front Page!
 

My display made the front page. So excited!!! Several people have told me that they came to the fair just to see the hydro. I have talked till I have almost lost my voice everyday. So much interest out there in gardening via hydro. I have given out over 100 club cards so I think the hydro club is going to take off. It's totally unbelieveable....

Here is the article, she got it mostly right...
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/0...-to-be-on.html

Just interviewed but KNDU. Our local news station.

That's excellent fintuckyfarms, all your hard work is paying off. Out of all the displays at the fair, it's yours that made the front page. That says a lot. Not to mention your local news station wants to do a story on you as well. Your a local celeb now. It dosen't get much better than that for publicity. I knew you were going to have a great display. Great job!!! I hope your husband has been well enough to enjoy your success with you. As for me, I just want to say thanks for helping to promote hydroponics for food production.


P.S. If they have one, post a link to the video of the news story. I'd love to see it.

This is the link, I still have not seen it. I think they just showed stills of the display which I'm good with.

Learn about Hydroponics Gardening at the Benton Franklin Fair - NBC Right Now/KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA |

I have to say it has been awesome, people are coming by all day and some are completely mind blown with this concept.

Some people have been researching it but didn't know where to start. The people most interested in it are the older crowd. One couple wanted to convert their master bathroom garden tub into a system because they don't use it anymore.

I have also talked to lots of "preppers" who are looking for mobile systems that are transportable and people that want to be off the grid and have lots of questions about power usage. Think I am pretty much a shoe in for the master gardener program that starts in January as they want me to come do talks at the local schools and maybe set up a display garden at one of the parks. The only thing that I think will work would be an aquaponics system for that situation.

Anyway it is going well and lots of people are being interduced to hydroponics and I have lots of interest in the hydro club so I need to get cracken on setting up a meeting place and topics for the first meeting. My facebook is already getting likes and comments and I am having lots of fun.

Very well done!

Some Fair Display photos
 

Here are some fair display photos...

I gave out one box of business cards (250) and I have lots of interest in the club. People were amazed that I was not selling anything and just giving out information. Got a lot of "mind blowen" looks when I told them about all of the benifits of hydro and showed them the roots. I think a lot of lightbulbs were lit the last several days;)

Ya, in this world where everything revolves around the dollar. Weather it be sales or advertising, people are always wondering what it's going to cost them. Thus not nearly as likely to show interest if they feel it's going to take money out of their wallet. I would be willing to bet there wasn't any other booths at the fair that weren't trying to make a buck unless it was a government agency promoting their services (they get paid through your taxes). I would also be willing to bet you wouldn't of had nearly the success and interest if you were selling and promoting products. That's why I was hoping you wouldn't become to commercial in the display early on. That just turns people off, even if they would normally be interested. I think you did an exultant job. Actually I think it's quite amazing the job you did considering you/your husband were in and out of the hospital so much before it. I'll bet the fair promoters will want you back next year for sure, it's great publicity for them as well.

P.S.
I guess you get to keep all of the hydroponic systems you built for the fair? You just need a greenhouse to put them in for year round use (hint, hint), winter's coming. I look forward to seeing more of those systems, as well as hearing how the club is going.

So my first hydro club meeting is going to be on the 12th of next month. They asked how many people are going to attend so I guessed around 20. We may have to get more chairs because Nichole at my favorite hydro store says that several people have indicated that they will be attending. I have 14 likes on my facebook page and the manager of the Pasco Farmers Market called asking my advise about growing tomatoes and about setting up a demo system next spring.
People keep asking me if I am selling the systems I made for fair. Maybe I am missing the boat, but I just tell them I can give them the instructions for making them. I don't really have the time or resources to build systems for other people. I am willing to help them get set up but to buy the stuff, build it and hope it sells is just too risky for me right now. I would rather get my greenhouse going and sell the vegies at the farmers market and to friends/family.

Congrats on making the front page!!!:cool:

You must've been losing your voice talking to all the people wanting to know about your exhibit. You could probably sell lots of different systems but I don't see making a lot of money from it. You will make more money selling freshly grown vegetables to local food establishments especially if you can do so year round.

Just heard that the local paper is going to do a follow up article promoting the next club meeting :D That should help spread the word!

Wow, you cant beat that publicity. You may want to make sure you have a few extra chairs.

Great systems you have there.

Would love some additional pics!

I'm not sure how many more of the fair display I have but I will post what I have.

I see the spammers are out in full force 2day.:rolleyes:

Ya, we have days like that, but I delete them as soon as I see it. One of those was the second try of spamming for one person.