Locavore news – Events by Elbert van Donkersgoed
Posted: February 26, 2010
Categories: News from Sustain Ontario
Perspectives on good food and farming
February 26, 2010
***NEW***Eco-Farm Day 2010, February 27-28
Eco-Farm Day is an annual conference sponsored by the Ottawa chapter of Canadian Organic Growers. This year’s conference theme is “Keeping it Local and Sustainableâ€. While the primary audience is from Eastern Ontario there are also participants from the rest of Ontario, Quebec, and the USA. This is a high quality conference with 12 workshops on February 27th plus the featured speaker. Wayne Roberts from the Toronto Food Policy Council will be the feature speaker this year. There is also a Trade show all day Saturday as well as the banquet on Friday Feb 26th. Website.
Food for Change, March 1
On Monday, March 1, we welcome Executive Chef Anne Yarymowich, of the AGO’s Frank restaurant, as our guest chef. Wine pairing for this month’s menu are from Frogpond Farm. Join the kitchen crew and spend the afternoon preparing the feast. The STOP Newsletter. Behind-the-scenes at Food for Change photo essay
Cultural Mapping and Cultural Planning: Making the Connection, March 2 &3
The Ontario Workshop is scheduled to take place March 2-3, 2010 at the MaRS Centre, Toronto. The workshop is presented by the CCNC in partnership with the City of Toronto, Municipal Cultural Planning Incorporated and the Martin Prosperity Institute. Cultural Mapping and Cultural Planning: Making the Connection will include presentations on Creative City Network of Canada’s cultural planning and mapping toolkits, panel discussions from those in the field and a facilitated discussion on what’s next will give you the knowledge and connections to move the cultural planning agenda forward in your community. Join cultural planning practitioners from across Ontario for an inspiring and informative workshop on cultural planning and mapping. Visitcreativecity.ca to register.
***NEW***Social Enterprise Webinar, March 3
Business Supporting Community and Economic Development, a Webinar with Ethel Côté, Social Enterprise Practitioner and Consultant. Most likely you’ve never heard about social enterprises or, if you have, you wonder what kind of business it is and what it could do for your community. In this hour- long webinar on March 3rd between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., you will learn more about social enterprise as an approach to support rural revitalization, create jobs and address community economic development. Ontario Rural Council website.
Meeting the Demand: Growing Markets for Sustainable Meat and Dairy, March 3
“Meeting the Demand†will bring together producers, investors and institutional consumers (hospitals, schools, religious communities and congregations, hotels and restaurants) with scientists and experts in food safety, worker health and safety, and agricultural sustainability for a day-long conversation about the costs, benefits, challenges and opportunities for growing local and regional markets for sustainable, ethical meat and dairy products. Sponsored by the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility. The Pew Center, Washington, DC. Details.
***NEW***Consumer Trends, Farmer Choices — CFFO Seminar Series, March 4 to March 24
In a world of growing demand for food products, some countries are ramping up production for increasingly sophisticated markets. There are now markets for those choosing low-priced foods, markets for those with affluence and markets for those who have ethical concerns about the food they purchase. Are the days of “I just want to grow corn and not be bothered by all this stuff†gone forever? With move towards increasingly specialized markets, the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario thinks that might indeed be the case. In fact, we’re considering crafting a strategy that helps Ontario farmers capture more value from the marketplace. Accordingly, it’s the theme of this year’s annual CFFO seminar series, Consumer Trends, Farmer Choices, held in locations across the province. Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario website.
â€Bring Food Home†Conference, March 4 to 6, Kitchener
This conference will feature a daily plenary, workshop choice in five programming streams, networking space and special events. Each day of the conference is organized to present a different aspect of food security and local sustainable food systems. Day one is devoted to technical training and tours, day two examines projects and policy and day three draws the participants together to develop a plan for future collaboration and action. Joel Salatin, an alternative farmer from Virginia that was featured in Michael Pollan’s “Omnivore’s Dilemmaâ€, has been invited to give the opening keynote. The balance of the speakers is food and farming experts from across the province. Conference Website.
Value Chain Management Workshop, March 5
The best lessons tend to come from those who have done it themselves, and the Canadian Farm Business Management Council’s latest workshop will bring the innovators and trend setters to you. Kitchener, partner FoodNet Ontario. Details.
***NEW***”Stone Soup” Community Supper, March 6
Once again, Joe Mihevc and the Wychwood Barns Community Association are partnering to host a community supper at the Barns! The two previous meals were overwhelmingly successful, with hundreds of people attending. This time the format will be a bit different: it will be a “Group Picnic.” Facebook annoouncement.
