A Publication Sponsored by the UBC Faculty of Agricultural Sciences 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4 CANADA 604.822.5092 t :: 604.822.6839 f www.agsci.ubc.ca/ubcfarm :: ubcfarm@interchange.ubc.ca
March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers... an Old Wives' Tale it is not! Amazing how the weather has changed and the landscape even more. Green, green, green. So the shoots are shooting and the plants are growing. We are as ready as we ever are going to be for a busy (but fun!) summer of farming and markets. So shed those winter blues - Spring has sprung at UBC Farm!
In this newsletter, check out all the new exciting projects going on and read about the new faces that will be around for the summer. And of course, keep your eyes on the Farm & community events! Markets will be starting soon and other great things are coming throughout the next couple of months!
There will be a few new faces working at the farm this summer. So in the next couple of newsletters, we will be doing a little "who's who" at the farm. This month we introduce Mark Bomford, our new Marketing Coordinator and Jenny Bonny, our new Education Coordinator!
Mark is actually not a new face at the farm. He has been creating and building the new LFC Garden in front of the Farm Office. Mark also has been the chap responsible for updating our increasingly functional website in the past year. Mark is a 4th year Agro-ecology student. This summer, he will be our rockstar (to borrow a term from Rosy!) marketing coordinator and thus responsible for managing farm markets and maintaining and expanding our network of buyers and suppliers. We are so happy to have Mark working with us this year!
Jenny is a teacher in real life...away from farm life that is! Between subbing at local schools and teaching English to foreign students, Jenny is developing a curriculum for this springs school's program. The education tours will be starting this week so Jenny has been identifying seeds, digging in the dirt for interesting soil bugs and setting up planting stations, all to expand the learning opportunities of the small folks that will soon be arriving at the farm. Good on you, Jenny! We need folks like you to educate our little ones in the area of food production and agriculture!
On April 26th the Farm hosted several members from the Soil and Water Conservation Society - and what a day they got! It was a beautiful sunny day for a tour of the grounds and of course, our soil pits! Afterwards, the group convened at the Farm Centre for a small workshop on the benefits and techniques of Worm Bin Composting, delivered by Sarah Belanger of UBC Waste Management. Thanks to Yona Sipos Randor and Peter Friz for their efforts in organizing this visit. If you are interested in finding out more about the Soil and Water Conservation Society, you may contact them at 604.858.8382 or write for information to the President Peter Friz at peter.frix@shaw.ca.
It is truly amazing the amount of goodwill there is out there! This time, it comes in the form of Amy Gowling - a young artist from Ontario who set out for BC to volunteer her time to paint murals for peace. And now UBC Farm is availing of her skills and generosity. In the middle of April, Amy began the enormous project of painting the front wall on the Harvest Hut! Though she has only just started, it has already livened the place up immensely and has really contributed to the campaign to improve UBC Farm's public visage. So come down and check out this amazing piece of work! It is being done in the true spirit of community!
Another interesting project is coming to the Farm in May, though this one is different than any that we have yet seen. From the Swahili language, Otesha means "a reason to dream" and they are a growing grass-roots organization made up of young people, and are working in partnership with Youth Challenge International and the Sierra Youth Coalition. This summer, the 18 volunteers of the Otesha Project are cycling across Canada to speak about issues dealing with sustainability. The Project is an education and empowerment program, encouraging Canadians to adopt sustainable lifestyles. As part of their stay here at UBC, the Otesha group, in conjunction with the UBC Sustainability Office and the TREK Program are offering a workshop on sustainability. Come and experience Otesha's interactive media presentation and discussion. Be the change you want to see. The workshop will be this Friday, May 2nd, in the Woodward IRC Building lecture hall #3 from 2:30pm - 4:30pm. Admission is FREE. The Woodward IRC Building is located at 2194 Health Sciences Mall. If you have any questions contact Laura Madera at 822-0273. For more information about the Otesha Project visit their website at http://www.otesha.ca
Small changes this month - with exams and the wrapping up of the Winter semester, things at the LFC Garden have been put on hold for a while. But not to fear! Mark will be out and about as he takes on a new position here at the Farm as the Marketing Coordinator. Now he will be around everyday....
This month Mark has not set a schedule for the time being, but keep your eye on the website for updates and of course we will let you know if any big work parties are scheduled! If you are interested in volunteering for the project, contact Clare Whelan at farmteam@interchange.ubc.ca. If you would like to learn more about the project, please visit the Garden website www.agsci.ubc.ca/ubcfarm/lfc_garden.htm or contact Mark Bomford at bomford@interchange.ubc.ca.
