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In this issue:
Farmer Profile:
Farm #48- The Cowichan Valley
Lavender Labryinth
Take a walk through the Cowichan Valley Lavender Labyrinth. In the words of owner Christopher Carruthers, “you won’t get lost”!
Diverging from a traditional unicursal labyrinth design, Christopher and Julia Carruthers’ modern geometric labyrinth has been dubbed ‘processional’. Featuring wide wheelchair accessible pathways, the design allows patrons to pass one another uninterrupted. Accordingly, the formation encourages guests to walk, to meditate and to enjoy the scent of lavender at peace.
In addition to the provoking design, perhaps one of the most captivating features of the Cowichan Valley Lavender Labyrinth is the multitude of lavender cultivars represented. Featuring over twenty varieties, from the classic English and Mediterranean lavenders to the lesser known lemon lavender (whose scent is akin to rosemary), this diversity in colour, shape and scent is an experience not to be missed.
Located off Wicks Road, just beyond Inverarity Road (opposite 6357 Wicks Road), the Cowichan Valley Lavender Labyrinth is open to the public Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Stop by to enjoy the scenery, to pick your own bundle of fresh lavender (when in season), or to visit the farm-gate shop which sells lavender themed items such as potted lavender, natural lavender bath and beauty products, essential oils, lavender sachets, dried lavender bundles, culinary herbs and lavender honey.
For further information, please visit their website.
http://www.cowichanvalleylavender.com/
Please complete the
Seed Survey for the Seed Literacy Campaign! 
If you have a couple of extra minutes, please take the time to answer CGC's Seed Saving survey. As part of the Seed Literacy Campaign, the information collected through this survey will assist to determine the types of programming and literature to be developed by the Seed Literacy Campaign. This campaign, which intends to raise awareness about the important role that seed saving plays in agriculture, hopes that this survey will gauge current knowledge of seed saving, and concerns and opinions related to issues such as genetically modified seeds.
Answers will be completely anonymous; however, survey results may be published within future CGC newsletters, reports or promotional materials.
If you have any questions, or if you would like further information about the survey, please contact Vanessa Goodall at vanessa@cowichangreencommunity or call 250-748-8506 Thank you for your participation!
Click this link for the public survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BXWM9NM
Click this link for Agricultural Growers: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BFX6XCW
P.S.
If you have a story to share about your favorite heritage variety or know of a local Valley gardener saving seeds in your area, let us know. We are compiling as much information as we can to paint a better picture of our Valley's own seed heritage.
Please email heather [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org">heather [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org
Ceres Edible Landscapes:
10% Off Summer Special
Ceres Summer Special: 10 % off Pruning and Maintenance Services! Want to sit back and relax this summer season? Let Ceres take care of all your weeding, mulching, garden rejuvenation and pruning needs.
Call 250-748-8506 or email kristi [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org">kristi [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org today to book a free estimate. Offer expires August 27, 2011.
Cold Frames and Reclaimed Windows Available!
Although CGC has been promoting our reclaimed windows and cold frames, we still have way too many windows than we are able to house. Instead of paying for storage, we are hoping that there are a few of you out there who are still interested in these windows? These wood framed windows were removed from the Vancouver City Hall as part of their building retrofit, and have been donated to CGC to be used for fundraising and food growing purposes. Windows are being stored in Sahtlam. These windows would be perfect for cold frame or greenhouse construction. To have a look, or pick up some up, please contact: john [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org. Suggested donation: $5 for small quantities. Bulk options also available. P.S. We still have one built cold-frame left available for purchase.
Kinsmen Community Gardens:
To water or not to Water?
With concerns to watering at the Kinsmen Gardens, we would like to remind our gardeners that although the Municipality of North Cowichan does turn on the underground sprinklers during the summer, these sprinklers are a bonus, not a means to water your garden beds. It is each gardeners responsibility to water their own garden plots, and this can easily be done with the hose that is centrally located near the square garden plots. Thank you all for your understanding and cooperation!
Important:
If you have a plot in the round Mandala Garden, please
contact amanda [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org if you don't want strawberries on the edge of your bed (closest to the middle circle). Over the next year, we are trying to help protect the plastic underlay by planting strawberries on the inner edges of the Mandala garden and surrounding beds. Their strawberry leaves will hang over the plastic and help protect the edges from coming undone. Please email Amanda or call 250.748.8506 for further information.
