Kids like to watch things grow. And school gardens are a great place for them to do just that, as well as learn about science and healthy eating. The National Heirloom Expo will showcase the work of more than 30 local school gardens in its School Garden Network Kids’ Pavilion. It’s just one of the ways the expo will illuminate the multifaceted picture of local, sustainable agriculture and food production. There will also be an extensive variety of produce for sale; exhibits on an array of topics, from backyard gardening to green tech; talks on everything from homesteading and running a garden business to fermentation and African-American heirlooms; and demos of seed carving, permaculture, and Navajo spinning and weaving. In addition there will be live music, a Dahlia Show, and the popular 21-foot-tall squash pyramid. And, to support post-fire reforestation efforts, 4,000 native tree saplings will be given away to kids. The expo will be held September 11–13, 9 a.m.–9 p.m., at the Sonoma County Event Center in Santa Rosa. Tickets are $15–$30 and may be purchased at theheirloomexpo.com.