There is still a call on for volunteers this summer! So if you are still planning on coming out, but just haven't had the chance, not to worry! New orientation and training sessions will be coming up!
If you are a first time volunteer, you are invited to our Volunteer Information Session on Monday, May 5th from 7-9 pm. If you plan on attending, please RSVP to Clare at farmteam@interchange.ubc.ca. If you have any other questions or concerns about the volunteer program, please feel free to contact Clare Whelan either at the above address or at 604.822.5092.
Can't remember which position does what? Here is a summary of the positions and their schedules for the summer!
Urban Farmers: Ever wanted to try your hand at organic farming? This diverse position introduces volunteers to all aspects of organic farming, from seeding and weeding, to planting and harvesting. Urban Farmers play an important role in carrying out the day-to-day activities needed to run UBC Farm. Shifts this year will be Wednesdays 1-4, Thursdays 5-8, Fridays 8-1, & Saturdays 8-1.
Market Crew: Like interacting with large groups of people? Join us at our Saturday Markets to sell our fresh farm produce to the public. Market Crew members are in charge of setting up the market stands, selling our produce and generally running our markets throughout the summer. Shifts are Saturday mornings 8-1 with a minimum commitment of 4 markets for the summer.
Land, Food and Community Garden Team: This project was started last September and volunteers will be put to work helping to create this demonstration garden. Led by Mark Bomford, volunteers will be digging, building, shovelling and basically getting their hands dirty, while we complete the LFC Garden. Times for this session are still to be determined for the summer season.
Community Outreach Team: As part of our goal to involve the local community as much as possible, UBC Farm both attends community events and markets and we also hold our own events and festivals that promote the Farm and agriculture. Community Outreach members are ambassadors for UBC Farm at these events, and are on-hand with the UBC Farm display and promotional materials to answer the public's questions. Shifts for this will be Saturdays from 9-1 and will be event dependent. There will be a minimum time commitment of 3 events for the summer.
Education Team: Do you love kids? This spring the UBC Farm is running field trips for elementary school students to come and experience hands on, the wonders of gardening and farming. We need volunteers to lead these school groups through a variety of activities - no gardening or agricultural experience necessary, just a love of working with kids and an interest in learning alongside them! Shifts for this position will run Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 12:30 - 3 from end of April until the end of June, though depending on the success of the program, this may run into the summer months. These times may vary slightly depending upon teacher's needs and wants (there may be some morning sessions available). There is a minimum commitment of 3 sessions for the current season.
Jennifer Bonny, our new Education Program Coordinator is already being kept busy with organizing and scheduling in the various classes for our school program! This Spring Schools session will run from the April 29th until June 26th. Sessions at this time will run Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays from 1-3pm. If you have a class that you would like to bring down to participate in the Schools Program, or have any questions about the program please contact Jenny at farmtour@interchange.ubc.ca. If you are interested in volunteering with the Education Crew, please contact Clare Whelan at farmteam@interchange.ubc.ca.
Well, a month of rain slowed us up only a little. After doing a sun dance everyday in April... in the rain.... Rosy, in between cloud bursts, managed to plant a good crop of salad greens, radishes, snap and snow peas, carrots, beets and onions, to name a few. With a couple of warm sunny days, we are happy to report that it is all coming up with a vengeance.
May is going to be a busy month. With lots of plants to get in the garden, irrigation pipes to put out and a wrath of other spring jobs time is at a premium. Our greenhouse starts are growing like crazy. Some varieties of heirloom tomatoes are well over a foot high and will be transplanted out into our new hoop-house within a couple of weeks.
The big upcoming job in May, before markets start, is to "beautify" the area around the Harvest Hut. As you read above, the mural is coming along fabulously and we have it in the works to get a big banner across the front of the pergola. Clean up in front of the building has started so before long the irrigation pipes/wood/polypipe will be removed and planter boxes and picnic tables in their place.
We also recently acquired some amazing market stands. A huge thank-you must be sent out to Coby Colbertson and Terry Cromie for their volunteer time constructing the 3 stands. Thanks!
Remember to acclimatize those transplants before planting in the garden. Seedlings that are grown in greenhouses or on windowsills are in for a dramatic environment change when planted out. Not having been exposed to full strength solar radiation or wind will shock a transplant and may even stop growth. Acclimatize these plants by placing outside for a couple of hours a few days before planting out. Water well when transplanting and then watch 'em grow.
