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.
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.
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.
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.
Upcoming FSN teleconference with Tamara Taylor of Ravenwood Ranch, an award winning, family-run naturally raised livestock farm and local butcher shop, 100-mile market, homestyle cafe, bakery and caterer located in Caroline, AB. Tamara will speak about starting up a farm direct business, focusing on her experience of running a successful farm fresh store with a butcher shop, bakery, deli and smokehouse.
Food Education Action St. John's (FEASt) presents an afternoon of gardening and local food activities to get people in the St. John's region excited and prepared for the growing season. Whether you're thinking of growing your first herb plant in a container or you're a seasoned gardener with a yard of veggies planned, there's going to be something at FEASt Fest for you!
When: Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Island time (11:30 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. Labrador time)
Keynote Speaker: Ross Traverse
With our short growing season and cool climate, many gardeners find themselves stuck on what to grow and how to get more from their gardens. This teleconference is a great opportunity for community garden organizers and participants to learn from an experienced Newfoundland gardener and horticultural consultant, Ross Traverse.