Financing Farm to Fork Conference, March 11 to 13
The FamilyFarmed.org Financing Farm to Fork Conference supports the local food movement by encouraging investment in farm and food production, processing, and distribution businesses. The event is being produced by FamilyFarmed.org and the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business is a primary sponsor. A primary objective of the Financing Farm to Fork Conference is to educate regional farmers and food processors about various financing strategies and then link them with individuals who represent a variety of financing options that may help them grow their businesses. Business education and training will be essential to the success of the conference and breakout sessions will help inform food producers and financiers about the opportunities and needs in this sector. The conference will conclude with a Financing Fair and Reception where farmers and food producers can meet one-on-one with different types of investors and economic development specialists.University of Illinois at Chicago details.
Agribusiness Training: Workshop Series, March 15 to May 3
Have you started (or dreamed of starting) your own Agriculture based business? Could you benefit from a little guidance in order to make your Agribusiness a thriving success? Come and learn with Organic Veggie Farmer Daniel Hoffmann, from The Cutting Veg Organic Farm, how to make your Agribusiness a reality. Whether you’ve been growing plants for years, or several seasons away from starting, come and prepare yourself for a business that is financially viable, community enriching, eco-friendly, and personally satisfying. For details email Hoffman
Online Certificate in Food Security: Assessment and Action, start date March 17
A certificate program in food security is offered online (in English) by the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) in Barcelona, Spain. The Target Audience of this course include anyone interested in food security and/or working on community-level food security projects. The Overall Objective is to provide students with the tools and knowledge to support food security initiatives in their community. This specialisation is offered as part of the Masters programme but students will also receive a Joint Certificate from the UOC and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The specialisation is an extension of the FAO’s Distance Learning course in Food Security Information for Action. Specialization details.
Sustainable Living Symposium 2010, March 20 & 21 Loyalist College, Belleville
Local, affordable, and do-able lifestyle solutions for right now will be demonstrated and discussed at the 5th Annual Sustainable Living Symposium. Living within our environmental and economic means has become even more important during this time of climate change and economic turmoil. Local experts will show you how to implement earth-friendly and cost-effective solutions such as urban food gardens, environmentally friendly cleaning products, renewable energy and more. The focus is on local solutions, local services, and local businesses. You’ll work with your neighbours and local experts to find out how to make a difference today, for a sustainable tomorrow. Details on Quinte Sustainability website. Event includes a talk by Elbert van Donkersgoed on A Few big Ideas for Food and Farming in Ontario
Taking Root: 5th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference, May 17 to 19
Farm to Cafeteria programs are taking root in schools, hospitals, colleges, daycares, and other institutions. Come to Detroit for the 5th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference to learn how you can start and scale up a program in your community. Join us for trips to local farms, school lunchrooms and processing facilities; workshops on issues such as federal and state policy, experiential education, sustainability and economic development and sessions geared towards youth, producers and food service providers. Conference website.
Workshop on Economics of Local Food Markets, New Jersey, June 15 & 16
Local Food Markets is a high-visibility issue area distinguished by a number of economic and marketing questions that demand research-based answers. The goal of the workshop is to highlight current research and bring together researchers, extension educators, private sector participants, and policy makers to exchange ideas and develop a common set of priority research and education needs for local food systems. The synthesis of ideas that result from this workshop will be disseminated in a variety of relevant outlets to encourage collaboration on local foods research and extension. The format will include two thematic sessions emphasizing rural and urban local food issues. Each session will begin with a presentation by an invited speaker selected for expertise in practical or theoretical aspects of local food markets. About the workshop.
Growing Power’s National-International Urban & Small Farm Conference, September 10 to 12
Come to Milwaukee and help grow the good food revolution. Hosted by Growing Power—a national organization headed by the sustainable urban farmer and MacArthur Fellow Will Allen—this international conference will teach the participant how to plan, develop and grow small farms in urban and rural areas. Learn how you can grow food year-round, no matter what the climate, and how you can build markets for small farms. See how you can play a part in creating a new food system that fosters better health and more closely-knit communities. Conference website.
AND in case you have time
The Coffee Mug for mums that won’t scald tykes
Toddlers and young children are notorious for their desire to grab whatever might be dangerous for them, and hot beverages are no exception. In fact, some 100,000 children each year are scalded by hot drinks and foods in the United States alone, according to the American Burn Association. Enter the MummyMug, a new innovation that uses a lip-activated lid to prevent drinks from spilling. Parents simply fill the MummyMug with their favourite hot drink, secure the screw-on lid, and start sipping. The pressure of the drinker’s top lip against the top of the lid causes the valve to open. It automatically closes up after every sip, ensuring that the MummyMug remains safe if accidentally knocked over. Springwise story