Earth Event at Joliet Public Library

I dropped the ball. "The Future of Food," a great documentary on genetically modified crops, was shown again last week at the Joliet Public Library's main branch. I promised to promote it. I misremembered it as being next week, so I failed to do the right thing.

So I'm posting this early to be certain you don't miss this opportunity.

Vicki Nowicki will present "Life Changes When You Grow Your Own Food" at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Joliet Public Library Black Road Branch, 3395 Black Road in Joliet.

Also, from 1 to 5 p.m., you can take in exhibits on green living and environmental preservation. Before Vicki's presentation, local students will give a live performance. At 2:30 p.m., the band Overman will play live outside the library.

And you could get one of 500 heirloom tomato plants being given away free.

Why head out there, besides the free info, food and music? Vicki is an author, teacher and leader who believes home vegetable gardens are the path to renewal and prosperity for America.

She degrees in horticulture, environmental studies, environmental education and museum studies.

Vicki and her husband Ron own The Land Office in Downers Grove, a design/build firm with "an ecological conscience." Twenty-five years ago, Ron and Vicki founded the CircleGardenFarm, a home/office/demonstration garden that is now being called an example of suburban permaculture. She co-founded The Wild Ones in Illinois, a group devoted to using native plants in the home landscape. She has worked with the Downers Grove Organic Gardening Club for 25 years. She is well-known for her classes on growing vegetables, herbs, heirlooms, vermiculture and now suburban permaculture and has done extensive lecturing at The Morton Arboretum.

In 2008, Vicki launched a new business called Let's Grow. She and her crew plant, maintain and harvest vegetables, herbs and cut flowers for clients who want to learn the rhythms of the gardening season.

She's also been pushing vegetable gardens through the Liberty Gardens movement. Hundreds have posted her signs, showing they will change their lives by growing food at home. (The signs are adorable. We plan to buy and post one.)

My husband and I met Ron Nowicki at a FamilyFarmed.org expo. He's one of those guys you immediately respect, but also the kind of person you'd want to be with if your plane crashed in the remote forest. This is man who could build a shelter and grow food. He also let us try a carrot he'd harvested the day before. It might be the best carrot I've ever had.

Point is, Vicki is ready to tell you something that's worth hearing. Consider heading out for it.