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In this issue:
Donor Breakfast Follow Up:
 Cowichan Green Community’s first ever Growing Community Donor Breakfast was a huge success! Over 40 supporters ranging from politicians to farmers to professors attended. Twenty -three people committed to make monthly or yearly pledges at the breakfast, thus meaning that CGC will be able to continue its many important community initiatives which are not supported by government funding. Other supporters who are interested in being part of the long-term sustainable growth of CGC are welcome to call Judy Stafford, our Executive Director, at any time.
Janet Martinez, owner of Excellent Frameworks, attended the breakfast. She tells us that “CGC is the ‘go to’ place for the most comprehensive information on sustainability. I was surprised to learn how much information and how involved the CGC is with community gardens and the Victory Garden concept in our area. I am impressed with CGC, and I have pledged to support them monthly. I want to live in a "green" community and CGC is the key to make this happen.” Janet Martinez was also our lucky door prize winner for a hand-made quilt donated by the Cowichan Valley Quilters!
CGC would like to give a heartfelt thank-you to all of our supporters, both volunteers and donors. The important work we undertake in the Cowichan Valley is only possible with the support of everyday citizens within our community.
Edible Neighbourhood:
1st Ever Communal Food Forest!
Over 30 people gathered in a field on the East side of the James Alexander Elementary School gym this Saturday to transform a mound of dirt into a community garden and food forest. Thanks to the help of the Rotary Club of Duncan, the Alexander Neighbourhood Working Group, Ceres Edible Landscaping team, and numerous CGC volunteers, soil was spread, sheet mulching was done, garden beds were built, and Duncan's first ever communal Food Forest was started!
This week is the last one for the Edible Neighbourhood participants, so make sure you come by the work sites or the office to say goodbye sometime. But don't worry - the work doesn't stop here. Volunteer work parties will be organized to build further segments of the Alexander School Community Garden and to ensure ongoing maintenance and use of all of the gardens we've built in the area. Make sure you're on our volunteer list to take advantage of future opportunities!!
Ceres Edible Landscapes:
Learn about Permaculture!
 Expand your Mind! Have you been interested in permaculture and sustainability, but you don’t know where to start? Well, if you are a committed type, you can put your nose to great books like Gaia's Garden or the one above. But maybe you're like the rest of us who just don't have a lot of 'FREE' time? If this is your situation, then why not consider taking a weekend course? These workshops bring plenty of inspiration, community building experiences and priceless tips and how-to instructions from experienced instructors. Some of these courses are on the weekends, but all of these courses will create amazingly positive changes in your life if you are already interested. A lot of people ask us how they can learn permaculture techniques, so we decided to give you a few leads to follow up on. We have educational seminars posted throughout our community events, but you can also check out: http://www.permaculturebc.com/permaculture-courses http://www.pricanada.org/ P.S. Just a friendly reminder that we are still offering our spring special for landscape designs. Book before April 1, and receive 15 % off of designs. Time is running out, so if you want to book a free estimate please call Kristi today! 250.748.8506
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. Hand-outs will also be given so that we can keep our 3-part compost system working efficiently! This will be a great time to get some seeds in the ground because our 3rd annual Seedy Saturday event will be the day before! Please RSVP if you are interested in coming to this work party! (volunteers welcome and appreciated!) Currently, we have garden plots available in the Kinsmen's round mandala garden. Also, for the first time in a long time, there are two square garden boxes available as well! Please contact Amanda at 250-748-8506 or via email Amanda [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org">Amanda [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org Kinsmen Garden Clean-Up Party: Sunday, March 27th @ 1:00pm Farm to School:
Since the start of a weekly lunch program at Quamichan Middle School in November, the Farm to School program has served over 400 local food lunches, created 13 tasty lunch menus and sourced products and produce from 23 Cowichan Valley farms. Now, after four months of CGC coordinating the program, Quamichan Middle School is ready to champion the program!
Quamichan's current lunch program is excited to transition towards local food sourcing and hopes to feature a weekly, local food salad bar on their menu. Pending approval of a grant, CGC is hoping to support Quamichan with sourcing local food, coordinating sustainable agriculture education and purchasing a salad bar (check out the example image above of a salad bar unit in Oliver Elementary School, BC).
Check out the Farm to School blog http://www.cowichangreencommunity.org/blogs/tessas for a wrap-up of this phase of the Farm to School program.
Sustainable Living Centre:
Looking for Consignment Vendors
Spring time is just around the corner and we are still 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 seeds to gardening items to kitchen items, pottery to recycled items, honeys, syrups & jams to candles, artwork and books, 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!
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.
Community Events:
Cowichan Intercultural Society: “Activating our Stories…Creating Our Home” Thurs. March 31st from 4pm-8pm @ The Theatre Lobby at the Island’s Saving Centre in Duncan. Celebrate one year of story catching café, felting, art cards, tiles, dance, etc. Everyone Welcome! For more info, contact: 250-748-3112 or visit www.cisduncan.ca
Produce assistant needed at the Community Farm Store. Must be a cheerful, hardworking, multitasking, teamplaying personality who is passionate about produce and committed to organics. Call Nicolette for more info at the store: 250-748-6227 or leave a message at 250-597-1414.
