GOOD NEWS! Extended Application Deadline! -- Jan 21

Great news folks!  We know that this is a busy time of year, and we want to make sure everyone has a chance to get their applications in.  So if you missed yesterday's deadline, not to worry!

You now have until January 21, 2010 to become a SLUGS farmer! 

So use this wonderful holiday time to compose a creative application and ask your grandparents for money to help you pay for the program (bursaries are still available as well, ask us for details).

Have a Worm-derful holiday!!

Get your applications in before the snow falls (Dec 14th)!!

The application deadline is fast approaching to get yourself in for SLUGS!  Fill it out this weekend and send it to us by Monday, Dec. 14.

Have a lovely holiday!

Inviting all youth to design the SLUGS program!

The SLUGS program is having it's first brainstorming gathering next Tuesday, and we are looking for any youth ages 15-18 who might be interested in this program to come on down!

WHO: Youth ages 15-18 in the Victoria area

WHAT: Info gathering for SLUGS program. FOOD!!

WHEN: Tuesday, December 1st 7-8:30pm

WHERE: 1216 North Park St. (Compost Ed. Centre).


This will be a chance for those who are interested in this program to learn more about what SLUGS is all about, to share ideas on where they want the program to go, and to meet the people involved (there will be snacks involved!).

Please pass this information on to anyone you know who might be interested. Contact us at sitemgr@compost.bc.ca or 250-386-9676 if you plan on attending or want more information! Thanks,

Kim and Nashira
Program Coordinators

SLUGS Program

Do you want to make environmental changes in your community? Are you interested in learning about growing food in the city?

If you are aged 15-18, living in or near Victoria, and answered YES to the questions above, the Sustainable Living and Urban Gardening Skills (SLUGS) program is for you! In this program you will learn tonnes of do-it-yourself skills for living sustainably in the city.

Through a weekly after-school workshop and a monthly field trip, SLUGS will give you all the basics you need to know about how to produce food in urban areas. We'll cover topics such as:

• permaculture,
• beekeeping,
  
• mushroom cultivation,
  
• rainwater harvesting,
  
• keeping chickens in the city,
  
• fibre arts (ie. spinning wool, felting, weaving...),
  
• seedsaving,
  
• setting up community gardens,
  
• canning and dehydrating food,
  
• and whatever other topics you want to cover!

The program topics will be shaped by YOU. Throughout the program you will help determine what presenters we get in, what field trips we do, and what special workshops you want covered.

Each participant will be responsible for maintaining a small garden plot during the program to put into practice what is learned. If you don't have access to the dirt, we'll help you find a garden plot near your home.

SLUGS Breakdown...
WHO: Youth ages 15-18 in the Victoria area
WHAT: Weekly urban gardening and sustainability youth group. You will start up your own garden (we'll help you find a plot if you need), do a community project to share what you learn, and be part of a group of awesome teens who eat a lot of delicious FOOD!
WHEN: Thursday afternoons (day of week may change to fit everyone's schedules) from 4-6pm from February 4th - end of August. The program will continue for another optional month through September.
WHERE: 1216 North Park St. - The Greater Victoria Compost Education Centre
WHY: Because food is important and our cities need it!
COST: $300 - we are very flexible on how you pay this. Scholarships are available so don't let the money get you down.

If you are interested in this program, we want to hear your ideas and feedback! Check out our online discussion (COMING SOON) to let us know what special topics you'd like to cover, what might make it challenging for you to take part (and what we can do to help you!), and any other ideas you have. Email Kim Watt at sitemgr@compost.bc.ca if you have feedback or would like to be on the SLUGS mailing list.

APPLICATIONS are due by December 14th, 2009. Please see our link to the application form at the top of the page.