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In this issue:
1% For The Planet Non-Profit Partner:
Cowichan Green Community is pleased to announce we have been approved as a 1% for the Planet Non-Profit Partner. 1% for the Planet is a growing global movement of 1399 companies that donate 1% of their sales to a network of over 2,000 non-profit organizations that are doing great work on the ground to help the planet. If you are a company that wishes to give back to your community, Click here for more info
Young people (30 years and younger) don’t have a lot of options for working here in the Cowichan Valley. Forestry has scaled down recently, we don’t have any major industries here, we don’t build cars here, we aren’t a technology centre, movies don’t get made here, tourism is only really a summer thing, so what are young people supposed to do about this?
For starters, you could come to our workshop, Our Jobs! Our Future! We will be talking about Community Economic Development (CED), how you can get started in CED and meet some interesting people who are in similar situations as you. We are trying to change young people’s employment expectations, don’t just work for some company because they pay you, choose something that is aligned with your value system and find an opportunity to do what you want to do, servicing/selling to the people you want to sell to, doing something you really believe in.
Click here for more info about Our Jobs! Our Future!
Edible Neighbourhood:
Volunteers get free BBQ Lunch!
The hazelnuts are pruned at M'akola Housing, the kitchen-garden beds have been constructed at the Warmland House, and the fruit trees and berry bushes are nestled in the ground at the Sportsplex. Soon, wheelchair accessible raised beds will be constructed and ready for planting at Caulfield Place. Soon enough, our team will start planting the boulevards, and designs will be finalized for the Alexander School Community Garden.
With three weeks left to go there's still lots to be done so come on out to join us. Work on the gardens happens every Wednesday and Thursday, rain or shine. If a weekend is more your thing - join us on Saturday, March 19th at the Alexander School Gym for a work party of epic-proportions when we will build the garden in, hopefully, a single day! Free BBQ lunch will be provided to all volunteers and workshops will run throughout the day. See you there! ?
Ceres Edible Landscapes:
Ready...Set...Grow!
 Ready… Set… Grow! I think we would all agree that Spring is a very exciting time in the Cowichan Valley. The crocuses and snowdrops have emerged, and before we know it the cherry trees will have burst into bloom. Although you might be anticipating the new growing season- in a hurry to start- it is important to take a step back and make a plan to maximize the productivity of your garden.
Start by making a list of all the plants that you want to grow this year. Write down the seeding and transplant dates for each plant. If you have a calendar available, transfer these dates as a reminder for you later. You will find that there are certain plants that you can start in a cold frame or greenhouse, but others that require direct sowing in a few months, which takes some planning. Not only will your calendar take a load off your mind, but you will have a log for next year, showing what you had planted and when. The crunch is on… so get started and when you see your garden in a few months, you will be so glad that you did!
Kinsmen Community Gardens:
On Sunday, March 27th, CGC will be having a clean-up party @ 1:00pm at the Kinsmen Community Gardens. This will be an opportunity for the Kinsmen gardeners to meet each other, while also having some support to clean-up the beds that are looking a little rough after these past winter months. There will be a trailer for the excessive amount of dried brush and debris, but we do encourage those who come to bring your gardening gloves, hand-tools, rakes and/or wheel barrels if you have them. This will also be a great time to get some seeds in the ground because our 3rd annual Seedy Saturday event will be the day before!
Also, just a friendly reminder that there is one week left for all those mysterious gardeners to renew their plots. There is a waiting list of new green thumbs that have been patiently waiting for a plot since last spring, so please contact Amanda at 250-748-8506 or via email
Amanda [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org
Plot Renewal Deadline:
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Kinsmen Garden Clean-Up Party:
Sunday, March 27th @ 1:00pm
Farm to School:
Salad is a mainstay of Farm to School menus. Each week, Providence Farm harvests 2 lbs of crispy, spicy, colourful salad greens for our program. The variety of textures and flavours of the salad greens nicely complements the warm winter comfort food that has been on the Farm to School menu lately.
Last week, salad was served alongside a pasta bake, featuring Baird Brothers Farm's grass-fed beef and focaccia bread featuring Stillmeadow Farm wheat, topped with caramelized sweet potatoes from Terra Nossa Farm.
Want to learn more about our Farm To School Program? Check out the Farm to School blog for more details.
Sustainable Living Centre:
Looking for Consignment Vendors
Spring time is just around the corner and we are currently looking for new artists and crafty folk who want to sell their items on consignment in our Sustainable Living Centre. All of our products are eco-minded items that are meant to reduce our ecological footprint, but I know that there are plenty of you out there with great items that would only enhance our humble space.
From gardening items to kitchen items, pottery to recycled items, honeys, syrups & jams to candles, artwork and books to hand-made journals and natural oils or herbal ointments, you name it, we are interested in meeting with you! We are open to a wide variety of unique or practical items, but please keep in mind that we only have a small amount of space. We encourage you to scope out our store @ 181 Station Street.
Please contact Amanda [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org or call 748-8506 if you are interested in arranging a meeting. We look forward to hearing from you!
