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Ottawa Chapter

QUICK LINKS

Organic Directory Chapter Newsletter Resources
Feast of Fields Eco Farm Day Contact Information
Chapter Chair: Michael Ilgert

Program Co-Ordinator: Petra Stevenson

NEWS & COMING EVENTS - HEADLINES

NEWS & COMING EVENTS - DETAILS


The REEL FOOD FILM FESTIVAL March 18 & 25th 2010

Main Branch (Auditorium), Ottawa Public Library, 120 Metcalfe Street Doors Open at 6:00pm, films begin at 6:30pm. Admission is free for all films - for those who can a donation of $5 is appreciated.
For more information visit: http://www.justfood.ca.

Thursday March 18

Alpenblick Farm: An Organic Tradition, directed by: Ben Walker & Lynda Hall, Ottawa , 2009, 5 mins
A refreshing trip out to a family-run organic farm in the Ottawa Valley . In its intimate portrayal of the bond between the farmers and their animals, it softly pleads the case for small scale farming, and the rebuilding of a more sane food system that respects the skills of farmers, and reconnects us to the source of our food. This is the first documentary in an upcoming series of farm portraits.

Chez Schwartz, directed by: Garry Beitel , Canada , 2006, 83 mins.
Depicts a year in the life of Schwartz’s Deli – the unique 75-year-old landmark on Montreal ’s historic Main . Filmed through changing seasons, from the quiet of early morning preparation to the frenetic bustle of packed lunch times and never ending line-ups, to the more relaxed ambience late at night. Chez Schwartz is an evocative, cinematic portrait of a small spunky deli known worldwide equally for its atmosphere and smoked meat.


Thursday March 25

The Story of Food, USC Canada, Canada, 2009, 5 mins.
This short, animated film uncovers the downside of genetically modified crops, along with the problems faced by today’s family farms. Encouraging consumers to think before they buy, USC Canada identifies what’s gone wrong with our food system, and what we can do to rebuild it.

Indigenous Plant Diva, directed by: Kamala Todd , Canada , 2008, 9 mins.
In the language of the Squamish Nation, Cease Wyss was given the name 'T'Uy'Tanat', meaning "Woman who travels by canoe to gather medicines for all people." In director Kamala Todd's lyrical portrait, Wyss reveals the remarkable healing powers of plants growing among the sprawling urban streets of downtown Vancouver . Whether it's the secret curl of a fiddlehead, the gentleness of comfrey, or the blood red streaks of frog leaf, plants carry with them millennia of wisdom, communicated through colour, texture and form. Cease Wyss has been listening to this unspoken language, and is now passing this ancient and intimate sense of connection to her own daughter, Senaqwila.

DIRT! The Movie, directed by: Bill Benenson and Gene Rosow, USA , 2009, 86 mins.
You will be taken inside the wonders of soil. It tells the story of Earth's most valuable and underappreciated source of fertility--from its miraculous beginning to its crippling degradation. Narrated by actress Jamie Lee Curtis, this film brings to life the environmental, economic, social and political impact that the soil has. It shares the stories of experts from all over the world who study and are able to harness the beauty and power of a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship with soil.

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SUMMER CAMP 2010 OFFERED BY GROWING UP ORGANIC AND GLEBE NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVITIES GROUP

Growing Up Organic, with the Glebe Neighborhood Activities Group (GNAG), is happy to offer two summer camp experiences summer 2010. For more information please contact Torry Reid at 613.627.6343 or GNAG at 613-564-1058 or 613-233-8713. Register online at gnag.ca, registration opens March 8th at 9:00 PM.

FOOD & GARDEN CAMP (12 -16 years)
Yellow tomatoes, purple carrots, edible weeds…
Canadian Organic Growers (COG), through its Growing Up Organic project, invites you to sink your teeth into the world of food. Not only will you get to prepare and eat great organic food, you’ll also learn how to grow it yourself, right here in the city. Along the way you’ll meet professional chefs, city farmers and take a trip out to Alpenblick Farm for a day with the goats. Fee includes organic food and transportation.

