The pigs have arrived! For the second year in a row, we are partnering with a local 4H group in Maple Ridge by housing their pigs on our property. Keeping the pigs here means that 4H students have a farm to visit everyday to learn how to care for and interact with them, while we have the benefit of having adorable animals around that poop in and dig up our fields which is GREAT for our soil.
I snapped this shot of two of the pigs running through our field, ears-a-flying. I’m in love.
Photo credit: BCLocalNews Christian Cowley, executive director of the CEED Centre, plants potatoes in a photo taken before last year’s Earth Day events. This year’s second annual Cheers to the Planet event will be raising funds for the CEED Centre again.
Whew! Life is busy right now. I’ve got a lot of farm updates to share (sooo many!), but those updates will have to wait for a few more days because right now I’m going to plug some great events that are going to be happening this weekend in Maple Ridge.
This coming Sunday is Earth Day and there’s lots to do to celebrate! Here’s the low-down:
Celebrate Earth Day festival from 10am-2pm at Memorial Peace Park on Saturday, April 21st. Come down for lots of family-friendly activities and displays from local environmental groups, including the CEED Centre and GETI. This date will also mark the opening of this year’s Haney Farmer’s Market – yay!!!! Can’t wait to get some locally grown produce to munch on! The festival will also celebrate 40 years of the Ridge Meadows Recycling Society.
Cheers to the Planet: Eat, Drink and be Eco is the second annual food and wine fest fundraiser for the CEED Centre. This year’s event will be held at Meadowridge School, 6-9pm, Sunday, April 22nd (Tickets $45 in advance, $55 at the door). We’re DEFINITELY going to be here! Find out more on the Cheers to the Planet facebook page.
And if you’re going to be in Vancouver instead of Maple Ridge, Chris K. and I are giving our first workshop: Permaculture 101 at the Collingwood Neighbourhood House in East Van from 3:30-6:30pm on Saturday. Fun times!
Happy Earth Day everyone!
Chris M. and I are heading into Vancouver on Saturday to attend this free permaculture event. Looks like it’s going to be a great chance to connect with other permaculture folk and learn from their experiences. The event is free so if you’re curious about permaculture, come check it out! Event info reposted below. Reserve your free ticket here.
Pacific Permaculture Alumni Convergence:
Stories of Success from Pacific Permaculture Alumni
For the last 4 years Pacific Permaculture has been at the forefront of Canada’s ecological agriculture movement. We have had the privilege of instructing over 540 students in all aspects of permaculture design, over 250 of which have been full PDC graduates.
Our teaching has taken us around the world delivering courses in Palestine, Australia and Uganda. However, we’ve always considered Western Canada home.
That’s why Pacific Permaculture is hosting our first ever Alumni Convergence, April 14th in Vancouver BC. This will be a multiple format event including: 30 min. keynote presentations of work from four of our most prominent students; two open space opportunities to talk permaculture and share ideas; and “conference style” posters highlighting permaculture work from the backyard to the broad acre.
| Time | Event | Description |
| 2:00 | Opening Introductions | Jesse Lemieux, Pacific Permaculture |
| 2:10 | Keynote |
Tayler Krawczyk, Hatchet & Seed |
| 2:50 | Open Space | Organically Lead Topic Based Discussion Groups |
| 3:30 | Keynote |
Dustin Bajer, Edmonton School District |
| 4:10 | Break | light snack and refreshments |
| 5:00 | Keynote |
Tanya Booth, Pacific Permaculture From Palestine to the Pacific Coast: a mother’s journey through permaculture. |
| 5:50 | Open Space | Organically Lead Topic Based Discussion Groups |
| 6:20 | Keynote |
Kim Elton, President, Global Peace Hut Permaculture and Conflict Resolution in Africa |
| 7:00 | Closing | Jesse Lemieux, Pacific Permaculture |