Events happening across the province in April & May- things are starting to bloom! Lots of great ways to kick off the growing season! To add your event to this listing email info@rootcellarsrock.ca. You can also contribute events to the monthly FSN E-News.
From Garden to Campus Brown Bag Series Presentation #3: Growing From Seed
When: Thursday, April 4
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Where: The Landing, UC-3018, MUN St. John’s Campus
Instructor Tim Walsh has propagated thousands of plants over the years at the MUN Botanical Garden greenhouse. During this presentation he will show you some tried and true methods for successfully producing a wide variety of plants from seed. Whether it’s annuals, perennials or vegetables, Tim has all the knowledge you need to get you on your way to a bountiful growing season in 2013.
Registration is not required. Enter your name to win cool prizes! For more information, please call the Botanical Garden at 864-8590, visit the Garden’s website at www.mun.ca/botgarden, or the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/100194523476053/ .
Spring St. John's International Food and Craft Expo
When: Saturday, April 6 Time: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Where: Lion's Club Chalet, Bonaventure Ave., St. John's (Same location as the St. John's Farmers Market)
Food, arts, and craft vendors from more than 20 countries around the world. For more information please contact Zainab: zharuna@warp.nfld.net or visit the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/331677713619345/
NLEE 2013 Workshop & AGM - Nature's Classroom: Our Living Library
When: Thursday April 11- Saturday April 13
Where: Suncor Energy Fluvarium, 5 Nagle’s Place, St. John’s
Do you love the outdoors? Do you like the idea of spreading your environmental enthusiasm to others? Whether you are a formal educator in the school system or a casual educator in the school of life, you are sure to be enlightened and inspired at the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Educators annual Workshop and AGM this April! We're super stoked about our keynote speaker this year, homegrown girl Marlene Power, Executive Director of Forest School Canada, a national initiative to promote nature-based education, and founder/former Executive Director of Carp Ridge Forest School, Canada’s first outdoor, nature-based Forest School. We also have a bucket load of awesome facilitators who will give you great new tools to put in your outdoor toolkit! This year's theme, "Nature's Classroom: Our Living Library" gives you a good idea of what to expect... new ideas for getting kids (and adults) outdoors, using nature to teach many lessons!
Space is limited – register now to ensure your spot! $110 registration fee that includes meals and access to all sessions and events. Details and forms here:
http://
For more info visit the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/358812467561823/
5th Annual FEASt Fest
When: Saturday, April 13
Time: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Where: Foran Room, St. John's City Hall (10 New Gower Street)
Celebrate FEASt's 5 years of existence by joining for a day of workshops, discussions and activities dedicated to a very special theme: Seeds!
FEASt - with the support of The Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security and Food Security Network NL- is putting together a vibrant FEASt Fest where you can learn everything about seeds from sowing to saving. There will be activities for children, a seed swap, information booths, and a scrumptious seed-related lunch. Admission is free, but donations are very gladly accepted (suggested donation: $5 - $10).
Learn more at www.feastnl.ca or the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/253923248077274/.
Would you like to volunteer? Email: local.feast@gmail.com.
Murray's Garden Centre 'Meet the Experts Day'
When: Sunday, April 14 Time: 1pm- 3pm Where: Murray's Garden Centre, 1525 Portugal Cove Road, Portugal Cove
Join us at the Garden Centre for our first ever 'Meet the Experts Day!' We will have a wide range of Gardening Experts onsite to answer your questions on landscape design, arboriculture, food security, organic farming, and viniculture. Start this gardening season off well-informed!
For full details visit the Murray's Garden Centre website: http://www.murraysgardens.com/
Deadline approaching for 4-month, summer-term Grow A Farmer Apprenticeship Program!
Want to spend your summer working with a dynamic team of Maritime organic farmers? There's still time to get your application in and participate in ACORN's new organic 'farm-school'!
While the full-season program has now past, for those interested in participating in the summer-term program (May-August), please submit your application by Monday, APRIL 15th.
ACORN is offering a limited number of scholarships for participants with limited means. For all information and inquiries, please visit www.growafarmer.ca. Check out testimonials from participating farmers here.
St. Patrick's Organic Community Garden Public Meeting and Garden Registration
When: Tuesday, April 16
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: Lecture Hall, Room #146, College of the North Atlantic, Carbonear
General public information session and registration for the 2013 Growing Season. This meeting is open to anyone interested in renting a garden bed or just learning more about St. Patrick’s Organic Community Garden. Garden beds will be given out on a first come, first serve basis as there are a limited number of beds available. There will be a $20.00 rental fee for a garden bed for the 2013 season. Returning gardeners can pay their fee and sign their lease for the new season. For more information, please contact Kim at 709-595-2072, or visithttps://www.facebook.com/
Webinar: The Dirt on Soil with Dr. Av Singh, Ph. D, Organic and Small-Scale Farming Specialist, Perennia
When: Tuesday, April 16 Time: 8:00 pm EDT (9:00pm in Labrador, 9:30pm in Newfoundland) Where: Online or via telephone
This is a key session for beginner farmers, or for those that need a little refresher course in the main components of soil fertility.
