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In this issue:
Bike To Work Week:
May 30th- June 3rd
Win a Street Legal Shopping Cart Trailer for your Bike!
 Another incredible Bike to Work week is upon us in 9 days! For those of you who don’t know what bike to work week is, this is one week where people are encouraged to promote the use of bicycles as a form of transportation to get to work. The vision is for people to experience the joy of cycling as sustainable transportation. There is an ever increasing number of cyclists commuting by bicycles these days, and Bike to Work Week is the time of the year when cyclists unite! Even if you can only cycle to work just once during this week, be sure to sign up. You can even be your own team if you want, and there is an amazing amount of great prizes to be won, like a new bike from Experience Cycle, or how about a Street Legal Shopping Trailer from Tony’s Trailers! This shopping cart has been remodeled to function as both a shopping cart and a bike trailer! To try your luck, visit CGC, Experience Cycling, or check the News Leader Pictorial for prize entry forms. But if you need a little extra positive boost to get involved, there will be Celebration Stations every morning from 6:30am-8:30am. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, cyclists will gather at Beverly Corners, and on Thursdays & Fridays cyclists meet at Charles Hoey Park. For more information on Bike to Work, or to register visit: www.biketowork.ca and for more info on street legal bike trailers or Tony's Trailers visit: http://www.tonystrailers.com/
Do you want to be more involved with CGC? We're looking for new Board Members!
CGC is looking for new, dedicated and passionate people to join our board. We will be holding elections at our upcoming AGM on Tuesday June 21st at 5pm at the Duncan United Church. Please contact: judy [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org"> judy [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org for a board member application form, or more information! We look forward to hearing from you!
Farm To School Update: 
Starting next week, CGC will be working with a group of students from Quamichan Middle School at the Warmland House Community Gardens and Greenhouse, as well as at the Alexander Community Garden plot to help weed, sow seeds and transplant garden veggies as part of the educational component of the Farm to School program. While Farm to School tends to be a "mouth-on" experience, the hands-on experience of learning to cultivate fresh food is just as important and satisfying. After school breaks for the summer, students at Quamichan can expect to resume the farm fresh experience in the Fall when veggie selection and garden harvesting chores are in full swing!
Ceres Edible Landscapes:
Sea Buckthorn!
 This month's edible is Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides). Not only is this deciduous shrub/tree nitrogen fixing and drought hardy, but it also produces a very powerful tart berry known for being a great source for vitamin C, carotenoid's, Vitamin E and Amino Acids. When harvesting the berries in the fall, be very careful. Like other plants of the Elaegnaceae family, Sea Buckthorn also has sharp thorns. Make sure to plant both male and female plants if you want a yield. Check it out at your local nursery!
Please note that our 15% off design special is wrapping up on May 27th. If you are interested in a design please call Kristi or Kevin @ 250.748.8506
P.S. The Cowichan Green Community and Ceres Edible Landscaping are still looking for a few pieces of equipment to assist us in our day to day operations for our landscaping team. We know that this is a big request, and we are willing to work with anything that becomes available to us. We are wondering if there is anyone in Duncan or surrounding areas that is willing to donate an old work truck/or trailer, or any items that could raise funds for us to purchase one.
Windows Available for Cold Frames
Cowichan Green Community is pleased to be able to offer salvaged windows, perfect for cold frame or greenhouse construction. These wood framed windows were removed from the Vancouver City Hall as part of their building retrofit, and have been donated to CGC to be used for fund-raising and food growing purposes. Windows are being stored in Sahtlam- to come have a look, or pick up some windows, please contact: john [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org">john [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org Suggested donation: $5 for small quantities Bulk options also available.
Kinsmen Community Gardens:
Clean Up Party- Sat. May 28th!
Our 2nd Kinsmen Clean-Up Party will be on Saturday, May 28th
from 9am-3pm. This a great opportunity to come out and volunteer if you have a couple of hours to get your hands dirty. We will be cleaning up the Mandala Sun Garden, and planting some tomato plants and other seeds. Remember to bring some H20, lunch and gardening gloves. Hope to see you there!
