Winter Cycling Congress in Winnipeg

It may not be evident in Steinbach, but there is increasing interest in cycling as a serious mode of  transportation in winter even in northern cities, including in Winnipeg. The second International Winter Cycling Congress will take place in Winnipeg February 12-14. The first one was in Finland. Even if you don't intend to attend, check out the wide range of topics that will be addressed at this congress. If you are thinking of going, Eric would be interested in car pooling.

Check out the Winnipeg Winter Cycling Congress website!

Winter Workshops 2014

Chainsaw Workshop

Nathan Stewart, a summer fire fighter in northern Manitoba, will educate us on how to safely operate a chainsaw and how to safely cut down standing timber. You are welcome to observe, bring your own chainsaw or possibly give Nathan's a go. Please bring outdoor apparel as we will take a walk in the woods.

When: Saturday February 1st, 2014. 10:00am-12:00pm.
Where: Rebecca Hiebert's House, #36115 Road 39E. Just east of Kokomo Rd. 3/4 mile north of Loewen Blvd.
Cost: $2 members, $5 for non-members

Register in Advance.

Yogurt Workshop

David Dawson and Rebecca Hiebert will share different methods of making yogurt and simple cream cheese. Lots of opportunities to taste test this delicious dairy treat. Go home with your own starter!

When: Thursday March 6th, 2014, 7-9pm
Where: Steinbach Arts Council, 304 2nd St, Steinbach
Cost: $5 members, $10 for non-members
Register in Advance.

Register by emailing rebecca_hiebert@yahoo.com or calling 204-326-3919.

Small Farms Manitoba Directory

You are invited...

 

To be among the first people in the province to see the Small Farms Manitoba directory!

The Small Farms Manitoba directory is an online space that profiles small farms that are underrepresented by the traditional commodity groups and are looking to build relationships with consumers and other producers.

 

Saturday, January 18th 

Crossways in Common, 222 Furby St., Winnipeg (Home of Young United Church, located on the corner of Broadway + Furby in the West Broadway neighbourhood)

11:00 am - Coffee and Cinnamon Buns

11:30 - Directory Launch

12:30 - Small Farm Potluck - Bring a dish to share! 

Please bring a dish that feeds 8-10 people. Ovens will be available for re-heating dishes prior to the potluck.

 

Hands-on demos of the directory will be available, including how to create a listing/profile and use the member-only forum.  If you belong to a small farm in Manitoba - even one that is still in its planning stages of production and marketing - you are eligible to become a member of Small Farms Manitoba!

**For the Small Farms Manitoba definition of "small farm" please see the attached file**

 

Celebrate and meet the farmers who provided their stories, feedback and input to make the website come together.  Kalynn Spain, founder of the directory and “Freelance Farmer”, will highlight these contributors by sharing tidbits from her 4-month working tour of 80 small farms in Manitoba last summer.

 

Hear from representatives of these small farm groups:

• Rural Roots Food Cooperative 
  
• Manitoba Grass-Fed Beef Association
• Holistic Management Grazing Club
• CSA Manitoba
• Harvest Moon Local Food Initiative
• The “Node” Project (Fostering Sustainable Regional Food Systems)

and more!

There will be a time of open-sharing following the speakers where anyone will be welcome to introduce themselves, share an opportunity for small farmers or give open feedback on the directory. 

 

Provide your feedback on the directory in the Suggestions Box and enter to win a prize!

All are welcome!

 

Please pass this invitations onto to others in your circles who you think would be interested in attending.

 

No R.S.V.P needed - hope the cold doesn't stop you from coming!

Call or email Kalynn for more details: kalynn@freelancefarmer.com  (204) 333-7537

January Movie Night

Our treat Wednesday evening

Natural Systems Agriculture

Those of us who turned out to hear Gary Martens talk about his conversion to Natural Systems Agricuture on Wednesday, Nov 27 were treated to a stimulating presentation by Gary. Not only do we now better understand the merits of Natural Systems Agriculture, but we were also drawn into what Gary is trying on his "nano farm" near Kleefeld.

Given the state of the world we live in. it is only logical and appropriate that we all be concerned about the sustainability and robustness of the food system we depend on.

Gary has provided us with a list of people who have influenced him as he has thought about sustainable agriulture:

• Allan Savory of the Holistic Management movement. See the link to Allan's TED talk in the right hand bar. 
• Martin Entz – crops and livestock integration. Eric referred to an online webinar given by Martin Entz earlier this week. It can be viewed here. Unfortunately when I tried to view it Saturday morning, I could only get the audio -- no video. I have written to the sponsorers, and will post here if that problem is resolved. Martin's main work is accessibe here.
• Weinberg – An introduction to systems thinking
• Mark Shepard – Farm scale permaculture
• Joel Salatin – A farmer as the conductor
• Ronald Wright – A short history of progress
• Jared Diamond – Guns, Germs and Steel, Collapse
• David Montgomery – Dirt; The erosion of civilization
• Jane Jacobs – Dark age ahead
• Thomas Homer-Dixon – The upside of down
• Michael Pollan – The omnivore’s dilemma
• Lester Brown – World Watch Institute: Plan B
• Naomi Kline – the shock doctrine
• Joshua Farley – Ecological economics
• Vaclav Smil – A beginners guide to energy
• Brian Walker and David Salt – Resilience thinking
• Blain Hjertaas – Holistic management practitioner at Redvers, SK
• Jonathon Weiner – the next hundred years
• T.P. Bayliss-Smith – The ecology of agricultural systems
• Peter Senge – the fifth discipline
• David Pimmental – Food, Energy and Society
• Fred Magdoff – Soil organic matter in sustainable agriculture
• Bruno Dyck – The gospel of luke on management

Gary's nano farm is Gary's attempt at sustainability in terms of his own food system.