Community Events:
CGC Board of Directors-Volunteer Treasurer Needed:
If you are person who just loves playing with money and numbers as much as we, here at CGC, love playing with food, and if you are feeling compelled to help out a non-profit organization then CGC wants to talk to you! We are looking for an accountant to join our fabulous board as a volunteer treasurer in June 2011. If this idea fuels your fire, please contact judy [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org for more info..
Empower Your Health Through the Fine Art of Fermentation SAUERKRAUT & KOMBUCHA WORKSHOP: Sat. March 12th 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.
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.
FoxGlove Community Gardens & Culinary School Presents: Cooking in the Barn Spring Schedule: Lunch Included!
March 13th & 15th- The Art of Northern Chinese Cuisine – 1:30pm-3:30pm. Offered by Li Ping from China.
March 20th, April 3rd and May 22nd: Cooking 101: Back to Basics. 1:30 to 3:30pm Offered by Pat Germschied from Crofton. Soups, casseroles, cookies, breads.
April 16th and 30th. "Mexican Cuisine", Beyond Enchiladas and tacos. Taught by Maria Elena Cuervo-Lorens from Mexico City. Student of Julia Child and Jaque Pepin, Maria Elena teaches authentic Mexican dishes.
For more info/ to register call: (250) 246-4967 or visit www.foxglovecommunitygardens.org.
Farmer 2 Farmer: March 16th- 9am-4pm @ Saanich Fairground( 1528 Stelly’s Cross Road):
CR-Fair presents a day of extension opportunities for farmers to connect, share and learn information about farming in our region. $20 includes lunch. To register, contact Mary Katherine at 250-383-6166 ext 100.
Mind/Body Stress Reduction workshop For Men: Four consecutive Saturdays in March 2011 from 11 AM to 12:30 PM @ at Harmony Life Service: Suite #202–111 Station Street, Duncan
Canadian Certified Counsellors: Deborah Carruthers and Joanne Pellerin are offering a workshop that introduces participants to gentle yoga stretches, breath work and meditation. Join Deborah and Joanne of Harmony Life Services and discover the healing power of connectedness. These mindfulness-based techniques have the power to heal stress, anxiety, depression, pain and other difficulties. The cost for the four Saturdays is $45 (includes HST). To register call: 715-7211
Organic Gardening & Growing Food Courses offered by Gaia College in Victoria:
A wonderful selection of organic gardening courses awaits you this spring and summer. And if you act really fast - we still have some vacancies in the Growing Food course(Burnaby is full). All course details are listed at http://www.gaiacollege.ca/our-unique-programs.html
Fundraiser Green Gala Dance Party for Thetis Island Community Garden:
March 18th, 2011 - 7:30pm @ Forbes Hall
$10 admission/ Free: Under 18! Live Music w/ Retro Man. For tickets and info call Stephanie Cottell @ 250-246-5269 or email: Stephanie [dot] cottell [at] gmail [dot] com">Stephanie [dot] cottell [at] gmail [dot] com
Vancouver Island: 8 Internships Available: Homesteading, Natural Building, Permaculture Farming:
For either 3 or 6 months, you can complete an internship in natural building and homesteading with long-time earth-builder, Kata Polano. Learn how to make a cob oven, build an earthen structure using several different techniques, and even help build an earthen turkey pen! Other homesteading activities: helping with livestock, growing an organic garden, working with food forests and orchards at Mossy Banks permaculture farm, just outside of Duncan. Register Soon-Only 8 interns this season! Here is a link for more info: http://www.earthenbuilt.com/learning-opportunities/2011-internship
Youth Streamkeepers and Learn to Fish Program @ Kin Hut at Quamichan Lake:
March 17th and 19th - 9am-4pm for 11yrs and Up: $60 (includes lunch): $20 manual (optional)
Learn ways to improve fish habitat and attain the skills needed to adopt a local stream. Workshop includes hands-on activities: invertebrate sampling, H20 quality testing, fish identification and stream sampling. Also included is a ½ day "Learn to Fish" session at Quamichan Lake with the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC. All participants receive a certificate upon completion. Register by phone or email: 250-746-0227, info [at] cowichanlandtrust [dot] ca">info [at] cowichanlandtrust [dot] ca
Training to teach the "Learn to Fish" program offered by the Freshwater Fisheries Society:
March 18th- 12:30pm-4:30pm @ Freshwater Eco-Centre (1080 Wharncliffe Road, Duncan, B.C.)
Excellent opportunity for naturalists, teachers, stewardship groups or fish and game clubs who work with youth to offer them a fun, hands on program. Register by phone or email: 250-746-0227 kai [at] quamichanlake [dot] ca">kai [at] quamichanlake [dot] ca
Quamichan Stewards Upcoming Events: Invasive Species Work Party at Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve:
March 18th - 12:30pm-4:30pm @ Garry Oak Preserve (1241 Maple Bay Road, Duncan, B.C.)
Learn how and help eradicate invasive species. Please Bring: Water, lunch, work gloves, and appropriate clothing for the weather. For more info about the Garry Oak Preserve please visit: http://www.natureconservancy.ca/site/PageServer?pagename=bc_ncc_CGOP
Permaculture B.C. Design Certificate in Nanaimo, B.C. over the course of 6 Weekends!! @ Pacific Garden Cohousing Community @ #312-347 7th Street in Nanaimo, B.C.