Jul 12 - 16 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. $165


YOUTH FARM APPRENTICESHIP CAMP (12 - 16 years)
Canadian Organic Growers (COG), through its Growing Up Organic project, is offering its farm camp for a third year – and this time we’ll be camping for a full week while living and working out at Alpenblick Farm. Farmers Robert & Petra will teach you how to milk goats, make cheese and care for the cattle, sheep and goats that graze their 320 acre organic farm outside Stittsville. While there you’ll learn how to cook over an open fire, identify and prepare wild edible plants, participate in a land art project, and take day trips to other nearby farms. Fee includes organic meals and transportation.

Jul 5 - 9 (5 days, 4 nights) $240

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KITCHEN TABLE CLASSES

Feb. 28 1:30pm Organic Gardening Classes (two separate classes)
  1. Growing grains and the end product
  2. How to live with solar power
March 7 1:30pm 2hr Organic Gardening Classes
Guest Speakers: Bruce Kneen, author of “Farmageddon” and “Tyranny of Rights” Lucie Sharratt
March 14 1:30pm cban - Genetically Engineered Food

Please contact Norbert Weiler, Edwards Ontario, for more details and free registration @ 613-821-5894

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EXPLORING THE CO-OPERATIVE OPTION: STRATEGIES FOR TAPPING INTO LOCAL MARKETS (FREE FOR FARMERS)

The demand for organic food in Canada far exceeds the current supply. Canadian Organic Growers has been exploring the role that Farmers’ Co-operatives can play in increasing the production of organic food in Eastern Ontario for the commercial marketplace, while at the same time protecting farmers’ interest within that marketplace. Through farmer owned cooperatives, COG would provide resources and supports for farmers to successfully get and stay organic, and develop markets for those organic products.

If you are an ecological farmer or a conventional farmer curious about organic production for local markets, COG has organized a symposium for you to ask questions and explore these ideas. There will be three panel presentations by experts with discussions to follow on:

  1. Farmers’ Co-operative Development
  2. Organic Farming
  3. Organic Marketplace

The event is free for farmers. Non-farmers interested in the topic are also welcome for a registration fee of $25. Anyone interested must register in advance by March 19 for planning purposes.


Click here (pdf) to see the press release for details.
For additional information or to register click here or contact COG at 1-888-375-7383 or email office@cog.ca


Time: March 22 – 1pm to 5:30pm, informal reception until 7:30pm. Registration required by March 19 for planning purposes Location: Kemptville College

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ONTARIO FARMER FOUND NOT GUILTY OF CHARGES RELATED TO SELLING ORGANIC RAW MILK

On January 21, Michael Schmidt has been found not guilty of 19 charges related to selling unpasteurized milk. As known to those who attended Fall Reflections and heard Michael's presentation, or from reading about it in the current issue of Down To Earth (PDF), Michael operates a cow-share based organic (grass-fed) raw milk co-operative ( Glencolton Farms ), which allows members to own a portion of the cow to acquire raw milk. At trial, Schmidt argued that government officials and food scientists cannot guarantee the safety of any food, and suggested informed consumers should be able to buy raw milk. CBC coverage here.

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NEW WORKSHOPS FOR FARMERS

Organic farming is the fastest growing sector within Canadian agriculture. Even in this recession, demand for Certified Organic Products, especially those produced locally, far outstrips supply. Two new COG workshops will help with Organic Certification, as well as planning for Fruit and Vegetable Farmers.

    Crop Planning for Vegetable Growers

    Date: Feb 20, 2010 9am to 5pm
    Location: Greely Community Centre, 1448 Meadow Dr, Greely ON (just south of Ottawa)
    Cost: $50 ($45 for COG members) includes a copy of the COG publication Crop Planning for Vegetable Growers, a workbook and lunch.