As the saying goes, healthy soil=healthy plants=healthy food! Soil fertility is a cornerstone principle of organic agriculture, and one that requires regular attention and maintenance of good biological, physical and ecological health.
Singh will discuss the basics of soil type and quality, key terms in assessing your soil, what soil needs to do for your crops, the importance of soil testing, and how deficiencies and constraints can affect your production. He will cover management strategies and provide resources for learning more about building soil fertility, through composting, cover cropping and crop rotations. Join us for this 1-hour webinar/conference call at 8pm to learn some valuable information for your farm!
Sessions are $10 or free for ACORN members. Register by calling 1-866-322-2676 or email lucia@acornorganic.org.
Webinar: Local Food Procurement Policy and Free Trade Agreements
When: Tuesday, April 16
Time: 3:00 pm EDT (4:00pm in Labrador, 4:30pm in Newfoundland)
Where: Online or via telephone
During this webinar food procurement and trade policy experts from Western and Central Canada – Ken Babich and Kyra Bell-Pasht – will reflect upon a variety of free trade agreements, including The Agreement on International Trade and the Canada and European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). These agreements will be discussed in the context of how they impact local food procurement strategies at different levels of government, and through public institutions, and what the opportunities and limitations are for supporting these strategies.
Part of Farm to Cafeteria Canada's “Dig In” webinar series, organized in cooperation with Sustain Ontario. The webinar will run for 40 minutes. Register for your spot. Full details on the Sustain Ontario website: http://sustainontario.com/
Nourish Film Screening and Healthy Food Preparation Demonstration
When: Thursday, April 18
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: 15-21 Voisey Drive, Happy Valley-Goose Bay
With beautiful visuals and inspiring stories, the Nourish film traces our relationship to food from a global perspective to personal action steps. Nourish illustrates how food connects to such issues as biodiversity, climate change, public health, and social justice. (Trailer: www.nourishlife.org/2011/03/
Presented by the Community Food Hub. The film will be followed by food activities in the Lobby. Admission is free.
Workshop: Creating the Year-Round Garden
When: Sunday, April 21
Time: 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Where: Points East Bed & Breakfast, 34 Sullivan's Loop, Pouch Cove
Fee: $45 (includes lunch)
This one-day workshop will help you create a year-round garden so you can raise and harvest food all year round, by planting seasonally in raised beds with protective structures like cloches, cold frames, tunnels, row cover and greenhouses. By planting different crops in succession and protecting your plants with simple structures, you can harvest food all through the year, even in the winter.
Led by home gardener Dan Rubin of Perfectly Perennial Herbs and Seeds, this workshop will demonstrate raised bed construction and show you basic steps to create your own four-season garden. Learn about seed selection, soil enrichment, intensive planting and using raised beds and protective structures to extend your growing season.
The workshop includes hands-on activities, group discussion and garden tour. Pre-registration is required. To register for the workshop or for more information call (709) 335-2340 or emailsecondstage@hotmail.com. Visit the Facebook event for the workshop to see photos of gardens that will be toured during the workshop.
Earth Day Fair at the Suncor Energy Fluvarium: Act for the Planet
When: Sunday, April 21, 2013
Time: 12:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Where: Suncor Energy Fluvarium, 5 Nagle's Place, St. John's
Admission: Free
The Suncor Energy Fluvarium and the Newfoundland and Labrador Environment Network (NLEN) are co-hosting a community-wide Earth Day Fair! This is an event for everyone: adults, youth and families alike. Take environmentalism into your own hands with every day simple actions! Booths from a variety environmental groups will share with the public how YOU can Act for the Planet!
If you have any questions about this event or would like to find out how to get involved contact Denise at (709) 754-3474 or dhennebury@fluvarium.ca.
Volunteer Week 2013
When: April 21 - 27
The Community Sector Council Newfoundland and Labrador, along with the 2013 Volunteer Week Committee, would like to invite you to celebrate Volunteer Week 2013. Join or host your own volunteer recognition event across the province. For details visit: http://communitysector.nl.ca/
Webinar: Designing Your Northern Greenhouse
When: Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Time: 1:00 pm EDT (2:00pm in Labrador, 2:30pm in Newfoundland)
Where: Online or via telephone
Hosted by Food Secure Canada as part of the 'Sharing Our Stories' series. Presenters will discuss past and current challenges, solutions, and address specific questions such as...