Permaculture BC’s lead instructors, Brandon Bauer & Javen Bernakevitch will bring 20 years of combined experience & education, along with expert instructors to provide students with the most bio-regional knowledge and practical permaculture experience available.
March 26th & 27th, April 9, 10, 23 & 24th, May 7, 8, 21, 22, 28, 29 (Sat: 9am-9pm & Sun: 9am-5pm) $1099 + HST before March 1st, 2011 or $1199 + HST after March 1st (Includes Permaculture: A Designers Manual by Bill Mollison (Valued @ $100) Check it out: www.permaculturebc.com
Vancouver Island Heritage Food Service Cooperative (VIHFSC)- Island Ideal Meat Sales:
The VIHFSC has been formed to gather local farmers, ranchers and food service operators tp reinvigorate the agricultural food industry on Vancouver Island and surrounding gulf islands. All livestock are primarily grass fed by farmers on the island, and all livestock is humanely butcherd at the Co-Op’s Federally inspected Class A slaughter facility on Gomerich Road, South Wellington, B.C.
Best Buy Family Package: 100 lb Boxed Ground or stewing beef- $350.00
Mixed Pack: 40 lb Box- $250.00 (20 lb: Extra Lean Ground Beef and/or Stewing (1-1.5 lb packages), 10lbs: Roast Beef (3-4 lb roasts), 10 lbs: Prime Steaks (2 steaks/ lb)
Lean Hamburger/ Stewing Meat: 50 lb Box- $200.00
Beef Sausages: 25 lb Box- $200.00 (If you would like a custom order ie. breakfast sausage, pepperoni, smokies or farmers sausage-Please indicate flavor preference & how many lbs of each).
Vancouver Island Lamb: Approx. 50 lbs. - $6 / lb
TO ORDER CONTACT: Grant [at] islandtastesensation [dot] com">Grant [at] islandtastesensation [dot] com or by phoning: 250/668-8718. We accept orders online and by phone- 25% deposit on confirmation. All prices based on wax paper wrapping. All orders for pick-up at the Abattoir- 2322 Gomerich Road, Nanaimo. Delivery can be arranged with a delivery charge.
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
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
Manifesting creative family space:
My daughter and I are moving to the Duncan area in April. She will be attending kindergarten at the Sunrise Waldorf School. We are currently manifesting our new home to be a creative space where we could live on, or near a biodynamic/organic garden/farm, with a like minded family. We would love to offer our support, earth skills, service, time, and money to this new path. Are you are also on this path? drlansdell [at] hotmail [dot] com Thanks for your time, hopefully we will meet soon. Sincerely, Danny Lansdell
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
Our Jobs! Our Future!
Monday, March 14th
6:30pm-9:30pm
If you are 30 years old or younger, please join us for a community potluck on March 14th from 6:30pm -9:30pm @ Sands Funeral Home located at
Network with youth from your community and have a world cafe discussion about what you can do to improve job opportunities and social conditions in the Valley. Help each other create a more secure and prosperous future. It's called Community Economic Development!
Please call Kelly @ 250.748.8506 for more information.. Click here for more information
Duncan's 3rd Annual Seedy Saturday
March 26th from 10am-3pm
Celebrate the start of the gardening season by checking out the great variety of seeds being offered by local farmers and organic seed companies! And, if you can, bring 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
CGC Carbon-Free Bottle Collection:
Over the last few weeks, El Centro Café & Tasting Room has been kindly donating their refundable bottles to the Cowichan Green Community.
Once a week, staff members from CGC collect dozens of bottles from El Centro and return them at the Cowichan Valley Bottle Depot. With El Centro’s donations; CGC is able to raise funds to further support a strong, local food system which is ultimately helping the Cowichan Valley become a more sustainable place to live. If you are interested in donating your refundables, CGC is offering to pick up collections from downtown cafes or restaurants. If interested, please contact CGC at 250-748-8506.
Many thanks to El Centro for supporting CGC's sustainable programs and initiatives!
Green Volunteer Appreciation: 
Many thanks to our Board of Directors and all of those early risers who attended our Donor Breakfast. This was our 'First- Ever" donor breakfast and it was a huge success because all of you who came to support us. A special thank-you to the Clements Centre, Cat Shephard for the generous amount of eggs, and to Providence Farm for the beautiful centre pieces! Thank you all so much!
Another BIG thank-you to the Hillside Stone & Garden for donating soil for the Edible Garden Neighbourhood, and to New-Society Publishers for providing Ceres Edible Landscaping with a complimentary copy of Backyard Bounty, by Linda Gilkeson. In the past few months, they have sent us other great gardening books which we have added to our collection. Awesome!
A BIG Thank-You to the Warmland House for allowing us to use their beautiful kitchen for the Farm to School lunch prep! We don’t know what we would do without such an amazing amount of space!
In no particular order, here is a list of the other 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!
Audrey Large , Michael Gintott, Nicholas Bardon, Brenda Bernhardt and the Cowichan Recyclists!!
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