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In this issue:
 Register today for the Buy Local! Buy Fresh! Farm Map: The word is out: local food is delicious and nutritious, and consumers are looking to find the best our Valley has to offer! The 2012 Buy Local! Buy Fresh! local food map is currently in production phase, and we are ready to showcase your farm's information! The true outcome of this map has enabled local farms and other food producers to create a stronger connection with their customers and each other by promoting a vibrant local food culture. The end result is greater food security for all, and a more resilient community. Now, what could be better than that? Download our registration form by clicking here and submit your information to Cowichan Green Community to ensure your listing will be included in the 10,000 copies set to be printed and distributed throughout our region, reaching both residents and tourists alike. We look forward to hearing from you! Happy Farming!
30 Day GMO Free Challenge:
Challenge yourself to live GMO Free!
Even if you haven't signed up yet, there is still time!! This educational challenge began on January 18th and will continue until February 16th, 2012. By focusing on reducing or eliminating GM food and non-food items from participants’ everyday lives, we are here to assist participants through this challenge, regardless of when they sign up! CGC will provide resources on GMOs, including daily tips, advice and sources of inspiration intended to guide the challenge. Participants, along with CGC staff, will also have the opportunity to blog and, or tweet about their questions, ideas, challenges and ultimately success. We want to hear your stories about living GMO free! This challenge is FREE and is open to anyone interested in learning how they can reduce their consumption of GMOs. All citizens hold the power to create change! Take the Challenge and find out how you too can make a difference. Click here for more information or to register, or contact the Cowichan Green Community at 250-748-8506.
Ceres Edible Landscaping: Fruit Tree Management & Pruning Workshop on February 11th! 
Want to learn how to care for your mature fruit trees? Join Todd Gesshe (certified arborist), and CGC staff to learn all about fruit tree pruning, tree biology, planting, mulching and more. This workshop will include an on-site demonstration and a take-home information package. Do your trees a favor and sign up for this workshop!
Date: February 11th, 2012, 10 am-3 pm
Location: Marigold Nurseries, Residential Site (to be announced upon registration)
Cost: Non members $30, Members $25
For time, locations, and registration please contact CGC at 250.748.8506
Kinsmen Community Gardens: New year, new people, new ideas! 
“Ideas can be life-changing. Sometimes all you need to open the door is just one more good idea.” -J. Rohn
Recently we started talking about making the Kinsmen Gardens a more interactive space for people in our community to learn about growing food. Based on last year's Earth Day workshop for potato towers, we came up with the idea to have a "community potato plot" where we could teach others the many different ways to grow potatoes.
In order to make this idea come to fruition, we are asking our readers for one or two large barrels, preferably wood, to be used for the "community potato plot". Growing potatoes vertically is a great way to optimize space with a phenomenal yield of food to share. If you have a barrel to donate, we would be happy to hear from you. For those of you interested in learning how to grow potatoes, please keep your eyes posted for workshops at the Kinsmen Gardens come Spring.
If you are interested in having a plot at the Kinsmen Gardens this summer, please contact amanda [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org . Currently we are getting in touch with previous plot renters to renew their garden spaces. If you are a previous plot renter and you haven't heard from us yet, we encourage you to send Amanda an email or call 748-8506. We look forward to hearing from you!!
Special Notice:Missing Friend!
One of CGC's dear friends, Jason Greenwood, has recently lost his companion, INCA! She is a Husky, Malamute, Shepherd cross dog that looks like a wolf. She is an incredibly friendly dog with icy blue eyes, but she is not wearing any tags or a collar. Inca went missing from Riverbottom Road on January 4th, 2012. Please call 1-250-737-1800 if you have seen her, or know of her whereabouts. Please help us bring Inca back home to her loving family! 
Community Events:
The Council of Canadians presents: Civil Disobedience Workshop - Feb 4th in the
Board Room,@ Island Saving Centre, 287 James St., Duncan from 1pm - 5 pm. This 4 hour workshop will teach the fundamentals of peaceful civil disobedience on critical issues of social, environmental and economic justice. Taught by Harjap Grewal, BC-Yukon Regional Organizer from the Council of Canadians, this is a FREE workshop. Canadian courts have said that civil disobedience is acceptable if you act peacefully, accept any consequences, and act on a clear moral issue like coal in BC or the proposed tar sands oil pipelines to export oil. Mr. Harper's government says that opposing these pipelines is a "radical" act. What do you think about that? Join others and learn how your voice can be heard.