- What geographic and climate conditions should be considered when designing a greenhouse for the north?
- How can a greenhouse in the north be more energy efficient?
- Which energy saving features are worth the investment?
Webinar: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in the Atlantic Region with Laura Mather
When: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 Time: 8:00 pm EDT (9:00pm in Labrador, 9:30pm in Newfoundland) Where: Online or via telephone
The Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model has been gaining momentum since its introduction to North America in the 1980s. Currently, there are 40+ operations advertised in the ACORN CSA directory. In the last three years, ACORN has distributed surveys and collected feedback from both members of CSAs and CSA operators in Atlantic Canada. Based on this feedback, ACORN compiled a three-year trend report. The report highlights the design, implementation and trends of CSAs operating in our region. The main objective of synthesizing this data is to provide perspective on how this exciting market can continue to grow!
If you're interested in learning more about CSAs in the Atlantic region, join in for a 1-hour webinar/conference call with report-author Laura Mather at 8pm.
Sessions are $10 or free for ACORN members. Register by calling 1-866-322-2676 or email lucia@acornorganic.org.
2013 Landscape and Garden Show
When: Saturday, April 27 (10am- 5pm)- Sunday, April 28 (10am- 4pm)
Where: Jack Byrne Arena, 7 Kennedy’s Brook Drive in Torbay
This year's show will be bigger and better than ever!
- Expanded feature garden
- More plants and trees on the trade show floor
- Kids entertainment area
- Demos, contests and competitions - enter the Ugly Backyard Contest! Get the details here. https://www.facebook.com/
Admission is $6 for Adults, $5 for Seniors; kids under 12 admitted for free when accompanied by an adult.
O'Brien Farm Plan Unveiling
When: Monday April 29th and Tuesday April 30th, both from 7-9pm Where: MUN Botanical Garden in the Board Room, 306 Mount Scio Road, St. John's
The O’Brien Farm Foundation invites you to attend the unveiling of the new Master Plan. Begun in the spring of 2012. Accessible for all, and lots of parking, we will have tea and coffee and cookies too. Contact Sharon D Pippy, Chair, O’Brien Farm Foundation for more information at 738-2163 or 743-0416.
All Around the Table: Official Provincial Launch Event for FSN's New Film Series
When: Friday May 3rd from 2-4pm
Where: Princess Sheila NaGeira Theatre, 256 Water St., Carbonear
You are warmly invited to attend the provincial launch screening event for All Around the Table. This event is free and everyone is welcome! Refreshments will be provided. For more information email info@rootcellarsrock.ca or call 237-4026.
All Around the Table is a new series of short films showcasing interviews with seniors across the Avalon Peninsula sharing their stories of food traditions and skills.
A vegetable garden, laying hens, a fishing boat, berry grounds: when local seniors were younger, the grocery store was out the back door. In our search for a sustainable food system we can look to traditional ways of growing, preserving, and preparing our food that still make sense today.
All Around the Table was created by the Food Security Network of Newfoundland and Labrador (http://
Special thanks goes to the Town of Carbonear, Carbonear Parks and Recreation Commission, St. Patrick's Organic Community Garden and the Princess Sheila NaGeira Theatre Board of Directors for supporting and hosting this event.
Compost Awareness Week
When: May 5- 11, 2013
Where: MUN Botanical Garden, 306 Mount Scio Road, St. John's, and other events across Canada
Come to MUN Botanical Garden May 5 - 11 and celebrate composting! Admission to the Garden will be free all week. Activities will include free lunch-time workshops, compost displays and demonstrations, family activities, and lots of composting information. Visit the Facebook event (https://www.facebook.com/events/130263890494164/) or MUN Botanical Garden website (http://www.mun.ca/botgarden/events/) for full details about activities. Hosted in partnership with MMSB.
Spring Gardening: Indoor Planting and Cold Weather Vegetables
When: Wednesday May 8, 2013 from 7:30- 8:30pm Where: College of the North Atlantic, Corner Brook – Room 1008
Are you ready to get your hands in the dirt this spring? Anne Marceau and Michael Burzynski have worked and gardened in Rocky Harbour for 22 years. Using photographs, they will discuss some of the techniques that work best for starting vegetables in the spring. Baked goods will be available for sale!
Michael Burzynski and Anne Marceau are naturalists with backgrounds in biology and a long-standing interest in plants, both wild and cultivated. Their garden in Rocky Harbour was featured in Harrowsmith — Country Life Magazine in 2009.
