May | 2009 |

Archive for May, 2009

Deadline for Pollan tickets is today!

Posted in Events on May 29, 2009 |

Get your tickets to this great event while you still can!

Call Barbara Jo’s now at 604-688-6755.

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Got a question for Michael Pollan?

Posted in Events, News Items, tagged contest, Events, Michael Pollan on May 22, 2009 |

michael pollan

Attention UBC students: Here is your chance to win a ticket to see Michael Pollan on June 6th!

Celebrated author and professor, Michael Pollan, will be making his only Canadian stop here at the UBC Farm. Submit a question for the question period and if you are chosen to ask your question you will win a free ticket to the event.

Please submit your question by 5 pm Wednesday May 27 to friendsoftheubcfarm@gmail.com

Open to UBC students only.

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Two more orientations sessions for new volunteers

Posted in UBC Farm Updates, tagged volunteering on May 15, 2009 |

field volunteers

Volunteers from the English Language Institute helping out in the field last year.

If you haven’t volunteered with us before and want to get started, the first thing to do is attend an orientation. Two are scheduled in the coming weeks:

Tuesday, May 26, 3pm-4:30pm
Friday, May 29, 1pm-2:30pm

More information about our volunteer opportunities can be found on our website.

Hope to see you there!

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Upcoming food system events on Vancouver’s west side

Posted in Events, Vancouver Food, tagged gardens, lecture, Mark on May 12, 2009 |

Exploring the Food System on the West Side: A Series of Talks and Tours
Presented by Garden Heart Productions and the Westside Food Security Collaborative
Speaker/Tour Host: Spring Gillard, author of Diary of a Compost Hotline Operator

Talks
Talks: Wednesday Evenings in June. Time: 7 to 9pm
Location: June 3, at the SPEC building, 2150 Maple; June 10,17, 24 at Kits Neighbourhood House Hall, 2305 West 7th @ Vine

June 3: Feeding Ourselves. How Do We Fare on the West Side?
What is food security? What is a food system? How resilient is ours? Why in a neighbourhood of plenty, are people still going hungry? What resources and programs are in place to ensure our food security and where are the gaps? An introduction to food security from the local perspective. Students will take home a concrete list of at least 10 things they can do to help strengthen the food system in their own neighbourhood.

June 10: West Side Food Woes
A recent study revealed a malnutrition problem on the affluent west side of Vancouver. How is that possible? The Buy-Low Foods Store at 4th and Alma has just closed down. How will that affect the neighbourhood? A look at access and mobility issues and the role grocery store design plays in enhancing public health, community vitality and helping to ensure a secure food supply.

June 17: The Gauntlet
As we walk in our west side neighbourhoods, many of us run the daily gauntlet of outstretched hands, from the homeless to the NGO’s. We look at the emergency food system and the charity model and ponder: To give or not to give? Learn about food programs on the west side that cater to vulnerable populations, as well as other initiatives that help increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables for all.

June 24: Waste Not, Want Not
A look at the waste management system on the west side. From backyard to commercial composting, food recovery programs and innovative initiatives designed to waste not. Find out what you can do in your own backyard to reduce edible and inedible food waste.

Click through for more!

(more…)

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Volunteer season is open!

Posted in UBC Farm Updates, tagged volunteering on May 9, 2009 |

Welcome back old volunteers, and hello to all of you who are interested in coming out! We’re starting out by offering a drop-in session every Thursday afternoon from 1pm-5pm. More drop-in times will be added as we get farther into the season.

If you haven’t been involved in the past, please join us for an orientation.

The next orientation session is Thursday, May 14, 1pm – 2:30-ish

(meet at the Farm Centre)

Remember to wear sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing anytime you visit the Farm!

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Farm position open at Nathan Creek Organic Farm CSA

Posted in Daily News, tagged CSA, job posting on May 9, 2009 |

For anyone who is looking to get more experience at a farming operation this is a great opportunity. Nathan Creek is looking to hire a full-time worker for this season – free housing, flexible compensation and tons of experience await the successful applicant.

Please contact Stephen Gallagher, lead farmer at Nathan Creek, if you are intererested: stephen@nathancreek.ca.

Click through for details

(more…)

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Wednesday Walkabout, May 6

Posted in Walkabouts on May 8, 2009 |

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SPEC hosts tours of their solar energy facilities

Posted in News Items, tagged alternative energy, SPEC, workshop on May 5, 2009 |

From their website:

Are you thinking about installing solar panels to make your house, business or cabin more self-sufficient and sustainable?

Come to the SPEC building to learn about our three different solar energy systems and how they can be the solution you are looking for!

The SPEC Building boasts three installations of solar demonstration technology: solar hot water, solar space heater and PV panels. If you are interested in learning about solar energy, getting specific questions answered or simply want to see what they look like, then you should check out our New 2009 solar tour schedule.

Check out their site for a schedule of tours and more details!

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What to do with all them radishes…

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged art, radishes on May 4, 2009 |

radish-wreath

Photo by Thomas J. Story (Sunset Mag.)

Not that many of us usually have this many radishes lying around, but it is quite beautiful. And I suppose you could always eat them after you’ve had this up for a party. (From Sunset Magazine.)

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