Weather, The Garden, and planting plans

Hello gardeners,

Some of you are new to gardening (or returning after a time away from the activity) and are feeling a bit nervous about putting in your first garden (ever or in ages).  Not to worry, part of the fun of gardening is continuing to learn from other gardeners!  HOWEVER, because I have been gardening and have been approached by some of you for help, I am willing to make myself available as I can to coach any of you.

I just reviewed the weather forecast and it is looking like we might have a bit of a break in the weather come Sunday -- although it looks like rain will be returning mid-week.

If we allow Sunday & Monday for letting the garden plots to dry out a bit, then I could be available at the Garden on Tuesday (May 31), 10-noon and  1-3pm (or to whenever up to 4:30pm) to coach those people who want some coaching.

Please let me know by private email response (jacolm@uleth.ca) if you will be in the Garden on Tuesday (AM or PM) and would like me to be available to coach.

Thanks everyone and happy gardening!

Leona Jacobs

(CRCGA Director)

SACPA Session: Farmers' Markets and Local Food Production: Is it a growing trend?

SACPA NOTICE OF SESSION   Thursday, May 26, 2011 Noon – 1:30 PM   Country Kitchen Catering  (Lower level of The Keg)  1715 Mayor Magrath Drive S., Lethbridge

Farmers’ Markets and Local Food Production: Is it a growing trend?

An increasing number of Canadian households are embracing “locally-produced” food. A response to a complex of factors, it appears that local food may be on the verge of moving from a niche market to a market segment. Notwithstanding the growing popularity of local foods, a number of important questions remain unresolved.

In this presentation the following questions will be addressed:
1.    Just how “local” is locally-produced food?
2.    Is the growing popularity of locally-produced food really a “turn toward quality”, or is it simply another example of branding and product differentiation?
3.    What is the likely future of local food systems?

Speaker: Tom Johnston

Tom Johnston holds degrees from the universities of Guelph and Waterloo, and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Lethbridge. In addition to his interest in local food systems, Dr. Johnston’s ongoing research projects include an examination of the adoption of drought-proofing strategies by farmers and rural households, an evaluation of voluntary adoption programming pursuant to environmentally sympathetic rural land-use practices, a study of the efficacy of community-level water management initiatives, and an investigation of the use of water conserving measures by irrigation farmers.

Moderator:    Muriel Mellow

Date:                        Thursday, May 26, 2011
Time:                         Noon - 1:30 PM
Location:             Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S

Cost:                        $10.00 (includes lunch)

Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca