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In this issue:
Food Security Documentary:
If you missed our documentary premiere of Nick Versteeg's "Food Security: It's in your hands", don't fret because CGC currently has ten copies available for $20 each. The goal of this documentary is to create discussion on Food Security and how we can improve the way we think about farming, food and our future's sustainability. Way to go Nick!!
Help us expand our Lending Library:
Help CGC expand its Lending Library with books and DVD’s that are focussed on environmentally minded issues! We are currently trying to offer our members more resources that will help us share information that will equally engage and educate us all.
We would love to offer far more resources and DVD’s than we currently have, so if you have any used books or DVD’s that you are ready to pass along, please drop them off at 181 Station Street in Duncan, B.C.
Perhaps you might end up going home with a great book or DVD from the lending library? If you missed out on the Food Security documentary premiere, no problem because we have one to lend!
Edible Neighbourhood:
The pace of work is accelerating with the Edible Winter Wonderland project. The six garden sites have been finalized, plans are being developed, and work has begun on gardens at Warmland House, M'akola housing and the Cowichan Sportsplex. Everyone is welcome to come and help with garden construction. Most work parties happen during the week, but we will have at least one weekend work party for the Alexander School garden before the project is done. Keep an eye on the CGC website for work party detailshis is where something needs to be written ?
15% Off Ceres Edible Landscape Designs:
Until April 1st, Ceres is offering a special offer of 15% off of our design services. Our designs are inspired by principles of permaculture, which means that our designs will always respect the well-being of your family and environment. Our landscape design packages include a scaled preliminary drawing as well as a planting plan and master-plan. Dream up your new landscape today! Contact Kristi at 250. 748.8506 or email kristi [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org for more information.
Kinsmen Community Gardens:
Currently, we are calling out to all those mysterious gardeners who we can’t get a hold of by telephone or mail. There is a waiting list of new green thumbs that have been patiently waiting for a plot since last spring! If we haven’t got in touch with you yet and you are still interested in keeping your garden plot, please contact Amanda at 250-748-8506.
Farm to School:
This week, students and staff at Quamichan were dished up a vegetable unknown to most - Sunflower tubers! These root vegetables are known as Sunchokes, Jerusulum Artichokes, Sunroots or Earth Apples. Sunchoke plants produce flowers related to sunflowers in the summer. In late autumn, their underground tubers are ready to be eaten. For Farm to School this week, we baked the sunchokes in a cheesy casserole along with local chicken and leeks.
Thanks to the farmers this week: Cricket Ridge for sunchokes, Farmhouse Poultry for Chicken, Maple Groove for garlic and eggs, Saanich Peninsula Farmers for onions, Tom Henery from Metchosin for wheat flour, Foote's Hazelnut Farm for Hazelnuts, and Providence Farm for kale and carrots.
Want to learn more about our Farm to School Program? Check out our blog for menus, recipes and photos.
Sustainable Living Centre:
 Did you know that a single female mason bee will visit nearly 2000 blossoms every day! Now imagine the thousands and thousands of blossoms that ten mason bees would pollinate in the same day!
Luckily, CGC is proud to announce that- for the first time ever- we have been granted an opportunity to offer mason bee cocoons, alongside our locally-made mason bee houses!! Thanks to Eugene Fleck, our little friends have been kept safe and sound during the past winter months. He delivered them in small vials that contain five males and five females.
Simply store the vial in a safe spot of the fridge until a week before your crops begin to bloom, or when outside temperatures won't drop below +10. Place the mason bees close to a mason bee home. As the sun warms the nest site, the mason bees will emerge.
There is a very limited amount available, but like they say, the early bird gets the worm! Don’t miss out! Contact Amanda [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org or call 748-8506
Community Events:
Public Hearing and Presentation about EcoDepot in Cobble Hill Thurs. Feb.24th - 7pm @ Cobble Hill Hall
This is a chance for the public to be heard and will also be an update on the last 8 months of CVRD EcoDepot Actions and Public Relations. check http://www.saynotodump.ca/
Public Meeting: Proposed Changes to Animal Health Act: Fri. Feb.25th @ Cobble Hill Farmers Institute (3550 Watson, Cobble Hill)
The Cowichan Agricultural Society will be hosting Dr. Paul Kitching- Director Chief Veterinarian Officer for B.C.
Cowichan Folk Guild Juno Award Winner,Ken Hamm! Sat. Feb.26th @ The Chapel at Providence Farm Doors open @7pm Concert @ 7:30pm
Tickets: CFG Members $10 - Non-members $15 Reserve your tickets by phoning 250-748-3975. Seating is limited. Reserve early!
FOLK GUILD ANNOUNCES MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
For more information or to become a CFG member visit their website at www.folkfest.bc.ca or phone the Folk Guild office: 250-748-3975. The membership drive will run from February 15th through March 31st, 2011. Corporate or Business memberships are also available.
Empower Your Health Through the Fine Art of Fermentation SAUERKRAUT & KOMBUCHA WORKSHOP: Sun. Feb.27th 10am-3pm
Located @ O.U.R. EcoVillage in Shawnigan Lake. Cost is $90. Includes Lunch and Supplies. Pre-registration is required. Contact Holly at 250-746-7824 or hollyhowe [at] shaw [dot] ca to register or for additional details.