Sustainable Living Centre:
New Apothecary Products!
For those of you who have been asking about local and natural essential oils, lotions, bug spray and face care products, we finally have some great products to offer. Robin Round, owner and proprietor of Klondike Apothecary, just moved to the Valley from the Yukon, and she has some amazing gifts to share. From natural baby products, botanical bug spray and Quit yer Itchin ointments, to essential oil blends comprised of plants she grows herself, massage oils and natural air fresheners, you will find quality ingredients aimed for healthy living that were formulated by a chartered herbalist. An additional bonus is that these products are also incredibly affordable. You can find more of Robin's products at the Duncan Farmers Market or by visiting www.klondikeherbal.com Community Events:
Collective Bio-Fuels Conference: Aug 5th-7th. International film premiere of FREEDOM: a film about North America’s ever-growing addiction to foreign oil, alongside the pros/cons of ethanol. There will also be a sustainability trade show, workshops, social mixers, biofuels plant, vineyard & CSA tour and more. For info please visit: www.collectivebiofuels.org or email: info [at] cowichanenergy [dot] org">info [at] cowichanenergy [dot] org
Sooke Region Food CHI Society with generous support from the District of Sooke is proud to present second annual Farm and Food Garden Tour Sunday, August 14 from 10am- 5 pm. This self guided tour will feature 11 unique local farms and gardens in and around the Otter Point area. Tickets are $10 (free for ages 15 and under) and available in both Victoria and Sooke.
Two week Permaculture Workshop: August 17th-31st @ Mossy Banks Farm in North Cowichan: Learn how to install a grey water system, plan a food forest, put in an aquaculture system to restore soggy land to full use. Create the miracle of a shower right there beside your garden when you are hot and grimy. Week one focuses on planning, surveying and implementing a full aqua-culture system,
including planting the banks, planning a 1/2 acre food forest (to be planted in October.) Week two we will put in a grey water system, and construct an outside solar shower. Camping on site and meals can be provided. (Lunch included). The program is open to both those who have studied permaculture and those who have not. Long-time Permaculture teacher and practitioner Brandon Bauer will lead the first week, while permaculture educator and enthusiast Javan Bernakevitch will lead the second week. For more info and registration, go to http://www.earthenbuilt.com/learning-opportunities/practice-permaculture or call 250 597 3513.
CVRD Agricultural Plan Community Meeting: August 23rd- 7pm @ Glenora Hall. Please attend and lend your support. The area agricultural plan will demonstrate economic, environmental, cultural and sustainable community development benefits, in particular, the new A-5 zoning laws which will enable farms like Alderlea and alike to grow and distribute food on more than one piece of land. For more info or to express your opinions on the matter, contact the CVRD Planning and Development department by emailing Rob Conway: rconway [at] cvrd [dot] bc [dot] ca">rconway [at] cvrd [dot] bc [dot] ca or phoning: 250-746-2618. You can also email Loren Duncan-Area E CVRD director :loren_duncan [at] telus [dot] net"> loren_duncan [at] telus [dot] net
Veggies Available: Growing Opportunities is a non-profit collaborative. We work with
collectively with people of all abilities to learn and gain experience of growing food on a farming scale. We share the food with members and sell our food to finance the expenses of the farm.The harvest is on! We have veggies for sale. Anyone interested in
veggies can email orders to jenandbearit [at] gmail [dot] com or phone and leave a message at 250-753-3070. As of August 5, we have available: Basil, Beans, Yellow, Dragon Tongue,Purple Beets (tops on), Beet Greens, Carrots (tops on), Cilantro, Garlic, Snow Peas, Swiss Chard and Yellow Zucchini.
O.U.R. Eco-Village Events:
July 29- Aug 14th - Permaculture Design Certificate Program. A diverse group of instructors and special guests teach fundamentals of Permaculture in a 72 hour intensive course. Learn the critical skills of observing, listening, opening, and receiving along with a variety of hot topics ( e.g. organic food production and food security, soils: natural soil improvement, water: harvesting, conservation, and management, Ecovillages & Sustainable human settlements and more).
