Carolyn Herriot with Colwood councillor Judith Cullington & Royal Roads University President Allan Cahoon, when Allan claimed RRU's 100 plants at the Tomato Challenge kick-off

Update from the West Shore Region by Climate Action West Shore

Submitted by Cindy Moyer

Interest in local food and agriculture is growing on the West Shore. Since the start of the year, our community has welcomed a variety of food-related changes and we're looking forward to having some fun as we continue to learn to live more sustainably.

Click here for a small sample of what's been happening in the West Shore, including the West Shore Teaching Garden, West Shore GO LOCAL Food Summit, the new Cafe FRESH, Colwood's Tomato Challenge #2, and the upcoming Island Chefs' Collaborative Defending our Backyard event.

Want to grow your own food but not sure how to do it? Capital Families Association can help: This growing season ten lucky households will be eligible to receive a free food gardening package to get them started. Click here for details.

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Farmlands, Farm Viability and Food Policy

TLC The Land Conservancy

Submitted by Paula Hesje

A flame weeder at Madrona farm

TLC's Madrona Farm Campaign - Click here to view the new Madrona Farm Campgaign Newsletter, where you can read about the status of the Madrona Farm fundraising campaign, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, what is available at the farm stand and more.

Madrona Farm Tours - Are you curious about how those glorious vegetables come to be piled high at the Madrona farm stand? Would you like to see the mosaic of ponds, forest and lush cultivated fields that comprise Madrona Farm? Nathalie Chambers will be conducting Tours of the Farm on Saturdays, starting May 2 at 9:30 am. Click here for details.

TLC's Farm Holidays - Holidays with TLC The Land Conservancy of BC are a great way to experience special places all over the province. By pulling up those sleeves and participating in stewardship work that goes into caring for TLC's partner farms, people are able to learn new skills, meet new people and enjoy the outdoors. Click here to read more.

Video on Meat Regulations

Two women in the Okanagan have put together a short video on the new meat regulations and their impact and unintended consequences in the North Okanagan. Check out the video at okanaganfood.blogspot.com or view it on youtube.

Bill to Ban Terminator Reintroduced

Bill C-353, the "Terminator Seed Ban Act" has been reintroduced in parliament.
What is Terminator? Terminator Technology genetically engineers plants to produce sterile seeds at harvest. It was developed by the multinational seed/agrochemical industry and the US government to prevent farmers from re-planting harvested seed and force farmers to buy seed each season instead. Terminator seeds have not yet been field-tested or commercialized. In 2006, Monsanto bought the company (Delta & Pine Land) that owned Terminator. Click here to find out more.

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Community Announcements and Submissions

LifeCycles Fruit Tree Project Needs Your Help

With its long history as a pioneer and leader in regional food security and urban agriculture, the LifeCycles Project Society continues to build successful programs in Victoria and the Capital Regional District. LifeCycles' hands-on, practical activities make a difference to regional food security every day through the building of school and community gardens, delivering Aboriginal food security projects, our internationally renowned Sharing Backyards Program, and through the much loved and much replicated Fruit Tree Project.
Read more...

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Sharing Stories and Spaces Community Based Research Institute, May 14-15, 2009 at UVic

The CBR Institute is a community-building and learning event that brings together community and academics from diverse walks of life. For those interested and engaged in community-campus research and partnerships that support health, diversity and sustainability, this is for you! More information and registration info.

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Island Chefs' Collaborative Local Food Festival, May 31, 2009
Submitted by Jacques Forest

The Island Chefs' Collaborative is hosting its annual Local Food Festival on Sunday May 31 from 12pm- 4pm at Fort Rodd Hill Historic Site. Come celebrate Vancouver Island food, the people that bring it to us and the many organizations that promote sustainable agriculture, green living and community involvement. It’s a combination tasting and educational event not to be missed. Click here for details.

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Report from 2nd Annual Conference on Traditional Foods of Vancouver Island First Nations

Submitted by Kate Kittredge & Fiona Devereaux

On April 17th and 18th, the Snuneymuxw First Nation in Nanaimo, BC hosted the 2nd Annual Conference on Traditional Foods of Vancouver Island First Nations. Over 250 people from over 30 Nations gathered to celebrate the traditional foods of Vancouver Island First Nations and to discuss and learn about the four pillars of Nutrition, Healing, Safety and Community. Read more.

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Farm Help Needed

Nanaimo sheep producer Penny Stapleton needs to leave the country to go and help her ill mother. Penny has 80 plus sheep (including lambs) that need an experienced live-in farm sitter as soon as possible. Penny can be contacted at 250-754-9966 email hollyhillfarm@shaw.ca.

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Fernwood lot available for Veggies

Debra Murray has a vacant lot at 2254 Belmont Avenue in Fernwood available for an urban veggie garden. She suggests it would be ideal for potatoes. The lot could be available next year as well. If you are interested in this opportunity or know a group who would be, contact Debra at 250-598-7034.

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Sustainable Food Production Skillbuilder Internship

Beginning June 9, 2009, O.U.R. Ecovillage is hosting sponsored Internships for those who wish to learn to run their own gardens, work as a cooperative, learn animal husbandry, and be submersed in a learning environment of sustainable living. Click the following links for details on programs: Sustainable/Secure Food Production Training for New Generation Farmers or 2009 permaculture certification flyer.

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New and Improved Regional Food Events Calendar

Click here to see CR-FAIR's new calendar of food-related events, courses, workshops, farmers' and pocket markets going on throughout BC's Capital Region. This calendar is now also accessible from CR-FAIR's webpage, so check back often and be sure to submit your food event information.

Got any feedback on the new format? We'd love to hear it.

CR-FAIR welcomes submissions to the calendar for all food related event, courses, workshop and market information happening in BC's Capital Region. Email makingfoodmatter@gmail.com to submit.

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Local Foods Recipe: Potato and Nettle Soup

All around Vancouver Island you can find beautiful patches of nettles that can be eaten when they are young. Nettles contain significant amounts of protein, chlorophyll, vitamins A, C, and D, and minerals iron, calcium, potassium, and manganese. They're a perfect spring food! Wearing gloves, harvest by picking the new growth from early spring to summer. The greens need to be dried or steamed before consuming due to their stinging hairs.

The following recipe is from this year's Galiano Island Nettlefest, a celebration by the Galiano Community Food Program, held April 5. For more information on Galiano's Community Food Program or to stay in the loop about next year's Nettlefest, call Martine or Janice, Galiano Food Program Coordinators at 250-539-2175 option 2 (Food program) or email galianofoodprograms@gmail.com.

Makes 20 portions

INGREDIENTS:

• 9 Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed finely
• 2 large onions, finely chopped
• 2 heads of garlic, finely chopped
• 9 cups blanched nettles*, extra juice squeezed out
• 5 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 bay leaves
• Organic Vegetable Broth powder (to taste)
• 10 cups water
• 2 cups sour cream
• 1 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Heat oil in large pot over medium-high heat, add onions and garlic, saute until transparent. Add potato cubes, saute for 3 minutes, then add water, bay leaves. Cook until potatoes are very soft. Add nettles, blend until smooth with hand blender, season with vegetable broth and black pepper. Serve immediately, and enjoy hot with a garnish of sour cream and pepitas.

*To blanch nettles, bring a large pot of water to a boil and fill a large bowl with ice water. Place nettles in boiling water for 10 seconds, then remove and place in ice water to stop cooking.

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