tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82121910262350402712024-03-13T13:33:16.371-07:00Stratford Urban Farming ExperimentAdventures in Urban Farming in Stratford, Ontario, Canada - Since 2010Farming.Facilitatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552791604645740653noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-79273622998428994482012-05-26T13:46:00.000-07:002012-05-26T14:01:43.331-07:00Mind the weeds... I'm just learning!
If you have 'liked' our page on Facebook, you may have seen some photos from Garden no.2.
There are lots of 'weeds', and we're not really bothering maintaining them.
Why? Partially due to limited time, but also because we're new!
We are new to gardening and this is our first backyard so we know nothing about these weeds - do they have pretty flowers? do they attract beneficial insects? Farming.Facilitatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552791604645740653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-72837875751183374482012-05-06T17:50:00.000-07:002012-05-06T17:51:47.843-07:00Garden 2: Pallet Compost BayToday was the day...
In Garden no. 2 of the Experiment 2012, there was a little black composter which was far to small (and already full!). A few pallets from our recent shipment, some long nails and a couple extra pieces of wood was all that it took.
In this experiment we expect to learn more about composting! Will we need to put up chicken wire to keep the squirrels out? I'm sure we Farming.Facilitatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552791604645740653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-50320305798760454972012-04-30T15:18:00.004-07:002012-04-30T15:18:55.629-07:00Earth Steward Scenario Video
Earth Steward Scenario from Blue Heron Productions on Vimeo.
I liked this video so much, I wanted to share it on the blog.
It is of the Earth Steward Scenario - the best of the four 'Future Scenarios' by David Holmgren (in my opinion).Farming.Facilitatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552791604645740653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-47923361481950565132012-04-22T08:39:00.000-07:002012-04-22T08:39:10.094-07:00From Container Gardening to my 1st outdoor garden
In honour of Earth day I've decided to take my first step in blogging and what better place to start than here - a great, local gardening group!
My 1st tomato plant!
Wow I can grow things!
I can honestly say I'm a relative newbie to any type of gardening - having broken soil for the first time less than 5 years ago. I chose to
start small and because we were renting a houseStratford Garden Dabbler aka Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12575473476760212668noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-91007383880013448932012-04-15T11:41:00.000-07:002012-04-15T11:41:04.391-07:00Starting Slow... The Experiment 2012Last year there were too many gardens to viably maintain so this year we have changed it up for Year 2 of the Experiment!
Garden 1
Garden 1. is the same plot as last year. It's development is tbd - but are thinking to include a diversity of plants to encourage birds, butterflies and bees to visit as well as a selection of herbs.
Garden no. 2 is a from scratch project. We are acquiring as Farming.Facilitatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552791604645740653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-55610991918936523262012-03-20T09:19:00.000-07:002012-03-20T09:19:10.996-07:00Cluck Cluck....?The property we were planning on doing the Quail trial run is unavailable and we need to quickly find a place to build a home for our Quail!
If you are interested in providing your backyard in Stratford visit the Facebook event page, or send an email to stratford.urban.farms@gmail.comFarming.Facilitatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552791604645740653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-25176221461587950092012-03-08T17:45:00.001-08:002012-03-08T17:47:24.978-08:00SUFE's corporate sponsorYou may have noticed the increased corporate presence in SUFE posts on twitter, Facebook and this Blog.
I offer you what I hope you will see as a rational, reasonable explanation...
In May of 2011 a new Ontario Corporation was formed. Your Local Market Co-operative Inc. A workers' co-operative local grocery store/bakery/take-out restaurant.
Well... here's the deal:
Of the 20 most active Farming.Facilitatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552791604645740653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-53061736568474229992012-03-07T06:58:00.000-08:002012-03-07T06:58:04.031-08:00Re: Bokyard Poultry talkLast night there was a casual conversation about urban chickens at Your Local Market Co-op. People talked about some issues and potential problems, but generally agreed that it is possible to have urban chickens in Stratford in a safe way.
