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, 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
Planting
Rick Kelly
Harvest Times

EEk! Sorry everyone - I missed September entirely. Oh well, at least I have a lot to say about the garden.

As you may remember, I've been growing my first real attempt at a garden this year, with a 12x4 foot raised bed. Last time I wrote I was complaining about the water ban, but that's certainly not a problem anymore! I've harvested just about everything now (a little less then I was hoping). What remains is to pick the carrots, beets, and turnip, and to prepare the garden for the winter.

Harvest Times

Events

Newfoundland and Labrador Young Farmers Forum

Leadership Summit and Annual General Meeting

When: Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1, 2010
Where: Holiday Inn, St. John’s
To Register: Call Darryl Legge at 689-1779 or email darryllegge@hotmail.com.
Download the Agenda for more information.

Newfoundland and Labrador Young Farmers’ Forum (NLYFF) was established in 2003 with the objective of promoting the exchange of ideas and to foster collaboration between the young and future farmers of this province.  Today, NLYFF provides a multi-faceted development opportunity for young farmers (aged 18-40), that serves to inform participants, consolidate young farmer opinion, and offer leadership training and advice. 

There are a number of broad initiatives that the NLYFF are facilitating to advance the agriculture industry in this province.  This list includes but is not limited to:

  • Young Farmer Voice
  • Agriculture Awareness
  • Farm Safety
  • Training and Education
  • Business Management
  • Farm Transfers and Succession Planning

Dirt Rocks! (And Other Events)

Dirt! The Movie

If you're in the St. John's area, why not go to see Dirt! The Movie Tomorrow? Here's the details:

When: Wenesday April 21
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: EN-2006, MUN

The NL Environment Network (NLEN) and MUNSU present this new 'insightful, timely & entertaining’ documentary about our most valuable yet under-appreciated resource – dirt! A film with heart & soil! (80 min). “This film will encourage you to get your hands dirty and get reconnected to the natural world!" Free; all welcome. (Donations welcome and will go towards local environmental projects.) www.dirtthemovie.org.

Corner Brook Farmers' Market Public Brainstorming Session

The Western Environment Centre (WEC) is inviting interested people and parties in a public brainstorming session about the second season of the Farmers' Market. If you have ideas, comments, concerns, want to get involved, etc please join us in our discussion.

Session 1:  Sunday April 25th 7pm
Session 2: Monday April 26th 7pm
Location:  WEC office, 86 West Street, Suite 5

Both sessions are the same, so you only need to attend one session. The format is casual with a short presentation about the Farmers' Market followed by an open discussion.

Drop ins are welcome, but if possible RSVP to Simon Jansen at info@wecnl.ca.

Compost Awareness Week at MUN Botanical Garden!

You may remember that Anne Madden, Education Coordinator at the MUN Botanical Garden in St. John’s, NL, wrote about composting on this very blog. International Compost Awareness Week is May 2 - 8, 2010. You should check it out!

There will be FREE ADMISSION to the Garden during Compost Awareness Week. View MMSB and Botanical Garden compost displays.  Free composting information will be available in our field centre. Visit the compost demonstration garden, located between the Agnes Ayre gazebo and the Friends’ wildlife friendly garden. Take a close look at our indoor worm bin (vermicomposter).

Get all the information about the events happening during Compost Awareness Week at the Botanical Garden website.

Ken Proudfood Potato Festival

Ken Proudfoot

Head over to the Memorial University Botanical Garden next Saturday, September26th from 10am - 4pm to take part in the festivities of the Ken Proudfoot Potato Festival!

The event will include:

  • Newfoundland and Labrador Horticultural Society Fall Vegetable Show
  • Jiggs Dinner
  • Cooking Demonstrations
  • Potato Displays
  • Potato Experts
  • Live Music
  • Potato Tasting
  • Vegetable Stand
  • Children’s Activities
  • Compost Challenge Awards

Admission to the event is donation of a non-perishable food item, or funds. All proceeds go to support the Food Sharing Association of NL.

This food drive, held the weekend before Thanksgiving, is vital in the Food Sharing Association's efforts to raise awareness, funds and food for Thanksgiving and the fall season. For additional information, please call 737-8950.  We look forward to seeing you at our Potato Festival!

Safer Soil Garden Tours

During September and October, St. John’s Safer Soil will conduct free garden tours at the demonstration garden behind the Gathering Place, situated at the north side of the Basilica Parking Lot.

The garden is an educational tool to promote simple techniques for safe gardening and recreation in areas with elevated soil lead levels. We also conduct research in innovative and environmentally sound methods to promote overall soil health in support of urban agriculture.

Learn about safe city gardening; landscaping to prevent lead exposure; phytoremediation: using plants to clean the soil; and biochar: an organic soil amendment which increases soil fertility while sequestering carbon; and more!

To arrange a free garden tour and presentation for your family, workplace or community group, please contact Project Coordinator Lori Heath at 738-7542 or safersoil@gmail.com. Educational materials are also available at our website at www.safersoil.ning.com.

St. John’s Safer Soil is a project of the Centre for Long-term Environmental Action in Newfoundland and Labrador (CLEANf/Ld).