    To get more information about the workshop or to register online click here.
    Click here (PDF) to see the press release

    Record Keeping for Organic Farmers

    Date: March 13, 2010 9am to 5pm
    Location: Greely Community Centre, 1448 Meadow Dr, Greely ON (just south of Ottawa)
    Cost: $50 ($45 for COG members) and includes a copy of the COG publication Record Keeping for Organic Farmers: how to get and stay certified, handouts and lunch.

    To get more information about the workshop or to register online click here.
    Click here (PDF) to see the press release

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COG-OTTAWA ORGANIC GARDENING WORKSHOP SERIES 2010

Once again COG-Ottawa is offering a series of Organic Gardening workshops. This year there are two sessions of four workshops each. Register for individual workshops, or for the whole series.

All sessions take place 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM at the Sandy Hill Community Centre, 250 Somerset East, Ottawa.

Get all the details here (PDF).

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ECO FARM DAY 2010 - KEEPING IT LOCAL AND SUSTAINABLE

Eastern Ontario's Premier Farm Conference.

The theme of Eco Farm Day 2010 is Keeping it Local and Sustainable. This message will be delivered through keynote speaker Wayne Roberts, 12 workshops, a trade show with over 30 exhibitors, and a fully organic lunch.

Date: February 26, 27th, 2010, Ramada Inn, Cornwall, Ontario

Get all the details here

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COG OTTAWA E-NEWS

Be sure to keep an eye on your e-mail inbox because COG–Ottawa is going electronic! COG Ottawa E-News has been developed to keep our community better informed about current events. The newsletter at first will consist in very brief announcements and will be distributed occasionally. There is some speculation that E-News will eventually develop into a regular and more substantial publication.

In the near future it is likely that people will be able to subscribe to E-News via our website. The e-newsletter is an exciting step for the chapter, and we hope you will find the information useful. COG– Ottawa will work to ensure the electronic publication schedule works in harmony with that of Down to Earth and with everything that is happening in our community. For more information or to be added to the distribution list, please contact

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SMALL ORGANIC ORCHARD OPPORTUNITY

Interested in a small organic orchard? Have a look at the latest posting here.
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NEWS ARCHIVE

OPEN MEETING FOR LOCAL FARMERS WITH LOCAL BUYERS (FREE)

Meet with Ottawa area food buyers, including retail, daycare chefs, and restaurants/caterers and express your interest in selling organic meat and/or produce to them. Learn what retailers need when buying from local growers.
For more information, click here (pdf) for the press release
For further details or contact Colin Lundy, COG GUO’s Farmer Outreach Coordinator, at colin@cog.ca or 613-493-0020.
Time: Feb 8, 7-9pm Location: Heritage Academy, 207 Bayswater Ave, Ottawa

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GROWING UP ORGANIC BLOG

Growing Up Organic Ottawa has a new blog. Keep checking all season and you can watch the 7 school gardens as they grow (and that number is going to grow too!). The site is: http://www.growinguporganic.blogspot.com

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EASTERN ONTARIO AGRINEWS ARTICLE

There is an article in the Eastern Ontario Agrinews featuring Colin Lundy's Eco Farm Day presentation about organic farming and the future of agriculture. (Colin is COG-Ottawa's Growing Up Organic Farmer Outreach Coordinator).
Read the article online at:
http://www.agrinewsinteractive.com/page_front.htm?ShowSection=AgriProfile

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ORGANIC FOOD ARTICLE FROM OTTAWA GREENLIFE

Here is an article about organic food and the Growing Up Organic Program in the Ottawa Area.
Click here for the PDF.

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ALPENBLICK FARM FEATURED IN THE FEBRUARY 2010 ISSUE OF 'THE HUMM'

Petra Stevenson is COG-Ottawa's Program co-ordinator. She and her husband Robert's Alpenblick Farm is described as the closest thing to going to Switzerland one may ever experience. See the full article here (PDF).
The home page for 'The Humm' is here.

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