Job Opportunity: Market Gardener with Hope Farm:
Position Description: The Market Gardener will work under the direction of the General Manager co-ordinating the day-to-day operation of the market garden facet of Hope Farm. Position begins April 1, 2011, for a 6-month period. Based on a 40-hour week, the starting hourly wage is $15/hour. For a more complete job description, contact Rev. Michael Burdge, Manager at 250.510.2111, or email mike [at] hopefarm [dot] ca">mike [at] hopefarm [dot] ca
Cowichan Valley Volunteer Fair: Duncan Mall, Sat. April 9th from 9:30am-3pm Find a volunteer opportunity that’s right for you! Display booths, Cake & Balloons, entertainment and door prizes! For more info call:250-748-2133 or email: anne-marie [at] volunteercowichan [dot] bc [dot] ca">anne-marie [at] volunteercowichan [dot] bc [dot] ca or visit: http://www.volunteercowichan.bc.ca
FoxGlove Farm Presents 2011 Workshops, Retreats & Events:
Learn how mushrooms can save the world, 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. Check out: http://www.foxglovefarmbc.ca for more info! Contact: programs [at] foxglovefarmsbc [dot] ca">programs [at] foxglovefarmsbc [dot] ca or phone: 250- 931-5336
Alderlea Community Supported Agriculture:
Program starts up their 24 week program in May 2011. We offer a wonderful selection of high quality certified biodynamic/organic veggies all grown on our farms. We offer three different CSA share sizes. Please visit our website at http://www.alderleafarm.com for pricing and more info.
Alderlea Farm Cafe is Open All Season: Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday 11:00-3:00. The soups and pizza are organic and made from fresh ingredients from the farm. Conference Room and Catered Group meals are also available. 3390 Glenora Road, Duncan. Call 250-715-0799 or email johnkaty [at] shaw [dot] ca.">johnkaty [at] shaw [dot] ca.
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
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
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
You are invited to participate in the 2nd Annual Community Resources Awareness Day. Thurs. May 5th from 10am-4pm @ Si'em Lelum Gymnasium (5547 River Road) Invitees are from community service groups including Employment & Training, Disabilities, Mental Health and Addictions, Government, First Nations, Seniors, Multicultural, Environmental, Recreation, Food Banks, and more.
Fee: $20.00 per table (unlimited participants); Registration Deadline: March 31st. For more info emailanne [at] cvilrc [dot] bc [dot] ca"> anne [at] cvilrc [dot] bc [dot] ca or phone: 250-746-3930, ext 222.
‘Culinary Treasure Hunt’ Saturday, May 14, 2011:
A fun, tasty and educational event featuring 25+ farms, wineries, restaurants and food producers in the region. The event begins at the Mill Bay Centre at 10am and culminates with a Picnic/BBQ at the Cobble Hill Fairgrounds at 4:30. Draws for Great Prizes! $25 registration - limited to 100 ‘Hunters’. Includes basket, treasure map and entry in the draw. Funds raised will go toward a new Visitor Centre in South Cowichan. For more information & registration go to www.southcowichanchamber.org events page or call 250-743-3566 or email southcowichanchamber [at] shaw [dot] ca.
Dwight International School wants to build veggie gardens for their school cafeteria and needs to raise more funds to get the project going! They are part of an annual environmental action contest for BC schools which requires votes from the public. To help them reach their goal, please vote by visiting bcgreengames.ca. The school is searchable under the name Dwight.
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.
Accommodation wanted: Hardworking, clean living Community Farm Store employee looking for a country home. Will assist with farming/food production in exchange for reasonable rent. A small cabin, house or cottage in a peaceful tranquil setting would be perfect. Call 250-748-6227 and ask for Annette or leave a message at 250-597-1414.
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 Lansdell06
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Events:
Duncan's 3rd Annual Seedy Saturday
March 26th 10am-3pm
@ Mercury Theatre
(By Donation)
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 Seedy 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
Local Seeds for Local Food:
A Central Vancouver Island Seed Saving Network Planning & Informational Meeting  A partnership of Cowichan Green Community, Farm Folk City Folk, Nanaimo Foodshare, Nanaimo Community Gardens and Volunteer Nanaimo is holding a public meeting on Sunday, March 27th to identify needs, explore models, name partners and determine next steps to bring about a Central Vancouver Island Seed Saving Network. The meeting features a panel of seed-saving expertise including Heather Pritchard, from FarmFolkCityFolk, Dan Jason, from Salt Spring Seeds, and Barb Ebell, from Nanoose Edibles Farm! Panel will address the benefits of taking seed-saving to a community level as well as community models they have seen. Share seed-saving stories and question and answer period to determine people's vision for forming a regional seed collective.
When: Sunday, March 27th, 2011, 10-3 (bring your own lunch)
Where: North Oyster
Community Centre @ 13467 Cedar Road
Contact: Jen Cody
Tel: 250-753-3070
Green Volunteer Appreciation: 
Many thanks to Pat McCarthy and the Rotary Club of Duncan for the delicious BBQ at our past Saturday event for the James Alexander Community Gardens. We truly appreciate your tremendous amount of support towards this amazing project. Many thanks to SK Septics for showing up with a digger when we really needed the extra support! Thanks to Laurie Williams for the delicious cake! Also, a big thank you to all the volunteers and community members who came out, helped out and left with a smile! We couldn't have accomplished all of that hard work without our community's support, so thank you all so much!
Another thank-you to the Sands Funeral Home for allowing us to host Our Jobs! Our Future! at your establishment! This was a great event that created a lot of positive ideas and conversation for how our community can further economic development for the future.
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!
Glenn and Joy Matthews for the generous donation of books, Sheila from the Valley Voice, Wendy from the Newsleader, The Cowichan Valley Quilters, and of course, The Cowichan Recyclists!!
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