This year, the College of the Rockies launched the Food in the Valley workshop series — a fresh opportunity to gather and learn about our food system from a dynamic Creston Valley perspective. Once a season, we look at a food issue through a “think global, act local” lens. Each session focuses on a specific topic, examining it from a global perspective and preparing to act on it in our community.
In January, more than 40 people came together to hear Kootenay farmer Patrick Steiner share seed saving techniques and thoughts on the importance of protecting community access to seed.
On April 29 (7-9 p.m.), the series continues with the spring session, “Scaling Up: More Food in our Valley.” The workshop will bring accomplished organic agriculturalist and advocate Colleen Ross to the valley to offer her perspective on how scaled up production on small farms can help farming families to make a living and grow our supply of healthful foods.
Ross is new to the Kootenays, but a veteran farmer and food systems builder. She has been farming for more than 30 years, first in Australia and for the past 15 years in Canada. Her family farm is a successful model of biodiversity, sustainable organic production and profitability. Ross has traveled extensively, learning from other farmers and speaking about the global farm income and food crisis.
Ross’s Creston workshop will be highly interactive. She will draw on her wealth of experience to answer our questions on the practical steps can be taken to grow our local food supply and revitalize our attitudes and approaches to growing food.
Anyone with an interest in sustainability, food security, gardening, organics or even community building should think about taking part in “Scaling Up: More Food in our Valley.” The workshop will be an opportunity to meet others who share a passion for a sustainable food future.
To register for the workshop, visit the College of the Rockies, email creston@cotr.bc.ca or call 250-428-5332.
—COLLEGE OF THE ROCKIES