Vert-à-Go

The Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-op will hold its annual dinner and auction on Thursday, 28 May. The fun starts at 5:30 pm with cocktails and the silent auction, supper is at 6:30 pm, and the live auction will kick off after that at 8:30pm.

The Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-op is an alternative high school program for at risk youth. Those who take part in CNYC’s programs can earn high school credits while learning life and employment skills in a compassionate environment. One of Core’s great initiatives is its urban gardening program. Here, young people learn valuable skills by studying horticulture and their environment. They take part in a variety of gardening activities centred around aquaponic and traditional greenhouses and raised bed gardening, learning composting techniques, bee keeping, canning, preserving, healthy eating, and cooking. They also manufacture some lovely furniture (including garden furniture), which is for sale, as well as rain barrels and worm composting bins. Keep your eye out for the salad and salsa containers CNYC will be putting together and selling at the Farmers’ Market next month!

Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-op dinner and auction

When: Thursday 28 May , 5:30pm-10pm

Where: Louis’ Pub, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK (Google map)

COST: $40

For more information: Call Kayla Hrynewich at (306) 665-3889 or see their web site

The Rights and Democracy delegation at the University of Saskatchewan presents its second annual forum entitled “Fair Trade Forum: Producers, Consumers and Social Change” tonight at the Frances Morrison Library Theatre.

This forum will address questions such as “Why fair trade? What are the goals of fair trade? What are the benefits of fair trade? And how does fair trade relate to issues of human rights and development?” from both a global and local perspective. Speakers will include STM sociology professor Dr Darrell McLaughlin, Marla Carlson of the organic prairie farm co-op Farmer Direct, and Carole Samdup (Rights & Democracy).

When: Thursday 23 April 2009, 7-9pm

Where: Frances Morrison Library Theatre (basement), Saskatoon (Google map)

Admission: FREE (refreshments will be served)

For more information: Facebook event page, or email rightsdemocracy.uofs@gmail.com or stan.yu@usask.ca

The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council will be hosting two mini-classes on composting at the beginning of May. Whether you’re new to composting and want to find out how to get started, or whether you need some advice on your current composting setup, this crash course will help you out!

Composting mini-class

When: Thursday 7 May,  7-8pm

Where: Lower Auditorium, J S Wood Library, 1801 Lansdowne Avenue, Saskatoon, SK (Google map)

Admission: free, no need to pre-register, just turn up!

For more information: Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council

The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council will be hosting two mini-classes on composting at the beginning of May. Whether you’re new to composting and want to find out how to get started, or whether you need some advice on your current composting setup, this crash course will help you out!

Composting mini-class

When: Tuesday 5 May,  7-8pm

Where: Mayfair Library, 602 33rd Street West, Saskatoon, SK (Google map)

Admission: free, no need to pre-register, just turn up!

For more information: Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council

‘Compost bin’ by Daryl Mitchell

A master composting class is being offered next weekend, 25-26 April. This class will cover everything you ever wanted to know about composting, including what to compost, how to compost, how to build a composting system in your yard or garden, and will also deal with other topics related to gardening. Part of the class will include a a field trip to the City of Saskatoon’s compost depot on McOrmand Drive.

Participants in the class will receive a manual, reference book, DVD, and the master composter certificate. Tuition is free, but in return you will be expected to share your newfound knowledge in your community or through community events (generally, you’re asked to volunteer for the Saskatchewan Waste Reducation Council). This class is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge, obtain a valuable qualification, and then pass on your knowledge to others. Don’t miss it!

Master Composting class

When: Saturday 25 April - Sunday 26 April

Where: TBA (likely U of S campus), Saskatoon, SK

Cost: free–City of Saskatoon will pay tuition, with expectation of future volunteer hours

For more information: Call Dana at CHEP on 655-5322

The 4th annual fundraising gala for CHEP (Child Hunger and Education Program) will be held this Saturday, 4 April. Entitled “Think Global: Eat Local”, this lively gala will include a delicious dinner featuring unique international cuisine, live music, student entertainment, door prizes, and silent auction. In keeping with the global theme of the event, the dress code is creative international or business casual–prizes will be given out for Best Dressed attendees.

All proceeds from the evening will go towards programs helping to break the cycle of poverty and fight root causes of hunger. CHEP’s programming includes Children’s Food & Nutrition Programs and Family Food Security Initiatives such as collective kitchens, the Good Food Box, community gardening, and senior stores.

This is a great opportunity to support CHEP and its vital work in helping people living in Saskatoon. I would be there in a flash if I wasn’t completely flattened by the flu right now!

When: Saturday, 4 April, 6pm (reception, cash bar, silent auction), 7pm (dinner and wine bar), 8pm (program, music & dancing)

Where: Hilton Garden Inn, 90 22nd St E, Saskatoon (Google map)

Cost: $50 (including $15 tax receipt), or $35 for students (with no tax receipt)

For more information: CHEP web site, or call Dana on 655-5322 or email dana@chep.org

This event is presented by Health Everywhere, students from the College of Medicine, and CHEP.

A doomsday email about proposed US food safety legislation (H.R. 875) has been making the rounds, scaring a lot of people and making a lot of unfounded and rather hysterical claims. Here’s the beginning of it, which will give you the gist:

House and Senate are about (in a week and a half) to vote on bill that will OUTLAW ORGANIC FARMING (bill HR 875). There is an enormous rush to get this into law within the next 2 weeks before people realize what is happening.

