Cornell Plantations will add an international flavor to its annual herb festival with a daylong presentation, "Herbs Around the World," Saturday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Topics for lectures and demonstrations include "Herbs in Japanese Cooking" at 10:30 a.m. with Yasko Uemura; "Spices and Herbs of Tanzania" at 11:30 a.m. with Margaret Mbwana; "Frontier Herbs" at 1 p.m. with Barbara Blackburn; "Herbs and Magic in Northern Thailand" at 2 p.m. with Leif Jonsson; and "Herbs South of the Border" at 3 p.m. with Kristof Ostlund. Admission to the program at Plantations headquarters is $3; children under age 12 are free. The program is sponsored by Auraca Herbalists, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, Cornell Plantations and the Finger Lakes Herb Gardeners.
There will be guided tours of the Robison York State Herb Garden's 18 theme beds at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. (especially for children) and 2:30 p.m. Participants will be able to taste and purchase lavender ice cream from the Cornell Dairy Store, herbal cookies from around the world, spicy vegetarian lunches, edible flowers, teas, vinegars and other herb-based products.
Four book signings are planned outside the Plantations gift shop: 11 a.m., Seven Pillars of Health by Jay Solomon; 1 p.m., The Flamboyant Garden by Elisabeth Sheldon; 2 p.m., Frontier Fare by Barbara Blackburn; and 3 p.m., Moosewood Restaurant Kitchen Garden by David Hirsch.
More information is available at 255-2407. Free parking is suggested at the Peterson lot at the corner of Judd Falls and Tower roads.