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CGC Newsletter: In the Swing of Summer
Dear Readers,
 Change is in the air as CGC prepares for the launch of our summer programs. First, if you haven't yet had the opportunity to check-out The Station's new paint job, make sure to come down to Duncan Street to take in the view. The faded blue and pink are gone and have been replaced with bolder shades. Matching the vibrant interior of the building, the exterior walls are covered in hues of red, yellow, orange, and green.
Rolling out the yellow paint along Cycle Therapy's side entrance!
Second, the Urban Food Forest project is now complete. Culminating in a community celebration on June 28, the Food Forest is officially open to the public. Designed as a community demonstration site for urban food forestry, CGC encourages everyone to take a moment to wander through the pathways and peruse the diversity of plants, or sit under the pergola and enjoy the view of Charles Hoey Park.
CGC staff posing for a team photo on the June 28 Urban Food Forest launch.
With the completion of this project, we do have to bid farewell to a few of the fabulous women who dedicated the last 6 months to the design and construction of the forest, including Tessa Stiven, Project Manager, and Alicia Taylor, a Project Coordinator. Their laughter and exceptional baked goods will be sorely missed by our staff and we wish them success as they take on other projects in the community. As for Erin Ward and Katie Gateley, Project Coordinators, we're excited to see them stay on at CGC. Erin has joined our edible landscaping team and Katie will co-manage the KinPark Kid's Summer Camps.
Third, we'd like to officially welcome and introduce three new staff members. Emily, Rachel and Chris will work part time at KinPark Youth Urban Farm.
Lastly, starting July 1, 2014, the new Canadian Anti-Spam legislation came into affect. The Cowichan Green Community is aware of this legislation and our email activities are compliant with this new law. However, we would like to remind subscribes that if you no longer wish to receive our monthly e-newsletter, please use the Unsubscribe link at the bottom of this newsletter. Or send us an unsubscribe request by email at info@cowichangreencommunity.org.
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Urban Food Forest: Memoirs of a Food Forest
The hills are alive with the sound of 'food foresters' celebrating the fruition of an amazing food forest project. The time has come to run through CGC’s community food forest and sing joyfully, while picking strawberries and gazing at beautiful flowers and foliages. There is also a sense of freedom amongst the food forest coordinators, as the responsibility of creating an edible masterpiece is now lifted off our shoulders, because, we did it!!! The landscape is full of edible and medicinal plants, which can be accessed by the hand dug terraces and pathways that we carved into the steep slopes. Read more... |
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Kin Park Urban Farm: Summer Update
July is here at the park and we're in full summer mode. Between kids camp, Storytime, youth volunteers and our new team of youth interns, we are putting the youth back in Kin Park Youth Urban Farm! Read more...
Photo: Roger Foucher, Wild Edibles Expert, smelling the lavender.
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KinPark Kid's Camp: Register Today
Just a reminder that there are still spaces in the KinPark Kid's Camp. Located at Kinsmen Park in Duncan (5789 Alderlea Street), KinPark Kid’s Camp promises to be a new and exciting way for children to spend their summer holidays in the Cowichan Region. Filled with activities that focus on sustainability, the environment, teamwork, and community building, kids can learn how to grow, cook and eat fresh local food, explore nature, plants and bees, make crafts, sing songs, play in the park, and make friends!
This day camp for children ages 6-12 and runs from July 7 th to August 29 th, 2014, costing $125 per week (with the exception of the week following August long weekend, costing $100).
For more information on this event, please visit our website or contact our staff @ 250-748-8506 camp@cowichangreencommunity.org
To register, simply download the printable form (PDF) and return it to our office with payment. |
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Ceres Edible Landscaping: The Curious Cardoon
The spiky and feral cardoon is a curiosity to some gardeners, but if you take a moment to consider this long-lived perennial it can be a bold sculptural element to your garden. Considered a weed in drier climates for its adaptability to drought, I love the cardoon for its beautiful form in the garden – give it lots of room – as this perennial vegetable will consume whatever space you provide it. Large, silvery, soft, serrated foliage, with 6-foot tall stalks, topped with a beautiful 6-inch thistle-like flower, it can be a head-turning specimen in the garden. Read more...
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GE Free Duncan: City Adopts GE Free Purchasing Policy
Residents of the City of Duncan and the surrounding  community should applaud the Duncan City Council for having the courage to be the first municipality in Canada to draft and adopt a Genetically Engineered (GE) Free Purchasing Policy for its public works and catering services.