Earth Dance Children's Camp: Aug 1-12,2011 - an opportunity for children to dance and play on the farm through a dynamic two week program designed to inspire creative little minds. Week 1: Earth Dance August 1-5, Week 2: Farm Kids August 8-12. Children's camps can also include a residential stay (camping or B&B).
August 6 & 7th - Cob in the Garden: Learn easy natural building techniques suitable for all ages and instructions on how to create your own small garden structure during this two day workshop.
For info/ register please visit: http://ourecovillage.org or call 250-743-3019.
Sept 17-18: Insight into GMOs: Symposium featuring keynote speaker Dr. D Huber & Jon Steinman. Local yummy treats, edible landscaping, local producer kiosks, exquisite natural buildings, and our annual local food feast FUNdraiser sit-down dinner. Drop in during the festival, or reserve early for the dinner and symposium. For info/ register please visit: http://ourecovillage.org or call 250-743-3019
Cobble Hill Thursday Farmers Market from 2pm-7pm: Buy some locally grown, fresh fruits and veggies every Thursday from 2pm- 7pm @ the Cobble Hill Hall Field. For all inquiries call: 250.510.8343 or email: islanderstrading [at] yahoo [dot] ca">islanderstrading [at] yahoo [dot] ca
Wanted: Plastic poly (clear or black) for renovating an older barn. Please email amanda [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org">amanda [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org if you have any materials you would like to donate.
Permaculture Certificates from the leading minds on sustainability (e.g. seed saving, organic farming, permaculture design, greywater systems, food forestry, regenerative financial systems, food production, natural building, mushroom and mycelium production, business models and ecovillage design) + the highest hands-on to theory ratio of any residential permaculture course on the Canadian west coast + three weeks with the glorious backdrop of Salt Spring Island off the coast of British Columbia? Visit: http://www.permaculturebc.com/permaculture-design-certificate-british-columbia-salt-spring-island for more info!
FoxGlove Farm Presents 2011 Workshops, Retreats & Events: Make your own homestead cheese, build a wood-fire oven, photograph the great outdoors, learn how to graft and prune trees or discover the art of fermentation + many other workshops. Visit http://www.foxglovefarmbc.ca for more info! Contact: programs [at] foxglovefarmsbc [dot] ca or phone: 250.931.5336.
Casual Farm Help Available. Weeding, planting, general farm labour. Contact CGC for more information. 250.748.8506.
Garden Spaces/ Greenhouses & Rental Suites:
Available: Large fenced backyard vegetable plot (10.5 x 14.5 metres) in the Seine Road area. There is easy access from the back driveway. Lots of tools including a roto-tiller to share. There is a greenhouse and easily accessible water available. Would like to see this area used by someone who practices organic gardening as it has become too much for me to maintain by myself. I will provide the space, tools and water in return for a share of the produce. Please call 250-748-0527 or email mwhitwill@ shaw.ca to discuss a mutually beneficial opportunity. I hope to have plans in place for next year's growing season.
Rural Home for Rent: Private, quiet 3-bedroom home on ½ acre plus, located on a farm in Glenora, 7 minutes west of Duncan. Includes veggie garden, orchard, chicken coop, some outbuildings, firewood for wood/oil furnace, unfinished basement with w/d hookups. $1475 per month. 1 year lease, damage deposit ½ month rent, animal deposit may be required. Pets and small farm animals okay – pastures can be discussed (No horses) Excellent H20. References required. Available August 1. Please call: 250-210-1985
Small is beautiful - 2 BD 800 sq. ft. house on Glenora acreage. No smokers or pets. Perfect for green-conscious minded couple or person wanting to share organic garden. 4 appliances, privacy, 5 min. walk to river swimming. $900 month. Available Sept 1st, minimum 1 yr. lease or longer for right people. Phone 748-6804 or 748-6802. Bills Rd off Vaux
Small Rental Cabin/ Cottage/ Lot on Acreage Needed for Sept. 1, 2011: Moving to the Valley w/ 3 friendly dogs and a cat. Have own live-in trailer w/ phone jack, electric hook-up, but need space for pets and access to clean H20 supply. Willing to pay for hook-ups, otherwise, i am willing to rent a cabin or cottage. Please contact Gina Son at reguarmat [at] yahoo [dot] ca">reguarmat [at] yahoo [dot] ca or phone 250-359-7999.