Some potential problems with having chickens include predators coming after the chickens, as well as vermin after the feed. There is not a way to Farming.Facilitatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552791604645740653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-38566709864706633042011-06-22T07:45:00.000-07:002011-06-22T07:45:16.118-07:00Seedlings have popped up!Although we have taken on less gardens than anticipated they are growing and the project is still on!
Thank you to all of the homeowners who are taking on most of the work in their yards!
We should have some radishes and garlic scapes to share over the next few days - You will be able to find them at Your Local Market Co-op (129 Downie Street), just ask about SUFE's surplus.
The Slow Food Farming.Facilitatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552791604645740653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-38498685587557260702011-05-27T07:52:00.000-07:002011-05-27T07:52:16.385-07:00Experiment Evaluation: Ideas for ImprovmentSo it has been a slow start to the season as I've mentioned in my most recent email
-the weather has not been very agreeable and it seems like many people excited to garden are busy with all the great things going on.
Although we have 15 gardens confirmed this is the count so far:3.5 are ready for planting 4.5 have been planted1 garden = allotment has been planted 1 garden scheduling a Farming.Facilitatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552791604645740653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-39553639696318278382011-05-14T07:40:00.000-07:002011-05-14T07:40:13.359-07:00New Video on YouTube!Thanks to Madison for making this video about the project so far.
As for gardening, it seems like the weather is not on our side!
Next blog will be a reflection and evaluation of the Experiment so far and brainstorming ways to improve for the rest of the season & next year.Farming.Facilitatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552791604645740653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-35925421863891462932011-04-08T14:30:00.000-07:002011-04-08T14:30:36.782-07:00Upcoming Events:We have had some more great fund-raising at the Slow Food Market stall, and are about to make some progress in getting gardens started.
Now It's time to also start thinking about rain water collection... I am hoping to find a source to get a hold of several buckets so each garden won't require hose water for the gardens... please email if you have any ideas!
Here are our upcoming events- more toFarming.Facilitatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552791604645740653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-69215316298942930002011-03-10T17:19:00.000-08:002011-03-10T17:22:48.988-08:00S.U.F.E. & Our Community
Since August when we stated talking about Stratford Urban Farming Experiment, I've been pleasantly surprised by the amount of support our community has shown.
I want to make a few shout-outs to some of the great recent connections we've made.
Festival City Rotary Club - has donated $100 towards seeds & supplies for the season
House of Blessing - currently building our relationship Farming.Facilitatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552791604645740653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-48982283208414282362011-03-10T16:36:00.000-08:002011-03-10T16:36:22.786-08:00Pot-Luck Sunday March 13th 2-4pmThis is a photo from the last pot-luck we had at Bruce's place.
We are about to have another one! After Market pot-luck this Sunday 2-4pm...
I hope we get to meet some new garden managers & new garden owners.
Please email for the address.Farming.Facilitatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552791604645740653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-73894587307895920462011-02-20T11:20:00.000-08:002011-02-20T15:03:15.153-08:00Slow Food Market Success!
Chris bakes bread & Madison minding the stall
Having a stall at the Sunday Slow Food Market has been a great success! We have sold out 4 out of 5 weeks. (we had 1 loaf and a couple buns left one week!)
The net profit in 2011 so far is $39.35*. This is great news because we are very shortly going to be buying seeds for the season. We predict that the market profits will cover seeds & Farming.Facilitatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552791604645740653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-86430992065458487212011-01-24T12:09:00.000-08:002011-02-08T18:54:41.496-08:00Garden Managers & LandownersHello Urban Farmers!
I think we have come up with a good strategy. Next Saturday 29th at 3PM we will have our next meeting.
Allan at Anything Grows has been generous enough to let us use their space in the basement (where the Slow Food Market is held on Sundays)
It is for anyone interested in finding out more about the project, landowners as well as those who are interested in being a Farming.Facilitatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552791604645740653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-14917712529649497022011-01-16T12:25:00.000-08:002011-01-16T12:25:42.405-08:00Microgreens Day
All ages fun....
