Saturday, August 21, 2010

SLUGS August Update
This summer has been packed full of exciting SLUGS projects and workshops. We've had our regular weekly workshops where we learned everything from honey beekeeping to seedsaving to making cob sculptures to the future of farming and food security. We also partnered up with several great local groups such as VIRCS, the Pathway Project, and Lifecycles to offer day and week-long summer camp programs on growing food in the city for youth from ages 12-35! It has been a whirlwind of fun and it doesn't stop here - this fall is packed full of awesomeness. Read on to find out what is coming up...

Herbalism Workshop
When: Thursday, August 26th from 4-6:30 pm
Who: Youth ages 12-18
Where: Compost Eduction Centre. 1216 North Park St.
What: Join Reed Osler, Park Naturalist with CRD Parks for an introduction to making medicinal teas from everyday garden and forest plants. Call Kim (250-386-9676) to register! 


Canning Workshop
When: Tuesday, August 24th from 5:20-8:45 pm
Where: Fairfield Community Centre Kitchen (Gary Oak Room)
Who:  SLUGS and Lifecycles volunteers UNDER AGE 30
What: The workshop will be semi-hands-on covering the basics of water bath canning. We’ll be making plum blackberry jam with Fruit Tree Project yellow plums and blackberries brought by participants.
There is no cost for this workshop, but participants are expected to bring 2 litres of blackberries to contribute. Call Kim (250-386-9676) to register as THERE IS LIMITED SPACE and we can’t accommodate drop-ins.

Native Plant Gardening Workshop
When: Thursday, September 2nd from 4-5:30 pm
Where: Compost Ed. Centre
Who: Youth ages 12-18
What: Want to grow a garden that is beautiful, attractive to wildlife and birds, is hardy against disease and drought, needs very little maintenance and rarely needs watering? Compost Ed. Centre Staff Marika and Marion will delve into the land of native plant gardening and teach us how to integrate native plants into our gardens! Call ahead to register. 

Putting the Garden to Bed Workshop
When: Thursday, September 9th from 4-5:30 pm
Where: Compost Ed. Centre
Who: Youth ages 12-18
What: Learn how to prepare your garden for winter by mulching, pruning back perennials, building compost and sowing overwintering crops!

Cheesemaking Workshop
When: Thursday, September 16th from 3:45-6:45 pm
Where: Fairfield Community Centre Kitchen (Gary Oak Room)
Who: SLUGS and Diggers (any age)
What: Cheesemaking workshop with Daveed where we will make a variety of cheeses from surface ripened soft cheeses to fresh cheeses and more! Workshop is $5 donation to help cover kitchen rental and materials. Call Kim (250-386-9676) to register.

SLUGS Harvest Party and “Barn Dance”
When: Thursday, September 23rd from 5:30-8:30 pm
Where: Orange Hall in Fernwood
Who: Anyone remotely involved in the SLUGS program (volunteers, participants, workshop instructors, and friends and family of everyone!)
What: It’s our SLUGS graduation harvest party! Come join us for apple-bobbing, potlucking, square dancing, apple juicing, knowledge sharing, and some great live music as we celebrate the end of the SLUGS program and the youth who have taken part. Bring friends, partners, roommates, your dancing shoes and a home-grown potluck item to share.

Plant Propagation with Geoff Johnson
When: Thursday, November 18th from 4:30-6:30 (time may change to accommodate your schedule!)
Where: Compost Ed. Centre Strawbale Bldg.
Who: SLUGS and Diggers
What: Learn about hardwood cuttings and the basics of perrenial propagation in this workshop with Geoff Johnson. Space is limited so call Kim ahead of time to register (250-386-9676). Cost is $5 per person.

Other Workshops…
We’re also planning to have a workshop on growing Garlic and Mushrooms in October, but are looking for a mushroom-cultivating expert to teach! If you know of anyone please let us know. When we find him/her we’ll send you the details on when and where.