An action item of the City’s March 2013 draft “Integrated Community Sustainability Plan,†the City has chosen to uphold the precautionary principle. Recognizing that there is a lack of consensus on the safety of GE foods and crops upon the environment and humans, the City has agreed to abstain from purchasing GE foods, plants, and seeds where possible. Read more...
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Garden Pantry Thrift Store: Gift Certificates Now Available
Looking for a gift suited for gardeners, 
farmers, and/or food lovers? Stuck for ideas? The Garden Pantry Thrift Store is now offering $15.00 gift certificates. The store offers items to help you grow, harvest, cook, and preserve your food. There is also a large selection of gardening books to rekindle that stored away knowledge. Amongst many other great finds from the Garden Pantry Thrift Store, a gift certificate always makes a great gift. Stop by and ask one of our store volunteers for details!
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Station Award: Recognizing Outstanding Board of Directors
 Congratulations to the CGC Board of Director's who were the first recipients of our annual "Station Award" for outstanding non profit Board of Directors. This award will be given every June 28th in celebration of all the behind the scenes work that is done by these unsung heroes. Thanks to Alan, Bev, Cory, Nadeane, Bev H, Tamara, Aaron, Amy and Mark - CGC's current board. To submit your nomination for 2015, just email CGC at info@cowichangreencommunity.org
Photo: (left to right) CGC board members Alan, Bev H, Aaron, Nadeane, and Bev with CGC's Executive Director Judy.
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Producer Profile - Summerberry Estate Farm
What are some of the tasty treats people look forward to most during the summer months? Safe to say, folks just love their berries!
Summerberry Estate Farm, owned and operated by Jason and Analese Whitehead, in Cowichan Station is definitely ripe for picking this year with beautiful raspberries and blueberry crops on hand to tempt even the most reluctant berry picker. Read more...
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Save the Date - Cowichan Green Community Events & Workshops
Story Time at Kin Park - July 8-August 19
 What do you get when you take good books, kids, soil, and seeds and mix them together? Storytime at the Kin Park Urban Farm of course!
For seven Tuesdays starting July 8th, the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) and the Kin Park Youth Urban Farm are teaming together to host a children's storytime at the park geared for 3-5 year olds (all ages are welcome however). This program is part of the library's Summer Reading Club whereby kids receive a special kit to keep track of their reading and are awarded a collectible medal if they complete their reading log.
Storytime, which runs from 10:30am - 11:30am, starts with a fun story in the shade of the trees followed by a garden-themed activity for little ones such as planting seeds, learning about worms, or a garden scavenger hunt. Sampling of the urban farm’s berry patch will most definitely be allowed!
To learn more about this free program, please contact Nariel Davis at the Cowichan Library at 250-746-7661, visit the VIRL website at:www.virl.bc.ca or visit CGC's website.
Kinsmen Park is located on Alderlea St. between James St. and Queens Rd.
Edible Farm & Garden Tour - August 16-17
CGC is proud to announce the return of the 5th annual Edible Garden and Farm Tour. This year the tour has expanded to a two day event, starting on Saturday, August 16th and ending on Sunday, August 17th. Participants have the option to attend the whole weekend, or one of the two days.
All gardens and farms on this self-guided tour are unique and creative with an interesting story to tell. Whether it showcases a novel approach to growing food, or focuses on permaculture, each garden and farm will provide people with knowledge, creative and innovative ideas, and most of all inspiration to grow their own food. For fellow gardeners, farmers, or people who desire inspiration and awe, the Edible Garden and Farm Tour is an event that should not be missed!
The tour map/brochure will be available by pick-up at CGCs Garden Pantry Thrift Store or via e-mail by early August. If you would like to receive the tour map/brochure by email, simply provide your email address when purchasing a ticket.
Tickets are $15 for members of CGC; $20 for non-members; and $30 for family (two adults, and any child under 18). These ticket prices are for both the Saturday and Sunday, or one of the two days. For more information or to buy tickets, please contact Alyssa at 250-748-8506 or alyssa@cowichangreencommunity.org. Or stop by the Garden Pantry Thrift Store at 360 Duncan Street to chat with our staff.
Organic Master Gardener Course
 CGC will once again be partnering with Gaia College to host a fall intake of this very popular organic gardening program.
This 8-week comprehensive course, taught by Gaia College, is for the experienced gardener, budding farmer, or professional landscaper. Course topics include: soil biology, botany, composting, permaculture, soil fertility, water-wise gardening, tree pruning and garden design. Learn to create fabulous food and ornamental garden organically.
