Delta Optimist: Delta seeing decline in soil organic matter
By Jacqueline Chan on February 22, 2021
Delta seeing decline in soil organic matter
News Source: Delta Optimist
February 21, 2021
“Critical to soil health, the organic matter is on the decline in Delta and throughout the Fraser Valley.” – Dr. Sean Smukler
Delta Optimist reported on a study which shows that organic matter is on the decline in Delta and throughout the Fraser Valley. Organic matter is made up of decomposed plant and animal tissues, and is very important for soil aeration and water holding capacity. Dr. Siddhartho Paul conducted this study while he was a graduate student in CSFS Associate Dr. Sean Smukler’s lab (the Sustainable Agricultural Landscapes Lab at UBC).
Read More | No Comments
By Jacqueline Chan on February 18, 2021
How regenerative agriculture is putting hope in the soil
News Source: The Star, Yahoo
February 18, 2021
“This reality is something all Canadians should be concerned about, as soil is integral to our ecosystem and the source of our food.” – Gabrielle Bastien
Dr. Sean Smukler, CSFS Associate and a professor at UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems, gave comments about the impact of regenerative agriculture on agricultural production and the mitigation of climate change.
Check out the original article at The Star or Yahoo.
Read More | No Comments
By Jacqueline Chan on February 18, 2021
(Portuguese) International Cooperation Project – Projeto De Cooperação Internacional
News Source: Cepagro
January 22, 2021
“A aceleração da crise climática global ameaça cada vez mais a segurança alimentar e nutricional das populações do campo e da cidade” (Translation: The acceleration of the global climate crisis is increasingly threatening the food and nutritional security of rural and urban populations) – Cepagro
Please see the left sidebar in the article for translation into English.
The “Agroecology in Latin America: building paths” project had been created through international collaboration between Cepagro and UBC via Dr. Hannah Wittman, CSFS Associate and professor at the IRES (Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability). The project’s data collection is conducted by LiteFarm, a digital agricultural management tool developed by UBC’s scientists, designers, and students.
Read More | No Comments
By Jacqueline Chan on February 4, 2021
Protecting Biodiversity – Farmers and Agriculture
News Source: The Conversation
February 3, 2021
“Given population pressure, it is not politically feasible to increase the extent of protected areas. The question is, how will Africa provide space for its wildlife and food production?” – Dr. Terry Sunderland
Dr. Terry Sunderland, CSFS Associate and professor in the Faculty of Forestry, co-authored an article on why resource conservation strategies should not only focus on protected areas, but also make use of the chance to maintain biodiversity within agricultural landscapes.
Read More | No Comments
By Jacqueline Chan on February 4, 2021
B.C. Government Invests in Food Supply Chain
News Source: National Observer
February 3, 2021
“Free trade deals like NAFTA have consistently made it more difficult for smaller, regional food processing facilities to compete.” – Dr. Hannah Wittman
Dr. Hannah Wittman, CSFS Associate and professor at the IRES (Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability) & LFS, recently interviewed in National Observer about food shortages during COVID-19. The pandemic has exposed shortcomings in our current food processing and distribution model. To increase the resilience of local processing operations, B.C. food and beverage manufacturers are soon to receive funding from the provincial government.
Read More | No Comments
By Jacqueline Chan on February 1, 2021
Media Coverage of Climate Change during COVID-19
News Source: Medium
January 28, 2021
“Efforts are needed to put climate change back on the agenda and in the spotlight in media outlets worldwide.” – Dr. Zia Mehrabi
Dr. Zia Mehrabi, CSFS Associate and researcher at the IRES (Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability), wrote about how climate change was covered in the media during the pandemic. Coverage about COVID-19 has dominated news outlets in 2020, but climate change is another important challenge that needs to be addressed to maintain the health and wellbeing of people and the planet.
Read More | No Comments
By karolina skupien on January 19, 2021
*Online* Veggie Gardening 101
About this Workshop
Always wanted to learn how to grow your food but don’t know where to start? Have you tried but been met with frustration? This beginners-level gardening workshop will go over all the basics you need to know to start growing your own organic vegetables: Soil care basics, planting (from seed and transplanting), watering, fertility, harvesting, plant health, troubleshooting, and information about the most common vegetable plant families and what they need to thrive.