FREE Mason Bee talk on March 10th @ 10:30am at Bee Haven Farm located at 4820 Wilson Road, Duncan, B.C. There will be a power-point presentation with demonstrations. Cocoons will also be available for sale. This will be an indoor presentation, but we are limited for room (12-15 people). Participants must register by telephone. If there is a large demand, we would be happy to repeat the presentation on another day. Please call Steve or Gail @ 250-746-9916.
Makaria Farm has launched a Food Security Club for Vancouver Island residents who are interested in receiving bulk amounts of easy-to-store organic produce (e.g. garlic, carrots, squash). Cowichan residents can also sign up for the 5th year of Makaria Farm's Vegetable Share (CSA) Program, and receive weekly bags of fresh-picked vegetables from June through October. Visit www.makariafarm.com for details.
North Cowichan is seeking input to its Climate Action and Energy Plan – everyone in the Cowichan Region is welcome to contribute ideas that will make North Cowichan and the wider Cowichan region greener and more sustainable. Get involved in the dialogue and share your ideas here: http://ncclimateaction.ideascale.com/a/panel.do
Soil Bioengineering & Restoration Workshop - Feb 25 & 26, 2012: The Cowichan Land Trust is pleased to present this 2 day course. Content will focus on soil bioengineering techniques and options involved in restoration and reclamation of damaged ecosystems using a combination of structural materials, vegetative cuttings and other specialized methods. Soil bioengineering is an applied science that uses live plant materials to perform an engineering function such as slope stabilization, soil erosion control, or seepage control. Lunch and refreshments will be provided on day one, but participants should bring a packed lunch on day two. The registration fee is $120 for Cowichan Land Trust members and $150 for non-members. The optional course manual is $30. For further questions or to register for the course, please contact Jen Morgen via phone: (250) 746-0227 or email: info [at] cowichanlandtrust [dot] ca">info [at] cowichanlandtrust [dot] ca
Garden Spaces/ Greenhouses & Rental Suites:
Living space for active, mature person available on small, hand-tilled, permaculture farm in Yellow Point – Cedar area. The 5 acre farm on no-thru road has pastures, seasonal pond, woods and ~10,000 sq. ft. of garden space. This is a scent-free, chemical free environment - - conservation of water and energy, practice of yoga and meditation, and the 100 Meter Diet are a part of daily life. Living space is ~228 sq. feet and includes a kitchen with convection oven, hotplate all in lower level of farmhouse. Bathroom is close by, shared with owner living on upper level. If renter wishes to grow food, accommodations can be made. Use of workspace suitable for large and tall projects is negotiable. Non-smoking individual only! Rent is $450 per month, includes utilities and laundry use, furnished or unfurnished. References are required. There are sometimes disabled youth in the home; a criminal check is required. Email onthewing [at] islandnet [dot] com">onthewing [at] islandnet [dot] com
Funky cabin on mixed organic farm available as a
sublet (fully furnished) immediately until March 15. $600/ month. Rent reduced if cat-care included. Great place for a quiet retreat. Please phone Lynn at 250 597 3513.
Employment Opportunities:
Market Gardener @ Hope Farm: working under the direction of the General Manager,this position would co-ordinate the day-to-day operations of the market garden facet of Hope Farm. Position begins April 1, 2012, for a 6-month period. Based on a 40-hour week, the starting hourly wage is $15/hour.
Specific responsibilities: Day to day co-ordination of garden tasks for Farm residents, Directing all market garden operations; cultivation, irrigation, planting/transplanting, harvests, etc., Maintaining daily journal entries, Crop/input/harvest record keeping
Basic tool and equipment maintenance,
Maintaining a clean and orderly environment,
Management of all post harvest operations,
Soil fertility and preparation, Maintenance of a diverse selection and well-timed successions of row crop production, Seed selection and plant propagation,
Direct seeding and transplanting for scheduled harvests, Irrigation system maintenance, and management of farm crew irrigator; Tree fruit production including pruning, thinning, pest control, replanting, etc., Pest and disease management, Harvest, post harvest, and storage of crops, Maintenance of accurate records of all market garden activities,
Sales and marketing of farm produce through the farm stand, restaurants and customer orders.