Course dates are October 14 - December 6, and the course fee is: $695 + GST (Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and a few Saturdays). Registration is open now. You can register in-person at the Garden Pantry Thrifty Store at 360 Duncan Street. Seats are limited so please don't delay! For details, contact Nora @ nora@cowichangreencommunity.org or 250-748-8506.
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Community Activities & Events
Date: Friday, July 11-Sunday, July 13
Location: Downtown Duncan
Time: Friday, 10am-9pm; Saturday, 10am-4pm; Sunday, 11am-3pm
More details: Click here
Mad Hatter Tea Party @ TeaFarm
Date: Sunday, July 13
Location: TeaFarm, 8350 Richards Trail, North Cowichan
Time: 3pm
Tickets: $25 + tax & gratuity
Reservations: 250-748-3811 or info@teafarm.ca
Lavender & Arts Festival
Date: Thursday, July 19
Location: Cowichan Valley Lavender Farm & Labyrinth - 2349 Inverarity Road, North Cowichan
Time: 10am-5pm
Cost: $5 for adults & kids 15 and under enter for free.
More details: Click here
Location: Cowichan Library @ the Island Savings Centre - 2687 James Street, Duncan
Time: 6pm-7:30pm
Cost: Free
Date: Saturday, July 26
Location: Damali Lavender Farm, 3500 Telegraph Road, Cobble Hill
Time: 10am-4pm
Cost: $5.00 for adults; $3 for seniors; & $2 for kids
Website: http://www.damali.ca/events/
Date: Weekend of August 15-17
Location: Mossy Bank Farm, 8000 Richards Trail, North Cowichan
Time: All Day
Contact/ Register to volunteer: Online
The Definitive Dolomites - Presentation by Cliff Booker
Date: Sunday, August 24
Location: Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, 747 Jones Street, Qualicum Beach
Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Contact: Alpine Gardeners of Central Vancouver Island
Cost: $5.00
Young Agrarians Farmer Mixer
Date: Sunday, August 24
Location: Wind Whipped Farm, 4645 William Head Road, Metchosin, BC
Time: 4:00pm
Contact: Virginie Lavallée-Picard and Alex Fletcher - windwhippedfarm@gmail.com
Beyond Brochures: Nanaimo Fostering Sustainable Behaviour Workshop
Date: Wednesday-Thursday, October 22-23
Location: Board Room at the Regional District of Nanaimo Administration Building, 6300 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo
Time: Saturday 8:30am-5:00pm; Sunday 8:30am-12:00pm
Cost: $645 standard; NGO or students $545
Register: https://register.cbsm.com/workshops/nanaimo-british-columbia-2014
Kitchen Waste Available
Scott, kitchen manager at The Travel Lodge, is seeking a farmer wishing to pick-up organic waste from the kitchen. They produce approximately 150 lbs. per week in organic waste. Call Scott at 250-748-4311 for further details.
Farmers' Markets
Head out to Glenora this Sunday and stop in at the new Glenora Farmer's Market! We are a new community-run market, with a gorgeous country location at the Glenora Hall (3660 Glenora Rd). The market runs every Sunday 12-4pm, Mother's Day until Thanksgiving. We have a MAKE IT, BAKE IT, GROW IT, policy, our aim is to showcase local art, fresh produce, baked goods, crafts, etc.
We are sponsored by the Glenora Community Association and the Cowichan Green Community, so we are able to offer FREE TABLES TO ALL VENDORS! Yes, that's right, no table fees, just a yearly $20 membership fee for vendors. That's hard to beat! If you or someone you know has a talent for making, baking or growing, consider sharing those talents at the Glenora Farmers Market - call Robin at: 250.701.0774.
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Thank you :)
CGC would like to send out a special thank you to the following individuals and businesses for their support during the month of June:
- The Neil Squire Society for funding two paid 40 week intern positions.
- Bill Jones for his captivating presentation at our 2014 AGM.
- The donors, businesses, and community members who generously donated their time, energy, and resources to The Station Celebration on June 28. A special thanks goes out to the Corefield Cafe for the donation of the beautiful birthday cake, to Opus and the Ukeladies for sharing their musical talent, Steve Alphonse his role as the event MC, and all the volunteers and community members who came out to make this event such a success.
- Tousilum, Linda Modeste, and Dorothy Jack for leading a cleanse of The Station Building. An experience to treasure and learn from, The Station Building truly feels like home:)
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