About the Instructor
Mik Turje has been working in community food and agriculture for over a decade. First as a small-scale organic farmer on Vancouver Island and in Richmond where they grew a variety of veggies for farmers markets, CSA’s and high-end grocery stores. Then as a community development worker in the food and urban agriculture movements. Mik was the Urban Agriculture Coordinator at The Stop Community Food Centre in Toronto for many years, where they taught a full slate of gardening workshops and mentored new gardeners, and also ran the Renfrew-Collingwood Food Security Institute for 3 years. Although Mik is now a social worker working in healthcare, they enjoy teaching gardening workshops on the side.
Date and Time
Thursday, March 18| 6:00 – 8:30 pm PST (2.5 hours)
Online via Zoom
Link will be shared with registrants via email approximately 1-3 days prior to the workshop. Please note that our workshops are not recorded.
Cost
$15 + GST (non-refundable)
Read More | No Comments
By karolina skupien on January 19, 2021
*Online* Starting Your Own Seedlings
About this Workshop
Save money, and grow a wider variety of garden veggies by starting your own seedlings! This workshop will go over everything you need to know to start your own vegetable seedlings: From what soil to use, to moisture and light requirements, to troubleshooting, and building your own DIY seedling setup.
About the Instructor
Mik Turje has been working in community food and agriculture for over a decade. First as a small-scale organic farmer on Vancouver Island and in Richmond where they grew a variety of veggies for farmers markets, CSA’s and high-end grocery stores. Then as a community development worker in the food and urban agriculture movements. Mik was the Urban Agriculture Coordinator at The Stop Community Food Centre in Toronto for many years, where they taught a full slate of gardening workshops and mentored new gardeners, and also ran the Renfrew-Collingwood Food Security Institute for 3 years. Although Mik is now a social worker working in healthcare, they enjoy teaching gardening workshops on the side.
Date and Time
Thursday, March 11| 6:00 – 8:00 pm PST (2 hours)
Online via Zoom
Link will be shared with registrants via email approximately 1-3 days prior to the workshop. Please note that our workshops are not recorded.
Cost
$15 + GST (non-refundable)
Read More | No Comments
By karolina skupien on January 19, 2021
*Online* How to Make Chai – Indian Spiced Tea
About this Workshop
Learn how to make authentic Indian chai in the comfort of your own kitchen. Understand the history of this drink, and the medical properties of the spices that it is made with. We will explore a few different variations of chai from different parts of India. Leave with a recipe sheet and the skills to concoct the perfect chai for your unique mind-body according to the principles of Ayurveda. In this workshop, participants will be welcomed and encouraged (but not required) to make the product during the workshop. An ingredient list will be sent in advance.
About the Instructor
Muneera Wallace is an Ayurveda health coach with over 18 years of experience in living and sharing Ayurveda. She is passionate about bringing the traditional wisdom of Ayurveda to our modern context in a simple and practical way. She enjoys a wellness practice on the unceded lands of the Coastal First Nations in Vancouver BC, and also runs an online group program on Ayurvedic living and cultivating better daily habits.
Date and Time
Thursday, March 4| 6:00 – 7:30 pm PST (1.5 hours)
Online via Zoom
Link will be shared with registrants via email approximately 1-3 days prior to the workshop. Please note that our workshops are not recorded.
Cost
$15 + GST (non-refundable)
Read More | No Comments
By karolina skupien on January 19, 2021
*Online* Herbal Medicine for Immune/Respiratory and Stress Support
Herbal Medicine for Respiratory and Stress Support
About this Workshop
Given the current global pandemic, this workshop comes as a timely and relevant information session to address the various plants that may be potentially useful. During this workshop, we will look at herbs that are known anti-virals and immune stimulants, as well as those that bring symptomatic relief such as respiratory herbs, fever reducers and stress relief. We will discuss how anti-viral plants are best employed and view plants as they grow. Preventative herbs that may complement proper COVID protocol will be looked at. Please note that this information does not replace professional help during COVID-19 or any other serious epidemic.
About the Instructor
Sarah Orlowski is a Master Herbalist and has her Permaculture Design Certificate. She co-runs a permaculture orchard and medicinal herb farm in the Southern Interior of BC, where she makes herbal remedies & trains student apprentices. Their organic farm is certified with Kootenay Mountain Grown. She has a private clinical practice, where she gives health consultations and treatments. An experienced instructor, Sarah believes that growing and living in accordance with Nature is the sustainable way of the future.
Date and Time
Thursday, February 18 | 6:00 – 8:00 pm PST (2 hours)
Online via Zoom
Link will be shared with registrants via email approximately 1-3 days prior to the workshop. Please note that our workshops are not recorded.
Cost
$15 + GST (non-refundable)
Read More | No Comments