Envision this.... It's a warm summer day, plump chickens are pecking at bugs wily enough to expose themselves above the ground, roosters are strutting around maintaining the pecking order and daily farm fresh eggs are being collected for sale at our weekend markets. Sound good? Well, the image will become reality in a matter of weeks. With the help of some skilled volunteers, movable chicken houses are being built and readied for transport down to the farm to house our new flock of chickens. Stay tuned...
The Farm is interested in finding out when it appears in the news. And no it's not to feed an ever-expanding ego; we'd just like to track when and how often we appear in print, on radio or TV. At this time we just don't have a big enough budget to hire a clipping or transcript service. So if you see, read, or hear about us in the media we would like to know about it. Please send an email to farmteam@interchange.ubc.ca indicating when and where you saw, read or heard about us.
We still have a few UBC Farm T-shirts. Become an official "Friend of the Farm" (it says so on the shirt) in raspberry, unbleached or white colours. There is a limited supply, however, if the demand is great enough we can order more Shirts are $20 and all proceeds go to support the UBC Farm volunteer program. Clare can help you find one to meet your wardrobe needs. Phone the Farm Centre at (604) 822-5092 or email farmteam@interchange.ubc.ca.
Saturday May 24, 2003, 10am - 1pm
Yes folks, it is finally officially announced. We will be holding our first market on May 24th along with the GVRD Open House. We are off to a little later start than we predicted due to all this rain, but hey, better late than never! Interested in what we will be selling? Check our website for updates closer to the market day! See you soon.
Saturday, May 24, 2003, 10 am - 4 pm. UBC Farm will once again participate in the Annual GVRD Farm Open House Day. Combined with our first market day, displays from local organizations, tours of UBC Farm and the ever-popular sheep-dog demonstrations, this event looks like an excellent spring event! Let's just hope that the weather is also in a more spring-like mood!
Saturday, June 21st, 2003, 10am - 1pm. Summer solstice was originally called the honeymoon. Why? Find out at UBC Farm's HoneyMoon Festival where honey lore and legend, facts and fiction, tastes and samples, and the lives of bees will be highlighted! Join our student beekeepers and us for the longest day of the year, to explore and learn about the fascinating world of a bee! More details in next month's newsletter!
Friday, May 9th, Benefit Dance with three Bands FESO and ZIMBABALICIOUS offering traditional and fusion music from Zimbabwe with Pasi Gunguwo, Garadziva Chigamba Koki Mzite, and Blessing Mubaiwa & Makeke Marimba from Lasqueti Island. Tickets $20 general/ $15 unemployed
Doors open at 7:30 * Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Dr. Vancouver B.C.
Tickets available at Highlife Records, 1317 Commercial Dr, Zulu Records, 1972 West 4th Ave,
at the door, or by phoning (604) 738-1654 There will be a Silent Auction, Bar, & Refreshments.
All proceeds to Oxfam Famine Relief Programs in Zimbabwe. Tickets are also available at the Oxfam office.
Saturday, May 10th 2003 7:00 - 10:00 pm at the Museum of Anthropology.
In conjunction with the Mayan Cultural Society of B.C. and the Mayan Health Project, The Museum of Anthropology will host An Evening of Mayan Culture. The evening will consist of live music, dancing, traditional foods, weaving demonstrations, and talks by members of the local Mayan community and by medical relief doctor, Ellen Coburn. Tickets at 604-822-5978 ($2adults/$1student). Reservations recommended - seating is limited.
If you have a related event that you would like to have included in our newsletter please email a copy to Clare at farmteam@interchange.ubc.ca.
May 2-3, 2003. Organic Beekeeping Workshop, in Chestnut Ridge, NY; contact Pfeiffer Center, (845) 352-5020; beework@preiffercenter.org; www.pfeiffercenter.org.
May 14-17, 2003. "Reconciling Holism and Reductionism: The New Science and Practice of Health Care, Organic Agriculture and Nutrition," hosted by the Louis Bolk Institute, Wageningen, Netherlands. For more info email info@louisbolk.nl or check out www.suchislife.nl.
