unique, hands-on event experience designed to inspire attendees to take action and get on the path to a sustainable agriculture lifestyle.”

The trade show is a place to visit with industry experts and shop for specialty products such as farm equipment, photography, home décor items, honey and even plants and green builders. Trade show booth space is still available, with a special discount for products handcrafted in the United States.

Animal exhibits will include a diverse variety of goats, sheep, rabbits, pigs, chickens, miniature horses, cattle, alpacas or other animals.

Expo attendees will learn about the benefits of the different breeds, as well as how to raise and care for them.

Hours for the event will be Sept. 10 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sept. 11 from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sept. 12 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $10 a day for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12 and free for children five and under.

For more information about the Country Lifestyle Experience, visit online www.equinepromotions.net/CLE or call 765-655-2107

The first Country Lifestyle Experience in April was in Albany, Ore., and drew about 1,000 visitors. A second event is scheduled for April 2011.

This event is owned and managed by Equine Promotions, Inc. Indiana sponsors include Indiana Farm Bureau, Indiana Cooperative Development Center, Inc., Farm Service Agency, Fletcher Chrysler Dodge Jeep and The Marten House Hotel & Lilly Conference Center.