Hope Farm has two tubing benders for loaning out to local growers wanting to make covered growing areas. We have one 4' low tunnel bender and one high tunnel bender. Please contact Michael Burdge at mike [at] hopefarm [dot] ca or 250.510.2111.
Job Opportunities: (Note: Please reply directly to the job posting)
Sorry, there are no Jobs currently listed.
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Wild Food Walks:
Only One Left to Go!
 Cowichan Green Community has organized its second annual Wild Foods walking series focusing on the Cowichan Valley’s bounty of wild edibles and their ecosystems. Join local wild foods experts, including Chef Bill Jones and The Land Conservancy’s Jay Rastogi, as they share their knowledge of foraging, medicinal plant use, traditional plant uses, wild food preparation and more along six different walking trails throughout the Valley. We only have one walk left! Please see our schedule below:
Walk #6 -Wed. August 10th Mayo Creek Gardens - Ingeborg Woodsworth All walks depart at 9:30 a.m. and run two to three hours depending on the number of people and the level of interest. The cost is $17 per walk; $15 for CGC members. Sign up for three or more walks and receive a 10% discount. Some walks have limited space so sign up now! To register, please call Heather at 250.748.8506 Alexander Community Garden Work Party:
 Saturday, August 13
10:00am - 3:00pm Location: Alexander Community Garden at 2471 Beverly Street (east of Alexander Elementary Gym) Come out to the Alexander Garden work party! We will be applying compost tea to the plants, mulching with straw, spreading soil, gravel and most importantly, having a great time. Bring your own water, work clothes, and safe footwear. Also at 3:00pm on the same day, Jason Greenwood, Ceres Edible Landscaper and urban agriculturalist, will be giving a tour around the Alexander neighborhood of the various urban gardens. We hope to see you there! 2nd Annual Edible Garden Tour:
Saturday, August 20th
10am -4pm
What's your neighbour growing? Find out during CGC's second annual Edible Garden Tour. From tasty and unique heritage varieties to wild options like Hairy Cat's Ear, our tour hosts have a lot to show off. Learn more about sheet mulching (a.k.a. a no-dig, back-saving approach to building garden beds), using fig hedges to keep out those pesky deer, and much more. Talk with the gardeners about their own unique take on edible landscaping and meet other keen green thumbs in the community. Tickets are $10 each for members, $15 for non-members and $20 for couples or families. Kids under 13 yrs are free. Contact us at 250-748-8506 or email alyssa [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org">alyssa [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org for more information or to reserve yours today. P.S. Many thanks to Richard D. for your generous donation towards the Edible Garden Tour. Your support towards to this event means so much to us! Thank You so much!
Support CGC through the Peninsula CO-OP!
Would you like to support CGC, but aren’t sure how? An easy way to donate to CGC could be the next time you go to fill up with gas. If you stop at your local Co-op gas station, just tell them you want to donate your gas purchase points to Cowichan Green Community's account (#49620)! It will quickly add up for us, we can put the points to great use, and the Peninsula Co-op is a Vancouver Island based co-operative! Awesome!
Become a Fan for CGC on Facebook!!
CGC knows that we have many more friends than our Facebook page says we do, so we are asking our members and supporters to simply click on the link below and become a fan of CGC. Having a presence in the online world helps us further spread the word about our great programs, current initiatives and future programs!
Like Us by Clicking Here!!
Green Volunteer Appreciation: 
In no particular order, here is a list of the amazing people we would like to acknowledge with a special thanks for their support. Please note that if we missed your name, you are still amazing!
The Island Saving Centre for always lending us their tents whenever we ask for our community events!! Fuzzy for supporting CGC with his hot-dog stand,
the Warmland House and all their staff for allowing us to use their kitchen for our staff meetings, catering, and workshops!
Yearly Memberships: 2011  Members are the driving force behind everything we do here at Cowichan Green Community. Your support will: create a stronger voice for change in our community; help fund locally-focused programs that make our home a more sustainable place to eat, live, work and play; provide opportunities for community members like yourself to get involved.
Memberships also include: 10% off everything in the Sustainable Living Centre; access to our great selection of books in our Lending Library; discounts on CGC workshops and events; and the opportunity to vote at our AGM.
Register at 181 Station Street or online by clicking here.
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