May 27-30, 2003. "For a Sustainable and Ecological Agriculture in Harmony with Nature and Society," Fifth Conference on Organic Agriculture, in Havana, Cuba will focus on the analysis of the results achieved by ecological agriculture in the determination of transforming the rural area in order to guarantee not only the current but also the future feeding of the people. Individuals interested in these exhibitions should contact: Ms. Violeta Rodredguez, Specialist, Palacio de Convenciones, Cuba, Phone (537) 2260 11 al 19 ext. 1504, Fax. (537) 2028382 / 2087986 / 2083470, violeta@palco.cu.
June 1-3, 2003. "Biotechnology: Science and Society at a
Crossroad," National Agricultural Biotechnology Council's
15th annual public meeting, in Seattle, WA; contact S.
Ristow, Agricultural Research Center, Washington State
University, Pullman, WA; (509) 335-4563, nabc15@wsu.edu; http://arc.cahe.wsu.edu/nabc/;
or www.cals.cornell.edu/extension/nabc.
June 4-6, 2003. Fourth International Conference on
Ecosystems and Sustainable Development (ECOSUD) 2003;
organized by University of Siena, and Wessex Institute of
Technology, UK; in Siena, Italy; for information,
www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2003/ecosud03/index.html.
June 22-25, 2003. "Agroforestry and Riparian Buffers for Land Productivity and Environmental Stability," 8th North American Agroforestry Conference, in Corvallis, OR; contact Steven Sharrow, Steven.H.Sharrow@oregonstate.edu; www.missouri.edu/afta/Whats_New/2003call4papers.htm.
July 13-25, 2003. "International Short Course on Agroecology 2003," with special focus on interactions between human and ecological communities in rural landscapes, in Santa Cruz, CA; contact Joji Muramato, shortcourse@agroecology.org; www.agroecology.org/shortcourse.htm.
October 17-19, 2003. "Revolution from the Heart of Nature," Bioneers Conference 2003, in San Rafael, CA; contact info@bioneers.org; www.bioneers.org.
November 1-5, 2003. The Seventh Annual Community Food
Security conference will be held in Boston
at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. Info will eventually
appear at www.foodsecurity.org.
November 5-8, "Mainstreaming Organic Trade: New Frontiers, Opportunities and Responsibilities," 7th IFOAM International Conference on trade in organic products 2003, in Bangkok, Thailand; contact Green Net, 183 Regent House, Rajadamri Road, Patumwon, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; phone +66-2-651-9055; fax +66-2-651-9072; greennet@asia.access.net.th
November 7-10, 2003. Natural Products Organic Asia 2002, in Singapore; for information, www.hqlink.com.
November 9, 2003. 4th Edition of the Slow Food Award, Naples, Italy. More info. to be posted at www.slowfood.com
December 30, 2003. Submission deadline for presentations to "Role of Multi-Purpose Agriculture in Sustainable Global Environment," Agroenviron-2004 Symposium, to be held October 20-24, 2004, in Udine, Italy; for information, www.dpvta.uniud.it/~agroenv/.
This electronic mailing list will allow those interested in the Farm initiative to receive regular updates and participate in discussions on topics related to the UBC Farm. To get directions on how to join the ubcfarm-list visit http://www.agsci.ubc.ca/ubcfarm/listserv.htm.
We are located in the South Campus area of the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, BC, Canada) - south of 16th Ave. To get there, follow Wesbrook Mall south through the lights at 16th Ave. Turn right on South Campus Road. The main Farm entrance is at 6182 South Campus Road. To get to the Farm Centre walk or bike through the gates, turn right and follow the gravel road until you reach a red roofed building (the Farm Centre) and a greenhouse.
We would like to thank the following funders for their support:
Imagine an expanded market garden, a bountiful vineyard bursting with grapes, and a children's garden where wee ones explore the connections between land and food. Your donation can help support these and other innovative projects, and help the Farm grow. For more information, please contact Derek Masselink at (604) 822-5092.
If you are clearing out your basement we'd still love to get our mitts on the following: - VCR, picnic tables, flower planters (old washtubs, trunks, pots, etc), canning equipment and dishes
Our wish list isn't limited to stuff. Please feel free to send us any postings, articles, advertisements relate to sustainable or ecological agriculture that could be included in future newsletters.
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_____ Enclosed is a cheque or money order made payable to the University of British Columbia (Fund ID: S438)
_____ Debit my ____MasterCard /____Visa
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___one time OR for ______ months.
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For your security please print this form off and send it to the UBC Farm address. Tax receipts for donations will be issued at tax-time.
Donations can be sent to: UBC Farm 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4