Smart Farm Announces Second Floating Zucchini Kayak Relay

of Barrington has announced it will host the second edition of its popular and creative summer fundraising event, the

This year’s relay will take place on Sunday, Aug. 26 at 9 a.m. at Twin Lakes Recreation Area in Palatine. It’s not your typical kayak race. Smart Farm adds its own twist to the event. Each relay team of four people will complete one lap of the lake. Teams of two will complete two laps each.

With each leg, kayakers must find and put a vegetable in their kayak and return it to shore. Once all four vegetables have been collected, the team will assemble a “veggie creation”. Examples from last year were a cat and dog and a tropical island scene. After completing a veggie creation, the team’s official time will be recorded.

The Floating Zucchini helps raise funds and awareness to Smart Farm, an education vegetable gardening organization in Barrington. The group is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

Funds donated to Smart Farm help cover the costs of their garden and the expenses of free workshops and classes conducted throughout the year. Smart Farm continually strives to grow and has some big projects on the drawing board for 2012-13.

The Floating Zucchini is also to raise awareness of Smart Farm and its mission to cultivate a healthy, eco-friendly community by:

• Offering adults and young people learning opportunities in sustainable gardening.

• Promoting the benefits of sustainable gardening and healthy eating

• Donating 100% of the produce raised in Smart Farm’s garden to local food pantries.

For the 2011 growing season, Smart Farm raised over 1,500 pounds of fresh produce. While the weather during this year’s growing season may effect vegetable production, Smart Farm hopes to meet or exceed 2011’s production total. To achieve this, many volunteers are welcome and needed. No gardening experience is necessary. For more information on volunteering please go to smartfarmvolunteers@gmail.com.

For more information on the Floating Zucchini and to register, please go to www.smartfarms.org. No previous kayaking experience is necessary. Instruction will be given with the primary goal being to have some good, healthy outdoor fun!

The cost is $60.00 for either sized team and includes kayak rental, personal floating devices, and a Smart Farm Floating Zucchini t-shirt.