Michael Pollan LIVE at UBC Farm, June 6!

In partnership with Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks, the UBC Farm is pleased to announce a Saturday afternoon presentation and book signing with award-winning author, Michael Pollan. Vancouver will be Michael’s only Canadian city on his book tour for the paperback version of In Defense of Food.

This unique opportunity to meet Michael takes place at UBC Farm on Saturday, June 6 at 1:00 p.m. At this fundraiser for UBC Farm, Michael will share his manifesto of: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly Plants.” He will also be available to sign copies of In Defense of Food. This exciting afternoon includes a signed copy of In Defense of Food, guided tours of UBC Farm and live music and entertainment. All are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and a blanket to sit on.

Tickets to this rain or shine event are $45 (includes GST) and are sold exclusively through Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks. The ticket price includes a paperback version of In Defense of Food, and all proceeds from the event will go to support the UBC Farm.

For more information about this and other events, visit Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks website at www.bookstocooks.com. Please call 604-688-6755 to purchase tickets.

About Michael Pollan: Michael Pollan has established himself as one of North America’s premier food system commentators. He is a contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine and is a Knight Professor of Journalism at UC Berkeley. His previous book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals, was named one of the ten best books of 2006 by the New York Times and the Washington Post. His most recent essay is Farmer in Chief, a letter to the president-elect of the United States.

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity – a great event in support of a great cause! We’ll see you there.

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Cheese-makin’ time – workshop with David Rotsztain

Back by popular demand!  UBC Farm’s Growing Season Workshop Series presents:

Cheese Making with David Rotsztain!

SUNDAY April 5, 10am-1pm AND 2-5pm (Two workshops!)

Love cheese?
Ever wonder how cheese is made?
Want to save money by learning how to make it yourself?
These questions and more!
This practical workshop will provide a wonderful introduction to the world of cheese making.

Your very own cheese handbook will be provided.

Presenter Bio:
Our guest instructor, David Rotsztain, is a “well-cultured” fermentation expert and an urban farmer/philosopher. He’s been making cheeses on local organic farms for years. David is a graduate of the Linnaea Farm Ecological Gardening Program, a farmer on Mayne Island, and an old, dear friend of the UBC Farm.

Date: April 5, 10am-1pm AND 2-5pm

Cost: $26 (plus 99 cent registration fee)

Registration: Limited to 15 people.  Please register online:  Morning Session (10am-1pm) or Afternoon Session (2-5pm).   **Please note that our Growing Season Workshops now all require advance payment.**

What to bring: 1 Litre of organic whole milk in a re-sealable bottle/jug, a container for your fresh cheese, a bottle for whey, pen/paper.

Growing Season Workshops:
This event is part of the UBC Farm Growing Season Workshop Series.  We are opening a handful of lectures and workshops that are part of our “Sowing Seeds for the Future” Apprenticeship Program to our farm community.  Come join us for a workshop, gain new skills and knowledge, and help support the UBC Farm!

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Come see us at the farmers market tomorrow!

Andrew from the Friends of the Farm will be at tomorrow’s Winter Farmers Market at Wise Hall, from 10am-2pm, to promote the Great Farm Trek. Come by and say HI while you’re shopping for treats!

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Job opportunity with Metro Regional Parks

If you are between 19 and 30 and are interested in working with youth and nature, Catching the Spirit! wants you to apply to be a supervisor for this summer’s program. In their words:

Catching the Spirit is back for its ninth season! This unique program with the theme “Respect Yourself, Others and Mother Earth!” is designed to provide opportunities for youth to interact with nature and help develop social responsibility and leadership skills. The program involves camping, environmental stewardship projects, creativity and cool technology leaving youth with a connection to the environment and each other. This year’s program will be offered at Pacific Spirit, Burnaby Lake, Capilano River and Tynehead Regional Parks.

Catching the Spirit is now accepting applications for Program Supervisors who will be responsible for carrying out programs at various Metro Vancouver Regional Parks. YOU CAN make a difference!

Click here for a copy of the job description, and more information on applying.

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New academic farm joins the crew

From the Marin Independent Journal:

College of Marin launches organic farm at Indian Valley campus

Staff ReportPosted: 03/06/2009 02:37:50 PM PST
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// –>An organic farm at the Indian Valley campus of College of Marin is looking forward to its first harvest.

The 5.8-acre organic demonstration farm and garden is part of a new program launched in a collaboration involving the college, Marin Conservation Corps and University of California Cooperative Extension-Marin Master Gardeners.