At least it looks like we knew what we were doing!
chickpeas, sunflower seeds and trays of to be microgreens
one of the microgreen trays to be in the window garden
let's try the sunflower seeds!
our window garden @ revel caffe looking refreshed!
Farming.Facilitatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552791604645740653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-26167560962959760922011-01-14T12:20:00.000-08:002011-01-15T20:40:25.474-08:00Upcoming EventsThis Sunday will be a busy day - come see us at the Sunday Farmers' Market at Anything Grows 10-2 We will be selling buns & bread made fresh that morning...
All Ages Microgreens Day
Also from this Sunday 12 - 2 pop into Revel Caffe to learn with us how to start some microgreens! Thank you to Anne for all the hard work in helping getting things ready for this event. It should be fun, you can Farming.Facilitatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552791604645740653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-51617294596737357062011-01-08T18:07:00.000-08:002011-01-08T20:07:27.524-08:00About SUFE - Updated for sheets at the Farmer's MarketAbout:A new-to-town initiative comprised of many passionate volunteers interested in learning together about how to make urban agriculture work here in Stratford. Our aims are all different, some of us want to learn how to grow produce, some want their yards put to better use, some are striving to help create a more sustainable Stratford and others enjoy a good excuse to get out and meet new Farming.Facilitatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552791604645740653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-90174791231781528142011-01-04T18:17:00.000-08:002011-01-04T18:17:24.259-08:00Recent Ignite TalkFarming.Facilitatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552791604645740653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-87862029637687896952010-12-18T11:05:00.000-08:002010-12-20T14:16:11.136-08:00Stratford Composting InitiativeHi everyone. As per Heather's request I'm finally going to make public some of the gems we've come up with in our brainstorming.
The way I first imagined the Stratford Composting Initiative was to have one central location for composting kitchen scraps from restaurants and homes in Stratford. The idea was that we would collect it from downtown drop-offs and take it to a farm outside the city to Elizabeth Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828387717770199443noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-41333118159071231672010-12-16T18:32:00.000-08:002010-12-18T12:22:19.406-08:00SUFE AdhocracyStratford Daily Photo's Photo of the meet
I left feeling inspired and excited. There was a good turn out of just under 20 people - some new faces too.
It was exciting to hear about all of the different reasons people want to be a part of the group. The main theme seems to be the sense of community we are getting from the activities.
I also took some time to discuss my intended structure of theFarming.Facilitatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552791604645740653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-33039375391845155232010-11-30T12:17:00.000-08:002010-11-30T12:17:52.778-08:00December Meet & GreetTuesday December 14th
Revel Caffe (50 Wellington St. Stratford)
7:00 pm meeting but feel free to come before to get your coffee & chat
As mentioned in the last post:
I would like to include in the discussion:
- window garden
- book collection
- garden planning
- t-shirts
- compost project
I would also take some time at the beginning to talk about my intended structure of Stratford Farming.Facilitatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552791604645740653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-43967406217067653352010-11-28T07:31:00.000-08:002010-11-28T11:47:55.273-08:00Plan for next meet & greetDate: to be determined
There are lots of things to talk about at the next meet and greet (I hope we can have it the week after next)
I would like to include in the discussion:
- window garden
- book collection
- garden planning
- making our own t-shirts
- compost project
I would also take some time at the beginning to talk about my intended structure of Stratford Urban Farming Experiment&Farming.Facilitatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552791604645740653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212191026235040271.post-16132655769430995642010-11-08T10:06:00.000-08:002010-11-08T10:06:04.745-08:00Dinner after the farmer's market
cooking in our tiny kitchen
Turnip&Potato Mash with roasted parsnips, brussel sprouts and
multi-coloured carrots (from soiled reputation)
Just add some onion gravy and beans - time to eat!
I am so happy that the farmers market is downtown - I can walk to get my veg & cheese every Sunday. I can't wait for it to expand!Farming.Facilitatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552791604645740653noreply@blogger.com0