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Vegetable Exhibition
Purpose
To celebrate agrobiodiversity and engage communities in sustainable food systems through interactive exhibitions. This method showcases heritage and diverse vegetable varieties, fosters dialogue between growers and the public, and raises awareness of biodiversity, seed sovereignty and climate-resilient agriculture.
Key Features
Participants:
- Growers, chefs, researchers, community members and the general public
- Suitable for all ages; inclusive of multilingual and culturally diverse audiences
Estimated Timeframe:
- Planning begins at the start of the growing season
- Exhibition duration: 1 day to several days
- Can be standalone or part of a larger event
Budget Level:
- Medium to High
- Costs may include venue hire, materials, transport, promotion, refreshments, insurance and accessibility support
Materials Needed:
- Tables, chairs, display boards, signage
- Tasting stations, utensils, compostable materials
- Ways to convey further information (e.g. QR codes, flyers, multilingual materials)
- Interactive games, art supplies, feedback tools
- Institutionally approved ethical information and consent forms (if collecting data)
Skills Required:
- Event planning and logistics
- Community engagement and facilitation
- Promotion and partnership building
- Accessibility and inclusion planning
- Adaptability and ethical awareness
- Optional: culinary, agricultural, or artistic expertise
Case Study
Method in Practice
Context of Use
Used in the PLANET4B Hungarian case study around agrobiodiversity to showcase heirloom and exotic vegetable varieties. Growers offered tastings and shared stories, creating a vibrant space for learning, exchange and celebration of agrobiodiversity.
How It Worked
Organisers coordinated with growers, planned the layout, and facilitated interactive activities. Visitors engaged through tasting, games, storytelling and discussion. The event created opportunities for education, networking and advocacy.
Engagement & Participation
Participants contributed through growing, exhibiting, storytelling, and attending. The method supported inclusive participation through multilingual materials, cultural programming, and sensory engagement. Activities like recipe challenges and collaborative art deepened involvement.
Outcomes & Insights:
- Raised awareness of agrobiodiversity and sustainable agriculture
- Strengthened local food networks and grower collaboration
- Fostered cultural exchange and culinary storytelling
- Inspired behavioural shifts in food choices and growing practices
- Created momentum for ongoing engagement and advocacy
Strengths & Considerations
Strengths:
- Visually and sensorially engaging
- Builds community and cross-sector collaboration
- Supports education, advocacy and cultural celebration
- Adaptable to different scales and settings
- Can be embedded in broader biodiversity strategies
Considerations:
- Requires significant planning and budget
- Accessibility and inclusion must be actively supported
- Impact depends on follow-up and integration into wider efforts
- Ethical and safety guidance needed for tastings and storytelling
- Weather and venue logistics must be carefully managed
Photo credit: Bernadett Benko