Photo by Deb Gau Audience volunteers Monique Konrad and Cassandra Bruns, at center, helped Joyce Kaping and Colleen Anderson prepare a salad with fresh herbs and butterhead lettuce. Kaping and Anderson, co-owners of Farm Girl Fresh, gave a demonstration at Saturday’s Healthy and Green Living Expo in Marshall.

MARSHALL — One end of the demonstration table was crowded with potted herbs — parsley, chives and plenty of basil. But while Joyce Kaping and Colleen Anderson were going to show an audience of area residents how to use the herbs to spice up a recipe, their presentation was about more than just taste.

“I used to think herbs were just for flavoring,” Anderson said. But they’re also good for you. For example, she said, basil is rich in antioxidants and is good for digestion. “People might not know the health benefits and medical value of herbs.”

With a little help from audience volunteers, Kaping and Anderson — co-owners of Farm Girl Fresh of Litchfield — demonstrated how to pot and care for a basil plant. They also talked about techniques for drying or freezing herbs for later, and shared a salad recipe flavored with fresh basil.

Hands-on learning and fun were some of the attractions at Saturday’s Healthy and Green Living Expo held at the Red Baron Arena and Expo. Besides exhibitor booths and educational demonstrations, there were chances for people to take part in healthy food preparation, yoga and Zumba.

Kaping and Anderson said an important part of their business was education.

“We want to be able to be an encourager,” for people who are looking for ways to have a healthier diet or start gardening, Kaping said.

Together, Kaping and Anderson wrote a book, “Farm Girl Fresh: Eating Pure In a Processed Foods World.”

“We refer to it as a garden-to-table book,” Kaping told expo attendees. Besides recipes, the book includes tips for growing and preserving your own fresh fruits and vegetables. Many people today are interested in eating fresher foods, and avoiding sugary processed foods, Kaping and Anderson said.

Kaping and Anderson also recommended finding fresh local foods through farmers markets, or through organizations like Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).

The idea for the Healthy and Green Living Expo came from area community groups getting together, said Tom Hoff. Organizers included Healthy 56258, an organization focused on creating healthier area communities, and the Marshall GreenStep group, which focuses on environmental sustainability.

“There’s some overlap in our goals, so the two groups came together,” Hoff said. The support of area sponsors, including businesses, health organizations, energy providers and more was also key in making the expo possible, he said.

Organizers said attendance at the expo was steady Saturday morning. The weather was cool and rainy Saturday — but on the bright side, Hoff said, “It’s not a snowstorm.”

The expo drew more than 40 exhibitors — more than organizers had initially hoped for. The expo space included booths featuring environmentally-friendly vendors, area farmers and food producers, and resources for staying active and healthy.

“All our exhibitors have been terrific,” Hoff said. “I’m really happy with the balance we had, with a lot of different exhibitors.”

Stacy Frost, chairwoman of Healthy 56258, said she was excited to see the people who attended the expo, including kids and families.

“There’s been all ages. That’s what’s been incredible,” she said.

“We need more things like this in the community,” one attendee said of the expo.