Farm Update: Visited the farm yesterday for the first time since we stopped farming in early November. It was lovely to see the twenty-six 100ft garlic beds again. The straw mulch has held up well over the winter (hasn’t blown away), and the garlic plants are just starting to poke through the soil. Within weeks, all 30,000+ garlic plants will be above ground, soaking up the sun. Otherwise, the stretch of dry weather that lasted 10 days or so was encouraging. However the rains of the weekend resoaked the soil, making tilling impossible. With our soil at the farm in Brampton being a dense clay, it is very slow to dry, and thus it is saturated at this point. It is important that we do an early planting within the next 2 weeks. It is looking more and more like the early planting will occur at my new land (and home) in Sutton. The soil is sandy at the Sutton farm, which means it dries a lot more quickly. If we get 3-4 days in a row with a mix of dry, warm, and windy conditions, the soil will dry right up. Then, we will be able to till with a tractor, and start planting right away. Thus, I anticipate that in ten days or so, we will proceed to plant our early crops of salad greens, Asian greens, arugula, peas, green onions, radishes, turnips, kale, chard, etc. Lets hope for a stretch of dry, warm, windy weather!
Introducing Paul Clarkson, our new Field Manager: I couldn’t be happier to introduce you to Paul Clarkson, The Cutting Veg’s new Field Manager. Paul is a remarkable person, with a great deal of farming experience, as well as vast experience working with and supporting people. Paul will be playing the role of Field Manager, which means he will be on the farm a great deal, helping us to grow great volumes of local, organic produce. Paul is not only amazing with plants and people, but originates from Brampton, and so knows the area surrounding our farm better than anyone. I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to work, learn, and grow with Paul over the course of the growing season, and I look forward to you meeting and farming with Paul when you visit the farm this season. Welcome Paul! We’re so blessed to have you!
Kavanah Garden Internships: Shoresh Jewish Environmental Programs is still accepting intern applications for the 2011 growing season at the Kavanah Garden! Are you looking for an amazing opportunity to
- Learn about organic gardening from a uniquely Jewish perspective?
- Be trained in and facilitate cutting-edge experiential Jewish educational programs?
- Meet other eco-minded community members from across the Jewish spectrum?
- Help vision, shape, and manifest an exciting new community project?
Apply today to be a 2011 Kavanah Garden Intern! Internships are part time (8-12 hours/week) from May-October. In 2009, Shoresh established the Kavanah Garden, an organic educational garden that models Jewish agricultural laws and environmental ethics. Located in Vaughan, ON, the Kavanah Garden features 100+ varieties of organic veg, herbs, fruit, and wildflowers; a havdallah spice garden; raised wheelchair-accessible garden beds; and more! Kavanah Garden Interns participate in a multi-disciplinary program where they help plant, maintain, and harvest the garden while also helping to facilitate hands-on educational programs. For more info, visit http://shoresh.ca/kavanah-garden-internship or contact Risa Alyson Cooper at risa@shoresh.ca or 416-805-8382. Spaces are limited and will be filled on a rolling basis (so apply today!!!) Interested in volunteering but not able to commit to the full internship? Visit www.shoresh.ca for more information about different volunteer opportunities!
Green Party Presentation this Thursday: The Green Party of Canada has asked The Cutting Veg to come and provide a presentation to members of the community about Organic Farming and Community Supported Agriculture. I hope that you will join myself and Willowdale Green Party of Canada CEO Michael Anthony on this Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 7 pm at Edithvale Community Centre. Edithvale Community Centre is located at 7 Edithvale Drive (near Yonge and Finch). This is a fundraiser for the Green Party of Canada, Willowdale Riding, and the requested donation is $20.00 per person. You will get a tax receipt for your donation, while learning and enjoying organic snacks. For more information or to reserve your spot, please contact Michael Anthony at manthony10@rogers.com or call him at 416-554-7962.