National Public Gardens Day
When: Friday May 10, 2013
Time: 10am- 5pm
Where: MUN Botanical Garden, 306 Mount Scio Road, St. John's
Admission to MUN Botanical Garden is free in celebration of National Public Gardens Day!
https://www.facebook.com/events/558680800831620/
Cavell Park Community Garden Clean-up Day
When: Saturday May 11, 2013 Time: 1pm onward Where: Cavell Park Community Garden, in the park at the end of Cavell Ave., St. John's
General clean-up of the garden, raking gravel, leveling for compost bins, and topping up beds. Volunteers welcome!
Edible Campuses: Campus Gardens Opportunities and Challenges
When: Tuesday May 14, 2013 Time: 2 pm- 3 pm EDT (3:30 pm- 4:30 pm in Newfoundland, 3 pm- 4 pm in Labrador) Where: Online
Hosted by Food Secure Canada and Campus Food Systems Project.
In collaboration with Sierra Youth Coalition, Catherine Lung and Rob Macneish will discuss the Campus Food Systems Project and share the best practices of different campus community gardens and provide ideas, inspiration and tools for other campuses and communities.
The Campus Food Systems Project, a partnership between Meal Exchange and the Sierra Youth Coalition, is working across Canada to develop student leadership to bring more local, sustainable food onto Canadian campuses. Through the CFSP’s work, we see the role that gardens can play in the campus food system in building awareness and strengthening community.
For more information and to register visit the Food Secure Canada website: http://foodsecurecanada.org/webform/edible-campuses-campus-gardens-opportunities-and-challenges
ACORN Marketing Webinar for Organic Growers
When: May 16 When: 8:30 pm (NDT)
Your Remarkable Market Stall: Marketing 101 for Organic Growers with Jamey Coughlin: As part of the Grow A Farmer Learning Series, this is a great session for beginner farmers, or for those that are seeking more information about marketing strategies for their organic operation. Coughlin will introduce marketing techniques you can use to grow your organic business. This discussion will focus on strategies for farmers and food producers to use in their local farmers market, and how the same tools can be used for retail or CSA sales.
This session is $10 or free for ACORN members. Register by calling 1-866-322-2676 or email lucia@acornorganic.org.
Rabbittown Community Garden Opening Day
When: Sunday May 19, 2013
Time: 12 pm- 3 pm
Where: Rabbittown Community Garden, Graves Rd. behind the Rabbittown Community Centre, St. John's
Well, its THAT time again! We are preparing for our first day on the 19th of May. Our seed order is en route, and should be here any day, soil delivery preparations have been made, and we have plenty of compost to do what we need to do to get it rolling. So please spread the word, Rabbittown Community Garden is opening! C'mon out and lets get growing! New participants are welcomed. Rabbittown Community Garden participants meet throughout the summer to grow delicious food, following the motto "All for One Harvest, One Harvest for All!"
Rabbittown Community Garden is an initiative of the Community Garden Alliance. For more information and to get involved visit the Community Garden Alliance facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/28976312247/
MUN Botanical Garden Spring Workshop Series
When: May- June 2013 Where: MUN Botanical Garden, 306 Mount Scio Road, St. John's
Need some advice on getting your garden ready this spring? MUN Botanical Garden can help. A wide variety of workshops are scheduled for May and June to help green your thumb, and provide some practical advice on gardening in our temperamental climate. Registration will commence May 1.
Workshop topics include: Fruit Growing for the Home Gardener, Pressing Flowers, Explorer Roses, Waking up Your Spring Garden Bed, Container Gardening, Creating an Alpine Trough, Hostas, Plant Propagation and more. The free lunchtime lectures will go ahead this again during International Compost Week May 6 – 10 and the Botanical Garden’s second annual Rhododendron festival will be offered June 8-9.
For more information on fees, or to register, please visit the Botanical Garden website at www.mun.ca/botgarden or call 864-8590. Detailed event information also available on MUN Botanical Garden's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/MUN-Botanical-Garden-Inc/280608787849
St. John's Farmers' Market Season Opening
When: Saturday, June 1
Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Where: Lion's Club Chalet (behind the Remax Centre), Bonaventure Avenue
Local produce, food, crafts, and more. Visit http://stjohnsfarmersmarket.
Becoming An Outdoors Woman Program
When: June 7 - 9 Where: Lavrock Camp and Conference Centre, Salmonier Line Cost: $240.00 (includes meals and accommodations)
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman is a program which assists women to become more confident in outdoor pursuits and more aware of our natural environment. Designed primarily for women 18 years of age or older, Becoming an Outdoors-Woman focuses on activities such as canoeing, kayaking, rifle, shotgun, outdoor survival and cooking, map and compass, birding, spirituality & nature, and fishing, to name a few.
All classes are at an introductory level. Enrollment is limited. Register early for best selection of courses. For more information and to register visit: http://www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/
(There will also be a BOW Workshop at Kildevil Camp at Lomond, Gros Morne National Park, during the weekend of October 18-20, 2013)
