Newsbites Archive

Just what is Agroecology?

July 23, 2018

Just Food’s Red Barn Series

Topic: Agroecology

Sunday July 29th, 10:00 – 2:00

The UN, Via Campesina, and a cluster of farming, food security and food justice advocates at home and abroad are pointing to agroecology as the way to transform our food systems to achieve fairness for farmers, farm workers, and communities of eaters across the globe. Just Food is hosting the Agroecology Field School and Research Summit (tickets still available!) on August 18, where a large collection of experts and practitioners from Canada and around the world will discuss how to ‘Move Agroecology Forward’.

But just what is Agroecology? Join us at 10:30 for a primer, delivered by Just Food Associate Director Phil Mount, followed by a tour of the farm to discuss the principles as they apply in Ottawa, including how we integrate animals into our food system.

Community Farm Days: Wild Pollinators

July 19, 2018

THIS WEEK: it’s all about POLLINATORS!

Come on by for a workshop on pollinators offered by the Wild Pollinator Partners-Partenaires des pollinisateurs sauvages at 10:30am.
What is pollination? Who are the wild pollinators among us? How do they live their lives? Are they struggling? What can we do to help them in our gardens? We will explore these questions, and others, in the first part of this interactive session offered by the Wild Pollinator Partners-Partenaires des pollinisateurs network.
In the second part, we will head outside to observe wild pollinators in action!

For those of you who may want to be more hands on, join us in building a wild pollinator hotel with the support of Martin Thornell and friends from Ottawa City Woodshop. We will also have a craft table starting at 11am where you can make your own bee buddy!

WHEN: Sunday, July 22, 2018 from 10am to 2pm – swing by anytime between these hours!

WHERE: Just Food Farm, 2391 Pépin Court

Cost: FREE

And don’t forget to check out our Just Food Farm Stand with fresh vegetables. All ages are welcome. We hope to see you at the farm, rain or shine!

FARM BINGO!

July 12, 2018

Just Food invites you to get out on the Farm, have some fun, win some prizes, enjoy the summer weather, and get involved in your community’s good food!

WHEN: Sunday, July 15th , 2018 from 10am to 2pm

WHERE: Just Food Farm, 2391 Pépin Court

Cost: FREE

DETAILS:

Join us this Sunday for “FARM BINGO”! Each participant will be given a bingo card with clues to find 9 hidden farm. The first to get three BINGO lines gets their pick of the prizes! First to fill their card wins the grand prize—it’s like a scavenger hunt with photos, or the amazing farm race!!

And don’t forget to check out our farm stand with fresh vegetables, craft table for the kids, outside under the tents. All ages are welcome. We hope to see you at the farm, rain or shine!

_____________________

Just Food Farm will be hosting community days each Sunday filled with educational workshops, kids’ crafts, farm tours, local dry goods for sale, gardening, and more! Bring your family for a lunch picnic and spend some time on the farm. Stay tuned on our social media for updates on themes, special guests, and partners each week!

For details on this weekly series, check out http://justfood.ca/blog/2018/06/28/sunday-community-days-free-weekly-event-for-all-ages/

Agroecology Field School and Research Summit

July 11, 2018
On August 18th, in Ottawa, FLEdGE, Lakehead University, USC Canada, and Just Food will host a full-day workshop on the future of agroecology in Canada. Join farmers, researchers, community organizers, and students to discuss how to bring this international movement to Canada. Come hear from speakers from around the world, including from La Via Campesina and USC Canada, and across the country, including the National Farmers Union and Indigenous voices, and work together to build an agroecological movement here at home.
This event will take place at Just Food, 2391 Pépin Court. Parking is limited, so please carpool, take transit, or bike.
The event begins at 8:30am. Ticket prices include a light lunch.
For more details and to register online, go to the Agroecology Field School website.
Optional tickets for dinner catered by Wawatay Catering and a Barn Dance featuring Ottawa Contra Dance!! are also available.

Field Day: Participatory Plant Breeding

July 11, 2018

The Bauta Family Seed Initiative and Just Food present a field day on Participatory plant breeding, with Dr. Martin Entz.

WHEN: Tuesday, July 17th, 2018 from 1:00pm – 3:00pm
WHERE: Flat Earth Farm, 3575 Campbellcroft Road, Ottawa, ON

DETAILS:
Flat Earth Farm is on the south edge of the City of Ottawa and includes 17 acres of land for agro-ecological food production. With the goal of maximizing biodiversity, the farm contains a mix of over 100 edible trees and bushes (17 varieties), and a large selection of perennial and annual crops standard to the region, as well as test plots of a number of grains, cover crops and legumes (including grain amaranth, sorghum, flax, chickpeas, millet, kamut)—along with a mix of small livestock.

Flat Earth Farm is also breeding new varieties of wheat, as part of The Bauta Family Seed Initiative’s participatory plant breeding program with Dr. Martin Entz at the University of Manitoba. On this field day, you will learn more about the concept of participatory plant breeding, selection and some of the fundamentals on how to successfully build a diversified farm.
Sign-up at EventBrite to reserve your spot!

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/field-day-participatory-plant-breeding-tickets-47771709469

Cost: FREE

Sunday Community Days – free weekly event for all ages!

June 28, 2018

Just Food Farm invites you to get out on the farm, enjoy the summer weather, and get involved in your community’s good food!

Every Sunday starting July 8th, the farm will be hosting *free* community days filled with educational workshops, kids’ crafts, farm tours, local dry goods for sale, gardening, animal guests, tractor rides, and more! Every Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm. Stay tuned on our blog and follow us on facebook and instagram to find out about each week’s exciting theme and fun activities! Rain or shine!

WORKSHOPS

Agricultural and healthy-living education to get the community talking and learning about important food and farm topics. Hands-on experience after the workshops!

Mission: We want to get you engaged in your Good Food City! By learning how to create a local food forest and understanding how to help your neighbourhood pollinators, you’re engaging in important conversations and contributing to positive change in your community. Follow along for topic releases for each week!

KIDS’ ACTIVITIES

Farm-themed crafts and hands-on activities for families from 11 am to 1 pm. Special guests to watch for… farm animal friends and tractor wagon rides!

Mission: Everyone should know where their food comes from, no matter how young. The kids area is set to inspire young minds to learn about food and farming, and to motivate small hands to get busy in the dirt. Food literacy and soil experiences start early on!

FARMERS’ CUPBOARD

Stock your pantry with good food while supporting local farmers and small businesses! Check out the cool stock of honey, teas, seedlings, books, and more – grown and produced by our farmer friends! All profits go directly to the person who made it.

DONATE-A-ROW

Join us in the garden as we help good food grow! All produce will be donated to our friends at the Gloucester Emergency Food Cupboard.
BRING: long pants, closed-toe shoes, sunscreen!

BRing your own picnic!

Pack a picnic lunch, and try using local ingredients or buying from a local vendor! Check out Savour Ottawa’s members to find what you’re looking for: http://savourottawa.ca

 

Follow the facebook events and check out our instagram for up-to-date details and developments! Can’t wait to have you out!