Meeting of the Minds: Kinsmen Gardener's mark these dates in your calendars:
Sat. May 28th: Kinsmen Spring Clean-Up Party: 10am-3pm
June 6th - 5:30pm-6:30pm
July 13th - 5:30pm-6:30pm
August 8th - 5:30pm-6:30pm
September 12th- 5:30pm-6:30pm
October 17th (Due to Holidays) - 5:30pm-6:30pm Wrap Up Party!
These meetings will be an opportunity for us all to get together and discuss and arrange anything that needs to be addressed in regards to the Kinsmen Gardens. Tea and treats will be served. Please R.S.V.P. if you are able to attend by calling Amanda at 250.748.8506. Thank you in advance! Also, garden plots are still available in the Kinsmen's round mandala garden that need a loving green thumb. Please contact Amanda via email Amanda [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org">: Amanda [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org
Sustainable Living Centre:
What is the difference between Fair Trade and Direct Trade?
We recently added Bird Friendly, Direct Trade coffee, tea and sugar to our selection of sustainable items, but I must admit that I had to do some research to understand the difference between Direct Trade, Fair Trade and USDA Organic Symbols. The bottom line is that regardless of which one you choose, you are a making positive difference. We just wanted to share this information for your own insight and consumer awareness.
Fair Trade Beans: Fair Trade certification focuses on labor and trade standards to provide producers with a guaranteed price. All Fair Trade coffee is not necessarily organic; However, Fair Trade does require environmental stewardship by conserving natural resources and limiting chemical input use. Approximately 85 percent of all Fair Trade CertifiedTM coffee sold is also certified organic. Importers must guarantee a minimum price to growers and pay a social premium above this minimum. There are a lot of criticisms for Fair Trade, and smaller specialty coffee roasters can’t afford the 2% Fair Trade Foundation licensing fee. Moreover, because these roasters value flavor first, and some of the highest quality coffee beans on the market are grown by farmers that do not qualify for Fairtrade Certification. This results in specialty roasters who prefer to develop direct trade relationships with coffee farmers. However, Fair Trade is an effective solution for many problems like elevating poverty, developing stronger communities, and environmental stewardship. Direct Trade Beans: If you want to support socially responsible growers you will need to spend time researching the labor, environmental, and price standards that make up the private direct trade agreement between a given grower and the specialty roaster. By buying direct trade coffee, coffee connoisseurs can get the highest quality coffee while coffee growers can, and do, demand a high price for their exceptional beans. These roasters seek out and develop personal trade relationships with the coffee growers. Because these direct traders can buy from growers that don’t qualify for Fair Trade certification, they can purchase coffees like Hacienda La Esmeralda, the winner of the Coffees like Hacienda La Esmeralda, the winner of the Panama Cup of Excellence award, which is also one of the worlds most expensive coffees (over $100 per pound). Once you know about the agreement between the grower and roaster,you can sip java while also enjoying knowledge that the roaster can personally vouch for the labor and environmental conditions at the coffee farm that grew your morning brew. Many Direct Trade growers are paid higher amounts than those with Fair Trade agreements because specialty coffee roasters care more about the quality of their java than the price. They don't have to pay Fair Trade licensing fees, so more goes to the grower. USDA Organic Beans: In order for coffee to be certified and sold with this label, it must be produced in accordance with U.S. standards for organic production and certified by an agency accredited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. U.S. requirements for organic coffee production include: * It must have been grown on land without synthetic pesticides or other prohibited substances for three years. * There must have been a sufficient buffer between the organic coffee and the nearest conventional crop. * The farmer must have a sustainable crop rotation plan to prevent erosion, the depletion of soil nutrients, and control for pests. The USDA Organic seal can appear on any coffee product that contains at least 95 percent organic ingredients, and that has been certified as organic by a certification agency accredited. The coffee may also carry a label saying “100 percent organic” or “Organic." Bird Friendly Beans: Bird Friendly® can only be used by operators that meet inspection and certification requirements of the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center. All certified Bird Friendly® coffee must also be certified organic. Bird Friendly® certification requires that the coffee be shade-grown with a wide variety of native shade trees and other shade-providing species. No synthetic chemicals can be used in the processing of Bird Friendly® coffee. For more information on this topic please visit: http://www.coopcoffees.com/all_news/media/articles/making-sense-of-certification-2014-fair-trade-direct-trade-rainforest-alliance-utz-whole-trade-and-organic/ For info on the Bird Friendly, Direct Trade coffee we have in the Sustainable Living Centre please visit: http://www.relationshipcoffee.biz/ ic. Community Events:
Makaria Farm's 3rd Annual Organic Tomato Plant Sale
Sunday, May 22, 2011 from 10am-1pm (or whenever the plants are gone) at Makaria Farm, 4715 Bench Road, Duncan, BC
Featuring 29 varieties of tomatoes, including: heirlooms, container / bush and vine varieties, cherries, beefsteaks, Romas
A wide selection of vegetable seedlings will also be available.