Main backer and lobbyist is Monsanto – chemical and genetic engineering giant corporation (and Cargill, ADM, and about 35 other related agri-giants). This bill will require organic farms to use specific fertilizers and poisonous insect sprays dictated by the newly formed agency to “make sure there is no danger to the public food supply”. This will include backyard gardens that grow food only for a family and not for sales.

If this passes then NO more heirloom clean seeds but only Monsanto genetically altered seeds that are now showing up with unexpected diseases in humans.

…etc, etc

I have not read the bill myself, but there have been rebuttals to the email’s extreme claims from a number of well-respected sources. Here are a few:

Tom Philpott at environmental news blog Grist asks, “Would new food-safety legislation criminalize organic farming? No.”

Food and Water Watch has a background page to H.R. 875 that tells you exactly what the bill does and does not cover. And a blog post on the subject.

Professor and author Marion Nestle ‘debunks 6 viral myths about H.R 875′ at The Daily Green.

Factcheck.org also has a great post dealing with a differently-worded email, from a decidedly non-panicked backyard organic gardener.

To sum up: although it looks as if it could certainly do with an amendment to protect small organic farmers from the worst expense of new food safety compliance rules, H.R. 875 will NOT force organic farms or backyard gardeners to use specific fertilizers and sprays, nor will it outlaw heirloom seeds. If you receive this email, please reply to the sender with the above information to reduce unnecessary panic.

This weekend is Gardenscape, Saskatoon’s annual horticulture trade show. As always, there will be a large number of booths (420 this year) dealing with all things green and growing, as well as nine feature gardens (including ones demonstrating water-conscious gardening and vertical gardening). The auction of all plants used in the show will be held at 6:30 on Sunday evening in the main theatre.

The feature speaker for 2009 is author, journalist and environmental activist Des Kennedy. He will be giving two talks daily, one on ‘Garden Artristry’ and another on ‘The Exquisite Artistry of Chinese Gardens’ (check the schedule for exact times). For those with a particular interest in food gardening, you may also want to check out the following talks and demonstrations:

Friday, 27 March (Speakers’ Theatre)

• 4pm Best Vegetables for Saskatchewan (Doug Waterer, U of S Plant Sciences)
• 6pm Fruits of Saskatchewan (Forrest Scharf, Provincial Fruit Specialist)
• 7pm Growing and Processing Herbs (Connie Kehler & Helga Halfinger/Helga’s Herbs, Herb Spice Association)

Saturday, March 28

Speakers’s Theatre

• 12 noon Drinking Your Garden: a primer on home wine making (Cedric Gillott, 2007 Gold Medalist, International Cider Competition)
  3pm Living Roof Tops (Goya Ngan, Saskatoon)
• 4pm The Buzz Around Bees Will Chalmers (Saskatoon Area Bee Club)
• 6pm Organic Gardening & Pesticide Alternatives (Patricia Hanbidge, Saskatoon School of Horticulture)

Demonstration Theatre (Hall D)

• 11am Growing and Using Edible Herbs (Fran Eldridge, Fran’s House of Herbs)
• 2pm Ask A Horticulture Expert (Spencer Early/Early’s Farm & Garden Centre, Rick Van Duyvendyk/Dutch Growers Garden Centre, Patricia Hanbidge/Saskatoon School of Horticulture. Vic Krahn, Lakeshore Garden Centre)

Sunday, March 29 (Speakers’ Theatre)

• 2pm Garden Insects: The Good, The Bad, and The (not necessarily) Ugly (Cedric Gillott, Professor Emeritus U of S Biology)

Get the full schedule here!

Gardenscape 2009

When: Friday 27 March (noon-10pm) , Saturday 28 March (10am-9pm), Sunday 29 March (11am-5pm)

Where: Prairieland Park Trade Centre, 503 Ruth Street West, Saskatoon  (Google map)

Cost: $8 ($12 for 2 days), Students 15 & under FREE, Butterflies & Blooms Exhibit $3

For more information: Gardenscape web site

The Saskatchewan Eco-Network will host the 4th Annual Saskatchewan Environmental Film Festival (”See the Change, Be the Change”) this weekend at the University of Saskatchewan.

How can we ensure a socially, environmentally, and financially-sustainable global economy? By creating sustainable local economies. That’s the thrust behind the conference kicking off tomorrow in Saskatoon, which aims to help Saskatchewan communities and businesses find a place in an economy that is rapidly becoming more focused on health and environmental sustainability.

“In Saskatchewan, as in much of the world, economic viability is increasingly sensitive to issues such as rising energy and transportation costs, distribution systems and concerns about climate change. As well, consumers are becoming ever more health and environmentally-conscious.

[This conference will be invaluable for] Saskatchewan producers, processors, vendors, business developers, community leaders, educators, and anyone interested in leading the charge to a healthy economy based on dynamic new ideas and business structures.” –conference program

Guest speakers include economist and community entrepeneur Michael Schuman (author of the blog Small-Mart), Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms, and Jim Green, the public voice of Kettle Chips, among others, who will discuss a wide variety of topics, including local food, sustainable practices, public spaces, value-added products, and marketing.  Their talks, special workshops, trade show, and networking opportunities can help you emplower your community, develop environmental stewardship, and ensure long-term economic viability in uncertain times.

Supporting the Growth of Local Living Economies in Saskatchewan conference
When: 24-25 March

Where: Saskatoon Inn, 2002 Airport Drive, Saskatoon, SK (Google map)

For more information: (306) 384-5817 or email seda@seda.sk.ca

Sponsored by the Saskatchewan Economic Development Corporation (SEDA) and the Saskatchewan Food Processors Association