Thanks, Tajh. I'd like to say a big thanks to you folks for organizing the event & contributing so much positive energy and thoughts during the course of the day. I really want to see more connection between lower & upper Sunshine Coast, and I'll do what I can to make that happen. We have a huge amount in common, as you all know. Looking forward to the next opportunity to swap notes! -- David On Sun, Feb 24, 2008 at 7:59 PM, Tajh Leitso <tajh@xxxxxxxx> wrote: > I would like to thank the performers for their great shows, and thank > Robin for organizing the forum as well as being a great MC. The > facilities were very comfortable, and conveniently located near some > gardening areas! > > Today's Microfarmer forum started with a presentation called > "Improving Marginal Soil" by Alain B. This was incredibly valuable to > me since I considered our dirt to be marginal soil, but it turns out > that we really just have sand - and marginal soil is what I used to > consider beautiful topsoil. He covered various composting, mulching, > and organic fertilizing techniques. Basically the solution to my soil > issues will require the addition of clay and compost to my dirt in the > hopes changing it from sand into soil. He briefly touched on the soil > testing process for getting your farm certified organic, and included > a photocopy of the initial soil test report for his farm. It was > mentioned that Alfalfa pellets are an extremely efficient fertilizer > for the garden, and that someone in the creek has several extra bags > of organic alfalfa pellets they are selling for a very good price. > > Robin W. mentioned a couple of local labour resources that are > available to small farms. One is mental health patients who are > individually matched with you and your task. Another labour resource > involved high school kids that learn about growing food by helping to > grow the food. > > Introducing Non Timber Forest Products with Tim B. from Royal Roads > University. Seeing the forest beneath the trees: > http://cntr.royalroads.ca/ > He discussed the large market ($100 million) for NTFP's that was > mostly composed of holiday wreaths/decorations and forest mushrooms. > The holiday wreath business seems like somewhat viable winter pastime > for farmers, requiring a $2000 machine for wrapping the wreaths, > resulting in the capacity of building lots of $10-$50 wreaths per day. > There is a nice buyer and sellers guide at http://www.buybcwild.com/ > I thought I heard him say that they would be glad to add anyone > selling NTFP's to the list... > > Delicious lunch - I went back for seconds... and then Robin gently > coaxed us back inside out of the sun after lunch - it was similar to > herding cats! > > Improving Farm Efficiency/Winter Veggies with Marika N. from Sooke > BC. She shared many great tips on what, when, and how to plant winter > crops. One great idea stood out for me: they have local calendar > sharing workshops, where local farmers get together and discuss what > plants they start growing and most importantly when. Marika > recommended having three experienced growers copy their calendars for > everyone, and then everyone can use those a discussion starter. > Perhaps this is something that could be incorporated into future Seedy > Saturdays? I am relatively new to "farming" and any crop schedules > that are specific to this part of the coast would be extremely > helpful. I guess we just have to wait for Robin's next book to come > out ;). > We also got a demonstration of soil blocking, where you use a nifty > device to make soil blocks (like ice cubes) that you place in a tray > (48 per) and then deposit seeds into automatically prepared > depressions in the top of each block. Soil blockers at Johnny's > Selected Seeds: > http://www.johnnyseeds.com/catalog/subcategory.aspx?category=292&subcategory=616 > After the plants are established the blocks separated very easily for > transplanting. We also got to take home samples of the certified > organic seeds they produce over at http://fullcircleseeds.com/ > She also displayed a couple of excellent book resources: "Year-Around > Harvest: Winter Gardening on the Coast by Linda Gilkeson ( > http://www.saltspringseeds.com/catalog/books.cfm > ) with great information on timing winter crops, and "Park's Success > with Seeds" by Ann Reilly (out of print) - great book with colour > pictures of the plants as tiny seedlings. > > Microclimating and space efficiency on a small farm by Robin W. The > concept is simply brilliant in that you just keep an eye out for > various conditions around your yard specifically for zones that would > be more ideal for growing types of plants and moving the plants from > your garden to that location. e.g. The hot dry zone by the south side > of your house would be well suited to supporting your mediterranean > herbs that need dry hot conditions for optimal growth. > > The Pros and Cons of Value Added - D'Arcy D. C. We got to hear about > D'Arcy's blueberry farm dreams, which spurred a lively discussion > about small growers and the ever tightening regulations surrounding > small scale agriculture and the looming danger of a major dependence > on Agro-Bandits. Several people mentioned that the "Omnivores > Dilemma" by Michael Pollan ( http://www.michaelpollan.com/ > omnivore.php ) discusses these topics. > "What's at stake in our eating choices is not only our own and our > children's health, but the health of the environment that sustains > life on earth." > > > > It was nice to meet and interact with a group of really nice people > that are all on similar wavelengths, thank you all for coming to the > forum! > -- David