Visit www.makariafarm.com for more info!
BUILDING AS IF PEOPLE MATTERED: May 18th-22nd at O.U.R. EcoVillage and the NaturalBuilding Colloquium :A day in the company of local leaders in sustainable development and community Design.
FACILITATORS: Elke Cole, Brandy Gallagher, and an Interdisciplinary Team of local Green Builders, LEED Project Developers, Alternative Energy and Systems designers, Futurists…and you!
KEYNOTE Speaker: MARK LAKEMAN from the incredible City Repair Project in Portland, Oregon.
For more info or to register, visit: http://ourecovillage.org/
Cowichan Tsunami Relief, a classical music benefit concert for Japan, Saturday May 21st, from 2:00 - 4:30. Tickets $15 in advance ($8 for youth 8-18, children free), $20 / $10 at the door, available from The Community Farm Store, El Centro Cafe, Corner House Cafe, Stone Soup Inn, Cowichan Bay Seafoods, Duncan Music, The Second Hanger, or Lila Music Centre. For more information visit: www.CowichanTsunamiRelief.org
Perennial Ridge Farms Spring Plant Sale, May 27, 28, and 29th, 10am - 5pm 5605 Jordans Lane, Duncan
For more info call: 250-748-0098
FOXGLOVE COMMUNITY GARDENS AND CULINARY SCHOOL RECEIVES $10,835.00 FROM NEW HORIZONS FOR SENIORS: Foxglove Community Gardens and Culinary School in Crofton is excited to announce that NEW HORIZONS FOR SENIORS, CAPITAL ASSISTANCE FUNDING PROGRAM, has presented them with a cheque in the amount of $10,835.00 for the much needed kitchen make over. The Intercultural cooking classes have been main source of revenue for the gardens enabling them to purchase top soil and equipment for the raised garden boxes. Without this major funding source the kitchen was going to be closed.
Vancouver Island University’s Centre for Continuing Studies is offering the course “A Walk in the Woods with A Medicine Woman” on the Cowichan Campus of Vancouver Island University. Saturday May 28; 9:30am – 12 noon
Please contact the Centre for Continuing Studies office at 250-746-3519, toll free at 1-888-747-3519, for more details or to register.
Sip for Sansum Point - Fundraising Dinner and Wine Tasting Evening, Saturday, May 28th, 6-9 pm
Join Godfrey-Brownell Vineyard, TLC, Cowichan Land Trust and Wilderness International for a wonderful four course buffet with wine tasting. Wines from Puglia and Catalonia. Tasting led by Dave Godfrey, winemaker. This event will be held at Godfrey-Brownell Vineyards, 4911 Marshall Road, Duncan. The cost is $50 per ticket with all proceeds going to save Sansum Point. Buy your tickets now!
Streamkeepers Course – May 28th and 29th, 9am-4pm: Country Grocer Meeting Room, 83 Lake Cowichan Rd.
