In the American suburbs, the bright yellow dandelion is regarded as a pest, with homeowners waging chemical and physical warfare against it. But for Leslie Silver, who led the 2007 SolarFest Weed Walk, it is a source of potassium and sulfur, an aid to digestion and a diuretic that flushes the liver.

“The whole plant is used for medicine, and you can eat it,” she told some 30 attendees who followed her across a portion of Forget-Me-Not Farm in Middletown Springs, Vermont. She also recommended dandelion fritters and wine, and explained that if you want to make an infusion, it’s OK to use a fresh herb, but for tea, you should use dried, which releases more nutrients.

“We have to change our taste buds,” she told the group, some of whom seemed quite knowledgeable, while others were experiencing this lore for the first time. SolarFest, which is held annually in Vermont in July, attracts a crowd of the conservation-minded who arrive in anything from Chevy pickups to second-hand Priuses. For a Saturday-Sunday pass of $25 (or you can pay less and go for just one day) you can visit a myriad of vendors selling anything from hemp shirts to solar power, and attend some 40-plus workshops like the Weed Walk. In 2007, the workshops were divided into four “paths” (suggestions only, of course; you can attend any once you’ve paid the price of admission): Renewable Energy Technologies; Green Building Practices; Sustainability Awakening; and Thriving Locally and Building Community. There are also performing artists of all kinds on several stages (bring your own folding chair) and lots of tasty treats made from herbs and tofu (you can also get more traditional food).

It’s a glimpse into a world of possibility, where consumerism and waste are not the norms. Founded in 1995 by a group of enthusiasts who wanted to mount a festival that ran entirely on renewable energy, the original event centered around mostly Vermont-based performers. It quickly grew to incorporate the now-familiar workshops and tips on going green. It incorporated as a non-profit in 1999, continuing its mission to harness the arts in the quest for a just and sustainable society.

Originally held in Middletown Springs, the festival moved briefly to Green Mountain College in Poultney, which in my opinion was an ideal setting — indoor classrooms for the workshops, and a lovely outdoor green for the performances. Since 2005, however, the event has been held at Forget-Me-Not Farm in Tinmouth, which provided more room for parking, camping, workshops, and vendors.

Visitors are encouraged to think about powering their homes with solar or wind. In one entertaining talk I attended, Four Winds Renewable Energy owner Roy Butler described the delight he and his customers take in watching their wind turbines rotate and their electric meters spin backwards, erasing dollars from their energy bills and, in some cases, eliciting payments from electric companies.

I also attended a workshop on Energy Literacy and the Home Energy Diet, presented by author Paul Scheckel. I was already familiar with some of his recommendations, but I thoroughly enjoyed his tips for easy home adjustments to reduce power consumption. (One example: Put your stereo system or computer and printer on a power strip, so that monitors and CD players can be really turned off, not just sent into sleep mode.) The best part is that these moves not only help the planet but save you money as well.

For children, there was an enticing choice of healthy activities, such as hula hoop spinning, juggling and a parchute toss.

Lunch time was an entertainment in itself, as I chose among tofu wraps, scrambled tofu, noodles with peanut sauce and organic coffee. Once you’ve made your selection, you can wander over to one of the stages and listen to bands ranging from The Flying Garbanzos to the House Jacks to the Ember Swift Band.  Inside the main tent was another find, with a plethora of books on ways to become more planet-friendly. I bought several Christmas presents there. Saturday wrapped up with a keynote speech by Bill McKibben, who spoke passionately and inspiringly about ways even non-weirdos can do their bit for the environment.

This year’s event promises to be equally enticing. Now 14 years young, the festival this year will be held July 11-13 at Forget-Me-Not Farm. It features an impressive lineup of performers and is well worth a stop. It’s hard to imagine a better way to inspire conservation and promote renewable energy.

Happy Traveling!

Captions: 1. Leslie Silver leads the Weed Walk at the 2007 SolarFest. 2. Displays and workshops are conducted against the backdrop of Vermont’s beautiful green mountains. 3. An environment-friendly hybrid car nestles among the displays to encourage the conservation-minded. 4. The main tent is a great place to find Christmas presents. 5. Bill McKibben, famous for his pro-environmental talks and writing, was the 2007 keynote speaker on a stage powered solely by renewable energy. (Photos by Thomas Simonet.)