What better way to teach people that the dandelion is more than just a pesky weed than with an event dedicated to the medicinal and nutritional benefits of these pretty yellow flowers?
KK’s The Farm in Southold hosted its first Dandelion Festival Sunday afternoon, featuring educational talks, a flower crown-making station as well as dandelion salads, coffee and teas. Children (and adults) enjoyed running through the biodynamic farm’s property, picking a few flowers while learning about the plant.
“People are raising their awareness about the benefits of the dandelion,” said farm owner Ira Haspel. “I think it turned out fabulous.”
An estimated several hundred people attended Sunday’s festival, which Haspel expects to make an annual happening. He hopes celebrating the dandelion will make homeowners think twice about spraying weed-killing chemicals on their lawns.
“This is agri-education,” Haspel said. “It’s all geared toward reducing the amount of toxic chemicals sprayed on the land. But the rest is a lot of fun.”
He recommends eating the plant just before the flower blooms, as that is when it tastes the best.
See more pics below.
