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In this issue:
Eat Local, Eat Fresh this Holiday Season
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimberlymck/2954809719/
Cranberries, turkey and squash...oh my! All of these delicious things can be found through our Buy Local! Buy Fresh! Cowichan Food Map. Your local farmer can tell you how, when and where your food was grown and might even have a funny story that you can share at the dinner table. Check out our map online, or stop by our office at 181 Station Street for a print copy.
The Real Dirt on Cover Crops and Soil
 A room full of 80 keen and hungry farmers convened at the Duncan Fire Hall last Thursday for a workshop with Jill Clapperton, soil and cover crop expert. Skills Link - Edible Neighbourhood project participant, Mark, blogged about the event and lessons learned, including how worms are sexy.
This event was generously sponsored by the Cowichan Agricultural Society, City of Duncan and the CVRD Environment Commission and catered by Cowichan Green Community. Read Heather's blog to find out about the delicious curried squash soup, local chicken wings and salads served, along with recipes for these dishes.
Chemainus Students are the Bees Knees!
The Chemainus Secondary wood working program has been a hive of activity. All throughout the Fall, students have been crafting mason bee houses to help support our local bee population. Read Amanda's blog to find out more about these important contributions and for pictures of their work. Mason bee houses made my these students and more information about how to install and maintain them can be found at the CGC Sustainable Living Centre at 181 Station St.
CGC Bike Raffle
It's not too late to be a winner! The CGC Bike Raffle is still open and taking entries until this Friday, December 17th. The winner will be drawn on Monday, December 20th at 9:00am.
Chances of winning are 1 in 2700. Ticket Purchasers must be 19 years of age or older. The Draw will be held at CGC and the winner will be contacted as well as announced on CGC’s website, www.cowichangreencommunity.org, and in the CGC newsletter. For more details and complete raffle rules, visit www.cowichangreencommunity.org.
BC Gaming license 28625, Problem Gambling Help Line 1-888-795-6111, www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca. Know your limit, play within it. For full details and prize description, visit cowichangreencommunity.org.
The CGC Sustainable Living Centre - Product of the Month
 Looking for fresh ideas this gift-giving season? Check out Cowichan-made reusable snack bags by All Fresh Ideas. Constructed with a water resistant liner, serged seams and a velcro closure, your snacks will keep safe and sound...plastic-free! The Sustainable Living Centre also carries uniquely crafted holiday stockings, made by All Fresh Ideas.
Thank You to our World Youth!
A big thank-you to Henry, Duil and the whole Canada World Youth team for all of their support and enthusiasm. Africa Night was a wonderful event and also helped to raise funds for both Cowichan Green Community and Christo Rei, an AIDS organization in Mozambique. Henry and Duil were also invaluable in helping to run various events, Farm to School lunches and various other duties at CGC. We wish you well and... we'll miss you!
Farm to School News
Last week students at Quamichan Middle school enjoyed a fresh and tasty wheat berry salad... with the works! Read our Farm to School Coordinator, Tessa's blog entry about her adventures in finding locally grown wheat and other ingredients.
Skills Link – James Street Edible Neighbourhood News
It's been a great start with CGC's newest staff, the Edible Neighbourhood Project Coordinators. These 6 energetic youth are participating to develop job skills and help establish more gardens for the James-Alexander community. The last two weeks have been filled with workshops and team-building and the group is excited to meet with the James-Alexander Neighbourhood Working Group to start planning for future gardens.
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Community News:
LIVE MUSIC @ DUNCAN GARAGE CAFE
To celebrate their new name and all their wonderful patrons, the Duncan Garage Organic Cafe and Bakery is hosting live Music on Saturday December 18th, from noon to 2 p.m.
"Seven days per week this lovely little organic hub is brimming with happy, healthy and vibrant community-minded people and everyday we, the staff and management, count our blessings. To work in this glowing, flowing inspirational bubble of beautiful people is fortunate indeed!"
O.U.R. ECOVILLAGE JOB OPPORTUNITY
O.U.R. Ecovillage is looking for a Sustainable Food Production/Garden Manager. We are looking for someone who is an experienced and competent organic gardener who can develop a holistic garden management plan and put it into action. Ideally, this person will have experience in facilitating, educating, delegating, and leading others in the garden with an attitude of excitement for the plants and the activities at hand. This person is required to have good communication skills, self-motivation, ability to work alone and in a group, amazing interpersonal skills and openness to sustainable living practices through living in a learning community. More info...
GAIA COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS & COURSES
The BCLNA has announced that it will fund 7 tuitions in the GAIA COLLEGE Organic Master Gardener course. Funding is restricted to courses on Vancouver Island completing before the end of April 2011: Victoria (January 18 – March 10, 2011) ; Tofino (February 14 – 25, 2011: 2 week intensive - ideal for professionals!); Courtenay (March 11 – 28, 2011) For more information about the Organic Master Course please visit
http://www.gaiacollege.ca/organic-master-gardener-course.html
Please contact Joy Demelo jdemelo [at] bclna [dot] com or Ann Marie Walsh awalsh [at] bclna [dot] com at the BCLNA office directly for more information.
MINDFULNESS TRAINING COURSE to improve physical & mental conditions. Join this workshop with Heather Ferris M.Ed. CCC for individuals and physical or mental health practitioners Saturday, January 22, 2011 from 9am to 4pm at the United Church, Ingram St., Duncan; Fee: $50. Pre-register at Cowichan Family Life 28 - 127 Ingram St. Duncan Phone 250-748-8281.
RENT OR BUY IN TO COMMUNITY HOBBY FARM
Wanting people to rent and/or buy in to a working organic hobby farm in North Cowichan . Some interest or training in permaculture preferred. Farm is not economically self-sustaining yet, so outside work will be necessary.
There are about 10 arable acres. It is a mixed small-holding with sheep, turkeys, layer chickens and pastured meat birds seasonally. It has a 1/4 acre veggie garden, new food forests in process plus an old orchard, and plans for grain growing, possible fresh-water aquaculture and wet rice growing. There is potential for medicinal herb gardens, mushroom cultivation etc.
There is a room to rent for someone interested simply in renting. There is also an opportunity for people to initially lease to see how they "fit" with the current operation here, then buy in as part of a "community" farm if both parties agree. Will discuss living arrangements and financial details with anyone interested in getting involved. Contact Lynn at (250) 597 3513.
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Buying your loved one a membership with CGC will help to support locally-focused initiatives such as FruitSave, Farm to School and Community Gardens. Show them you care by making a contribution to strengthen our community.
Members also receive access to our lending library and discounted rates on educational workshops and purchases in our Sustainable Living Centre at 181 Station Street in Downtown Duncan.
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