Skills and Requirements:
A solid blend of education and market farming experience, experience working with addictions, proven track record working with individuals who are marginalized, Good interpersonal and supervisory skills, Knowledge of basic tools, machinery operation/ maintenance, Good organizational skills & a sense of humour.
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Events: Seeds for Change: GMO's & The Right to Choose!
Saturday, February 18th
10am- 4pm @ the Hub
 Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are on the menu of topics at Cowichan Green Community’s (CGC’s) upcoming 3rd annual Seeds for Change Conference. There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding what is, what isn't GMO, as well as the lack of transparency regarding GMO labelling. This conference seeks to address and highlight examples of how citizens and communities within Canada are working together to choose alternatives. Examples will be showcased through a series of speakers and a panel discussion, featuring Jon Steinman of Deconstructing Dinner, Jean Crowder, MP Nanaimo-Cowichan, Thierry Vrain, co-owner of Innisfree Farm in Courtenay, John Wilcox of Duck Creek Farm and more. Taking place on February 18th, 2012 from 10am to 4pm, this event will be hosted at the Hub in the Cowichan Station (2375 Koksilah Road, Cowichan Station, BC V9L 6M5). CGC will provide coffee, tea and light snacks. Farm’s Gate Food and Catering will be on site serving-up a fabulous set lunch for $15.00 or you’re welcome to BYOL. Entrance to this conference will be by donation. We are taking early registration as space is limited. For more details or to register for this event, please contact the Cowichan Green Community at 250-748-8506 or email info [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org">info [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org We look forward to seeing you there! A Year in Preview: CGC's dates to mark in your 2012 calendar!
Jan.18th-Feb.16th, 2012:
30 Day Live GMO Free Challenge
February 11th, 2012:
Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop
February 18th, 2012:
Seeds for Change Conference: GMOs
February 22nd, 2012: Donor Breakfast @ Duncan Christian Reformed Church
March 24th, 2012:
Seedy Saturday from 10am -4pm @ the Mercury Theatre
April 17th, 2012:
Volunteer Appreciation Tea in support of National Volunteer Week!
April 21st, 2012:
Earth Day Celebration @ Charles Hoey Park
April, 2012:
Fruit Save Orientation & Sign up!
June 8th & 9th, 2012:
Food Security Conference & 2012 Buy Local! Buy Fresh! Map Launch
June 21st, 2012:
Annual General Meeting w/ Guest speaker @ Duncan United Church. Time to renew your yearly memberships & vote for CGC’s 2013 Board of Directors!
June, 2012:
Farm to School Lunch & Farm Tour
July 1st, 2012:
Canada Day Celebration @ Charles Hoey Park
July 21st, 2012: Intercultural Celebration Day w/ City of Duncan
July- August, 2012
3rd Annual Series of Wild Food Walks
August 18th, 2012: Edible Garden Tours
August, 2012 (TBD):
Annual Harvest Festival w/ Providence Farm
August – September 2012: Preserve the Harvest Canning Workshops
Please Note: We will still be offering many other workshops and projects that will not listed until proposed funding is confirmed .
Tell our Government that you want!
Mandatory Labelling on Genetically Modified Foods
We all have the right to choose what we eat. Assert your right; tell our government you want foods containing genetically modified ingredients to be labelled. This petition is in support of Bill C-257.
Add your signature by coming in to our store front at 181 Station St. or print off a copy that you and your friends, family, neighbours and co-workers can sign.
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!
Thank You's:
We would like to thank Roy for always helping us out when we need it most, and many thanks to Bob from Cowichan Energy Alternatives for compiling data to assess CGC's Carbon Footprint! When we find out the details, we will let you all know.
Please note, if we didn't mention your name, you are still amazing!
And of course, new volunteers are always welcome! Contact us at 250-748-8506 or info [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org if you would like to
volunteer with us.
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