Green Jobs Workshop: Saturday, March 5th from 1:00-4:30pm @ Quw’utsun’ Cultural and Conference Centre
To raise awareness for the many opportunities that the green economy can offer, this workshop will provide info on how to get training, jobs and careers. We want to encourage local green businesses and groups to participate by having a booth at the workshop. Please call Nancy Clegg @ 250-743-1042 for more info
“Practical Landscape Design” @ Vancouver Island University’s Centre for Continuing Studies course on the Cowichan Campus. Wednesday evenings, March 2 – April 13, 6:30-9pm
Please contact 250-746-3519 or toll free at 1-888-747-3519 for info/register. Please register 7 days prior to course.
Vimy Hall Seedy Saturday: March 6th @ 3961 Gibbins Road Call 748-6347 for more info
Community Supported Fishery Meeting: Wednesday, March 9 @ 7pm at the Alderlea Farm Cafe (3390 Glenora Road)
Do you want to get the highest quality seafood directly from a fisherman, which will help support sustainable fisheries and the local economy? How about buying a share in a Community Supported Fishery (CSF) you will get a share of the catch of Prawns, shrimp and salmon.
If you want more information please email Guy Johnston @ mrfishing [at] telus [dot] net
Solar Communities Information Session – What does it mean to be a solar community? March 10th
Cowichan Tribes & City of Duncan on March 10th from 6-8 pm @ Si’em Lelum Gymnasium (5574 River Road, Duncan BC) Guest speakers from Cowichan Tribes and Cowichan Energy Alternatives. For more info contact Jenn George, Cowichan Tribes (250) 748-3196
Natural Building and Homesteading
Internships & Workshops w/
Earthen Built At Mossy Banks Farm in North Cowichan
Learn the skills of Natural Building and Homesteading through hands-on experience. Our goal is to empower people to be more self-reliant, creative, and capable. Register for an intensive internship program of 3 or 6 months, or sign up for our workshops. Check us out at www.earthenbuilt.com for further details and info.
Permaculture BC is born www.permaculturebc.com
Their focus, is to bring the "Most bio-regionally experienced and knowledgeable instructors focusing on theory and hands-on activity for students to graduate with the highest amount of retention, application and inspiration needed to create a positive sustainable future." Check it out!
Survey: Social Planning Cowichan & The Cowichan Valley Division of Family Practice.
Survey runs from Feb. 9 - March 11, 2011. A local charity will receive a donation for each completed form. For more info contact Linden at 250-746-1004 ext 250 or linden [at] socialplanningcowichan [dot] org
Healthy Living, Healthy Planet EXPO
Saturday, March 12th @ Brentwood Hall, 7082 Wallace Drive, 12-3 pm; FREE Admission!
This program teaches youth and families skills to grow organic food. For more info contact, Helen [at] thegardenbox [dot] ca or (250) 544-2064.
FOR RENT: Small, cottage-like, 1 bdrm, 1bath home with office and utility room. Wood heat with electric baseboard back up. Washer/dryer. Convenient location, close to town. Big enough for 1 person or a couple who strives for a sustainable life style and has an interest in sharing the organic garden with owner who lives on property. $850 plus utilities. Contact Martha at 250 - 748 - 4006
Containers wanted at Warmland House.
Warmland House is always on the hunt for plastic containers (clean, with lids!) of all sizes for storage and takeout. They especially like ice cream buckets. Containers can be dropped off at the Cowichan Green Community at 181 Station Street. |
Events
Growing Community Donor Breakfast
March 3rd @ 7:00am
Please join us on Thursday, March 3rd for 'A Growing Community Donor Breakfast!' A complimentary healthy, hearty breakfast featuring local ingredients will be served from 7:00- 8:30am at the Clements Centre on 5856 Clements St. in Duncan.
You are truly a member of our community and we thank you on behalf of every person whose life will touched by your support. From all of us at CGC, we would love to see you there!.
Please RSVP by phone or by the email provided below. Please indicate if you have any allergies and/or if would prefer a vegan/vegetarian option. Click here for more information info [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org or 250-748-85076
Duncan's 3rd Annual Seedy Saturday
March 26: 10am-4pm
Celebrate the start of the gardening season by bringing along some of your own organic seeds or cutting sprouts to Duncan’s third annual Seed Saturday! It’s happening on March the 26th from 10:00am to 3:00pm at the Mercury Theatre on 331 Brae Rd. We encourage everyone, from small container gardeners to larger-scale growers to come to our event, meet some interesting folks, and get a start on this season.
The amazing variety of organic, heritage and heirloom seed varieties and seed vendors is especially exciting this year. However, this day will be more than just seeds. There will be food vendors, experts from Seeds of Diversity, as well as fun planting activities for kids! For more information click here: Seedy Saturday info
Green Volunteer Appreciation: 
A special thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers who helped us on Feb.12th with the 'Food Security Documentary Premiere', and on Feb.13th with the 'Sharing Our Love Stories" event. Both events were a huge success, but we couldn’t have done it without our team of volunteers.
Many thanks to those who donated bottles for our recent bottle drive and to those who have donated plastic containers for the Warmland House. We are still accepting containers if you would like to donate.
In no particular order, here is a list of the amazing people we would like to acknowledge with an extra special thanks for their support. Please note that if we missed your name, you are still amazing!
Susan Smith, Alfred Lewis, Barb Sobon,
Liz Clements, Amy Luck, Alistair Macgregor, Denise Slade, Rob Cerins, Stephanie Cerins, Carly Stace-Smith, Dianne Wilbee, Paige, Kristen, Valerie Robinson, Kerri Davis, Liza Watler, Stu Neal, Faizal Charania, Julian Hanrahan, Amanda Munsell, Justin Beaton, Todd Gesshe, Chealsea Waser, Sophia Link and residents of the Properties at Maple Bay.
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