Picking
admin
As We Fish and Farm

I came to Newfoundland for the first time just over four years ago. I can still vividly recall taking the ferry across from Nova Scotia in the late winter, listening to the groaning sounds of the ice around the boat. Within two months of arriving I made my first trip to Bonne Bay, a remote fjord on the west coast of the island. I went to learn about the food system and fisheries in the region as part of a PhD program I was beginning at Memorial University that fall.

As We Fish and Farm
Picking, Preparing
admin
DIY Maple Syrup

Maple syrup conjures up images of towering arboretums in places like Quebec or Vermont, but it’s a little known secret that the rugged and hardy maple trees of Newfoundland make darn fine maple syrup. With nothing more than a half dozen maple trees, some old salt beef containers and a handful of 25 cent metal tree taps, you’re good to go and can expect to end up with over a dozen bottles of hand made maple syrup.

DIY Maple Syrup
Picking, Planting, Preparing
Andreae C
My front yard grocery store
My front yard grocery store
Events, Picking, Planting
Costa Kasimos
Bits and Pieces: Along the Shore

Spectacular vistas, whales breaching, ice bergs floating by, and a foragers paradise. We are blessed with many wilderness areas that offer abundant edible plants. I rarely go on a hike without stopping to have a little taste of this or that. In this post, I will touch upon some of the edibles currently available in our wonderful wilderness.

Bits and Pieces: Along the Shore
Planting
Matthew Middleton
Growing In A Potato Box

Thanks to the listing from Seeds of Diversity, I was able to locate a gentleman in Newfoundland who has a great deal of experience growing a wide variety of potatoes here. Last week, I recieved by my set of samples from George, and here's what my benefactor told me about the varieties:

Red Dutch: A very dry, yellow flesh red from Holland in the 1940’s. An excellent potato. Late maturing.

Northern White: A white flesh variety, from Quebec apparently, from the early 1900’s. Very high yield. Good taste.

Growing In A Potato Box

Events

Farmers' Markets Teleconference- Making Connections

Farmers' Markets Teleconference- Making Connections

n recent years Newfoundland & Labrador has experienced an incredible growth in Farmers' Markets across the province. This past season saw 10 full- and part-time Farmers’ Markets operate in communities spanning St. John’s to Fogo to Stephenville. Join us for this exciting teleconference to learn about Farmers’ Markets in Newfoundland and Labrador

ACORN-NL Sustainable Farming Conference this Weekend!

Are you:

  • A conventional farmer looking for more information on ecological farming?
  • An organic farmer interested in expanding with value-added product?
  • A market gardener wishing to extend your production (and revenue) season?
  • An organic vegetable gardener interested in making better use of your space?
  • A teacher or youth advocate looking to involve young people in farming and food self-sufficiency?
  • A researcher interested in food policy initiatives in other provinces?
  • Do you just want to know how to help feed yourself and your family?

It’s all there, and much more… at ACORN-NL’s 1st Sustainable Farming Conference this weekend October 22-24… and they have an impressive lineup for you to choose from: workshops, on-farm practical sessions, panel discussions, Q&A sessions, even a by-appointment one-on-one with for info on organic certification standards

 

With keynote speakers and guest presenters including:
Theresa Schumilas (Ontario) – an organic farmer & expert in community economic development with local, sustainable food systems
Wayne Roberts (Ontario) – Mgr, Toronto Food Policy Council & author of “The No-Nonsense Guide to World Food”
Rupert Jannasch (N.Sc) – Organic Transition Specialist
Norbert Kungl (N.Sc) – Selwood Green Organic Farm & Pres. of Nova Horticultural Consultants

For registration info and the itinerary, check out the ACORN-NL website.

For further information contact:

Conference Coordinator: Mark Wilson nlorganics@yahoo.com 709.764.3169

or ACORN-NL Coordinator Alison Dyer acorn-nl@acornorganic.org 709.576.1312