Learn the skills required to evaluate, measure and monitor potential fish-bearing streams. $60.00 per person includes lunch, $20 for course manual. To register contact the Cowichan Land Trust 250-746-0227 or email info [at] cowichanlandtrust [dot] ca
ISES 2011: The Evolving Energy Ecosystem will be hosted by the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada June 9-11, 2011. This year's program will feature Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change and 2007 Nobel Peace Prize Winner as well as a host of CEOs, leading academic intellectuals and government leaders. The International Student Energy Summit is a global, multi-disciplinary forum for students to discuss their role in the transition to a sustainable energy future.Register at www.studentenergy.org/registration.
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.
Community Supported Agriculture: Love Cowichan-grown food and want to support sustainable local agriculture? Sign up today to receive 19 weeks of fresh-picked organic vegetables from Makaria Farm this summer. Our yummy broccoli, carrots, sugar snap peas and strawberries go quickly: ensure your supply by joining our CSA. Visit www.makariafarm.com for more info, or give us a call at 250-597-3276
The Cowichan Bio-Diesel Co-op and Cowichan Energy Alternatives Society hosting 2011 Collective Biofuels Conference: August 5th-7th. This is the first time the CBC will be held outside the USA as the conference moves from its last location in Washington DC to Duncan BC! Featuring key note speaker: Lyle Estill, a founder of Piedmont Biofuels and author of Biodiesel Power and Small is Possible - Life in a Local Economy. His third book, Industrial Evolution; Community Solutions for a Low Carbon Economy, is coming out in May. His talk is "Biodiesel's New Leaf" - success stories and carnage on the road to community scale fuel production.
Early Bird Registration has been extended to April 30th, so take advantage of these low prices and register now! Cowichan Bio-Diesel Co-operative, #2 - 55 Station St., Duncan, BC. V9L 1M2, Tel: 250-748-2694 (COWI), www.smellbetter.org
The Land Conservancy of British Columbia and the Cowichan Land Trust are pleased to announce an option to purchase Sansum Point on the Stoney Hill Peninsula is confirmed and a fundraising campaign is underway. This land acquisition will protect the stunning waterfront seascapes, rich ecological diversity, and future recreational opportunities at Sansum Point as a community treasure, forever.
The Cowichan Land Trust has helped acquire properties such as the Garry Oak Preserve and Chase Woods along with protecting many other properties with conservation covenants in the Cowichan Valley. If you are interested in making a donation towards the acquisition of Sansum Point, please contact the Cowichan Land Trust at (250) 746-0227 or go online to www.cowichanlandtrust.ca. Alternatively, you can visit The Land Conservancy of BC's website at: www.conservancy.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 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.
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
Saturday Farmer - Organic Agriculture Internship
Learn about organic food production with Saanich Organics at Northbrook Farm. Join us for four Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. The mornings will be dedicated to a workshop on a different topic each week. In the afternoon, Saturday Farmers will put their learning into practice and develop hands-on skills while working in the field. No previous experience is necessary and there is no cost, just a passion for gardening and hard work.
Spring Session: May 28, June 4, 11, 18
Summer Session: August 6, 13, 20, 27
Check out www.saturdayfarmer.com for more details or email Jill: dalton [dot] jill [at] gmail [dot] com
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.
Garden Spaces/ Greenhouses & Rental Suites:
Sunny Rental Suite Available in Mill Bay: 2 bedroom, ocean view from kitchen, private entrance, all appliances included, newly renovated bathroom, wood burning fireplace, cable TV, large storage shed, private yard beside suite with and shared garden in backyard. Beautiful Suite! $825/month. Please call 250-743-2231 for viewings. Leave a message if no answer.