Ellie Rilla, director of the UC Cooperative Extension in the county’s Farm Advisor’s Office, thanked county supervisors this week for a $30,000 seed grant to help get the program started.

Preparation for the main garden has been completed and funding is being sought for a farm manager. A farm class begins this week.

-Nels Johnson

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Help SPEC build the City Hall garden

Check it out:

City Square Communal Garden Plan-A-Garden Workshop

When: 1 pm – 4 pm, Sunday, March 29, 2009

Where: SPEC Building, 2150 Maple Street

This workshop will give participants the tools they need to successfully plan a food-producing garden. We will learn about

* companion planting,

* vertical gardening,

* square foot gardening and

* crop rotation,

and incorporate this knowledge directly to plan the City Square Communal Garden.

The Garden is located across from City Hall at 10th Ave. and Cambie Street. Our gardeners consist of board members and dedicated volunteers with a keen interest in food, gardening, biodiversity, and sustainable systems.

All are welcome; please register by contacting bakervicky@shaw.ca

Check out our blog – specgardens.blogspot.com

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Just posted: UBC Farm staff positions for summer 2009

The Farm is hiring for a number of positions this summer. Currently needed are good folks to fill the following roles:

• Administrative Coordinator

  (Full-time, summer, fall extension possible) Managing FarmWonders Summer Camp Registration, Farm office administration.

• Blueberry Project Research Assistant

  (Full-time, summer) Assisting with Blueberry research at the UBC Farm, in Delta, and in the lab.

• Farm Discovery Tours Workshop Co-Coordinator

  (Part-time, ongoing) Leading “Farm Discovery” tours and workshops for elementary school groups visiting the farm.

• FarmWonders Second Leader
  (Full-time, Jul-Aug) Group leader for “FarmWonders” summer camp.

  Field Academic Coordinator

  (Full-time, summer, fall extension possibile) Supporting field activities for a range of UBC Courses.

• Field Assistant & CSA Coordinator

  (Full-time, summer, part-time fall extension possible) General field assistance and coordinating our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) box program.

• Marketing & Communications Assistant
  (Full-time, summer, part-time fall extension possible) Running the farm’s Saturday Farmer’s Markets.

Applications are due Monday, April 6th, so get going!

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Volunteers needed – Farm Trek, April 7th

We have an exciting week ahead of us! The Great Farm Trek is just around the corner and WE NEED VOLUNTEERS. If you’re interested in volunteering, please send an email to: greatfarmtrek@ams.ubc.ca with the phrase “I want to volunteer for the Trek!” in the subject line and state in the email body:

1. Who you are
2. When you are available (ie: all day the 7th, a few days before and day of, once a week for 2 hours until Trek, 3-6pm on day of)
3. Whether you have first aid or CPR training and what level (you will not be turned down if you do not have this)
4. Whether you have a car you are willing to use that day for hauling goods/people (I imagine the AMS can reimburse you for mileage, but I don’t know this for sure, so it’s best to ask).

Thanks for any help you can offer. Together we can make the Great Farm Trek an amazing event!

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Wednesday Walkabout – March 18th

Chilly, grey, misting rain. Feels like spring.

Thanks to Sarah B. and Even for being walkabout guests!

Gloves hanging to dry

Paper pot makers

Onion dance

Kids’ sprouts

Watering can lineup

Sarah B’s new tulip planter

Chives alive!

Freshly mulched beds, thanks to the ’09 apprentices

Hannah’s sprouts

Alder conelette

Daffodils a’coming

Alder catkins

Proof of industrious Agsci 450 students

The most exciting spot on the farm…. for real, it’s coming soon.

Mycellium!

This used to be a berry patch! Tragic.

Flags mark the future home of the blueberry plantation

Sarah’s newly pruned fruit trees

Pear trees budding

Obligatory chicken shot

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How pleasurable is your eating?

Sounds like a very nice evening:

The Pleasure in Eating Discussion Group

Come share your thoughts and ideas about what it means to “eat with pleasure” in a discussion group facilitated by two fellow UBC students.

In a safe and comfortable environment, we will be exploring how to rediscover food’s purpose in our lives amidst the confusing messages we often encounter in our society.

When: Monday, March 16th, 5:30-7:00pm
Where: Sprouts (SUB basement, room 66)

Light snack and tea to follow.

Spots are limited. Please RSVP by Friday, March 13th to:
thepleasureineating@gmail.com

We hope to see you there!

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