By Theadoris Morris | Staff Writer

The Farm, Home and Wildlife Expo held at the Chilton Research and Extension Center (CREC) has come around again to provide a learning experience and fun for all.

This year marks the ninth year the event has been held for Chilton County residents and those from all over.

“It’s an open house for anyone who pays taxes the way I see it,” said Jim Pitts, director of the CREC. “For those who want to know what we do here, this is the time to do it.”

The expo is Saturday, Aug. 6 from noon to 5 p.m. and includes a wide variety of activities, demonstrations, samplings and tours.

There will be 26 locations/activities to keep everyone entertained.

“It’s very educational, and there are a lot of opportunities to learn,” said Pitts. “It’s open to the public, family oriented and educational.”

Isabella High School’s robotics team will perform demonstrations, and the Isabella Society of Mad Scientists will shoot their rockets at the event.

Auburn University Autonomous Lawnmower Team, a student engineering group, will demonstrate their robotic lawnmower, and eagles from the 4H Center will be present among numerous other attractions.

Food tasting is popular at the Expo, Pitts said.

More than 200 varieties of peaches are grown in Chilton County, and participants will have the opportunity to try those that ripen during this season as well as apples, figs, grapes and pears. Participants will also have a chance to taste locally made goat cheese during a live milking of dairy goats and a dessert tasting by the Chilton County Master Gardeners and Homemakers.

A variety of fruit desserts will be offered for sampling featuring fruits grown at the CREC.

In addition to fruit, a pork, dairy, beef and Mexican cooking demonstration will also be held.

“I don’t think you’ll be hungry when you leave here,” said Pitts.

The Expo provides entertaining learning activities for farmers, children, homeowners and hobbyists.

Each demonstration will repeat three times throughout the day to provide everyone a chance to see as many demonstrations as possible.

“No on can see it all, but this gives them a chance to pick and choose,” Pitts said.

Other booths will cover topics including lawn care and irrigation techniques, rainwater harvesting, biodiesel demo, wildlife control, blackberry culture and trellising, safe shotgun practices, muscadine and bunch grape production, and much more.

There will be numerous games and attractions for kids, including an old-fashioned hand water pump, a “peach float,” a honeybee demonstration, “my pyramid” for kids and other child-oriented demonstrations and activities.

“Generally, we have more than 1,000 people at the Expo; it just depends on the weather,” said Pitts. “Last year, I think it went well. People were there and we were able to get across what we were trying to do.”

The CREC is located at 120 County Road 756 Clanton. Admission and parking are free.

For more information or a complete list of scheduled activities, visit www.ag.auburn.edu/aaes/outlyingunits/chilton.html or call 205-646-3610.