Garden Space Available near Cobble Hill : Looking for experienced gardener who would like a very large garden space in exchange for vegetables/produce.Large greenhouse on site.Fully fenced space. Negotiable Terms. For more info contact Bradford at amusebistro [at] shaw [dot] ca
Garden/ Suite Space Available: Owner willing to share a large garden and farm space (available for growing food/ husbandry), with a possibility of continuing this arrangement in the future. Greenhouse and raised beds already established. Opportunity for clearing more land for grains, etc. Available Suite: 2 bedroom overlooks garden. Available July 1st or August 1st.Please contact cari [dot] burdett [at] shaw [dot] ca for more info.
Cleared land available for growing food! Nothing wanted in return, would just like to see the space being used to grow local food. Must have own tools and equipment. Contact CGC at 250-748-8506 or info [at] cowichangreencommunity [dot] org if you are interested!
Summer rental July 17th - Sept 10th. Large 5 bedroom heritage home for rent. 5 min walk to Cowichan river for swimming and hiking. Close to garden, nature, animals. Has music room with piano. Ideal home for family moving to Valley, but need time to find the perfect place to grow roots. Contact cari [dot] burdett [at] shaw [dot] ca
For rent: Room for single person and suite for single, couple or parent(s) and a small child available May 1st. These rooms are on a small, community-run, mixed farm in North Cowichan. Would prefer people interested in being involved with the farming operation, and some knowledge of veggie gardening, orchards and/or working with animals. Reasonable rent. If interested, please contact Lynn at 250 597 3513. |
Events:
Annual General Meeting 2011
Tuesday, June 21
5:00pm-7:30pm
@
Duncan United Church
Guest Speaker:
Spring Gillard
Come out to our 2011 AGM and be entertained by our guest speaker, Spring Gillard, who will be discussing: Feeding Ourselves. How Do We Fare? 12 Things You Can Do to Strengthen the Food System in your Neighborhood.
Spring is the author of, "Diary of a Compost Hotline Operator",and she is also a communications consultant and food systems enthusiast. Through her company, Garden Heart Productions, she plans events, organizes green tours, gives workshops and courses, and helps promote a variety of groups working on sustainability and food security issues. She is an associate and instructor at Simon Fraser University and is an active member of the Westside Food Security Collaborative.
This is also the time of the year to renew your yearly memberships and to also vote for next year's board members.
Refreshments and light snacks will be served. Doors open at 4:30pm and this event will finish up around 7:30pm. The Duncan United Church is located at 246 Ingram Street.
We hope to see you there!
For more info click here.
Yearly Memberships:
Members are the driving force behind everything we do here at Cowichan Green Community. Your support will: create a stronger voice for change in our community; help fund locally-focused programs that make our home a more sustainable place to eat, live, work and play; provide opportunities for community members like yourself to get involved.
Memberships also include: 10% off everything in the Sustainable Living Centre; access to our great selection of books in our Lending Library; discounts on CGC workshops and events; and the opportunity to vote at our AGM.
Register at 181 Station Street or online by clicking here.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Many Hands Make for Light Work!
May 28th 10-3pm
#2: Kinsmen Community Garden Spring Clean Up:
Come out and join us on Saturday, May 28th from 10 am to 3 pm to see what established community gardens are all about.
We need people to help get the Kinsmen Garden ready for Spring! The Kinsmen gardens are located on Alderlea Street. Tasks will include general maintenance, and reconstructing the mandala garden. There will be tools available there, but feel free to bring your own if you have them.
P.S. Remember to bring water, gardening gloves, and a lunch! For more info please call: 250-748-8506
Green Volunteer Appreciation: 
Many thanks to all the volunteers who came out to help with the Alexander Community Gardens on Saturday, May 14th. Now there is plenty of tomatoes and dahlias growing, not to mention the hard labor that was put forth by so many people. Thank you all so much!
In no particular order, here is a list of the 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!
Della from Dinters Nursery, Kathy Macaro, Sherri and her staff at the CVBD, Friedrichs Honey, The Tea Farm, Coffee News,the Cowichan Valley Newsleader, Area Director: Loren Duncan of the CVRD, Beverley McKeen, Angie Dalton for the generous amount of dahlia bulbs, and the Cowichan Recylists!
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